Sun Sep 30, 2012, 02:28 PM
yortsed snacilbuper (1,017 posts)
Letter-Writing: Ten Tips
There are many forms of activism, but one of the better forms is letters to the editors of newspapers. Newspaper letters allow the readers to hear opposing views and they give the Freethought community the opportunity to dispel any misinformation or mythinformation and to educate the public about any issue that is relevant to Freethought.
Since the advent of the Internet, this has become truer because newspaper readers have expanded from the newspaper’s circulation to their online readers as well. There are only small amounts of newspapers that do not include their letters section online. We will discuss the fundamentals behind letter writing and provide ten tips for improving your chances of a newspaper printing you on a regular basis. There are two types of letters written to editors of newspapers; responsive and initial. Responsive letters are written in response to an already printed editorial or letter and usually are comprised of rebuttal information or clarifying information. Statistically, most letters to editors from the Freethought community are responsive in nature. Read more link
|
6 replies, 599 views
Always highlight: 10 newest replies | Replies posted after I mark a forum
Replies to this discussion thread
| Author | Time | Post | |
| yortsed snacilbuper | Sep 2012 | OP | |
| Curmudgeoness | Sep 2012 | #1 | |
| yortsed snacilbuper | Oct 2012 | #2 | |
| Curmudgeoness | Oct 2012 | #3 | |
| trotsky | Oct 2012 | #4 | |
| Oregonian | Oct 2012 | #5 | |
| Curmudgeoness | Oct 2012 | #6 |
Response to yortsed snacilbuper (Original post)
Sun Sep 30, 2012, 05:51 PM
Curmudgeoness (10,486 posts)
1. This might be a good idea for some,
|
and I have used the LTTE more than once to refute wingnuts. But I have also had problems because of this---hate mail, nasty phone calls, threats.
I am not opposed to people who I know being aware that I am an atheist, but I am not comfortable putting my name on a letter published in my paper. The religious freaks here are rabid. |
Response to Curmudgeoness (Reply #1)
Mon Oct 1, 2012, 03:54 PM
yortsed snacilbuper (1,017 posts)
2. I know what you mean,
|
I wonder if the news papers would let letter writers use a fake name because they are worried about their safety?
|
Response to yortsed snacilbuper (Reply #2)
Mon Oct 1, 2012, 06:57 PM
Curmudgeoness (10,486 posts)
3. No, they won't.
|
Well, at least my small town newspaper won't, and neither would the former Houston Post. I have had problems with letters that I have written to both, but they will not let you use an alias. I have asked when I reported abuses. My newspaper here even calls to check and make sure you wrote the letter before they publish it.
|
Response to Curmudgeoness (Reply #1)
Tue Oct 2, 2012, 08:06 AM
trotsky (32,965 posts)
4. Yep, I got some nasty hate mail the one time I sent a LTTE.
|
Very graphic and disturbing. From a follower of the "Prince of Peace," of course.
|
Response to trotsky (Reply #4)
Tue Oct 2, 2012, 11:51 AM
Oregonian (209 posts)
5. WWJT?
|
Who Would Jesus Threaten?
Anyone who proposes a secular government, I guess. I live in a blue state (but a red county). Letters promoting common sense and irreligion in the public square are not well-received. It's ironic that we hate the Taliban. |
Response to Oregonian (Reply #5)
Tue Oct 2, 2012, 09:10 PM
Curmudgeoness (10,486 posts)
6. They only hate the Taliban
|
because they do not believe in Jesus as the son of god. Change Mohammed to Jesus and they will be embracing the Taliban.
Hard core Evangelicals = American Taliban. I see no difference in the two. |

