An intellectual battle is won by those who are most effective at communicating their ideas. This seminar will discuss the principles for writing an effective letter to the editor of oneís local newspaper, to newsmagazines or to professional journals. Key issues will include: how to examine the article one is responding to; the importance of respecting the readerís context; how to make convincing arguments within a limited space; and how to present philosophical ideas to a general audience. The lecture will be illustrated with examples from a letters-to-the-editor program run by Mr. Tracinski for the Ayn Rand Institute. Students will then try to apply the principles discussed in class to optional assignments.