TL - Evolution of the Letter Lesson

Evolution of the Letter

You ended the previous lesson considering the implications of colloquial writing and the ease of establishing a voice in informal writing. In this lesson, you are going to begin making connections between historical events and contemporary situations. You will also be reflecting on the relationship between the traditional letter and its new media offspring.

Reading Assignment: John Adams Letter of 18 September 1774

Click here to read the John Adams Letter of 18 September 1774. Links to an external site. This is another letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams. John wrote this letter in 1774 during his time in Continental Congress. Note that this letter was written two years before declaring independence. Pay attention to John's language and take note of the tone of the letter.

An illustration of Founding Fathers entitled "The Declaration Committee." In this illustration, five white men in Colonial garb are seated around a table examining a document. They appear to be gesturing and perhaps debating the contents of the document.

Reading Assignment: Spy Letters

Click here to go to the Spy Letters website Links to an external site.. Adams' letter foreshadows the nature of the following series of letters written during the Revolutionary War. Please read at least three of the letters in the spy series. They are all relatively short and are quite interesting. You may find the story link, corresponding with each letter helpful in discerning the full context of the letters.

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