Universidad de Costa Rica - Sede de Occidente

Revista Pensamiento Actual - Vol 20 - No. 34 2020

ISSN Impreso: 1409-0112 ISSN Electrónico 2215-3586

Filosofía, Artes y Letras

Período Junio - Noviembre 2020

032. - 048.

DOI 10.15517/PA.V20I34.41834

Roy Emilio Gamboa Mena

The Rhetorical Style Structure of the Personal Letter Genre: Contemporary English,

Spanish, and Middle Ages Style Structures Compared

La estructura del estilo retórico del género de la carta personal: una comparación de las estructuras de

estilo contemporáneas del inglés, el español y el de la Edad Media

Roy Emilio Gamboa Mena¹

Fecha de recepción: 23-9-2019

Fecha de aprobación: 2-03-2019

Abstract

A look at rhetoric from a stylistic standpoint allows building an understanding of current rhetorical practices as evolved forms of

rhetoric. By following a qualitative research design described as content analysis by Leedy and Ormrod (2001), the present study

describes the style structure differences and similarities in contemporary personal letter writing in English and Spanish as com-

pared to the style structure of letter writing in the middle ages. It was concluded that personal letter writing in both English and

Spanish does not fully comply with the style structure cannon of letter writing established for each class. Furthermore, English

and Spanish contemporary personal letter writing are rather similar, and the style structure cannons for contemporary personal

letter writing in both English and Spanish can be traced back to that of the Middle Ages.

Key words: rhetoric, style, genre, letter style, letter genre

Resumen

Una mirada a la retórica desde el punto de vista de la estructura de estilo puede ayudar a comprender las prácticas retóricas actuales

como formas evolucionadas. Siguiendo el diseño cualitativo llamado análisis de contenido según lo describen Leedy and Ormrod

(2001), el presente estudio describe las diferencias y similitudes en la estructura de estilo en la escritura contemporánea de cartas

personales en español y en inglés de manera comparativa con la estructura de estilo de escritura de cartas personales de la Edad

Media. Las conclusiones indican que la escritura de cartas personales contemporáneas en inglés y en español no cumple con los

cánones de la estructura de estilo para la escritura de cartas personales determinados para cada clase. Además, la escritura de

cartas personales contemporáneas en inglés y en español es muy similar y los cánones contemporáneos de la estructura de estilo

para la escritura de cartas personales en inglés y en español se pueden rastrear a los de la Edad Media.

Palabras clave: estilo, retórica, género, carta personal, género de carta

Magister en la Enseñanza del Inglés como Lengua Extranjera, profesor e investigador de la Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica. Correo

electrónico: roy.gamboamena@ucr.ac.cr

Filosofía, Artes y letras

I. Introducción

thought to include the contents of those words, images

and gestures as well as the style or form in which they

The study and analysis of rhetoric can be approached from

are presented.”. In turn, Foss (2018, p. 3) proposes rhetoric

many different perspectives, including style structure.

as “the human use of symbols to communicate.”. She

A look at rhetoric from a stylistic standpoint allows

explains that this definition includes three dimensions:

building an understanding of current rhetorical practices

humans as the creators of rhetoric, symbols as the

as evolved forms of rhetoric. Under this premise, the

medium for rhetoric, and communication as the purpose

present study was aimed at describing the style structure

of rhetoric.

differences and similarities in contemporary personal

letter writing in English and Spanish² as compared to

2.2. Style

the style structure of letter writing in the middle ages.

To this end, contemporary personal letters in English and

Described as lexis by the ancient Greeks and as elocutio by

Spanish were examined and compared. After this, the two

the Romans, style is a significant component of rhetorical

letter types were compared for features of style structure

discourse. In ancient rhetoric, style is the third of the five

with St. Catherine of Siena’s Letter 15. This report begins

canons. It was the stage at which “the textual material was

by presenting relevant theory on rhetoric and style as a

stylized” (Burke 2017, p. na). According to Burke (2016),

platform upon which the present study rests. Then, a

the first form of stylization of a text by the third canon

brief discussion of the research methodology is presented,

was based on clarity, preciseness, and appropriateness.

as well as a discussion of the findings. Finally, conclusions

Text appropriateness allowed three forms of stylistics:

and recommendations for further research are displayed.

