Letter (message)

A letter is a written message conveyed from one person or group to another through a medium. This process is often called epistolary communication, which refers to the specific form of letter writing. While many people think of letters as simple sheets of paper sent through a postal system, the concept is much broader. It excludes materials intended for large audiences, like newspapers, though some newspapers may include an "open letter." Letters serve as a way to communicate, store information, and express art.

The mechanism of sending a letter has changed vastly over thousands of years. In ancient times, writers used many different physical materials to record their messages. They wrote on metal, lead, or pottery fragments. Some used wax-coated wooden tablets or animal skin. Others utilized papyrus, a material made from plants. Even more unusual methods existed, such as using an apple as a carrier for a message.

In modern times, the process usually involves writing on paper by hand or using a typewriter. The message is then delivered through a postal system to a specific recipient.

Letters can be categorized by their tone and their intended audience. They may be formal, used for business or official matters, or informal, used for personal greetings. There is also the epistolary novel, a literary genre where the story is told through a series of letters. This format allows readers to see into the private thoughts and feelings of characters. During the 1700s, this became a very popular way to tell stories.

This period is often called the "Great Age of Letter Writing" because of how much people valued the medium.

History shows that letter writing is one of our oldest forms of communication. Letters are mentioned in the ancient Greek epic, the Iliad. Historians like Herodotus and Thucydides also used letters in their recorded histories. Letters have been used in ancient India, Egypt, Sumer, Rome, Greece, and China. In the medieval period, family collections like the Paston Letters (1425–1520 CE) provide historians with vital details about life in Britain.

These archives serve as primary sources that help us understand the past.

In the 18th century, writing letters had specific social and economic significance. For many, it was a way to self-educate or exchange complex ideas. For women, writing letters was a way to express intelligence and find a unique voice in society. There were also economic rules to follow, as people were charged for postage. Writers often carefully managed their page counts to avoid high costs.

In the United States, the Postal Act of 1845 made writing more accessible by decreasing the price of sending mail.

Technological shifts have changed how we perceive the importance of the physical letter. The telegraph introduced electrical signals to move information between distant points. This was followed by the telex and the fax machine, which sent images through telephone networks. Today, the Internet and email handle most routine written communication.

However, paper letters still hold unique advantages. They provide a permanent physical record and are harder to falsify than emails. Because they require handwriting, they are often seen as more personal and sincere.

Letters also connect to broader themes like privacy, secrecy, and law. Throughout history, letters have been subject to state censorship and confiscation. Private letters found in state archives show how officials interpreted the words of citizens. Even as digital tools like email and text messages become the standard, the letter remains a tool for confidential and official business. Some countries are even seeing a massive decline in physical mail, such as Denmark, which reported a 90% drop in letter mail since the year 2000.