Describing the epistolary practices of the Dutch elite in the period 1770-1850, this book shows how cultural ideals of sincerity, individuality and naturalness influenced the style and contents of letters and argues for the vital importance of correspondence to the performance of class, gender and familial identities.

Amanda Wilcox offers an innovative approach to two major collections of Roman letters—Cicero’s Ad Familiares and Seneca’s Moral Epistles—informed by modern cross-cultural theories of gift-giving. By viewing letters and the practice of correspondence as a species of gift exchange, Wilcox provides a nuanced analysis of neglected and misunderstood aspects of Roman epistolary rhetoric and the social dynamics of friendship in Cicero’s correspondence. Turning to Seneca, she shows that he both inherited and reacted against Cicero’s euphemistic rhetoric and social practices, and she analyzes how Seneca transformed the rhetoric of his own letters from an instrument of social negotiation into an idiom for ethical philosophy and self-reflection. Though Cicero and Seneca are often viewed as a study in contrasts, Wilcox extensively compares their letters, underscoring Cicero’s significant influence on Seneca as a prose stylist, philosopher, and public figure.

Letter composing is a fundamental ability. Notwithstanding the pervasiveness of messages and instant messages, everybody needs to compose letters sooner or later. Letters of grievance, employment forms, thank you letters, letters mentioning changes, or making proposals — the rundown continues forever. Urging kids to compose letters from the beginning will improve their correspondence, social and penmanship abilities, and instruct them what they have to think about composition and organizing letters. Composing letters energizes great social aptitudes, figuring out how to state thank you and requesting data graciously. In English, there are various shows that ought to be utilized when composing a formal or business letter. Moreover, you attempt to compose as basically and as plainly as could reasonably be expected, and not to make the letter longer than would normally be appropriate. Recall not utilizing casual language like constrictions. A letter is composed of correspondence starting with one individual or association then onto the next. It can adopt a conventional strategy or a casual methodology. To choose which style is fitting for your letter, recognize your crowd and the purpose of your letter.