high or florid style used in poetry and literature and

highly persuasive, the low or common style used in more

II. Theoretical considerations

mundane activities like every day communication, and

the middle style which was a combination of the other

2.1. Rhetoric

two and could be used in intermediate situations. In more

modern terms, style has been defined as “the peculiar

The history of rhetoric can be traced some 2400 years

manner in which a man expresses his conceptions, by

back to ancient Greece. “Classical scholars tend to agree

means of language” (Blair cited in Herrick 2013, p. 178).

that the formal condition of rhetoric, as a heuristic

In tun, Brummett (2008. P. xi) defines style by quoting

system, was first written down in the second quarter

Richard Majors and Janet Mancini Bilson as he says: “Style

of the fifth century BC (…)” (Burke 2017, p. na). Leaving

includes attitudes, assumptions and feelings about self

aside negative and flowery definitions, contemporary

and others, as they are expressed in language, dress, and

rhetoric is described as “the energy inherent in emotion

nonverbal behavior.”. Furthermore, style is protagonist in

and thought, transmitted through a system of signs,

determining the genre of a text. For example, Moessner

including language, to others to influence their decisions

(2001 p. 131) defines genre as “[the] particular style (…) of

or actions.” (George Kennedy cited in Henrrick 2013, p. 6).

a literary work …”. Thus, style shapes and defines genre.

Henrrick (2013, p. 8) goes on to explain rhetoric as “[…] the

intentional practice of effective symbolic expression”; and

2.3. Emergence of Letter writing as a genre

advocated a position under which “rhetorical discourse

is a particular type of communication possessing several

In European culture during the Middle Ages, the lack of

identifying characteristics” (p. 8). Meanwhile, Borchers

opportunity for public debate allowed for the advent of

and Hundley (2018, p. 5) assert that “Rhetoric includes

written texts as a suited mode of communication (Herrick

words, images, and gestures that are presented to an

2013, p. 128). Herrick (2013) also mentions the coming to

audience for some kind of purpose. Rhetoric is usually

existence of the printing press as encouraging this change

Letters in English and Spanish were chosen because it was the interest of the researcher to investigate differences and similarities in

the style structure of personal letter writing in these two languages as compared to that of the 15th century.

Revista Pensamiento Actual - Vol 20 - No. 34 2020 - Universidad de Costa Rica - Sede de Occidente

from oral rhetoric to written rhetoric. Also, according to

2.6. Contemporary Letter Writing in

Herrick (2013, p. 126), the consolidation of letter writing

English

as a genre took place during the tenth century because of

the establishment of composition as a separate branch of

Contemporary characteristics of letters in English

rhetoric and because letters were “the most efficient and

are discussed by Robert W. Bly in the Webster’s New

forceful verbal tools in government and policy making

world Letter Writing Handbook (2004). The list of

…” at the time.

recommendations is long and specific for each of the many

different types of letters within each letter category. For

2.4. Letter writing in the Middle Ages

example, in the personal letter category four subcategories

are listed and a total of 22 letter types are identified.

Letter writing as a rhetoric genre enjoyed a time of

In the case of personal letters, recommendations are

abundance during the Middle Ages. This abundance

given in terms of format, style, tone and voice; and

in letter writing resulted from the need to conceal

structure. Regarding format, the personal letterhead

friends’ secrets and to express better than messenger

is recommended and in general the simple format. “In

communications sent. (Faba cited in Herrick 2013).

simple format, all parts of the letter are flush left. The

According to Herrick (2013, p. 126), “letter writing was

letter is informal, without salutation or close.” (Bly 2004,

extensive during the Middle Ages (…)”. This meant that

p. 558). Depending on the circumstance, a formal or

“lawyers, public officials, secretaries and notaries all had

informal style is suggested while a personal, warm and

to understand the intricacies of the formal letter and

cordial tone is advised. Recommendations for structure

the official document.” (Herrick 2013, p. 126). Thus, the

vary, but it basically describes the organization of the

need to instruct in letter writing came about. To this end,

content in the body of the letter.

letter-writing manuals were created.

Furthermore, a quick google search on how to write

2.5. The parts of Middle Ages’ letters

personal letters in English would give thousands of results

with all forms of information, from video tutorials to

Herricks (2013, p.129) discusses three parts a letter

pages featuring sample letters. All kinds of information

should contain according to letter-writing handbooks

on the topic is available. However, all of them agree in

of the Middle Ages. First, it should contain the greeting

presenting the personal letter as containing three parts:

or salutation, as it was called. This greeting, it was

opening, body and closing. Information about format and

recommended, needed to convey a friendly sentiment

style coincide for the most part with what Bly (2004)

that should be consistent with the social rank of the

discusses in his handbook.

persons communicating. The second part of the latter

was occupied by the body of it. It was to develop the

Figure two below shows the structure and format for a

content and details of the message. This could include

contemporary English personal letter that conforms to

the discussion of a problem, a request, a demand or an

the discussion above.

announcement. Third, the letter should finish with a

simple conclusion.

