Write a Letter to the Editor

Suggestions for points to include in your letter:

-- Advanced scientific research like that carried out at RHIC leads to many technological, educational and economic benefits.

-- Severe budget constraints would place RHIC in jeopardy.

-- Shuttering RHIC or severely curtailing its research program would decimate America’s leadership role in nuclear physics.

-- Scientific talent and programs—and the accompanying economic, educational, and technological benefits—would move to Europe, Japan, and China.

-- Once lost, that leadership might never be regained.

The "ask": be sure to specify what you are asking for. For example, are you asking the reader to contact their representatives? Are you asking your representatives to support robust funding for nuclear science?

Writing tips:

-- Focus on your point and be sure to follow the guidelines and word count limit of the target publication.

-- Remove non-essential words. For example, don’t say, “I think…”.

-- Create immediacy by indicating how readers will be affected by loss of funding for science; try to balance criticism with a positive

-- Ask readers for action and mention your elected representatives — by including their names in the letter and asking for action, you can get their attention.

-- E-mail your letter in the body of the email and put “Letter re: your topic or article name ” in the subject line. Include your address, title and daytime phone number for verification.

See the examples of other letters here:

http://www.aps.org/policy/resources/letterseditor/index.cfm