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An op-ed is a timely, provocative essay that expresses an opinion on an important issue. Letters to the editor (LTEs) generally respond to a previous article in the paper. Each can be very useful and cost-effective tools for advocates trying to get out a message. Most policymakers or their staff read op-eds and LTEs as a way to track issues important to their constituents.

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Tools for Reaching the Media

March 15, 2013 Communications Success Snapshot: Placing Your Op-Ed

A case study looks at the March 1, 2013 op-ed in The Hartford Courant and the two reports it covers: a great success in media highlighting important ...

January 24, 2013 Writing Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor

An op-ed is a timely, provocative essay that expresses an opinion on an important issue. Letters to the editor (LTEs) generally respond to a previous article in the ...

January 23, 2013 SparkAction's Contact the Media Tool: A Quick Tutorial (VIDEO)

SparkAction's Alison guides through this simple tool to find media in your hometown or across the country and send them your press releases and Letters to the ...

December 19, 2012 Facebook Town Halls & Google Hangouts With the President: Social Media in 2012

Now more than ever, government officials are leveraging social media to bring themselves closer to the people they serve. Government agencies are increasingly ...

August 24, 2012 How to Ask Candidates Questions that Make a Difference

Tips for spreading your ideas without getting the runaround.

August 14, 2012 Aim Higher Than President

In his presentation to TEDxTeen, Jeremy Heimans - co-founder of the world's leading incubator of social movements, Purpose.com - encourages young people to think ...

February 9, 2012 Making Afterschool an Election Issue

During presidential election cycles in particular, voters’ concerns are brought to the forefront ofthe public debate and discussed widely in the media.

February 2, 2012 Grassroots Training Guides for Young People

Generation Opportunity, an organization that is mobilizing young adults through a strategy based on social media and ground operations provides a number of ...

December 2, 2011 The Skinny on Media Partnerships for Youth Media

Diana Coryat has worked as a documentary filmmaker, media educator, television producer, and youth development consultant.

November 15, 2011 Leveraging the Press to Help Youth Media Make a Difference

Tips on getting the media to pay attention to youth-led work. In 2003, Barry Bradford and his students at Adlai Stevenson High School in suburban Chicago began making ...