Aldo Giannattasio

WRRH Major
2019 Scandling Center,
Hobart College, Geneva, NY 14456
1/7/18

Professor Ben Ristow

WRRH Professor
216 Smith Hall
Hobart College, Geneva, NY 14456

Dear Professor Ristow,

We all remember as a child exchanging texts on our T-Mobile slide phone back when
everyone wanted the razr flip phone and doing our basic algebra, writing summaries on stories,
and learning facts about U.S. history when entering middle school.
However what stuck with me the most was my middle school teacher Mr. Steenson who
made us as students pursue writing him an email as a homework assignment but in more of a
letter format. At the time I don’t think I had known what email was and didn’t even have my own
computer.The style of writing was one that completely contrasted any sort of writing that I had
done up to that point in my life and was my first introduction to structure and word choice. Now
you might be saying that writing a letter is not a form of techno-literacy but when looking at the
definition it can in fact be any sort of writing or reading that occurs through digital means.
According to Self and Hawisher techno-literacy is “the practices of reading and writing, and
exchanging information in online environments, as well as the values associated with such
practices- cultural, social, political and educational.” When looking at the email though it was
not just an assignment that was meant to educate us but in fact allowed for us to be introduced to
a different side of the digital realm and to become more techno-literate. Therefore email is
something that is able to bridge the gap into becoming literate from a cultural and educational
standpoint.
Through writing my first email I was introduced to writing in a structured manner from
what previously seemed like clumps of thoughts carelessly placed on paper. Writing this way
forced me as a student to learn how to form all of my questions and thoughts in a organized
manner. One of our rules was to always start out by asking someone a personal question and then
following up with more succinct writing. This allowed for me to understand that within an email
there exists a kind of introduction followed by body paragraphs and then a few concluding
sentences. That then demonstrated in a way not only what basic educational essays were but also
the daily skills needed in the digital world in order to function within a society. By having to use
email also very much was a introduction to the technology itself from a side not consisting of
games. The need to write on a computer forced me to become literate with the keyboard. In many
ways it was
Using this technology also though very much is not just about teaching one from an
educational standpoint but also a societal point. In this sense having to write an email is very
much a lesson about providing someone what they want or trying to get what you want. In the
end though the email is primarily about improving the position of oneself. For example if you
want something from someone the structure of the email suggests that you start out with
something personal followed with what your actual message is and then concluding with a
personal statement again. This format is one where there is the sense of concern for the other and
makes one more willing to want to do something for you. On the other hand if it is for someone
like your boss it often takes on the format of stating something followed by an explanation of
what you did and then reverting back to the assignment. When looking at the process though of
an email exchange, it also teaches one the importance of listening. Although it only involves
visual processing, it forces us to always pay attention in that you have to remember things about
the person and what they are saying to you in order to not become repetitive. As a adults this is
an important skill in being able to remember key things from our interactions with others. It not
only shows the other a general interest in what they say but also prevents repetitiveness within
our interactions.
The email though also though functions as a means that hones ones ability to write in an
effective manner taking into consideration our audience. One learns to always think about the
choice of their words when constructing an email to someone and what the meaning is behind
our choices. As a writer you then have to contemplate what the actions of what you are saying
have on the person you are writing to. Just in the ending there are multiple paths one can take
and all have different meanings. Sincerely, or regards symbolizes distance and therefore is the
most formal style. While best regards or cordially symbolize a more personal knowledge of the
person. Finally the usage of warm regards or best wishes symbolizes a connection with the
person. By having to practice this makes the everyday requirement of acknowledging hierarchy
easier through practice in the digital realm of email.
Finally an email is also in a sense an introduction to understanding others. With email we
are able to connect with others we normally would not have the ability to and serves as a means
to form new bonds or to maintain old ones.
Overall when looking at the definition of techno-literacy it is very much embodied in the
form of email in that one learns skills not just in reading or writing but also required cultural and
social skills. Therefore an email is not just a form of technology but a path that leads us to being
more literate as a whole.

Sincerely,

Aldo Giannattasio