The Art of Letter Writing

1
The Art of Letter Writing

• Was the formal method of communication between
  the Church hierarchy
• Communicated the law
• Later recognized as the only surviving records of
  history
• This was a shift toward the emphasis on written
  vs. spoken communication
• Instead of the spoken persuasive speech, it was
  in the form of writing

2
Expression

• Writing created the development of expression
  in written symbolic form
• Printing press intensifies cultural shift
  toward writing
• Shift from focusing on how to craft the
  argument
• to a focus on arrangement and style

3
Purpose of letters

• To usually persuade in order to make a request
• They covered clerical
• Legal
• Personal
• Business

4
Parts of the letter

• Should be divided into five parts
• Salutatio- the greeting
• Captatio benevoluntatiae- the exordium, designed
  to secure the goodwill of the recipient
• Narratio- the body, specifying the details and
  rationale for the request
• Petitio- the specific request itself
• Conclusio- wrap up and thank you

5
The most important part?

• The salutatio
• Because establishing the correct relationship
  between the writer and the recipient was crucial
  to gaining a hearing for your request
• Or
• An expression of greeting conveying a friendly
  sentiment not inconsistent with the social rank
  of the persons involved
• Quotes from pg. 136 2nd edition