| Tips for letter writing |
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| One effective way to campaign for animal rights is by writing letters to newspapers or magazines. You should type your letters, if possible. Otherwise, write legibly. Preferably send your letters by email. Be sure to use correct grammar and spelling, and proofread your letter before sending it. Read your letter more than once, and if possible, ask someone else to look it over, too. Choose a title for your letter. The editor may change it, but may also keep it if he/she finds it appropriate. It's the title which first attracts the reader's attention. Before writing, do your homework. Make sure that you get any facts and figures right. If you mention people, make sure that what you write is not libellous, otherwise the editor will not print it. Keep personal grudges and name-calling out of letters; they will destroy your credibility. Never lie or exaggerate. Once found out, you lose all credibility, no matter what you write. Use language that most people will understand. Remember that you are not trying to impress; you are trying to convince. When writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine, be sure to follow the publication's instructions with regard to length, personal information that must be included, etc. Newspapers often ask for a telephone number so that they can verify that you are the author of the letter before they print it. Letters in response to articles or other letters should be sent without delay, within a day or two if possible. A prompt response will not only make the paper more likely to print your letter, it will also ensure that readers will remember the original item. In rebuttals, it is best to focus on a few points, and explain them clearly. Try to tell readers something they are not likely to be aware of, and if possible, encourage them to take action. Keep letters short. Long letters make readers lose interest, and may also be abridged by the editor, with the chance that an important part is left out. Add humour if possible and appropriate, but don't overdo it. Never write statements such as "What a sick society we must be, for everyone to be writing about xxxxx (other issues), and nobody writes about xxxxx (an animal rights issue). First of all, every person has the right to voice one's concern on the issue which one wants to. Secondly, the persons writing on other issues may also agree with you on animal rights issues. Thirdly, by that statement, you would be contradicting yourself. If you are writing, your claim that nobody writes about (animal rights issues) would be incorrect. Last but by no means least, if it's an issue one feels strongly about, one should not wait for others to write in, but should do so oneself. Through leading by example, others will follow. Avoid using the term "animal lovers". Animal rights are a matter of justice, and not just compassion or emotion. Animal rights should be recognised by everyone, and not just animal lovers. For more about this, see "Why you should avoid using the term Animal Lover" (in the Animal rights section index). Be prepared for criticism after your letter is published. Do not take criticism of your letter personally, and if you reply back, try not to attack the person, but only what the person writes. Be mature and admit it if you find that you have been mistaken on some points. This will show that you are a reasonable person, and not a hard-headed fanatic, and will increase your credibility. |
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