A STUDY ON LETTER-WRITING DIFFICULTIES: A WAY TO CREATE A

LITERARY SOCIETY
Anitta George
II B.Ed. English
Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education, Kottayam

ABSTRACT
Letter writing is an essential skill. Despite the prevalence of e-mails and text
messages, everyone has to write letters at some point. In the present study, the investigator
conducted a study on the awareness of students regarding discourses like letter writing. This
study was conducted among the students of St. Josephs Girls Home. The investigator used
the method of survey for the study. The sample was collected and the collected data were
analyzed by percentage analysis. The findings of the study revealed that all the students like
to write letters. But they are not aware about the steps of letter writing.
Key-term: Letter Writing

Introduction
Language is a skill subject. A skill subject is one in which proficiency is acquired mostly
through practice, not by merely learning the rules of the subject or by acquiring a lot of
knowledge in it. The following are the four-fold major language skills.
1. Listening
2. Speaking
3. Reading
4. Writing
Writing is for communication of ideas in written form. It is the visual representation
of speech. It is a productive skill symbolizing spoken form and it involves manipulating,
structuring and communicating.
Writing is a tool for communication and it is both a skill and a means of self
expression. Writing skills are an important part of communication. Good writing skills allow
you to communicate your message with clarity and ease, to a far larger audience than through
face-to-face or telephone conversations.
Writing is not as natural as listening or speaking. It is not considered as a biological
need, therefore it has to be purposefully inculcated roughly 3000 out of 6000 languages and
dialects in the world which have no written forms. And regarding reading, it comes only after
writing. If there is no writing, there is no reading.
Need and Significance of the study
Letters are the most personal of business communication. They can help build
relationships particularly by using a friendly and sincere tone. Formal and stereotyped
expressions on the other hand, keep the relationship between writer and reader stagnant.
There are four main stages while writing a letter.
1. Revise for completeness
2. Ensure order of information
3. Polish mechanics, style, format and spelling inaccuracies should be included in each
revision stage.
4. Consider the style of language.
It has been said that journalism is the first draft of history. Letters can serve as the first
draft of both. While writing a letter, we would be addressing someone we know and trust,
using language that doesnt strain for effect.
A good thoughtful letter is one of the nicest gifts we can give to our children when
they leave home, to a friend who has experienced suffering or death, to an aging parent, or to
a teacher who made a special contribution to our life. Sometimes letters are good enough to
publish just as letters.
Studies prove that letter writing is essential for ones life. Letter writing leads to the
mastery of the technique of good writing. Letter writing can provide an extension of the face
to face therapeutic encounter. Therefore the investigator decided to find out the awareness of
students about discourses like letter writing.
Statement of the problem
The title of the study is A Study on Letter Writing Difficulties: A Way to Create a
Literary Society
Objectives of the Study
To find whether the students have awareness about writing discourses like letter
writing.
To provide practice to the students in writing discourses like Letter -Writing.
To develop a sense of responsibility to the community.
Hypothesis of the Study
Many students are familiar with letter writing.
Students have difficulty with the steps of Letter Writing.
Methodology, Tools and Techniques
For conducting the survey, the topic assigned to the investigator was Letter-Writing.
The Investigator conducted the survey on 4th November 2015 at St. Josephs Girls Home,
kanjikuzhy, Kottayam. In order to conduct the survey, the investigator prepared a
questionnaire consisting of 12 questions. The investigator conducted the study in the girls
home where there 20 students as inmates. The investigator selected ten students for the
training session.
 First the investigator checked their knowledge about letter writing. Then the
investigator gave the format of letter writing and also taught them the steps for writing a
letter. After teaching, the investigator asked questions about letter writing. The students
responded well. The investigator gave them time to clarify their doubts. They were very
interested to learn about it.
Analysis of the study
1. Students who liked to write letters 100%
2. Students who have written letters on their own. 80%
3. Students who have received letters. 50%
4. Students who have the habit of collecting letters. 80%
5. Students who know the format of letter writing 100%
6. Students who know the steps for writing a letter. 80%
7. Students who have written letters to any editorials. 0%
8. Students who have seen a postcard. 100%
9. Students who dont know the steps of writing a formal letter. 100%
10. Students who have read a formal letter. 10%
11. Students who followed the steps while writing a letter Nil
12. Students who knew that writing a letter is still relevant in the present age. 80%

Based on the analysis, we could find that 100% of the students liked to write
letters. Almost 80% have the capability of writing a letter by themselves.50% of the students
received letters. But only 10% had read a formal letter. Most of the students knew the steps of
letter writing. No one was ready to send a letter to the editorials. We can conclude that
students knew the need of learning how to write a letter. But when the nature or a purpose of
letter changed the students become confused.
Major Findings
From the survey, it is clear that all the students like to write letters. But they are not
aware about the steps of letter writing. The investigator hopes that his/her classes were
beneficial for the students. It was a new experience for the investigator .After the class, the
investigator interacted with the children and their authorities. It was a great eye-opener for
the investigator for teaching students in the future.
Educational Implications
Every student has the passion to learn new things, so check their knowledge and give
corrections.
Great care should be taken by the teachers and parents to teach basic writing skills to
the students.
Employ specially trained teachers for communicative English classes.
As writing is an essential part of ones life, conduct tests in primary and upper
primary level onwards.
 For learning a language knowing about writing various discourses is necessary. So
provide such facilities to the students.
Conclusion
The investigator had conducted a survey on the awareness of school students about
discourses like letter writing. It was realized that letter writing is helpful for all students in
their daily communication. As part of our daily life, we frequently come across several
situations for writing a letter formally or informally. So letter writing is a major form of
communication in our daily life. This programme also helped us to educate a small group of
students for practicing skills in letter-writing.
Reference
1. www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1986/4/86.o4.03.html
2. www.skills you need.com/writing skills html.
3. www.child support. In/html/ours services handwriting skills.html.