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The Handwritten Letter

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The topic of this presentation is to trace the origins of the handwritten letter from the beginnings of human communication to present times. Despite the confluence of electronic communication platforms, the handwritten letter continues to be a significant part of our culture.

The evolution of written communication from painted cave drawings to letters from soldiers to political writings inform and document cultural and historical events.

(Provide an engaging introduction to your presentation that includes a concise thesis.)

Introduction and Thesis

Early Communication

In the beginning there was only hand gestures and signals.

“The methods used, consisted of disorganized signs and gestures that could have different meanings to each human using them” (Source, date). (Present Your Research – Provide in-text citations for all facts, quotes and images where warranted)

(Image source, date)

Early Communication cont..

The most well-known form of primitive communication is the cave painting. 

The method involved making “paint” from the juice of fruits and berries, colored minerals, or animal blood.  (Source, date). 

(Image source, date)

(Speakers Notes) The artistic endeavors were created around 130,000 B.C.E. The method involved making “paint” from the juice of fruits and berries, colored minerals, or animal blood. These paints were then used to create s of stories of primitive life on the cave walls (Source, date).Simple pictographs were used to represent people, places and things. As the needs for communication expanded, different pictographs were combined to represent ideas, and required knowledge to interpret the new symbols. These became ideographs: abstract symbols that evolved beyond the original drawings

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Terms and Concepts

What is writing?

Writing is a type of human communication that represents language or emotion through the recording of signs and symbols.

In most languages, writing is a complement to speech or the spoken word.

“Writing has been useful in keeping history, maintaining culture, it is also an important medium in expressing yourself by using word in poetry or written storytelling” (source, date).

Recognizable systems of writing developed in 3 major cultures within 1200 years of each other. Sumerian cuneiform developed around 3000 BC, Egyptian hieroglyphs around 2800 BC, and the precursor to Kanji Chinese around 1800 BC. The development of writing allowed cultures to record events, history, laws; theories in math, science, medicine; create literature and more.

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Terms and Concepts cont…

The Art of Dictamen

Dictamen, the art of letter writing, was a branch of study in medieval universities, mostly in Italy at the University of Bologna (source, date).

To understand the importance and position of letter writing, you must understand it’s history.

“The origins of the form, concepts, characters, texts, and traditions establish the essential nature of the discipline and demonstrate its continuing significance in human communication” (source, date).

Image source, date)

The present art of letter writing is the logical result of the tradition.

Studies were also done in Paris and across Western Europe. In an age when the ability to read and write was the accomplishment of a few, it was a great achievement to be a master of a fair prose style. It was in this way that the greater part of medieval correspondence has come down to us, preserved not as personal mementoes or sources of historical information, but as models for future letter writers. Contemporary teachers of letter writing are continuing to practice this tradition.

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Evolution of the Written Word

From the written to the printed word:

The creation of the printing press.

“In the late 1500’s, Robert Granjon designed type faces that more closely resembled script writing, and these became quite popular”. (source, date).

(Image source, date)

When Gutenberg created his movable type press in the mid-1400’s, he modeled his letters upon the style of the scribes at the time. The technology advanced, and more upright letters were designed for printing. The development of copperplate engraving allowed for the use of very delicate type faces with many flourishes and curliques in the script-like letters, which greatly influenced handwriting

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Cultural Influence on the Written Word (Reflects a Culture)

History through the handwritten Letter:

The first recorded handwritten letter

The prolific writings of Thomas Jefferson

“I have seen, with infinite pleasure, our new constitution accepted by 11 states, not rejected by the 12th. and that the 13th. happens to be a state of the least importance. It is true, that the minorities in most of the accepting states have been very respectable, so much so as to render it prudent, were it not otherwise reasonable, to make some sacrifice to them. I am in hopes that the annexation of the bill of rights to the constitution will alone draw over so great a proportion of the minorities, as to leave little danger in the opposition of the residue; and that this annexation may be made by Congress and the assemblies, without calling a convention which might endanger the most valuable parts of the system.” Excerpt from a letter to George Washington Dec 4, 1788 (Source, date).