The structure of letter writing in the twelfth century,

according to Perelman (1991, p. 107), followed the

Bolognese Approved Format (BAF). Under such format,

the letter structure was salutation, captatio benevolentiae

(securing of good will), narrative, petition (presentation

of requests), and conclusion.

Filosofía, Artes y letras

Figure 1. Structure of the contemporary English personal letter

Source: http://gplusnick.com/personal-letter-format.html/personal-letter-writing-format-templates-good-letter-writing-for-personal-letter-format

2.7. Contemporary letter writing in

Spanish

Lastly, the internet is full of sites that give recommendations

on how to write a personal letter in Spanish. However,

With regards to its structure, Pineda and Lemus (2005)

most of them basically discuss the same characteristics

list the following elements of the contemporary Spanish

listed by Pineda and Lemus (2005) above.

personal letter: place and date where the letter is written,

vocative, which is a greeting to the addressee; text or

Figure two below shows the format for a contemporary

body, which is the content; farewell and signature. Other

Spanish personal letter. This format comprehends the

than this, the advice is to keep the language simple as

elements presented above.

well as the style, keeping in mind the type of relationship

with the addressee.

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Figure 2. Structure of the contemporary Spanish personal letter

Adapted from: https://www.portaleducativo.net/cuarto-basico/658/La-carta-personal-y-sus-partes

III. Methodology

of human communication (...)”, letters in the present case.

Likewise, the present research endeavor nourishes from

3.1. Purpose

documentary research as described by Cohen, Manion,

and Morrison (2007) since the data source consists of

As stated earlier, the present research endeavor purports

documents retrieved from different historical periods.

to describe the differences and similarities in rhetorical

The study is also exploratory as defined by Saunders,

style structure of contemporary personal letter writing

Lewis, and Thornhill (2009); for it does not intent to

in English and Spanish compared to the rhetorical

issue conclusive results, but rather it glimpses at the

style structure of letter writing in the Middle Ages as

realms of the rhetorical style structure of personal letter

exemplified by St. Catherine of Siena’s Letter 15.

writing by attempting a comparison based on a set of

style structure characteristics between personal letter

3.2. Design

writing in contemporary letter writing in English and

Spanish and the Middle Ages.

The study followed a qualitative research design described

as content analysis by Leedy and Ormrod (2010, p. 144). “A

content analysis is a detailed and systematic examination

of the contents of a particular body of material for the

purpose of identifying patterns (…)”. They go on to

highlight that content analysis is “performed in forms

Filosofía, Artes y letras

3.3. Data source

usage. Then, a comparison between the rhetorical style

structure findings for the English and the Spanish

Three letters comprise the data analyzed in the present

contemporary personal letters was made. Finally, the

study. The first letter is St. Catherine of Siena’s Letter 15

rhetorical style structure results for the contemporary

(To Consiglio, a Jew). The second letter is a contemporary

letters were compared against those of the Middle Ages.

personal letter written by the famous basketball player

Michael J. Jordan to his girlfriend Laquette at the

IV. Findings and discussion

time when he was 18 in 1981. The third letter is also

a contemporary personal letter written in 1977 by

4.1. St. Catherine of Siena, Letter 15: to

Fernando, one of the members of the Quilapayun group,

Consiglio, a Jew

a music band founded in the late 1960’s belonging to a

movement called Nueva Canción Chilena (New Chilean

Structure is the first element of style structure examined

Song), while in exile in France to the famous Chilean

in St. Catherine of Siena’s letter 15 (See appendix 2). In

painter Roberto Matta.

this regard, the letter was found to comply very accurately

with the BAF as described by Perelman. First, as expected,

It must be noted that for the purpose of the present study

the salutation is presented in the first line: “Praised be

contemporary is defined as the period between the late

Jesus Christ crucified, dear son of the glorious Virgin

20^th and the early 21^st centuries.

