Letter to the editor

What is a letter to the editor?

 

 

A Letter to the Editor is a formal comprehensive letter, addressed to the Editor of a certain publication/magazine/newspaper (it can also be sent to whoever is in charge of an important insitution) with the intent of complimenting, critiquing, informing, or communicating a certain piece of information. This letter is generally short, with a citizen raising some concern in front of the Editor of a big organization, hoping it gets highlighted in the papers.

 

 

How to Write a Letter to the Editor?

 

 

Here are all the elements of the Letter to the Editor format:
  • Address of the Sender: This segment includes the address of the person sending the letter addressed to the Editor. It can be an office or residential address, as the question specifies.

 

  • Date of Letter: The date on which letter was addressed to the Editor. This date must be accurate as it serves as a point of reference at many points.

 

  • Designation: The designation of the person receiving the letter. In case of a Letter to the Editor, this is generally filled in as “The Editor”.

 

  • Address of the Receiving Editor: This must include the office address of the Editor, as well as the name of the organization to which he or she belongs.

 

  • Letter Subject: Letter subject must reflect the objective of writing the letter in very few words. It must be concise, as written in a way so as to cover everything the sender deems necessary.

 

  • Salutation: This part reflects the courtesy of an individual, hence is extremely important. The writer should use words like Madam, Sir, Miss, or a salutation of both sexes in case of information ambiguity.

 

  • Body: Body of a letter is the main point of all its contents. It is generally divided into three sub-sections, namely- Introduction, Content and Conclusion.
    • Introduction- Gives a brief abstract of the content to follow.
    • Content- Includes the main details and subject matter of the letter.
    • Conclusion- This part concludes the information to provide a summary and give fluidity to the whole content.
    • A letter appears better structured if the writer adheres to this sequence of writing.
  • Complimentary Conclusion: This part should add a kindly reminder for the Editor to take the appropriate action if any needs to be taken or give an appropriate conclusion to the main content.

 

  • Name of the Sender: The name or signature of the person who addressed the letter is required to add reliability to the letter and the information provided.

 

  • Sender’s Designation: If the sender belongs to any organization, he or she may choose to add their designation right below their name or signature.

 

 

Letter to the Editor Format

 

 

Formal letters format do not vary much in general, be it a Letter to the Editor or the Principal.

 

Sender’s Address

 

Date 

 

Receiver’s Designation Address


Subject: ______________________________________________


Respected Ma’am/ Sir


Body of the Letter

 

Introduction- Gives a brief abstract of the content to follow.
Content- Includes the main details and subject matter of the letter.
Conclusion- This part concludes the information to provide a summary and give fluidity to the whole content.
A letter appears better structured if the writer adheres to this sequence of writing.

 

Yours Sincerely,

Sender’s Name

Sender’s Designation (Optional)

Sender’s Signature

 

 

 

Letter to the editor samples

 

 

SAMPLE 1

 

 

24D, Block 4
Defence Society
New Delhi
24th June 20xx

 

The Editor
The Times
New Delhi

 

Subject: An appeal against rising tech addiction among the youth

 

Sir/Madam,

 

With great admiration and belief in the columns of your newspaper, I seek to bring to your kind notice the fast-growing menace of tech addiction and resultant health scares among the youth of our country.

 

Today, we are able to enjoy some of the most convenient gadgets to have ever existed, which offer far more information and sources of entertainment than any other. As a result, the upcoming generation has been becoming increasingly information-heavy. The number of hours an average person spends in gaining new information, whether wanted or unwanted, is fast increasing, with a screen in front of our eyes showing us new wonders every minute. And on top of that, the wonders are as per choice and preferences. All this temptation often leads young children to spend much more time on these gadgets than what’s healthy. And even though we may not realise it instantly, it levies a huge load of tiredness on our brains and eyes, often leading to inexplicable stress and irritability.

 

Hence, through the pages of your well-famed newspaper, I would like to appeal to the youth worldwide to maintain a balance of all spheres of life to fully enjoy it.

 

Thanking you in anticipation

Yours sincerely,

ABC

 

 

 

SAMPLE 2

 

22/A
D.L. Roy Street
Kolkata
8th September 2020

 

The Editor
The Times
New Delhi

 

Subject: An appeal to not neglect stray animals during the Covid19 pandemic

 

Sir/Madam,

 

I would like to share my thoughts in your prestigious newspaper’s columns and raise awareness on an urgent matter: in the current pandemic situation in the country and the world, stray animals, especially dogs and cats which stay in the streets around us are suffering due to lack of people who feed them.

 

Today, we are amidst a terrible pandemic, where many of us are without jobs or working from home and going out seems like a taboo. Due to this, many of us who would usually feed stray animals in our neighbourhood have stopped doing so, especially due to the spread of news that covid can spread through animals. As a result, many of these strays are dying from a lack of food, and the continuing pandemic may be witness to more such deaths if we do not do anything about it.

 

Hence, through the pages of your well-reputed newspaper, I would like to appeal to the people of our country and the world, to help these animals survive through this unfavourable situation by stepping up to make sure that they are fed.

 

Hope the readers will inscribe the above.
Yours sincerely,
ABC

 

 

 

SAMPLE 3

 

 

S.V. Road
Santacruz
Mumbai

 

23rd January 2022
The Editor
India Today
Mumbai

 

Subject: To highlight the problems faced by students at XYZ university

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

 

I’m a resident of Mumbai, studying at XYZ university. The past few months have caused a lot of ruckus between the department and students due to a lack of clarity about our curriculum.  Students aren’t informed about various important dates which increase pressure among them.

 

It would be great if you acknowledged this issue in one of your columns to increase efficiency in the staff and the department. It would also help students in the future who want to study at XYZ university.

 

Hope you will inscribe the above.
Thank you,
Yours Sincerely,

 

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