NORFOLK — For many decades citizens in the United States have been able to express their opinions and practice their freedom of speech by writing letters to the editors of local newspapers.
Such letters are conversation starters and are a tool for letting the media and the leaders of our nation, our state, and our city know what we as citizens think about something that is relevant to our community.
A well thought out letter, which can be read by hundreds or even thousands – from average citizens to community and political leaders – can bring attention to key issues and can even set the wheels of change into motion.
Sunday at 4 p.m. the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club will host a workshop at the Muse Writers Center in Norfolk that will offer guidance to anyone who is interested in learning how to craft a good letter to the editor.
“A good letter to the editor can be many different things,” said Ann Creasy, community outreach coordinator for the Virginia Chapter. “The main goal of a letter to the editor is to bring attention to an issue or topic.”
“Some good letters to the editor will be nothing more than a strong opinion that catches someone’s eye,” she said. “Another might be a more detailed response in order to correct false information included in an editorial that ran earlier in that media outlet.”
During the workshop people will learn more about the role the media can play in activism and in bringing awareness to important issues. They’ll also get a few updates on trending environmental concerns.
“We will give updates on key environmental issues and the kind of media attention they are (or are not) getting, and strategize to respond via letters to the editor or opinion editorials,” Creasy said. “There will be specific tips and examples to help people draft letters to the editor.”
Sierra Club staff and other activists from the community with experience in writing these letters will be leading the workshop and sharing their experiences.
“It doesn’t take long to draft a letter to the editor, but the ones that get published will reach a sizeable audience,” she said.
The Must Writing Center is located at 2200 Colonial Ave., Suite #3.
