Much work goes into writing letters to the editors

Dec 30, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Thousands of views must have been expressed in the letter columns of the daily newspapers this past year. As usual, it has been a very busy year for one of the most read portions of any newspaper; with dozens of issues being raised, discussed, cleared up, argued and even exposed.
Those are the hallmarks of any letters section of a newspaper. The other hallmark is being opened to publish issues of all sorts — even if they are critical of the government of the day. One newspaper has been hiding those views from the public’s eyes; so therefore, they (the public) depend on two other newspapers which Guyanese cannot get enough of. Letters to the Editor (forthwith referred to as LTEs) were the main carriers of news and other commentaries from as early as the mid-18th Century. By the 1800s, LTEs became a fixed part of newspapers and were found close to the Editorials.
But LTEs and their eventual publications in a newspaper are just more than pieces of paragraphs which the Editor sits and decides if it is worthy to be published, or which the proofreader browses through for errors in Grammar and punctuation, syntax and such; rather, a published LTE is an expression of the democratic society in which we live in.
It is the ordinary (and in some cases, extraordinary) views of ordinary men and women who sit behind their computers and writing desks to punch keys on the keyboard and put pen to paper. Sometimes we flip through the newspaper so quickly without even thinking about the work that was put in to collect the day’s news and gather the issues of the day, ads, columns, and letters of the day to compile that day’s newspaper.
Often, too, we flip through the letters pages, maybe missing pertinent issues which are being raised. I am ever anxious to know what the pulse-beat of the people out there are; and the letter pages afford the public this privilege, so it is therefore the first part of the newspaper I turn to. Much work goes into writing letters to the editors.
Whoever says that people do not write as they used to anymore have not been reading the LTE section; that there are numerous challenging, breathtaking, refreshing and sometimes educational articles written to bring reading pleasure to Guyanese and the world. My view is that when my letters reach my editors, they must not spend a great deal correcting, rather they must analyse the issue and decide whether it’s worthy of publication. If it is, the public reads, internalizes, tries to understand, appreciates, and maybe if it is directed towards a target group, they should respond within a timely manner.
Obviously space allotment is limited, as our newspapers I am sure, receive dozens of letters each day for publication. It is those above criteria which the editors will look for in the letters. This is a very important section of the newspaper. It’s important too to the schools’ English Language syllabus since secondary school students are required to be taught how to write LTEs in their senior years. Numerous revelations and news items were deduced and first read on in the letters columns.
It is truly the people’s section in the newspaper. They control what is printed there, and to some extent how it is printed, but still, the editor has the last say. That’s why today we need good editors — who understand their roles and the roles of the newspaper — which I think is the most powerful form of media there is in the world.
So, what’s the recipe for a good LTE? Obviously, it must deal with an issue affecting the writer or wider society. But one of the things lacking in these columns (and not that there are not persons capable of writing them) are appreciative and philosophical expressions of views and ideas. More scholarly articles are also encouraged. The Editorials of the Kaieteur News and more so the SN would, from time to time, make for excellent reading — which demonstrates the level of academia in the society. They touch on various international issues, Mid- East policies, world affairs and hit issues right here at home as well.
Could Editorials have by-lines so the readers know which editor is penning that day’s editorial? A good letter must challenge the editor and more so its readers. It goes beyond good Grammar skills; that is important, (and many letter writers lack these [intentionally or otherwise]), however, a good letter must tell about the issue as it is, without holding back contents, expressions and vital information whether for fear or victimization of the writer. Fear must never be on the mind of any letter writer.
A good letter hits hard on the mind of its reader. A good letter speaks the truth, tells the whole story and brings forth facts and not suppositions and half- truths. The intentions of the writer must never be to stir up mischief, and hence misuse the valuable spaces provided free of cost by the publishers of the newspaper company, when a genuine concern could’ve been shared with the public in that same space.
When a LTE has been effectively enforcing to the editor, the reader and wider society, its prominence in the columns is noted.
SN has a portion on their website where the public can leave comments about the individual LTEs in that newspaper.
If discussion-driven and provocatively interesting too, a good LTE would very well receive dozens of comments, perhaps hundreds.
The discussion would just keep going on and on. And that is what editors are looking for; letters which they find “sexy” would most certainly count as a criterion for a good LTE.
As a new year dawns upon us, and as we close this one with all the issues of the days behind us, we move soberly into a new one where new issues and realities confront us and those around us.
When a thought which has been singing in your head wants a way out; when words which you find hard to speak out loud find a way to meander your fingers on that pen or keyboard; when your heart weighs heavy whether to speak out or let it fly; when you can’t find the words to express what you want to say; when you know many will not accept what you put forward, but you just have to go with your gut and what you believe in; when you see a great injustice being done to your fellow human beings and wrongs being committed openly a no one seems to care, and you ask yourself what the right thing to do is; when an idea springs forth and thoughts flow like a river, and you begin to write words which can bring justice, comfort, food for the soul, and ultimate change, and you know the daunting eyes of the world will be on you, to judge, to compliment and criticize, to give encouragement but most importantly to listen although they don’t at all times — but they do hear, then you write.
The rewards when you see your work bearing fruit: change happening, minds being nourished, healthy discussions being exchanged; those follow the moments when you open the newspapers in the morning and see that you have your say; the people has had their say.
Thank you for reading and thank you, Editor, for the great role you play in this important process of exchanging opinions and ideas.
Leon Jameson Suseran

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