1. "Americans are writing fewer personal letters..."

"First Class Mail Volume Forecasts by Categories of Use, 1972, 1978 and 1983," RMC Research Corporation. Final Report UR-221, December 21, 1973.

2. "Studies undertaken for this report show that people of many occupations..."

A series of 150 on-site personal interviews were conducted with persons from many occupations as well as professionals engaged in public and higher education. Questions related to individual reading and writing habits, views of education, and personal educational experiences were asked. Persons interviewed represented many levels of educational attainment from non-completion of high school to doctoral level and were from four different regions of the United States. Data for this portion of the study were cross-referenced by questions as well as used within the context of the entire interview itself. People were also interviewed in Scotland and England.

1. "On the other hand, writing, more than any other subject can be the means to personal breakthrough in learning."

Data for this were taken from the interview responses about educational background and experiences. Although people cited writing most often as the personal breakthrough in learning, another group cited it as a negative, punishing experience. There seemed to be little middle ground in referring to writing experiences.