Receiving a letter has a different effect on people than receiving an email. Because letters are tangible, they are seemingly more permanent than anything online. Because of this, letter writing may be more personal than a digital message. However, "more personal" does not mean writing a letter has to be difficult. Some tips for effective letter writing are:
- Don't formalize your language. Write a letter that sounds like you so that the letter has a natural flow that the recipient can connect with. However, if you are writing a business letter or something of occupational importance, it may be beneficial to disregard casualness.
- In an informal letter, punctuation can add color to the writing. Underlining words can emphasize a point, and dashes can be used for more dramatic pauses than commas provide. And don't forget exclamation points!
- Thinking too long on proper formatting or the "correct" way to say things can make the letter sound stiff and forced. Write as though you are speaking to the person, not narrating a detailed story.
- It is important to remember that a letter has just as much, if not more, effect than a text message or email. With the right personal touch and attention, a written piece has more detail and meaning than anything digital could possess.