Letters vs. Email

In a world where people expect everything to be right at their fingertips within seconds, it is possible that letters will one day become obsolete. Email has become a huge means of communication and now other methods like text messaging, instant messaging, and Twittering have started to show precedence over letters. There are many positive attributes and benefits of using direct mail and letters.

Direct mail gives you the opportunity to truly "inspire, frighten, cajole, convince, make cogent arguments, and motivate" your audience by using real emotion. (Levinson) When people read emails they do not want fluffy, drawn out responses. Readers want direct and concise information when they read an email. Letters allow the writer to present valuable information in a persuasive, organized manner. Letters require more personal thought to be put into them and also provide historians with valuable information. (Thaindian News) Also, emails and other forms of electronic data are more easily lost than paper letters.

To me, letters show a more emotional and personal connection. I have grown up in a world where I have everything at the snap of my fingers and have suffered from the results of instant gratification. It is great living in a world where I can communicate quickly and effectively, but I do believe that letter writing can still be important. At least for a little bit longer. There is already evidence that letter writing is becoming second-best to methods like text messaging and emailing. It is important that people still see the importance and value of a hand written message.



Levinson, Ivan. "E-mail vs. Direct Mail: Which works better?".

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/world-news/art-of-letter-writing-dying-out-as-people-use-email-and-texts_100182116.html