Why write letters?Â
In our tech-centered world, is there still value in putting pen to paper, addressing an envelope, affixing a stamp, and sending your thoughts to someone?
These are the questions that English 101 grappled with this fall. Here is what students had to say!
Anyone can sit down and write a dry, simple three or four sentence letter and claim to "appreciate" letter writing. But only those who pursue this art and find their passion for it can truly appreciate and respect it. There is one this about having conversations with my friends that I believe I respect about letter writing. It is so easy to talk through text with my silly abbreviations, but I lack the deep connections that letter writing could, and would, provide.
- Carter Rice
Rather than just sending a quick text, you have to sit down and take time to write that letter. It's a sense of strong respect in a way. To see the name of the writer of the letter, and for them to take the time to compose a piece that you may never forget.
- Josh Burnette
Letters are solid, and they are real--they can be touched, seen, reacted to. I think this is what makes them stem so far away from just a text or a verbal conversation. The impact is so much greater, so much heavier. You're sure to never forget those words, because you will always be able to see them.
- Marisa Wheeler
"...there's a certain beauty to letter-writing that's being lost amongst the phones and laptops."
In person, the nerves might overcome a person, forcing them to struggle and fight for the words and ideas they so desperately wish to expel from their mind. On the contrary, letter writing doesn't have any of that--the nerves, the stuttering, the "like, and, uhh, and ummms". Letter writing is very complex, a work of art if you will. For it is the mind, in all its purity. No filters, no obstacles, no distractions from the true message and meaning from within.
- Anonymous
Texting someone is nice, but there is no individuality to that like the individuality of writing. Everyone's handwriting is different, so seeing that on a page adds another personal touch that cannot be achieved via screen. Letter writing has everything to do with the present, and what is going on in that moment. It may make it to the recipient after that moment has passed, but the moment is captured in time for the recipient to experience with you.
- Hannah Pease
As much as I love writing to people, letter-writing and receiving has not played as big a role in my life as I wish it had. I've never had a pen-pal; I've never written a thank-you letter; I've never even passed a note to someone in class. With today's technology, most people find it much easier to send a text or an email, which of course has its advantages, but there's a certain beauty to letter-writing that's being lost amongst the phones and laptops.
- Anonymous
When you write, you're alone with your own thoughts, but you're writing out what you want to say to that person, so it's like their company is present. It's almost like having a conversation with that person in the moment. Everything is so still, and your thoughts are running through your mind.
- Anonymous
It is easier than ever before to just simply send an email. Or a text message. But that is agonizingly unfair to these older generations; the generations who raised us to show compassion and respect for one another. These generations may not prefer the ways of newer technology, they may not understand it, and they may not even own it.
- Ryan McAtee
"It may make it to the recipient after that moment has passed, but the moment is captured in time for the recipient to experience with you."
Receiving a letter always makes my heart warm and happy because it means someone was thinking of me. I have had family in the Marines and Army, and that was the only way we could hear from them for certain periods of time. Letters are more than just a piece of paper with useless words on it. They are meaningful and thoughtful messages that explain someone's feelings and thoughts.
- Anonymous
Letter writing is a completely different form of writing. A text or an email can be short and to the point, and you don't have to worry about a long send time. Letters, on the other hand, take a long time to consider what you are writing to someone since you have no idea what their answer might be.
- Kassidy Brewer