Mary.”. Second, the captatio benevolentiae starts in the

second line and extends to the beginning of the fourth

The choosing of the letters for analysis followed a non-

line: “Oh most delightful and very dear brother, … obliged

probability sampling approach: convenience sampling

by Christ crucified and by His sweet Mother Mary …”.

as defined by Etikan (2016). These three letters were

Third, the narrative portion of the letter is displayed

chosen because they were available for public access on

between the fourth and the twenty-second lines: “to

the internet and they met the criteria of having been

beseech you and press you …, but always shows mercy.”.

written in the time periods and the language³ required

Fourth, the petition is stated as expected towards the end

for the study. In the case of the contemporary letters,

between lines twenty-two and twenty-seven: “Therefore,

the two were written only four years apart which means

rise, my brother, … because your trial would be too great.”.

basically the same period.

It is important to note that the petition was announced

or introduced in the first lines of the narration: “… to

3.4. Data analysis

beseech you and press you to relinquish and abandon

your insensibility and the obscure unfaithfulness, in

A letter style structure checklist was created to assess

order to return and receive the Grace of holy baptism,

each letter for compliance with the letter style structure

…”. Arguable, this is one instance in which this letter

for the corresponding period (Middle Ages, contemporary

would break the BAF, but Perelman (1991) does not

English, contemporary Spanish) letter type (see appendix

offer details regarding the possibility of announcing the

1). Each letter was examined to identify these rhetorical

petition toward the beginning of the letter under the AFP.

style structure components: format, structure, tone, and

Fifth, as a closign to the letter, the conclusion starts in

voice. Format was treated as the layout or appearance

line twenty-seven and ends in line thirty-first: “Stay in

of the document. Structure, in turn, was understood as

the holy and sweet delight of God; … Praised be Christ

the method of organization of the ideas used in the letter.

crucified, and His most sweet Mother, glorious Virgin,

Tone was referred to as the writer’s mood as perceived by

Our Lady Holy Mary. Sweet Jesus, Jesus love.”.

his or her use of the language while voice was defined as

the writer’s personality as reflected by his / her language

St. Catherine of Siena’s Letter 15 was originally written in Italian but because the researcher is not fluent in this language the English

translation was used in the present study.

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The second element of style structure that was looked at

format exhibited by the letter is characteristic of the time

in the letter is format. The letter appears to conform to

period as described in letter writing manuals of the time

the expectations of layout for Middle Ages written letters.

as presented by Perelman (1991).

That is, the letter’s format is in accordance to its time. It

must be admitted though, that the version assessed for

4.2. Michael J. Jordan to his girlfriend

the present study is a translation of the original published

Laquette

in contemporary media. Therefore, there is no guaranty

that the design of the original letter was respected and

The first element of style structure explored in Michael

reproduced accurately.

J. Jordan’s letter to Laquetee was structure. The findings

show that this letter does not present some of the features

Tone is the third element of style structure examined

of structure defined for contemporary personal letters

in the letter. Evidence shows that the writer uses

in English. For example, there is no address of letter

an exhorting argumentative tone. For example, the

recipient, address of letter writer, nor date. Possibly,

introduction to the narration goes: “… to beseech you

the letter is very personal and informal in style which

and press you to…”. The choice of the words beseech and

could explain the absence of such elements. Nevertheless,

press speak of a very strong invitation, one that sounds

the letter does present some structural elements of

like a demand. Also, there are elements of argumentative

contemporary personal English letters. The first such

rhetoric that give shape to the tone used since the letter

element is greeting: “My Dearest Laquette”. Obviously,

uses forms of persuasion as a platform to launch the

there is a body in the letter. The body is introduced by

petition. For instance, “Do not resist any longer the Holy

a quick salutation: “how are you and your family doing,

Spirit who calls you, and do not despise Mary’s love for

fine I hope.”; and it finishes with a closing statement

you, nor the tears and prayers shed and said for you;

expressing a wish for a future encounter: “See you

because your trial would be too great.”.

next time around, which I hope comes soon.”. Another

element of the expected structure for this type of letter

Voice as a style structure element was also studied in the

that was found is the farewell: “With my best love”. The

letter. Voice reveals a religious person deeply concerned

last component of structure prescribed for personal

for the conversion of her fellow man. St. Catherine

contemporary English letters identified was the signature:

speaks from her own condition as a religious woman:

“Michael J. Jordan”.

