Write Letter to the Editors/Op-Eds!

Write a letter to the editor (or an op-ed) providing an argument around a piece of local legislation, a local environmental issue, or another topic relevant to your area. Attempt to get your piece published in a school newspaper, a local outlet, or even a regional or national one!

Stages:

1. Investigation

1. Research and identify potential topics within the broader topic of food choices and environment that are relevant to current legislation or recent articles published in local press.

2. Survey your community to understand better what they care about in relation to this issue.

2. Preparation and Planning

1. Research the specific issue, its consequences, and where it stands in the legislative process (if legislation) independently and with the support of Switch4Good materials and team.

2. Organize research and develop a succinct argument that can be written in a few paragraphs.

3. Research press outlets local to the district in which the legislation is being proposed or where the article was published, including student newspapers.

3. Action

1. Write! The most effective letters to the editor are typically short, only a couple of paragraphs long. 

2. Reach out to personal, professional, and academic connections for edits and revisions. Lucy from Switch4Good is also available for review at any point during these steps.

4. Demonstration

1. Pitch the LTE to the press outlets you found in your research! 

2. Repeat steps up to this point for each LTE written.

5. Reflection

1. Write a short reflection paper (400-500 words) explaining your findings and overall experience. Think about questions such as: what was your experience like with learning about a policy issue? What surprised you? What were some successes? What would you do differently next time?

Deliverables:

• Documentation of research and planning (notes, outline, etc.)

• Documentation of editing and revision (track changes, comments, edited and final drafts, etc.)

• Final drafts of at least five letters to the editor

• Documentation of pitching LTEs to press outlets, including any publications

• Reflection essay 

Commitment: 

• 20-40 hours over the course of the semester