Despite the popularity of email, a written letter can be more powerful and effective in formal situations, such as writing to elected officials or providing a letter of recommendation. Written letters also convey emotions better and preserve the tradition of letter writing.
With the Internet now present in almost every household, letter writing has become a thing of the past. Why spend time and money writing something down on paper when you can send a quick email and reach someone in seconds? The answer is that despite the popularity of email, sometimes a written letter can be much more powerful. Emails get lost and sometimes ignored, but mostly they’re seen as more informal and less powerful than written letters. So when is a written letter a good idea? Here are some examples.
If you’re writing to elected officials, such as members of Congress, a written letter will most likely give you an answer. A well-structured letter sends the message that you have taken the time to think through your complaint or request, and it will be a more compelling argument than an email ever could be.
Whether you need to send an apology or a thank-you note, a written letter will convey your message more strongly than a few emailed lines ever could. A written letter shows the recipient you care enough to go through the trouble of writing something, buying a stamp, and finding a mailbox. Other types of messages, such as wedding invitations and newsletters or Christmas cards, preserve the tradition of the written letter.
If you are writing a letter of recommendation for someone, be it a former employee or a student, a written letter is the preferred form. This is because a written letter seems more permanent, while an email or fax will seem out of date a few weeks after you first send it.
The general rule is that formal situations are best handled through written letters rather than emails. Even though email has become the most popular form of communication nowadays, it is still seen as informal by most people and does not carry the same weight as written letters.
Finally, remember that written letters can convey the writer’s feelings much better than an email. If you’re texting a relative or writing to a long lost friend, opt for paper. The power of written letters arriving at your door cannot be compared to the simple click of an email reaching your inbox.
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