Lindsey M Straus Esq Rick Taylor November 14 2017 Presenters Rick Taylor Editor Music and Musicians Magazine Lindsey Straus Esq Senior Editor MomsTEAMcom Law Office of Lindsey M Straus ID: 655035
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Lower Cape IndivisibleEffective Letter Writing in the Age of Trump
Lindsey M. Straus, Esq.Rick TaylorNovember 14, 2017Slide2
Presenters
Rick Taylor, Editor,
Music and Musicians Magazine
Lindsey Straus, Esq. Senior Editor, MomsTEAM.com, Law Office of Lindsey M. StrausSlide3
General GuidelinesContentWriting
Format
Effective Letter Writing in the Age of TrumpSlide4
Letters to EditorLetters to Members of CongressPractice Exercise (A/B Letter Comparisons)
Q&AWrap-Up
Effective Letter Writing in
the Age of TrumpSlide5
Do your homework.Ensure timeliness (topic and submission deadline).
Letters to Editor: response to breaking news, article, op-ed, or to discuss important issue Letters to Members of Congress: pending legislation, position on issue
Before You StartSlide6
Content GuidelinesFollow guidelines and word count (letters to editor).One page or less (letters to MoCs
)Focus on single issue. No tangents.Don’t bury the lead. Use inverted pyramid.Slide7
Content GuidelinesFirst paragraph: State reason for writing Middle paragraphs:
Summarize key arguments, support with references to reliable sourcesExplain impact on you/communityFinal paragraph: Re-state conclusion/make specific ask/call to actionSlide8
Don’t write like academic or policy expert, even if you are.Be yourself: Your passion is your power.Create immediacy—show how readers/constituents will be affected by issue
Content GuidelinesSlide9
Provide accurate references from reliable sourcesNever end with directives like "Think about it!" or "Shame on you!“Include a Call to Action
Always end with name/contact infoContent GuidelinesSlide10
Keep it simpleStay on topicBe concise
Fact checkProofreadLet it sit—errors will appearAnother set of eyes helps
.
Writing GuidelinesSlide11
Writing GuidelinesAvoid hyperbole “Repealing this Act will destroy our planet.” Avoid clichés
“Doubling down” “Only time will tell” “At the end of the day” “Rubber stamp”
.
Avoid weak and qualifying language
“I believe” “I think” “Indeed” “Clearly” “Somewhat”Slide12
Writing GuidelinesAvoid passive voice Passive: “The election was stolen by Trump.”
Active: “Trump stole the election.” Avoid jargon or acronymsAvoid unnecessary adverbs
“I
strenuously
oppose …”
.Slide13
Writing GuidelinesAvoid flowery or pretentious language
Original: “The House tax bill currently being steered through Congress is a complex, multi-pronged outline of the essential mission of the Trump presidency: To disassemble government as we know it.”
.Slide14
Writing GuidelinesAs published: “The basic aim of the GOP-Trump tax bill is to undermine our nation’s public safety net.”As published:
“The basic aim of the GOP-Trump tax bill is to undermine our nation’s public safety net.”
.Slide15
Writing Guidelines Use quotation marks appropriatelyIncorrect: Scientists agree on “climate change.”
Correct: Republicans claim Obamacare would set up “death panels.”Correct: The Senator asserted, “All Democrats are socialists.”Slide16
Writing GuidelinesNo insults, attacks or rantsDilute impactGain enemies
Turn off editors/MoCsReduce chances of publication/reading
Could be libelous
.Slide17
Format Guidelines No paragraph indentsNo bold
, underline, ALL CAPS, italics (except for book/movie titles and publication names)
No exclamation points!
No semicolons; start new sentenceSlide18
Letters to editor still matter, even in social media age.MoC likely to see in morning briefingMoC
likely to discuss with staff, especially if letter mentions them
Why
MoCs
Care About
Letters to EditorsSlide19
Letters to Members of CongressSpecific audience: low-level staffer (unless letter on behalf of group)
When referencing legislation, include official number (H.R. 317, S. 478)General writing, content guidelines still applySlide20
Letters to Members of CongressSenator:
The Honorable (full name)(room #) (name) Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (last name)
:Slide21
Letters to Members of Congress
Representative:The Honorable (full name)
(room #) (name) House Office Building
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative (last name):Slide22
Content Guidelines – MoCsBold title
H.R. 1 is giveaway to rich and corporations One topic, one ask in first sentence“I urge you to vote no on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.”Slide23
MoCs Care/Don’t CareCare: One ask—vote for a bill, make a public statement
Don’t care: Laundry list of issues/asks______________________Care: Concerns of groupDon’t care
:
Concerns of single constituent Slide24
Practice ExercisesLetter to Editor (Before & After)Letter to MoC
(Before & After)Slide25
That’s A Wrap200-300 words or less (check publication)Focus on single issue Don’t bury lead. Use inverted pyramid
State reason/ask, list reasons, re-state ask/call to actionSlide26
That’s A Wrap
Keep it simple
Stay on topic
Be concise
Avoid flowery or pretentious language
Avoid hyperboleSlide27
That’s A WrapAvoid clichés Avoid weak and qualifying languageAvoid passive voice
Avoid unnecessary adverbsDon’t forget to proofreadSlide28
Q&ASlide29
THANK YOUSlide30
Lower cape indivisible Website: lowercapeindivisible.comEmail: lowercapeindivisible@gmail.comFacebook: facebook.com/LowerCapeIndivisible/Twitter: twitter.com/lowercapeindiv