Skip navigation.

Send a Letter to the Editor

Record high gas prices have been making the news headlines for the past few months. Each week gas prices top the previous week, resulting in a new all-time high.

While the public continues to be outraged about gas prices, some politicians (McCain, Bush, and Gingrich) are taking advantage of the dire situation by organizing a push to drill for oil along our coastlines and lift a 27-year moratorium.

But, if you scratch below the surface of their “drill now pay less” rhetoric, you’ll learn that the only people who stand to benefit from offshore oil drilling would be their friends in big oil. Exxon Mobil and the other oil major oil companies are already bringing in record profits due to high gas prices, more drilling would mean they’d make even more money, while the public would not see any change in gas prices.

The media has been focusing on pushing the pro-drilling messages from heavy-handed oil interests. It's time for the public to hear the other side of the story, why offshore oil drilling is NOT the answer. Take a couple minutes to write a letter-to-the-editor of your local paper.

Helpful Hints Checklist:

- Make sure you include your contact info - Put your full first and last name, address, phone and/or fax numbers (day and evening) and your e-mail address at the top of the letter. Most publications will want to call the writer to confirm authenticity: (i.e. that you are using your correct name -- not a phony name -- and that you did in fact write the letter).

- Cut to the chase - You don't need a long introduction to your subject. Focus on one or two key points and use short, punchy sentences, grouped in two or three paragraphs.

- Be yourself - Let your sense of humor shine through, but be careful not to cross the line of good taste. If you have read a news story or feature article that relates to something you've experienced, respond by putting your own personal twist on the subject.  

Step 1 - Select a Recipient

Start by selecting your state:

Look for papers within miles of zip code

Step 2 - Write your message

How to write a great letter to the editor

It is generally acknowledged that the two primary sections of a local newspaper that a member of Congress reads are the front page of the local section and the editorial pages. In fact, many members of Congress consider a letter-to-the-editor to be representative of hundreds of constituents, not just the person who signed the letter.

LTE steps to follow:

1. Decide why you are writing the letter. Are you responding to another letter? Do you want to call readers to action? Is your goal to educate others? These are all good reasons to write a letter.

2. Know the publication's guidelines. For instance, your local paper might request that letters be no longer than 250 words and limits writers to one letter a month. You can usually find the publication's letters to the editor guidelines on the editorial page or on their web site.

3. Keep it brief, the best letters are short and limited to a single point otherwise letters are likely to be condensed in the editing process which may cause the letter to be altered. Make sure you sign your name and even if you email the letter be sure to still include your address and phone number.

4. Determine one to three messages you want to express in your letter. Jot down your messages before you write. Avoid rambling and keep in mind most newspapers are written for readers at the fifth grade level (sad but true). If you are responding to another letter, avoid repeating negatives by touching on the point and going with your own positive message.

5. Make it timely by sending in your letter as soon as possible. It helps the editor if you reference a particular story by date and the headline. Most publications now accept signed letters by facsimile and some will take letters by e-mail (with a phone number to verify authorship).

Congratulations - now you have the tools to write a great letter to the editor!

Decide on a media outlet.
Please choose only one.




Click on a point to add it to the letter.
  • It will take at least 10 years for offshore oil to reach your gas tank.

  • Today’s gas prices will NOT go down because of new offshore drilling.

  • Even if all offshore oil magically came to market today, the vast majority of our oil would continue to come from overseas, and it would only save us pennies at the pump.

  • The current moratorium was put in place decades ago to protect us from the danger of oil spills along our coastlines and beaches.

  • Burning fossil fuels like oil causes global warming, which causes stronger hurricanes, which will threaten the very offshore drilling rigs being proposed, which will contribute to even more global warming.

  • By the time offshore oil comes to market in 10 years, we ought to be well underway toward switching off of fossil fuels in order to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

  • Just locating the oil requires massive seismic testing - which threatens whales and dolphins.

  • Oil prices are set on the global oil market, so American oil is no cheaper than Saudi oil. We won’t get a discount for oil drilled in the U.S.

  • Renewable energy is available now, so it’s time to walk away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy future.