حسن خليل
07-11-06, 03:02 PM
Advice to letter writers
It is one of the ironies of life that everybody likes receiving letters while scarcely anybody really likes writing them, and when appears to be as formidable as a labour of Hecclues. For as long as possible the dreaded moment is postponed, and when it can be putt of no longer, writing materials are slowly and reluctantly produced, dictionaries, grammars, books of reference, and books on letter-writing are piled up on the desk, one sits down, scratches one's head, and prepares themselves: How is the date written? How should the person be addressed? How to begin? What on earth can I think of to say? How exactly should the letter end? Have I said the right thing in the right way? Until one gives up the unequal struggle and decides to ask for the help of a friend or, if one is an overseas student of English, of one's English teacher. But it is a pity to capitulate in this way, for in nearly every walk of life and at almost every age it is very important both to write letters implies not only a failure to communicate with other people but a failure to express, and even develop, one's own personality. Good letter-writing is therefore enriching for the giver as well as the receiver. And after all, it is not so difficult to write letters, even in a foreign language. One just has to remember a few guiding principles, study a few common examples, and be oneself.
It is one of the ironies of life that everybody likes receiving letters while scarcely anybody really likes writing them, and when appears to be as formidable as a labour of Hecclues. For as long as possible the dreaded moment is postponed, and when it can be putt of no longer, writing materials are slowly and reluctantly produced, dictionaries, grammars, books of reference, and books on letter-writing are piled up on the desk, one sits down, scratches one's head, and prepares themselves: How is the date written? How should the person be addressed? How to begin? What on earth can I think of to say? How exactly should the letter end? Have I said the right thing in the right way? Until one gives up the unequal struggle and decides to ask for the help of a friend or, if one is an overseas student of English, of one's English teacher. But it is a pity to capitulate in this way, for in nearly every walk of life and at almost every age it is very important both to write letters implies not only a failure to communicate with other people but a failure to express, and even develop, one's own personality. Good letter-writing is therefore enriching for the giver as well as the receiver. And after all, it is not so difficult to write letters, even in a foreign language. One just has to remember a few guiding principles, study a few common examples, and be oneself.