To increase your success in influencing readers, ensure your writing is:
- RELATABLE: written in a way that readers can identify with the writer, the story, or the concept presented
- ASPIRATIONAL: appeals to America’s promise of equality
- EDUCATIONAL: contains one gender equality fact that is objective and not arguable
- INCLUSIVE: readers should feel the letter is for them / impacts their life
- ACTIONABLE: ends on a hopeful/optimistic note + call to action
Bonus points for humor and/or a key quotable line that can be shared on social media!
To increase the likelihood of publication, consider writing about current events or a recent article. Also, please be sure to match the length of your communication to your audience:
- Writing Prompts: Write4Rights campaign has writing prompts here
- Work with an Editor: Send a note / copy to editingteam@pm.me and our writing team will be happy to help!
- Check the Length:
- Letter to editor: usually 150-400 words, check the publication for guidelines
- OpEd: usually 450-750 words, check the publication for guidelines
- Journal article: starts around 1,500 words, check the publication for guidelines
- Note to an elected official: can be as short as a sentence or two, or longer like a letter to the editor.
SAMPLE (~150 words)
On January 27, 2020 the Equal Rights Amendment was fully-ratified and went from just a name to having a number: 28. Although the 2020 Department of Justice temporarily blocked the National Archivist from certifying the 28th Amendment, one administration cannot halt America’s progress toward equality forever.
Gender equality and our Constitution.
Until now, gender equality has existed as piecemeal law. Americans have not been adequately protected from discrimination by patchwork laws, a court case here, a law, a regulation there.
Piecemeal law is insufficient. What Americans have needed all along is foundational law. With the 28th Amendment (Equal Rights) we can fix the gender equality gap in our Constitution, bringing our country one step closer to liberty and justice for all.
The 28th Amendment reads:
“Equality of rights under the law
shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any
state on account of sex.”
Like bricks, simple, straight-forward amendments firm up our foundation. 97% of Americans favor Equal Rights, 78% of us support recognizing the 28th Amendment. Now that we have a new equality leadership in the U.S. Senate please join me in writing to our Senators and encouraging them to recognize the 28th Amendment in our Constitution.
– an advocate in Virginia
