In the Name of God How to Write Letters to the Editor? By: Mohammad Reza Mohebbi, MD

WHAT/WHY TO WRITE? z Replying to editorials, agree or disagree. z Criticising controversial research results. z Adding some points to, or trying to amend a published research work by a colleague. z Expressing one's points of view on a special topic with a recent article as an incentive to the thought expressed. z View points (not necessarily referring to a recent paper) z Research works … (more???)

Lay Publication (Also applies to Scientific Publications): A few letters fit in a typical editorial section (out of the hundreds they receive) so the ones they publish either: 1) Are the best single expressions of what many people said. 2) Make some point exceedingly well. 3) Are signed by some prominent person.

Letters… (General rules!) l Tie your letter to a recent article, or editorial, you will greatly increase your chances of being published. (does not apply in all occasions) l Be sure to consult the journal’s guidelines before writing a letter. l Letters should be short and concise, l Letters should be written with passion, using strong but not strident language.

Letters... In all cases, the letters are usually short and to the point, and the editors have edited them even further to make them shorter. Most people who write letters to the editor would probably like the satisfaction you get when you see your letter published. That way, at least you are certain that they read it. However, it is also apparent that the media can be influenced by letters they do not acknowledge. We see many times that a simple letter to someone in the media wound up in major media coverage weeks or months later.

Stylistic considerations: CONTENT & FORM: 1. State the argument you're rebutting or responding to, as briefly as possible, in the letter's introduction. Don't do a lengthy rehash; it's a waste of valuable space and boring to boot. 2. Stick to a single subject (or at most two). Deal with one issue per letter.

CONTENT & FORM: 3. Don't be shrill or abusive. Editors tend to discard letters containing personal attacks.

CONTENT & FORM: 4. Your letter should be logically organised. - First a brief recitation of the argument you are opposing, - followed by a statement of your own position. - Then present your evidence. - Close with a short restatement of your position or a pithy comment

CONTENT & FORM: 5. Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible. This raises your letters above the "sez you, sez me" category.

CONTENT & FORM: 6. Proofread your letter carefully for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Journals will usually edit to correct these mistakes, but your piece is more likely to be published if it is "clean" to begin with.

CONTENT & FORM: - Read your letter to a friend, for objective input. - Have another person read your manuscript before sending it in to make sure your point is clearly expressed. - One suggestion is that a letter shouldn't be mailed the same day it is written (or the same week perhaps!).

CONTENT & FORM: - Write, proofread and edit the piece. - Then put it aside until the next day. - Rereading your letter in a fresh light often helps you to spot errors in reasoning, stilted language and the like. - On the other hand, don't let the letter sit too long and lose it's timeliness.

CONTENT & FORM: - Try to view the letter from the reader's perspective. ??? - Will the arguments make sense to someone without a special background on this issue.

CONTENT & FORM: 7. Direct your missives to "Letters to the Editor," or some similar sounding title. 8. Include your name, address, phone number etc… and signature.

CONTENT & FORM: 9. Important! - WRITE! Do not try to do a perfect letter. - Just give it a good effort and send it off. - Letter writing is the one thing that any one of us can do on our own without the need to work through a group. No committees are necessary. - Just do it!

CONTENT & FORM: 10. Give it a catchy title. (eg. sti) 11. Make sure you have a sort of "expertise" on the subject, and include a brief (one sentence) bio-line at the end of the article (more applicable to viewpoints).

CONTENT & FORM: 12. Do not make the letter too poetic, simple short sentences are best; and steer clear of long complex words and slang. 13. Check your article for grammar and fluidity, read it out loud to make sure the thoughts flow well.

… & the most important point: Don't be discouraged if your letter isn't published

Thank you !