Transcript Power Point Presentation on writing LTEs

Letter-to-Editor
Writing Workshop
Making Climate Change News
Why Letters to the Editor?
• The Letters page is one of the most popular sections in the
paper.
• Politicians and their staff tend to read the letters to gauge their
constituents on the news of the day.
• It’s a relatively easy way to get your views published.
• Priority of Publishing:
–
–
–
–
News/Editorials
Columns
Op-eds
Other Letters
How to get published
• Letters to the editor typically are 150-200 words.
3 or 4 paragraphs. Short and Sweet.
– Tip: After drafting, cut 50 more words to trim the fat.
• When writing, ask yourself: What is my message
and how does that relate to the article that was in
the paper?
How to get published
• Don’t try to say everything in one letter. There’s no
room for it and it muddies the message.
• In addition to your full name, the newspaper will
want your address and phone number (not for
publication) to verify your letter.
• Even if you don’t get published, you still got an
assist.
Template Email To Newspaper
Common Emails of Editors
• Toronto Star: [email protected]
• Globe and Mail: [email protected]
• National Post:
– Google Search "National Post letter to the editor“ and submit on
National Post website
• Toronto Sun: [email protected]
• Now Magazine: [email protected]
Finding Articles on Climate Change
Create Google Alert to get emailed climate change articles
in major Toronto Newspapers
1. Go to alerts.google.com
2. Copy and Paste the following into the Google Alert:
– "climate change“ | "global warming" and "Toronto Star" |
"Globe and Mail" | "National Post" | "Toronto Sun" | "Now
Magazine“
3. Save Google Alert
Sample Article 1
Toronto Star: Editorial
How jobs are changing in a warming climate by RAVEENA
AULAKH on DEC 02, 2013
• ….
• A changing climate has made our lives more complicated, says
Yussuff, but he adds it needn’t be a struggle between jobs and
the environment.
• “As I see it, there is potential to create thousands and
thousands of well-paying green jobs . . . there is
transportation, retrofitting of homes, energy efficiency,” he
says. “The statistics speak volumes.”
Sample Letter 1
• One of the most frustrating parts about reading an article on the
effects of climate change on the economy and labour is the lack of
actions that a reader can take.
• We’ve been so disconnected from our involvement in the
democratic process. Each of us has the right to write an email/letter
to our MP. We each have the right to ask them to support policies
to reduce climate change, such as carbon fee and dividend. This
puts a price on carbon and returns the revenue in reduced taxes.
• It has worked in B.C. to reduce emissions by 17 per cent.
Economists agree it’s the best way to reduce emissions. Even oil
companies favour this approach because it’s easiest for them to
implement.
• So why is Canada still not doing it? That’s a question your MP
should answer.
Amar Kumar, Toronto
Sample Article 2
NOW Magazine: Front Page Article
FOUR REASONS KEYSTONE REALLY MATTERS - AND TAR SANDS
OIL DEVELOPMENT IS IN DEEP TROUBLE by NAOMI KLEIN on
DECEMBER 3, 2014
• It doesn't matter: ever since the debate over the Keystone XL
pipeline exploded three and half years ago, that's been the
argument from the project's liberal supporters.
• Sure, the oil that Keystone would carry from the Alberta tar
sands is three to four times more greenhouse-gas-intensive
than conventional crude. But that's not on Keystone XL, we're
told. Why? Because if TransCanada isn't able to build Keystone
to the south, then another pipeline will be built to the west or
east. Or that dirty oil will be transported by rail…..
Sample Letter 2
CARBON TAX CHANGES EVERYTHING
• If we want to shift into a renewable-energy-based economy, we
need to put a price on carbon. It's worked in BC to reduce emissions
by 17 per cent, but still our federal government remains silent.
• It's up to us as citizens to flood our politicians with emails and
phone calls telling them to take action. Some citizens have already
started doing this, like the group Citizens Climate Lobby.
• In a country where 59 per cent of Canadians agree that climate
change should be top priority for our government, we have to
realize that we are an army. We can stop our MPs from stalling on
climate change. It's up to us to make the move.
Amar Kumar, Etobicoke
Let’s Practice!
• Choose an article: 10 minutes
– ask yourself: What is my message and how does that relate to the
article that was in the paper?
• Write a letter: No Time, but feel free to take as homework!
– Letters to the editor typically are 150-200 words. 3 or 4
paragraphs. Short and sweet.
– Don’t try to say everything in one letter. There’s no room for it and
it muddies the message
Good Luck!
Amar Kumar
[email protected]