Współczesne listy uczniowskie wobec tradycji epistolarnej

Abstract

The following article is based on the texts which the junior high school students wrote in class. The assigned topic was: Epistolography: the art of the past? The students were presented with a linguistic challenge, the opportunity to enter into the dialogue with tradition. Writing texts based on the 17th century letters as well as on contemporary e-mails, the students had to deal with the traditional epistolary form. The research aimed at gauging the students’ skills in writing traditional letters as well as e-mails. The study has revealed that training students in traditional epistolary art could help them communicate via e-mail more successfully. The training, however, cannot consist only in practising conventional phrases. It is essential that students see letter-writing not as a futile outdated pursuit but as valuable set of skills helpful in self-expression.