Your persuasive letter to your local newspaper can produce BIG RESULTS for COS. An opinion piece with your story supported by facts will educate, inform, and persuade local communities to support COS and help our movement grow.

When you encourage newspaper readers to act, you are building momentum for our effort. Sometimes local letters/editorials are elevated to national spaces like aol.com or yahoo.com, which is also excellent exposure for Convention of States.

When choosing your topic:

• Consider what is happening in your local community that ties into Article V.
• Choose a national issue you feel strongly about and tie it to Article V.
• You're more likely to be published if you tie your opinion piece to the current news cycle.
• Take a look at the template example (link below).
• If you aren't quite comfortable writing, ask for help! We can provide editing support to correct grammar and spelling.
• Finally, follow up with the newspaper and make sure your piece was received. It can be effective to stay in touch and ask specific questions! Be a squeaky wheel!

Tips for writing your opinion piece:

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/public-policy-advocacy/guidelines-writing-compelling-letter-editor

https://conventionofstates.com/writing-an-opinion-piece

Letter to the Editor template:

https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/public-policy-advocacy/letter-editor-template

Examples of COS grassroots written pieces written to be published:

https://conventionofstates.com/library-of-published-letters-to-the-editor-opinion-pieces

The following site offers quick links to local newspapers across the country:

https://www.nationalpopularvote.com/send-letter-editor-newspapers-your-state

Need help?

Contact Michigan's State Communications Coordinator Robin Riddell at robin.riddell@cosaction.com. 

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