Simon Hoggart

Kind 'Guardian' readers have been forwarding me round robin Christmas newsletters for years now: lengthy missives full of perfect children, exotic holidays, talented pets and endless, tedious detail. The notes that accompanied them revealed they had inspired in the original recipients everything from mild irritation to absolute rage.

British Journalist

Carl Bernstein

In the John Paul II days, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had the advantage of staying in his cupboard - the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith - exchanging views only with the Pope, and speaking publicly only through carefully written missives on doctrinal issues.

American Journalist

William Safire

When infuriated by an outrageous column, do not be suckered into responding with an abusive e-mail. Pundits so targeted thumb through these red-faced electronic missives with delight, saying 'Hah! Got to 'em.

American Author

Rachel Sklar

Emily Gannett is tireless. I know this because I have traded emails with her at 2 A.M. only to later wake blearily to a chipper morning missive sent south of 6 A.M. before her morning run.

Canadian Lawyer

Ava DuVernay

I don't understand the iPhone. I just don't get it. Don't ya'll have to write serious emails throughout the day? How can you possibly manage detailed missives on a phone with no keys?

American Director

Tim Wise

As a writer, there are times when you have something to say, and yet no particular 'hook' upon which to hang the missive you are burning to release.

American Activist

Typically used to give a historical or old-fashioned touch to writing.

Historical Flavor

Often signifies a formal, important, or official communication between parties.

Formal Correspondence

Indicates content that is serious, perhaps carrying significant information or directives.

Serious Content

 can be deadly for the recipient. Lighting a candle to read the missive can give away their positions to the enemy. In a moment of vision, Barbier pokes a series of holes into a sheet of a paper with his blade,

How Braille was invented...

 prominent oklahoma attorney buck c franklin father of noted historian john hope franklin wrote a harrowing eyewitness account of the event the yellowed 10-page missive is now held

Missive