University of Minnesota
Minnesotano Media Empowerment Project
mmediap@umn.edu
612-626-7904


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Editorial Teams

If Latinos are to have ownership of Media, then our opinions must be heard. But many times individuals become frustrated when letter after letter that they send to a newspaper never gets published.

The Minnesotano Media Empowerment Project's goal is to organize Editorial teams made up of individuals within the community that are trained and share the task of keeping up continuous pressure to media sources to publish their opinions. These editorial teams will be ready to respond to negative ad campaigns, biased and superficial reporting, or any other coverage that paints a skewed picture of Latinos in Minnesota.

Get Involved

If you are interested in becoming a member of an Editorial team in your area, whether you are in the Twin Cities or outstate, please e-mail mmediap@umn.edu.

How To Write a Great Editorial: Top 10 Tips

Ten Commandments for Letters to the Editor

Courtesy of Mary Turck, Resource Center of the Americas

Thou shalt be:

  1. Short
  2. Focused
    Grab the reader's attention with your first sentence. State what you want them to know. Follow up with short, clear factual points. Focus on what is most important.
  3. Timely
    Write right away, before the readers (and the Letters editor) have forgotten what the issue is. Respond quickly to news stories, columns or editorials.
  4. Original
    Form letters are pretty easy to recognize, and editors hate them. If you are going to write, use your own words. Be specific. Write about "the DREAM Act" rather than "immigration policy." Or about a particular person you know, or whose story you know, not about "most immigrants."
  5. Professional
    Type letters or send them by e-mail. PROOFREAD. Then proofread again. Send your letter to only one newspaper. Save a copy for yourself. Sign your letter and include your typewritten address and telephone number and e-mail address, so the editor can verify your identity.
  6. Personal
    Your readers (yes, they are YOUR readers) want to know how this affects them personally, or their neighbors personally. Bring the global issues home.
  7. Polite
    You are not a dittohead. Disagree without being disagreeable. Refrain from name-calling.
  8. Accurate
    Get your facts straight. And know where you got them, and that your source is reliable. Also be specific - if you are responding to a particular statement, cite it (Senator Dufus's position on trade policy, as stated in the Star Tribune, p. xx) or quote it (As Senator Dufus said, "blah, blah, blah.")
  9. Rewritten
    I'm a pro. I reread and rewrite my work. Enough said?
  10. Persistent
    If at first you don't get published—keep trying.