Chapter 7: Traditional Written Communication
For the first time in a long time, many students can say that they have never written, mailed, or received a traditional letter. Why would they? Direct messages are quicker, texts are more personal, and sometimes the perfect Instagram post is worth a thousand words, not to mention a thousand “likes.”
In the working world, however, traditional channels of communication still carry the greatest authority. It is true that every modern organization would be lost without email, but when it comes to demonstrating formal respectful, documenting a situation for the record, or proving a writer’s credibility, traditional channels of communication usually offer the right tool for the job. Each of the following channels–letters, memos, reports, and proposals–asserts that a writer is to be taken seriously. Each has its own purpose and is well-suited for a particular kind of message, and each must be structured a certain way in order to meet the recipient’s expectations. Mastering these forms is like learning a secret handshake in the world of professionals.
