1. Do use personal or business letterhead, if you have it. However, don't use business letterhead unless you are representing the views of the business.

2. Do write your name and address on both the envelope and the letter. This helps staff in replying, and identifies you as a constituent.

3. Do hand write your letter if your writing is legible. If not, type it, but always sign by hand. If your signature isn't legible, print or type your name underneath.

4. Do spell your legislator's name correctly. If you know your legislator at all, use his or her first name - your letter will receive more attention.

5. Do make the topic you are writing about, and your position on it, clear in the opening sentence. (For example, "I'm writing in support of SB 5, the Family and Medical Leave bill.")

6. Do identify your bill by number, if possible. Know if your legislator is one of the authors and acknowledge it.

7. Do identify yourself as a consumer, parent, etc. and explain how the issue personally affects you or someone you love.

8. Do be brief and stick with a single issue. Keep your letter to one page, although you could add a one-page fact sheet, newsletter article or other enclosure. If you want to write about other issues, send another letter later on.

9. Do give reasons for your position.

10. Do raise a question. A well-formulated question can get a personal response.

11. Do ask for a specific response. Ask whether the person will draft a bill for you, vote for or against a bill, etc. If you don't ask the question, you'll get a very vague response thanking you for your input, but giving you no real information.

12. Do be polite, positive and constructive. Don't plead, and never threaten.

13. Do send thank you letters when your legislator votes as you have requested, or helps you in some way. It is surprising how few letters of thanks are received on Capitol Hill.

14. Don't use form letters. Always write or type in your own words on your own paper.

15. Don't use petitions. Legislators know almost anyone will sign a petition, but hardly anyone cares enough to take the time to write a letter. One personal letter has much more impact than 10 names on a petition.

16. Keep writing!

adapted from AMI-WI, 1994