An open letter is a type of written communication in which the writer addresses a specific individual, group, or organization, or a community itself, but intends the letter to be widely distributed or published.

Open letters are often written in the form of a letter or email, but can also be published as a blog post or in a newspaper or magazine, or at Shrewdom. They are called 'open' because they are intended to be public, as opposed to private, communications.

Sometimes open letters are written, even when this is inadvertent, for the audience of the public readers as much, or more, than the actual recipient. It can be smart to try to steer towards being respectful and more persuasive rather than entertaining an audience, which could alienate the recipient and cause the the opposite effect than what was intended.

Open letters are also sometimes written - or in this case, threatened to be written - to intimidate the recipient. The line of thinking is 'If you do X, then I'll let the public in on what you are doing, and it will be embarrassing for you - so you had better not do X'. This is a threat tactic, rather than an intellectually persuasive tactic.

Open letters may in any case be used to express a strong opinion, to advocate for a particular cause, or to seek support or action from either (1) the recipient or (2) the wider audience.

As for their subjects - there is simply no limit! It can include structural, systemic, political, social, and environmental concepts, as well as personal or professional matters. Arguably at their their best, they can even directly confront/challenge power.

They are often used as a way to bring attention to a particular issue or to exert pressure on the recipient to take a particular course of action (by either the public or the recipient). I think that action, or consequence, is of key importance. As example, we can stamp our feet and feel good internally, but what actually counts is the outer consequence from the letter - did it cause something to change (or at least increase public understanding to catalyse change further down the track)?

Shrewdish open letters usually aim to have a significant impact on public opinion (or action) and the actions of the recipient.

So with that said, fire away!

- Manlobbi