• Be brief! Sometimes one short paragraph is enough. Firing Lines for the Daily Texan have to be under 250 words, but try to make it even shorter: there's a better chance it will get in, and better chance people will get a clear message from it. Include your name, major, classification, and your student organization (if you want to make it look more formal). Guidelines for firing lines are on the Daily Texan Op/Ed page. Send Firing Lines to fireline@www.utexas.edu
  
• Make the first sentence catchy, so it will get reader's attention.
  
• Use the writing style of journalists: Avoid flowery language, write in clear and concise fashion, and keep paragraphs to no more than two or three sentences.
  
• Stick to one issue. Most people can't address the downfall of modern civilization in 250 words.
  
• The letter should be timely. Send it the day of, if possible.
  
• Your chances of getting published increase if you can tie it into a news event or anniversary. Editors like pieces with a "news peg."
  
• Try to tell readers something they aren't likely to know. Whenever possible, tell something that readers can do.
  
• Keep personal attacks out of letters. You'll lose credibility.
  
• Most papers won't accept letters on behalf of a group. Have an individual sign it (group affiliation is OK, though).
  
• Most newspapers have a limit on how often a person can write. Find out what this is, and don't send more than the limit.
• Avoid self-righteous language and exaggeration. Readers will dismiss your arguments.
  For example:
  "Only a heartless sadist could continue to eat meat and dairy when any fool knows their lives are snuffed out in screaming agony for the satisfaction of people who can't be bothered to take a moral stand."
  

  Better:
  

  "Most compassionate people would stop eating animal products if they saw how horribly the animals are raised and slaughtered."
  
• Don't assume your audience knows the issue.
  
  For example:
  

  "Boycott Maxxam."
  Better:
  " Maxxam, the Houston corporation, cuts down 2,000-year-old trees to make 2x4s. Ancient forests are a national treasure, and are more important than paper products."
  

Writing to Legislators:

"Legislators estimate that 10 letters from constituents represent the concerns of 10,000 citizens. Anybody who will take the time to write is voicing the fears and desires of thousands more."
-former Congressperson Billy Evan

Some people refuse to write letters to legislators because they feel it is a waste of time, or because they do not support the U.S. government, or any government. This is a complicated issue. However, if you don't know if the letter you write will have any impact, why not choose to err on the safe side?

Writing a letter doesn't mean you are selling out, or that you support a fraudulent government. The SLF is composed of mainly anarchists, but we recognize that our movements need every tactic we have to bring about total liberation.

• Find out your state and federal legislators.
  State: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm
  Federal: http://congress.org/
  Or you can call 202-224-3121 and tell the operator your zip code.
  
• Identify yourself as a concerned citizen, NOT a member of an organization. Politicians will think you are pushing a group's agenda, rather than being a good ol' neighbor.
  
• Keep letters brief- no more than one page. If you're writing about a bill, mention the bill's name and number and whether you support or oppose it in the first paragraph. Include reasons and supporting data in the next paragraph. Conclude by asking for a response.
  Focus on a very specific topic.
  
• As few as 10 letters on any topic can sway a legislator's vote. An hour of letter writing every month may make a big impact.