Letter to the Editor
The opinion page of any newspaper is a great place to express your views, advocate on an issue, and get the attention of decision-makers. Most papers will print reactions to articles, editorials, or other letters to the editor. However, many papers are willing to print a letter that relates to a current events or issues in general.
In any letter to the editor, it is important to be succinct, respectful, and direct. Most newspapers have limits on length (typically 200-250 words), so it is important to have a main message and stick to it. Don’t try to make too many points or cover more than one subject.
The tone of the letter is also very important. Inflammatory letters that are aggressive and rude often miss the point, and will alienate readers that otherwise may have been persuaded by a certain point of view.
Finally, letters are important because they communicate a message from a local citizen to their community. Whether a reader agrees with the letter or not, it will automatically have some credibility because it comes from a fellow citizen, not an interest group.
The following papers are the major print outlets in Michigan, but do not limit your action to these publications; go local whenever you have the chance!
Detroit Free Press
Letters policy: All writers must provide full name, full home address, and day and evening telephone numbers. Letters should be 150 words or less and are subject to editing for length, accuracy and clarity.
Anonymous letters, photocopies, letters to third parties and letters to other publications will not be considered. Letters, opinion pieces and articles submitted to the Free Press may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
By E-mail: letters@freepress.com
Please put the letter in body of the e-mail. Attachments will not be accepted.
By Fax: (313) 222-6774
By regular mail:
Editor
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
600 W. Fort
Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit, MI 48226
Detroit News
You can send letters to The Detroit News Editorial Page three different ways:
E-mail: letters@detnews.com.
Fax us at: (313) 222-6417
Mail a letter to:
The Detroit News, Letters, Editorial Page
615 W. Lafayette
Detroit, MI 48226
Please include home and work phone numbers, plus city of residence, for verification.
We prefer letters of 250 words or less. Direct rebuttals to editorials may be up to 300 words. Letters are subject to editing and become the property of The Detroit News. We do not consider letters to other publications.
Lansing State Journal
Letters must be 175 words or fewer. Include address and telephone number for verification purposes only. Letters are subject to editing. Letters to the editor, opinion and Viewpoints columns, and articles submitted to the State Journal may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
Questions? Call (517) 377-1256.
By fax: (517) 377-1298
By mail:
By fax: (517) 377-1298
By mail:
Letters to the Editor, Lansing State Journal
120 E. Lenawee St.
Lansing, MI 48919
By e-mail: opinions@lsj.com
By e-mail: opinions@lsj.com
Grand Rapids Press
Letters must be 250 words or less. Include name, address, and phone number. Letters are subject to editing and may appear in print, electronic, or other forms. Material should appear in the body of the email.
