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Arnessa Garrett, Thursday, January 4, 2024 Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save We sometimes get requests to run letters with multiple signers. I understand why a group would want to put many names on a letter. It is often a way to show there is broad support for an issue or viewpoint.
However, we typically limit letters to one or two signers. We believe letters should represent the views of the writer, rather than of a group. It’s hard for a group to truly collaborate on authoring a letter, and we could rather print the name of the letter’s true author, while mentioning the affiliated group.
Also, I find that letters in a writer's own words are more engaging than those written as a group project. An individual's unique syntax and phrasing are sometimes watered down in a letter written by committee. Often, that can make the letter feel less than authentic.
Then too, there are groups that encourage their members to write to us in a letter-writing campaign on a specific topic. We don’t mind this. It’s good to know when an issue has broad interest.
But we do discourage copying and pasting text that isn’t your own in letters to the editor. When you send a letter, we assume you are relating your views and your views alone. Even if you feel like a certain form letter expresses your thoughts exactly, we would rather you put your opinion in your own words.
It can be hard to determine when a letter is from a source other than the purported author. But when we get multiple letters with the exact same wording, or substantial chunks of text that read the same, we generally weed out those letters. In our letters inbox for the week from Feb.
28-March 6, we received 71 letters. That was a bit lower than previous weeks, but you still had a lot to talk about. The most popular topic that week, outside of national politics, was the war in Ukraine, with 20 letters received on the topic.
The overwhelming majority wanted to see the U.S. continue to support Ukraine.
As it was the week of Mardi Gras, we received nine letters about the holiday, mostly regarding things you saw on the route. And lastly, we received three letters regarding vaccines, a topic that resurfaced after the Texas measles outbreak..
