With the increase in the use of mobile phones and computers, fewer people are writing letters. Some people think that the traditional skill of writing letters will disappear completely. To what extent do you agree or disagree? How important do you think is letter-writing?
It is irrefutable that in today's era of modern
technology
, many people struggle to produce letters
and often avoid writing letters
altogether. While
I agree that technology
has impacted the traditional skill
of writing letters
, I do not agree that this
skill
will die completely as it is still very important.
Admittedly, modern technology
has reduced the need for traditional letters
. Firstly
e-mails are much faster and cheaper than traditional letters
. That is
why these days people are much more likely to email someone than write a letter
. In addition
, business communications have become more informal than in the past. As a result
, a less formal style of writing is more acceptable. Other forms of communication such
as text messaging have reduced the need to write letters
even more.
However
, there are times when there is no alternative to writing a letter
. Letters
are generally more formal and carefully composed than emails Letters
provide a written record, so they are better in the case of official complaints or legal matters. Also
, traditional letters
are more suitable for occasions when they are likely to be kept and re-read by the recipient, such
as letters
of thanks or condolences, as these have sentimental value.
Letter
writing is a very important skill
to learn because the impact of the handwritten message has a more lasting impression on the recipient than any other form of communication technology
can offer. In addition
, handwritten letters
are lasting memories. For example
, my father has a bunch of handwritten letters
that his grandfather wrote to him when he was in college. He has carefully put them in a file and shown them to us as a prized possession. Even though these letters
may be written on computers rather than by hand, one should still learn and practise this
skill
.
To sum up
, there are fewer times when we need to write letters
than in the past. However
, I feel there are still some important occasions when a letter
is the most appropriate form of communication and so the traditional letter
will not die in the foreseeable future.Submitted by manekiyaadil on
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The Greeting
Depending on the style and aim of the letter, you will need to adapt your greeting.
Always start an informal letter in the ways:
- Dear + name
- Hi / Hello + name
‘Dear...’ is more appropriate, so stick with this.
For a formal letter there are two options for the greeting:
- Use Dear Sir or Madam if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to.
- Use Dear + surname if you do know their name, e.g. Dear Mr Smith or Dear Mrs Jones.
