Decline of formal letter writing in contemporary communication

Decline of Formal Letter Writing

Once the only means of long distance communication, the formal letter has taken a plunge in popularity over the past century. The telephone was the first major technological development that led to the decline of formal letter writing. Even before the telephone became commonplace, the telegram served as a quick or instant mode of long-distance communication that substituted for a formal letter. Wire services such as the telegram or the telephone offer conveniences that the formal letter cannot, such as immediate delivery or live conversation. However, the contents of a long formal letter cannot be contained in the small package of a telegram. Phone calls can be expensive, and do not offer the opportunity to write poetically. Formal letters, whether they are love letters to and from estranged partners, political messages from leader to leader, or letters from sons serving in the military, are a unique mode of communication. Although they are now being further usurped by e-mail, formal letters will never totally lose their popularity.

The convenience of the telephone and its ability to allow parties to hold live conversations first undermined the necessity of the formal letter. Once the telephone became a household item, it was far easier to call mom than it was to write her a letter. Calling doesn't require as much time spent on the communication, nor does it demand as much brain power. Furthermore, for the first time in history a two-way long distance conversation was possible. This rendered the formal letter useless for many personal correspondences.

Technological advances unrelated to communications created social conditions that contributed to the downfall of formal letter writing. Modern conveniences and appliances cut down on physical labor and inspired leisure activities. Ironically, this newfound free time did not interest people to write more letters. Instead, people in Western cultures became lazier in general. Suddenly writing a long, formal letter became more of a chore than a time of reflection. Again, it was much easier to pick up the phone and call -- especially as telephones were becoming increasingly easy to use and prolific. The whole world became wired, making even the most remote places accessible by telephone. Long-distance communication for business or personal reasons centered on the telephone.

The advent and of e-mail and its burgeoning popularity in the 1990s made formal letter writing even less popular. Because e-mail and instant messaging programs combine the best features of letters and phone calls, they are the most significant factors contributing to the decline of the formal letter. Because they are one-sided like letters, e-mail can be totally anonymous or highly personal, depending on the need. E-mailing is far faster than "snail mail." There is no better way than to communicate with a friend traveling in Europe than to send an e-mail. E-mail is also relatively inexpensive, and in many cases cheaper than a stamp.