Tips for letter writers

1. Be timely. The quicker you respond, the better. Don't wait a week or two to get that clever rejoinder off your chest.
2. Be brief. Short letters are best. Just because we have a 200-word limit doesn't mean you need 200 words to make your point. Short letters are more effective - and more likely to get read. All letters are subject to editing for length and clarity.
3. Address your comments to the newspaper and its readers - not to a third party. We don't run copies of letters sent to other people.
4. Be civil. Sarcasm can be effective, but don't overdo it. You can criticize, but avoid highly personal attacks.
5. Letters on abortion and similar perennially divisive topics aren't accepted unless they respond directly to news events and add something new to the debate.
6. Try again. We receive far more letters than we have room to publish. If your letter isn't published, try again on another topic.
7. At election time, remember we do not publish letters just endorsing a political candidate nor letters from a candidate during campaign season. Letters discussing the candidates' stands on election issues are more likely to make the cut.
8. Please use your own name or two initials and your last name. No anonymous letters or "pen names" can be used.

This story was originally published April 30, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Tips for letter writers."