Article
Shutterstock.com

Should You Handwrite Thank-You Notes?

Isaac thinks texting a thank-you is enough, but his parents disagree. Who’s right?

From the May/June 2020 Issue
Lexile: 900L-1000L, 700L-800L

Dear Isaac, 

Shutterstock.com

We’re so happy to see you enjoying the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got you for your birthday! But we couldn’t help noticing that you haven’t sent her a thank-you letter. We know you’re busy with homework and band practice, but we think it’s important that you take the time to thoughtfully thank her for her gift. And while it was sweet of you to text a thank-you, nothing can replace a handwritten note. 

Remember how good it felt to get all those handwritten birthday cards in the mail? Don’t you think that felt a lot nicer than getting a bunch of texts? Studies have shown (and we think you’d agree) that getting a handwritten letter in the mail makes someone feel loved.

And while it’ll take you 10 minutes to write the note, we know that Aunt Laura will cherish it for way longer. She can even stick it on her fridge and be reminded of your gratitude every day!

Because handwriting a letter takes extra effort, it’s a much better way to show someone your appreciation. (Besides, if you never write a letter by hand, you’ll forget important skills like how to address an envelope.) Think about it: Aunt Laura took the time to find the exact present you wanted, so don’t you think you should take the time to thank her in a more meaningful way? 

With love, 

Mom and Dad

We’re so happy to see you enjoying the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got you for your birthday! But we noticed that you haven’t sent her a thankyou letter. We know you’re busy with homework and band practice. But we think it’s important that you take the time to thoughtfully thank her for her gift. It was sweet of you to text a thank-you, but nothing can replace a handwritten note.

Remember how good it felt to get all those handwritten birthday cards in the mail? Don’t you think that felt a lot nicer than getting a bunch of texts? Studies have shown that getting a handwritten letter in the mail makes someone feel loved. We think you’d agree.

It might take you 10 minutes to write the note. Still, we know that Aunt Laura will love it for way longer.

Handwriting a letter takes extra effort. That’s why it’s a much better way to show someone your appreciation. (Besides, if you never write a letter by hand, you’ll forget important skills like how to address an envelope.) Think about it: Aunt Laura took the time to find the exact present you wanted. Don’t you think you should take the time to thank her in a more meaningful way?

With love,

Mom and Dad

Hi Mom and Dad,

Shutterstock.com

 

You’re right, I really do love the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got me! But I think the text message I sent thanking her is enough. Fifth grade is keeping me busy—I just don’t have the time to write a letter! And I don’t see why sending another thank-you to Aunt Laura is a good use of my time.

Because of my text, Aunt Laura already knows I’m grateful for the LEGO set and enjoying it. I even sent her a video of me putting the last brick on the Y-Wing Starfighter. I couldn’t have sent that in the mail! I also included a lot of ❤️ emojis in my text, so I’m sure she’s feeling very loved. A handwritten note couldn’t communicate my feelings as well as a carefully chosen emoji.

You’re right. I really do love the Star Wars LEGO set Aunt Laura got me! But I think the text message I sent thanking her is enough. Fifth grade is keeping me busy. I just don’t have the time to write a letter! And I don’t see why sending another thank-you to Aunt Laura is a good use of my time.

Aunt Laura already knows I’m grateful for the LEGO set and enjoying it. I even sent her a video of me putting the last brick on the Y-Wing Starfighter. I couldn’t have sent that in the mail! I also included a lot of ❤️emojis in my text. So I’m sure she’s feeling very loved. A handwritten note couldn’t express my feelings as well as a carefully chosen emoji.

DAVE J HOGAN/GETTY IMAGES FOR DISNEY 

Plus, there are so many downsides to writing a card that we don’t have to worry about with texting. For example, it’ll take a longer time for a letter to get to Aunt Laura, and she could have trouble reading my handwriting.

Look, Mom and Dad, I want to thank you for the suggestion, but let’s face it, a handwritten thank-you is a thing of the past.  

❤️Isaac

Plus, there are so many problems with writing a card. For example, it’ll take a longer time for a letter to get to Aunt Laura. Also, she could have trouble reading my handwriting.

Mom and Dad, I want to thank you for the suggestion. But let’s face it. A handwritten thank-you is a thing of the past.

❤️ Isaac

This article was originally published in the May/June 2020 issue.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2020 issue.

Activities (2)
Quizzes (1)
Answer Key (1)
Activities (2) Download All Activities
Quizzes (1)
Answer Key (1)
Can't-Miss Teaching Extras

Use this lesson plan from Scholastic Teachers and USPS to guide students through writing their own “Letters of Gratitude.” It’s perfect for expressing our thanks to the heroic healthcare workers and other essential workers who are helping us through the COVID-19 pandemic. The lesson includes a letter-writing template, a brainstorming guide, and a “show someone you care” poster.

Learn about the variety of ways people around the world show thanks with this Grammar Cop from the March/April issue of Storyworks

Looking for more media to spark conversations about gratitude? Take a look at these lists from Common Sense Media that suggests kids books and movies that will inspire gratitude. They’ll also make great recommendations for families cooped up at home.

More About the Story

Complexity Factors

Purpose

The debate compares the benefits of handwritten thank-you notes with those of texted thank-you notes.  

Structure

The debate is presented as two arguments: a letter from parents to their son in support of written notes, and the son’s texted response in support of texts.

Language

The language is mainly conversational but includes the word gratitude and some rhetorical questions. Ideas are also conveyed through emojis.

Knowledge Demands 

The text refers to the Y-Wing Starfighter, a vehicle from Star Wars.

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

1. Preparing to Read

Have students preview the text features. Ask:

  • What is the topic of the debate? (Prompt students to use the debate title and the heading on the chart as clues.)
  • What do you think are the two sides of the issue?

2. Reading the Debate 

Read the debate as a class or in small groups.  A lower-Lexile version is available. 

Have students read the debate a second time. Prompt them to mark the types of support the author presents to back up each side, including:

  • Facts and statistics (F/S)
  • Quotes from experts (Q)
  • Stories or examples (EX)

3. Discussing

As a class or in groups, have students discuss:

  • Which evidence is most effective in supporting each side?
  • Is one side stronger than the other? Why?
  • What is your opinion? What evidence do you find the most convincing?
  • For more-advanced students: Do you think the author has a preferred point of view on this issue? What is your evidence?

4. Writing

Have students complete the chart in the magazine.

Distribute the activity “Write an Opinion Essay.” The lower-level version guides students to write a three-paragraph essay on the debate topic. The higher-level version prompts them to bring in additional evidence and write six paragraphs, including a rebuttal of the other side. With either version, hand out our Opinion Writing Toolkit, which offers writing tips and transition words.

Text-to-Speech