There are at least two aspects of the letter writing format that have been shown to be effective: writing to others for information, and writing "letters to the editor." Letters can be the beginnings of potential research, especially of the survey type. For instance, students might want to write to various organizations related to a topic they are studying, e.g. the Sierra Club, Audubon Society, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Transportation Board, Environmental Protection Agency, the United Nations. Each of these organizations is a source of good information. Letters to the editor are especially significant if students are working on an STS project, or debating an issue that has personal and societal implications.
Students can be given a format to follow to write letters of inquiry, and letters to the editor, and use the computer to prepare the documents.