(Image source, date)

The first recorded handwritten letter (epistle) was by Persian Queen Atossa around 500 BC. It’s estimated that Thomas Jefferson wrote more than 18 thousand letters in his lifetime. Many from his home in Monticello, Virginia. The importance of Thomas Jefferson’s writings are still felt today. As Secretary of State, he established strong diplomatic positions with the European nations. As the 3rd President, he agreed to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, doubling the size of the acknowledged territory of the US.

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Cultural Influence on the Written Word cont.

Impact of War on Writing:

Thomas D. Newton’s letter from the Civil War front.

Excerpt from a letter Thomas D Newton sent home to his sister, describing the war.

“I have no message of much importance to communicate to you. I have not heard from Gen. Beauregard for several days. The last account from Richmond, they were sick of fighting, as few expected a general engagement shortly. Gen. Jackson had a skirmish with the Feds the other day. He took 2000 prisoners, saying nothing of killed and wounded. Our loss was 100 killed and wounded. The enemy totally routed, we captured five car loads of coffee, all of their commissary stores, and also their artillery. What I have stated as to this fight is true, for the man I am staying with saw them with his own eyes, as they came with them from Richmond. Since that time, they have captured 4000, including 1000 cavalrymen, horses and all. If this be true, I say glory to God for it. I have great faith in Jackson and Beauregard, but not so much in Johnson as the others” (source, date).

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Thomas D. Newton, was a Private in Co. H., 8th Regiment of Louisiana Infantry during the Civil War. He was Sumter Co. Alabama, but had been traveling in Louisiana when the war broke out. He enlisted June 8, 1861

Letters to and from the battlefield were a lifeline for soldiers and their families. Few things mattered more to those serving than getting letters from home, these letters, whenever they arrived, also helped reassure the worried families of servicemen back home.

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The Impact of the Written Word on Culture (Creates a Culture)

Impact of Writing on Politics:

The Declaration of Independence one of the most important Political writings of US history.

The writers included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson.

The Declaration of Independence was written in mostly by Thomas Jefferson 1776. It’s words are important as the words describe democracy for America (source, date). The written word has had a powerful impact on the political culture of this country and around the world. A great example of this influence in the United States is the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was then given the task of

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The Written Word Creates Culture

The Written Word creates culture through the establishment of archives of historical papers that inform the writings of contemporary researchers and historians.

Library of Congress housed in 3 buildings on Capital Hill in Washington D.C. Also know as the National Library.

The collections of the Library of Congress include more than 32 million cataloged books and other print materials in 470 languages (source, date).

The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States, George Washington’s Inaugural address, Bill of Rights and The Louisiana Purchase are only some of the important political and historical papers housed at The Library of Congress.

The Library's primary mission of researching inquiries made by members of Congress is carried out through the Congressional Research Service, traces its origin to 1914, and was first permanently authorized (as the Legislative Reference Service) with the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. Although the Library is open to the public, only high-ranking government officials may check out books and materials. The Library promotes literacy and American literature through projects such as the American Folklife Center, American Memory, Center for the Book and Poet Laureate.

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Culture and the Handwritten Letter (Conclusion)

In Conclusion…

Even though outdated and being replaced by electronic communication, handwritten letters are a big part of our culture. The evolution of written communication from painted cave drawings to letters from soldiers to political writings inform and document cultural and historical events.

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References (Present Your Research)

Alfred, H. F., & Clark, J. F. (1978). Written Communication Problems and Priorities. Journal of Business Communication, 15(2), 31-35

Catanzariti, J. (1990). THOMAS JEFFERSON, CORRESPONDENT. Proceedings Of The Massachusetts Historical Society, 1021-20.

Cooper, B. L. (1996). `Please Mr. Postman: Images of written communication in... International Journal of Instructional Media, 23(1), 79.

Sussmann, L (1959). Mass Political Letter Writing in America: The Growth of an Institution. Public Opinion Quarterly, 23(2), 203-212

Wiggin, G. (2009). Real World Writing: Making Purpose and Audience Matter. English Journal, 98(5), 29-37.

Wolff, L. M (1979) A Brief History of the Art of Dictamen: Medieval Origins of Business Letter Writing. Journal of Business Communication, 16(2) 3-11