The development of information technology, especially personal computers, has significantly affected the structure, format, and tone of letters to shareholders over 25 years. When General Mills’s letter to its stockholders and employees was written in 1977, the personal computer, or word processor and presentation software, had not been invented. General Mills wrote this letter by using a typewrite or printing office, that required a certain format. In General Mills’s letter, the two column alignment seems …showed first 75 words of 398 total…

…showed last 75 words of 398 total…reading the text, but also some irregularities catch the reader’s eye. On the other hand, NIKE and Amazon.com’s letters seems less effective. In particular, Amason.com’s itemized description is just the plain explanation of financial figures, which make the letter somewhat boring. In conclusion, the development of information technology, especially PCs, significantly changes the way we write and, as a result, the letter can make a stronger impression on the readers.