Medical Journals, Letters to the Editor

‘Letters to the Editor’ make up one of the seven genres in medical writing that share common linguistic features, such as the heavy use of specialized terminology. Yet it is the most subjective and personal form of written communication, enabling researchers to comment on their peers' published work. It is critical writing and displays open contention, which is most unusual in medical journals. It reveals conflicts that otherwise remain implicit. Unlike research articles, it may include cultural references. Although not officially part of the validating process by the community, it has always been present in medical journals.