Old Versus New: The Art of Letter Writing

Is the art of letter writing dying? Perhaps it might be more accurate to suggest that the old method of transmitting letters is in a state of transition. It becomes a question of the old versus new, when it comes to the art of letter writing, but at the same time, love letter writing will never end.

It is interesting to note that letter writing has gone through a multiplicity of transitions over the course of history, all the way from writing letters on walls, papyrus, slates and paper to the transmission of Internet messages, in our era.

In many ways, letter writing has always been an art form with specific rules of etiquette, for each era.

For example, the article, “Etiquette: The Victorian Art of Letter Writing," reveals some of the secrets of proper letter writing during that era.

With the introduction of ever advancing, electronic technology and with an eye to our future, it would appear that the art of letter writing is expanding and being refined further rather than disappearing, as some might suggest.

New rules of etiquette will continue to appear in the future. These new rules will be appropriate for the letter format of each era.

Computer e-mail opened the door to electronic letter writing and even longer letters like newsletters. Now informative newsletters are taking on the format of personal blogs, but then, newsletters are not new and different, just computer generated now..

With the recent introduction of smart phones and text messaging, the art of letter writing is once again in a state of transition. These letters are shorter, more succinct and to the point.

Love letters will never cease to be a part of our literary history, as love will never die. The communication of love from one person to another is something that is timeless, even though its expression may vary. Love letters take on many different formats, for example, recently changing from cards to e-mail cards with messages or short letters sent as part of the e-mail cards.

Note that different kinds of script used in letters of the past, were, still are and will always be an important part of the art of letter writing process. It is not only the written words, but also the style and the format of the script in the letter that makes letter writing an art. This has aesthetic appeal to the eye of the beholder and each script makes a statement of some kind.

Old letters were handwritten or more recently typed on paper. With the advent of printers, the same kinds of letters can now go through a printer or a fax machine. It only takes a few moments to send or fax them to someone. Printing a letter can be in any format.

Delivery of letters by courier or mail-man/mail-lady is still the fashion of the day, but snail mail is transitioning to e-mail or text messaging, which is almost instantaneous in terms of its time delivery factor.

The words people convey in their letters may change from those of merely factual letters conveying information of various kinds to more formal words, like those included in business letters for various projects, including fund raising.

A familial letter might be a letter of condolences. Letters often convey family information or in a broader sense as part of a larger family, newsletters to communities. These may become online newsletters, as well.

Throughout history, people have desired to communicate with one another via letters of some kind. This is not likely to change. There will always be letter writing although its art form may change repeatedly throughout generations to come. Its mode of transmission will possibly change also.

Enjoy the letters you send and receive because letter writing is an art, unique to human beings. It may change, but it will never die.