Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of a letter varies among journals. Most letters are comments on previously- published articles. These comments should be objective and constructive. Other usual reasons for letters are to communicate case reports, to concisely communicate clinical and investigative data, and to float new hypotheses.

Less common purposes include: drawing the readers’ attention to important hazards and points of interest of relevance to clinical practice, general medical or political comment, comment concerning the nature or format of a journal, and advertisement of interest to collaborate or gain access to patients or study material.

Format
Careful reading of the journal’s instructions to authors and examining the correspondence section of recent issues of the journal are highly recommended. Doing so will give the author a feel for the scope and style of successfully- published letters.

The submitted letter should be directed to the editor, not the original author. The editor acts as an impartial intermediary, particularly in situations of potential conflict.

The author of the letter should go straight to the point, omitting unnecessary description and detail. Each point should be made separately. Editors almost universally favour brief and concise communications.

In commenting on a previously- published article, one should not repeat arguments already fully covered or referenced in the provoking article. The letter should raise points not adequately addressed or provide information that additionally supports the contentions of other authors. The letter may be used to argue a reasoned perspective and not be a vehicle for biased opinion. General comments unsubstantiated by reasoned argument are unacceptable. Above all, any criticism should always be courteous, and never rude or condescending.

Almost all journals offer the original authors the chance to respond to the letter writer’s comments. Rude letters are almost always easier to respond to than polite ones. Remember that the original authors have the last word and if the criticisms are inappropriate, the letter writer will not have the opportunity to rescind.

Justification of communication
The editor’s bottom line is: Does your information justify publication and is the subject of interest to the journal reader? Minor comments or observations are unlikely to be accepted.