“… ransomed, like me, by the precious blood of God’s

dear Son, …”. Besides, by resorting at the first-person

In terms of format as an element of style structure,

singular narrator in the letter, she bestowed intimacy

Jordan’s letter conforms to the expectations for this type

to the message and established a personal connection

of letter. The format is simple. Actually, the fact that some

with the addressee: “… since God does not want it so,

of the elements of structure are missing gives the letter a

nor do I, that you be blind when you die; but I ardently

further informal touch. Thus, the letter’s layout in general

desire you to receive the light of holy baptism, …”. Thus,

reveals a contemporary informal English letter.

communication form the first-person singular voice

perspective constitutes an emotional appeal that makes

In reference to tone as style structure defining component,

the letter highly persuasive from the style standpoint.

the letter exhibits a personal tone in general. At the

beginning, however, the tone is apologetic: “I decide to

In general terms, the presiding examination of St.

write you because I felt that I made you look pretty rotten

Catherine of Siena’s letter 15 shows that from the point

… I am sorry, and hope that you accept my apology.” (sic);

of view of style structure, this letter exhibits traits that

then it changes to a friendly relaxed one: “I was happy

are typical of Middle Ages’ personal letter writing rhetoric.

when you gave me my honest earn money …Please don’t

Because structurally it fully conforms to BAF, and the

let this go to your head. (smile)…” (sic).

Filosofía, Artes y letras

The last factor of style structure looked at in the letter

Format as an element of style structure was evaluated in

was voice. The letter was written using the first person

second place. It was found that the layout of Fernando’s

singular. Speaking from his own voice, Jordan created

correspondence is mostly the one expected for this type

intimacy and helped establish a more personal connection

of documents. But the location of the date centered at

with Laquette. In short, using first-person voice to write

the top of the first page, the exclusion of the name of the

the letter contributed to create an appropriate atmosphere

city where the letter was written, and the absence of a

for the intended purpose.

farewell formula at the end distort the fixed image of a

typical Spanish personal letter.

All in all, the style structure in Michael J. Jordan’s

correspondence to Laquetee was identified to conform

The third component of style structure checked was

to the one expected for a contemporary informal personal

tone. It was identified as being personal but formal.

letter in English. Even though not all the elements of

Personal tone was achieved by the use of tu (familiar

structure defined for this letter type were present in

you) to address Eduardo. Yet, it was formal in terms of

Jordan’s missive, it was still considered typical for such

the subject being discussed and the use of elements such

a contemporary document. The format, tone and voice

as quotations from a previous letter written by Eduardo

were features where there was great compliance with the

to Fernando, for example, in line twenty-one: “yo amo

fundamentals of style structure of contemporary informal

la filosofía … (I love philosophy)”. The tone was also of

personal letters written in English.

disbelief and concern or preoccupation. Lines eighteen

and twenty-five illustrate such tone: “… no podía ceer que

4.3. Fernando’s letter to Roberto Matta

fuera una carta tuya… (I could not believe it was a letter

from you…), and “algo extraño veo en esa actitud. (I see

Similar to the two preceding letters, the first element

something strange in that attitude.)”.

of style structure analyzed in Fernando’s letter was

structure. The compliance of his letter with the

Lastly, voice as a style structure element was examined.

requirements established for a contemporary personal

The message in the letter was delivered from the first-

letter in Spanish was partially met. The heading was

person singular voice. Such strategy impregnated the

identified just as expected: “Querido Eduardo, (Dear

letter with an air of intimacy and connection. But because

Eduardo,)”. The date was included at the top of the first

of the tone used, the letter remained affectionately formal.

page, but the city was not. The body was divided into six

paragraphs and it begins right in the first line: “hoy recibí

As a whole, Fernando’s missive to Eduardo complies with

tu carta. Ha habido un mal entendido. (today I received

the style specification for contemporary personal Spanish

your letter. There has been a misunderstanding.)”; and

letters. The structure of the letter was found to mostly

it finishes in line ninety-one: “Es lo que yo entiendo por

fit the cannon for this type of documents. Likewise, the

amigos que se escriben. (this is what I understand for

format used largely coincided with the set specifications.

friends that write to one another.)”. Interestingly, there is

Finally, voice as a style structure element corresponded

no farewell in the letter even though, its use is very typical

with the letter type stipulations because of its personal

of Spanish letters of all kinds. Finally, the letter is signed

nature. In short, Fernando’s letter could be classified as

“Fernando”. Consequently, the structure requirements

a true contemporary personal Spanish letter in general

for the contemporary personal Spanish letter were only

terms, except for the discrepancies found in terms of

partially met by Fernando’s missive.

format.

