March 11, 2009

'An open letter to...'

Isn't an open letter just...a letter? Why is that phrase even used? Someone care to pontificate?
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7 comments:

jon said...

It's to indicate that the letter is intended to be read by anyone (e.g. the public at large) rather than private correspondence to the named recipient.

March 11, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Sarah said...

But if that's printed in a newspaper, isn't it kinda like duh?

March 11, 2009 at 4:03 PM
jon said...

I guess it makes it clear that the author intended it to be read publicly and the newspaper didn't just get hold of it via a leak or some other nefarious method?

March 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Quinn and/or Lauralee said...

I always thought that "open letter" meant the author was expecting or encouraging a response.

Quinn

March 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Emily said...

If I were to write an open letter it would be as a passive-aggressive move. Because when you write an open letter, the author knows EXACTLY who they are writing too...they just want to hide it by addressing to the public at large. Right?

BTW- its really hard to leave a comment on your blog because I get all paranoid about my grammar. And then I decided, whatev. If it's that bad (which I know it is), you can always delete my comment. Or write an open letter to me, er, everyone.

March 11, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Tantra Flower said...

I'm in agreement with Jon.

March 12, 2009 at 5:49 PM
JD (The Engine Room) said...

In the case of an open letter, the press are usually sent copies too. I work for a B2B magazine and often a trade association will write an open letter to a politician - and send us a copy as well.

April 5, 2009 at 12:37 PM

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