This document outlines a rubric for writing effective letters to the editor using the E-P-I-C structure: 1) Engage the audience with a dramatic fact or statement to grab their attention. 2) Present the problem by explaining how widespread or serious the issue is. 3) Inform the audience about solutions by providing examples of where and how solutions have worked. 4) Call the audience to a specific action.

17. Letter to the Editor Rubric – E-P-I-C
Engage Your Audience
Here, you want to get your audience’s attention with a dramatic fact or short statement.
Keep this opening statement to one sentence if possible.
Problem-State the Problem
Here you present causes of the problem you introduced in the first section. How
widespread or serious is the problem?
Inform about Solutions
Here you inform the audience about a solution to the problem you just presented.
Develop your solution by examples of how and where it has worked. You could site a
recent study or report or tell a first-person account of how the solution has impacted you
or others you know.
Call to Action
Now that you’ve engaged your audience, presented the problem and informed them of a
solution, what do you want them to do? Make the action something specific.

19. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Each letter must be signed and include an
address and a telephone number where the writer can be reached during
business hours. Addresses and phone numbers will not be published. Letters
should be a maximum of 250 words to be considered for publication and may be
edited for length, style and grammar. Letters should be addressed to Letters to
the Editor, Tulsa World, Box 1770, Tulsa, Okla., 74102, or send e-mail to
letters@tulsaworld.com.