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4.4. English and the Spanish contemporary

benevolentia, petition, and conclusion are two structure

personal letters

features that St. Catherine’s letter has but that neither

of the contemporary letters exhibit. In contrast, features

Evidence from the two letters analyzed suggest more

shared by all letters regarding structure are greeting

similarities than differences in terms of rhetorical style

or salutation and body or narrative. Second, fewer

structure between contemporary personal letters in

differences were identified in the three letters in terms

English and Spanish. First, neither letter fully complied

of format. The distribution of the three letters on the page

with the prescribed structure in its category. To illustrate,

looks somehow similar. However, it must be admitted that

the English letter did not feature the address of the

neither of the contemporary letters fully complied with

recipient, the address of the sender, nor the date. Likewise,

the prescription for this feature according to figures one

the Spanish letter did not include the city name where it

and two above. Third, tone was described as personal

was written nor a farewell. Nevertheless, the elements

for the two letter categories, namely contemporary

of structure that both did exhibit adjust to the style

and Middle Ages, which constitutes another similarity

patterns defined for the category to which they belong.

between them. Forth, voice is another feature common

For instance, greeting, body, farewell and signature in the

to the two letter categories. The narration in each letter

case of the English letter; and greeting, body and signature

was conducted from the first-person singular perspective,

in the case of the Spanish letter. Second, regarding format

giving an intimate personal air to the letters. To sum

the two letters resembled typical missives of their class. A

up, more similarities than differences in rhetorical style

feature to highlight as a difference between the two letters

structure between the contemporary and the Middle Ages

is the degree of informality as suggested by the format. In

letters were suggested by the analysis of the data. The

this case, the Spanish letter was identified to be a bit more

degree of similarity acknowledged between contemporary

formal. Third, in terms of tone, the two letters proved to

and Middle Ages’ rhetorical style structure is evidence that

be different. The English letter was assessed as having

the Middle Ages cannon for letter writing has exercised

an apologetic tone at the beginning which switched to a

an evident influence in the contemporary cannons of

more friendly relaxed one later. Meanwhile, the Spanish

personal letter writing.

letter’s tone was labeled as a bit formal, showing disbelief

and concern. Fourth, voice was a feature that the two

V. Conclusions

letters seemingly share. First-person singular was used

in both letters, which created the effect of intimacy and

Rhetorical discourse as a field of enquiry can be

connection with the receiver. Conclusively, despite the

approached from many different angles. The features

clear differences suggested in terms of style structure

of style structure in rhetorical discourse is one such

features (see figures one and two) such as structure

perspective. The present research endeavor intended

and format for each letter class, the analysis of Michael

to provide resources to fuel the discussion of rhetorical

Jordan’s letter and Fernando’s letter contribute evidence

discourse in the letter genre. This was done by describing

that there are more similarities than differences in terms

the rhetorical style structure differences and similarities

of style between the contemporary English personal letter

in contemporary personal letter writing in English and

and its Spanish counterpart.

Spanish, as compared to the rhetorical style structure of

letter writing in the Middle Ages which was exemplified

4.5. Contemporary English and Spanish vs

by St. Catherine of Siena’s Letter 15. Furthermore,

Middle Ages personal letters

findings suggested that personal letter writing in both

English and Spanish does not fully comply with the style

Examination of Jordan’s, Fernando’s and St. Catherine

structure cannon of letter writing established for each

of Siena’s letters showed similarities and differences in

class. Also, English and Spanish contemporary personal

rhetorical style structure between the contemporary

letter writing is rather similar, and the style structure

and the Middle Ages personal letters. First, captatio

cannons for contemporary personal letter writing in both

Filosofía, Artes y letras

English and Spanish can be traced back to that of the

VII. Reference List

Middle Ages. Finally, it was proposed that further studies

should be conducted. Such research ought to include a

Bly, R. W. (2004). Webster’s New world Letter Writing

larger sample for each letter class to make the conclusions

Handbook. Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis.

more generalizable. Furthermore, the issue should be

approached from other perspectives than rhetorical style

Borchers, T. and Hundley, H. (2018). Rhetorical Theory.

structure to attain a more comprehensive understanding

An Introduction. 2nd ed. Waveland Press, Long

of the situation of rhetorical discourse in contemporary

Grove, IL.

letter genre.

