Spring Break
We want your nickels
By Lindsay Lorenz and Brenna McCabe
Issue date: 9/9/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
09/09/08 - Upon entering the good old newsroom, the editors of the Good Five-Cent Cigar were shocked and awed when taking a peek into the Cigar mailbox late this afternoon - there were no letters to the editor.
As much as the Cigar staff loves writing columns for the editorial section, it's important that you, dear reader, know that this space is first and foremost reserved for your thoughts and opinions. We strongly encourage our readers to give us their two cents - their five cents actually.
Got an issue? Feel free to vent to us. Feeling inspired? Pass it on. Whatever you've got to say, we are listening, and your peers are reading.
To assuage any fears you might have, I personally guarantee submitting a letter to the editor is probably not as complex of a process as some of you might imagine.
All you have to do is log onto www.ramcigar.com, click on the letter to the editor link and type away. It really is that simple. In fact, if you send us a letter, we'll even edit it for grammar and punctuation errors for free! We do not edit for content - with most letters, if we think something doesn't make sense or is factually inaccurate, we will call or e-mail the author of the letter before putting it in the newspaper.
Anyone can submit a letter, whether it be a faculty member, alumnus or a student. It doesn't matter if you're a freshman or an infamous "super senior" - this space is for you. We even received a letter to the editor from the producer of "Becker" once - you can check our archives.
If and when you're ready to speak up, here are some general guidelines when submitting a letter to the editor.
First, keep it simple. The Cigar asks that all submissions be under 700 words. Unfortunately, we aren't the New York Times and we don't have fifty pages of space, so try to keep it within that ballpark out of respect for other readers and their submissions.
Next, don't forget to sign your name. The Cigar will not print anonymous letters. If you have an opinion, be proud and take credit for it. And please don't bother with pen names - yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Hugh Jass - we'll know if you're pulling our legs.
Something you should also keep in mind is that the editorial section is not the place for advertisements. If you'd like to promote an event or you think you've got a good story for us, you can either place an ad in the newspaper or fill out a request for coverage form in our office. Just stop by room 125 in the Memorial Union!
Lastly, put some soul into it. The more passion you write with, the more powerful your words are. Don't be afraid to tell us what grinds your gears.
The University of Rhode Island is your school, and the Cigar is your newspaper. So give us the best you've got, and we'll continue to do the same for you.
As much as the Cigar staff loves writing columns for the editorial section, it's important that you, dear reader, know that this space is first and foremost reserved for your thoughts and opinions. We strongly encourage our readers to give us their two cents - their five cents actually.
Got an issue? Feel free to vent to us. Feeling inspired? Pass it on. Whatever you've got to say, we are listening, and your peers are reading.
To assuage any fears you might have, I personally guarantee submitting a letter to the editor is probably not as complex of a process as some of you might imagine.
All you have to do is log onto www.ramcigar.com, click on the letter to the editor link and type away. It really is that simple. In fact, if you send us a letter, we'll even edit it for grammar and punctuation errors for free! We do not edit for content - with most letters, if we think something doesn't make sense or is factually inaccurate, we will call or e-mail the author of the letter before putting it in the newspaper.
Anyone can submit a letter, whether it be a faculty member, alumnus or a student. It doesn't matter if you're a freshman or an infamous "super senior" - this space is for you. We even received a letter to the editor from the producer of "Becker" once - you can check our archives.
If and when you're ready to speak up, here are some general guidelines when submitting a letter to the editor.
First, keep it simple. The Cigar asks that all submissions be under 700 words. Unfortunately, we aren't the New York Times and we don't have fifty pages of space, so try to keep it within that ballpark out of respect for other readers and their submissions.
Next, don't forget to sign your name. The Cigar will not print anonymous letters. If you have an opinion, be proud and take credit for it. And please don't bother with pen names - yes, I'm talking to you Mr. Hugh Jass - we'll know if you're pulling our legs.
Something you should also keep in mind is that the editorial section is not the place for advertisements. If you'd like to promote an event or you think you've got a good story for us, you can either place an ad in the newspaper or fill out a request for coverage form in our office. Just stop by room 125 in the Memorial Union!
Lastly, put some soul into it. The more passion you write with, the more powerful your words are. Don't be afraid to tell us what grinds your gears.
The University of Rhode Island is your school, and the Cigar is your newspaper. So give us the best you've got, and we'll continue to do the same for you.
