Letter

A letter is written correspondence from one person, group or organization to another person or organization, with the purpose of conveying information, a request, advice, or feelings. In contrast to spoken conversation, a letter has permanent form: what is written remains, can be stored, and can be read again.

A typical letter follows a recognized structure: date, salutation, the main body containing the message, closing, and the writer's signature. When sent by post, it is placed in an envelope on which the recipient's address is written. Postal systems in most countries use a stamp or postage mark to show that delivery costs have been paid.

Types of letters

Letters are classified according to the relationship between writer and reader. A personal letter is written by one person to a family member or friend, and uses an informal register. A formal or business letter is addressed to an organization, government office, or employer; it uses standardized language, usually includes a subject line and reference number. There are also job application letters, letters of recommendation, cover letters, and open letters written for public announcement or broadcast.

Brief history

Letter writing emerged with the development of writing and writing materials. In ancient times, stone tablets, leather, parchment (maqaar), and papyrus were used, followed later by the paper known today. Government postal systems in recent centuries made letter delivery accessible to entire populations, especially after standardized postage stamps reduced transmission costs.

Historical letters from famous individuals or institutional records have significant value to historical scholarship. Historians derive information from them about daily life, commerce, and politics of the time they were written, since letters were typically composed for readers of that era.

The modern era

Communication technologies—telephone, text messaging, email, and social media—have reduced the volume of personal letters sent by post. However, written letters remain important where legal evidence is required: contracts, formal notices, official correspondence, and signed documents. Email has adopted some letter conventions, such as salutations and closings.