Brummett, B. (2018). A Rhetoric of Style. Southern Illinois

VI. Limitations and suggestions for further

University Press, Corbondale.

research

Burke, M. (2017). The Routledge Handbook of Stylistics.

The following limitations are acknowledged for the

Routledge Handbooks in English Language

present study:

Studies. Routledge, New York.

• Because this study only included rhetorical style

Cohen, L, Manion, L and Morrison, K. (2017). Research

structure features of letter writing as a working

Methods in Education. Sixth ed. Routledge, New

variable, the conclusions are limited to rhetorical

York.

style structure only.

Etikan, I. (2016). “Comparison of Convenience Sampling

• The study was exploratory in nature and had

and Purposive Sampling.”, American Journal of

a limited scope and depth, which makes the

Theoretical and Applied Statistics, vol. 5, no. 1,

conclusions only suggestive.

p. 1-4 0.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11.

• Only one letter was analyzed for each letter

class. This causes the sample to be very

Foss, S. K. (2018). Rhetorical Criticism. Exploration and

unrepresentative of the whole and makes it

Practice, 5th ed. Long Waveland Press, Grove, IL.

difficult to generalize the conclusions.

Herrick, J. (2013). The History and Theory of Rhetoric:

Suggestions for future research include the following:

An Introduction, 5^th ed. Pearson Education, Inc.,

In order to arrive at more relevant conclusions, it is

New Jersey.

necessary to study a larger number of letter samples from

each letter class. Also, it is advisable that more rhetorical

Moessner, L. (2001). “Genre, Text Type, Style, Register:

features are included as variables in the study, so that

A Terminological Maze?”, European Journal of

a better understanding of the rhetoric of contemporary

English Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, p. 131. EBSCOhost,

letter writing is gained.

doi:10.1076/ejes.5.2.131.7312.

Leedy, P. D. and Ormrod, J. E. (2010). Practical Research.

Planning and Design, 9^th ed. Pearson Education

Inc., New Jersey.

Filosofía, Artes y letras

Appendix 1

Letter Style Checklist

The Medieval letter

Directions:

Structure: for each criterion under structure write yes if the criterion is present and write no if it is not found.

2. Write a description of the format, tone and voice identified under the corresponding criterion.

Structure

Format

Tone

Voice

C a p t a t i o

Salutation

Narrative

Petition

Conclusion

benevolentiae

Letter Style Checklist

The Contemporary English Letter

Directions:

Structure: for each criterion under structure write yes if the criterion is present and write no if it is not found.

2. Write a description of the format, tone and voice identified under the corresponding criterion.

Structure

Format

Tone

Voice

Address

Address of

of letter

Greeting

Date

Body

Farewell

signature

letter recipient

writer

Letter Style Checklist

The Contemporary Spanish letter

Directions:

Structure: for each criterion under structure write yes if the criterion is present and write no if it is not found.

3. Write a description of the format, tone and voice identified under the corresponding criterion.

Structure

Format

Tone

Voice

City and

Heading: greeting

Body

P.S

Farewell

Signature

date

Filosofía, Artes y letras

Appendix 3

Contemporary personal letter in English

Sourrce: https://www.fastcompany.com/1669022/12-hand-written-love-letters-from-famous-people-from-henry-viii-to-michael-jordan

My Dearest Laquette

to the game on my birthday because my father is taking

the whole basketball team out to eat on my birthday.

How are you and your family doing, fine I hope. I am

Please don’t be mad because I am trying get down there

in my Adv. Chemistry class writing you a letter, so that

a week from Feb. 14. If I do get the chance to come please

tell you how much I care for you. I decide to write you

have some activity for us to do together.

because I felt that I made you look pretty rotten after the

last night. I want to tell you that I am sorry, and hope that

I want you to know that my feeling for you has not change

you except my apologie. I know that you feelings was hurt

yet.

(joke) I am finally getting use to going with a girl

whenever I loss my necklace or had it stolen.

much smaller than I. I hope you my hint. Well I have spent

my time very wisely by write to you. I hope you write

I was really happy when you gave me my honest earn

back soon. Well I must go, the period is almost over. See

money that I won off the bet. I want to thank you for

you next time around, which I hope comes soon.

letting me hold your annual. I show it to everyone at

school. Everyone think you are a very pretty young lady

With my Best Love

and I had to agree because it is very true. Please don’t let

this go to your head. (smile) I sorry to say that I can’t go

Michael J. Jordan