DA Resists! Resistance Roundtables

Write Letters & Op Eds

Writing letters and op-eds for  local media back in the U.S. is a powerful way for Americans abroad to make an impact from a distance. We bring a unique perspective that can counter propaganda, tell a unique story, and help shape public opinion. 

The key is to be strategic: research your topics, craft a compelling message, and follow submission guidelines to maximize your impact. Whether your group is writing as individuals or in a group, every published piece helps shift the conversation. Ready to make your voice heard? Grab a pen! 

Before the meeting:

  • Research key topics - consider your team’s expertise! 
  • Gather examples of effective letters or op-eds for reference.
  • Prepare submission guidelines for target media and officials.

During the meeting:

  • Discuss key talking points and draft letters or op-eds.
  • Provide peer feedback and refine messaging.
  • Finalize letters for submission.

Follow-up:

  • Send letters to newspapers or elected officials.
  • Track responses and encourage participants to write again.
  • Submit published letters to [email protected] for amplification.

Tips

  • Start local - consider sending your op-eds and letters to the local media where you vote. 
  • Review op-eds and letters to the editor in the media channel you'd like to send content to.
    • Check out the tone, structure (including length), and argument style.
    • Consider asking chatgpt for help with your review. Here's a prompt you can use for that: 
      Review the last 10-20 op-eds published by (insert url of media channel) in the Opinion/Editorial section. Identify common themes in tone (e.g., formal, conversational, urgent, analytical), structure (e.g., anecdote-led, data-driven, problem-solution), and argument style (e.g., emotional appeal, logical reasoning, expert citation). Pay attention to sentence length, paragraph structure, and use of rhetorical devices. Summarize your findings and provide a model outline for writing an op-ed that fits this style.

Resources