Schools Should Teach Letter Writing (Part 1)

Letters are versatile tools. So schools ignore them.

Letter writing diversifies academic skills, enhances academic writing, introduces job skills, and builds valuable mental models.  Too bad schools don't teach them.

• Note: I will use "letters" and "emails" somewhat interchangeably.  Also, read my post on feedback for letters and emails.

The Big Picture.  As letter writing disappears, so do the benefits. If we only teach academic writing--specifically writing for testing--we narrow both writing ability and thought patterns.  When we neglect other forms, either alien conventions arise or the medium becomes feral.

• Standardized tests artificially constrain relevancy.  If it's not tested, it's not relevant.  Verboten even.  This includes real world writing like job applications, envelopes, checks.

• Without letter writing, everything becomes narrative or essay.  Not everything follows those structures or conventions.  Yes, emails have introductions, but not a paragraph with a thesis.

Teach media literacy through application.  How are letters different than emails?  Than essays?  Than scripts?  Practice each form then explain the contrast between them.

In Practice. How could teachers apply letters-emails in the classroom?  Within the first weeks, introduce both mediums together and immediately contrast them.  Then use them for templates and for reflection.   

• Students should practice drafting emails for everyday reasons--missed classes, missing assignments, questions on assignments, questions on grades.

• Students should critique examples and learn common errors--not hitting "Reply," blank or vague subject lines, incorrect greetings and conclusions, and so on.

• Students should write letters to their parents explaining their grades each term.  Letters can also introduce and reflect on projects like portfolios.

• Students should write an introduction letter for their first job.  Of course McDonald's won't require them, but rehearsing for interviews will not hurt.

Other Reasons.  Letters support communication, but they have other uses:

• 1. Jobs require letters.  Job applications often require cover letters sent through email.  Memos are letters.  Legal documents are always written in response.  Software evolves and new conventions arise, but some information and documents start from unchanging forms.

• 2. Slower writing, deeper thinking. Instant messaging (IM) works well for quick questions, but they are reactionary and unsuited for longer messages.  When content grows, structure and longer mediums become necessary.  Slower writing allows for deeper thinking.  Deep thinking cannot happen in sound bites.

• 3. Letters support academic writing. Academic writing treats essays as letter.  Scholars respond to research: critiquing, disputing, synthesizing, and so on.  But this is a conceptual leap for younger audiences.  They struggle.  Instead, teach academic writing as an extension of letters.  Essays just happen to have larger, less personal audiences.

Zoom out. Many pre-internet skills are considered irrelevant today.  I'd love numbers backing this, but today's teenagers struggle with skills assumed for elementary children not long ago:

• Many cannot read analog clocks or count change.  Basic math facts--i.e., multiplication tables--require calculators.

• Many cannot remember their own addresses, address envelopes, complete a job application (the basic information), or compose emails.

• Many cannot search for information in books (using the table of contents, index, or glossary) or use dictionaries (understand alphabetical order).

Final Bell. What should we teach our kids today?  A timeless education teaches timeless things.  The desktop metaphor itself helped transition generations to the digital age.  But what happens when these on-ramps disappear?

• What if digital paradigms leave print culture unintelligible?

• What if the impact is delayed?  Who sounds the alarm?

Go Deeper. Part 2 will muse why starting with instant messaging renders letter writing conventions frustrating.