The American Novelist Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) once said, ‘All good writing is swimming underwater and holding your breath’. While this may be true for any article writing, it is more so in the context of writing a ‘letter to the editor’ (LTE). Most scientific journals have a dedicated section (LTE/Correspondence/Communication) for research dialogues. Very few article types demand the kind of brevity, scientific rigor, and clarity that is expected of a ‘letter to the editor’. It serves two primary purposes; first, it promotes scholarly communication between the journal and its readership, and second, it keeps the peer review process in check. Hence specific guidelines should be followed to ensure its judicious use. Poorly thought of LTE’s can prove to be a bane for the authors.
‘LETTER TO EDITOR’: WHY AND WHEN?
The LTE can be conceptualized and constructed for several purposes, foremost being in response to a published article (methodological concerns, disagreement with interpretation or conclusion, or controversial aspects).Citation1–4 A ‘letter to the editor’ can also be a rebuttal to another LTE. A ‘letter to the editor’ can occasionally be formulated to clarify a concept, provide counterpoints, float a new hypothesis, or present newer perspectives.Citation5,Citation6 At times, original research that falls short of a full-length article can also be written as a short communication.Citation7 Some journals encourage letters that provide constructive criticism of their style, formats, or dedicated sections. For example, how one section of the journal influences the readership’s practice and what can be done to enhance it further. Rarely it can be a communication to invite collaboration or gain access to research material.
‘LETTER TO THE EDITOR’: HOW?
Once the thought of a ‘letter to the editor’ arises, ask oneself – Is it needed? Will it help the readership significantly?
Read the article thoroughly and understand all possible aspects mentioned.
Stay with the idea for a day or two to conceptualize it well.
Perform a literature search on the topic for a comprehensive understanding and to be updated with references.
Be aware of the journal’s requirements (format, style, word, and reference limits). It is a good habit to read a few recent LTE published in the desired journal.
If there is any confusion or question, clarify it with the journal in the beginning.
Include a cover letter that conveys your intentions and declarations of any conflicts of interest.
Brevity is a highly appreciated virtue for LTE.
Be clear about the purpose of the LTE and the points that would be raised.
Keep it simple, concise, and straightforward.
Provide evidence for the points raised with updated references.
Let the points be relevant and appropriate.
Structure the LTE in a manner that each paragraph address one key point. Avoid subheadings unless critically required. The final paragraph should ideally summarize and end with constructive comments or suggestions.
The letter should be courteous. Avoid personal comments or derogatory remarks.
Do not repeat what is already written in the original article.
Make sure to thoroughly read the limitation section of the original article to avoid raising points already accepted by the original authors.
Avoid grammatical errors.
Seek help from trusted colleagues, where required.
Once the LTE is written, it is a good practice to re-read it after a day or two and modify it, if needed, before the submission.
Submit the LTE in the defined time frame (E.g., three months from the date of publication) that may vary for each journal.
RESPONSE LETTER TO A ‘LETTER TO THE EDITOR’
It is an art to respond to a ‘letter to the editor’ that one may receive for an article they published. Since the rebuttal would also be a form of LTE, the general guidelines mentioned earlier apply here. In addition, the following guidelines would help formulate a good response.
The LTE should be carefully studied, and the accuracy of the information and interpretation should be verified with the original article.
Assess the contents of the LTE for any duplication of the points that may have already been addressed in the original article. For e.g., the LTE may raise points that may be already mentioned in the limitation section.
If one feels that the LTE adds clarity to their work and there is nothing much to respond to that, they may choose to do so and inform the editor-in-chief.
If one chooses to respond, begin by thanking the authors of the LTE for reading the article and their efforts in raising well-intentioned points. Thank them also for providing an opportunity to clarify or explain specific points in greater detail.
If the point raised is valid, have the courage to accept it. Clarify the original thought process and further measures being contemplated to address the limitations of the study.
Provide counterpoints, if appropriate, to the raised arguments and back them up with references.
Maintain a respectful tone throughout the letter. Avoid emotive language.
In summary, a ‘letter to the editor’ has a crucial role in scientific writing. It should not be mistaken as communication between an author and the editor. Instead, it is a dialogue with the readership. Most journals index the LTE alongside the original article and the rebuttal from the original authors (if any) together. This helps keep the literature record accurate and the editors on their toes! In the same vein, the author of this editorial would urge prospective authors to resist the temptation to see it as yet another publication avenue or as an opportunity to show down others. It should instead be used to present alternative evidence, newer perspectives, or novel findings, all of which would enhance the credibility of the authors and the journal. It is important to remember that no paper is perfect, and one should carefully assess the seriousness of the purpose before sitting down to write a ‘letter to the editor’.
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References
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