You finish writing a letter, sign your name, and then add two letters at the very bottom: P.S. We do this without thinking. It's a reflex born from decades of handwritten correspondence and digital messaging. But why do we use postscript? Where did it come from, and why does it still pack such a strong psychological punch in modern writing?
Understanding PS means postscript goes far beyond a simple vocabulary lesson. This tiny abbreviation carries a fascinating history and a distinct psychological weight that savvy writers use to hook readers, emphasize secondary points, and add a personal touch. Let's explore why postscripts endure and how you can use them effectively in your everyday writing.
The Origin and Literal Meaning of Postscript
To understand the term, we have to look back at its Latin roots. The abbreviation P.S. stands for postscriptum, which translates directly to "written after."
Centuries ago, before word processors and instant printing, people wrote letters entirely by hand using ink and parchment. There was no backspace key, no easy way to insert a missed sentence into the middle of a paragraph, and paper was often a scarce, expensive commodity. If you forgot a vital detail after signing off, you couldn't just throw the page away and start over. Observers at Bloomberg have provided expertise on this trend.
Instead, writers squeezed extra thoughts into the margins, turned the page upside down, or wrote vertically along the edge. The postscript became a standardized way to append missing information without rewriting the entire document. Over time, as typewriters and digital email made drafting easier, the postscript evolved from a mechanical necessity into a deliberate stylistic choice.
The Psychology of the Postscript
Even though we no longer face the physical constraints of parchment and quill pens, the postscript remains one of the most powerful tools in written communication. Why? Because human reading habits make it stand out.
When someone reads a letter, an email, or an article, their eyes generally follow a predictable path. They scan the beginning, skim the middle paragraphs, and jump straight to the signature at the end. Once they reach the signature, their brain registers that the message is complete.
Then, unexpected text appears below the name.
Because the postscript sits outside the main flow of the text, it immediately captures the reader's attention. Psychological studies on direct response copywriting consistently show that the P.S. is often the first thing people read. Readers skip the body and look at the bottom line to catch the final takeaway.
Why Readers Fixate on the Bottom Line
Our brains are naturally wired to look for summaries or final verdicts. When you place a sentence below your signature, you signal that this thought is special—either a personal afterthought, a final reminder, or an urgent nudge.
- The primacy and recency effect: People tend to remember the first thing they see and the very last thing they see. A postscript controls that final impression.
- The illusion of intimacy: A P.S. often feels like a whispered secret or a genuine human impulse added after the formal message was drafted.
- The eye-catch factor: Visually, a short block of text separated from the main paragraphs breaks up the monotony of the page.
Common Mistakes When Using Postscripts
While postscripts are versatile, misusing them can confuse your reader or dilute your message. Here are a few traps to avoid when adding a P.S. to your notes:
- Burying your main point: If your core argument or call to action lives entirely in the postscript, you've structured your message backward. The main body should carry the primary weight.
- Writing an essay at the bottom: A P.S. should be brief—usually one or two sentences max. If it's longer than your main paragraphs, it's not a postscript; it's a second letter.
- Overusing them: If every single email or message you send ends with a P.S., the technique loses its impact. Save it for when you genuinely want to highlight a secondary thought.
- Contradicting yourself: Don't use a postscript to completely undermine the message you just delivered in the body. It should complement, not confuse.
How to Write an Effective Postscript
If you want to make your emails, newsletters, or personal notes more engaging, use a postscript intentionally. Here is a simple step-by-step approach to crafting a strong one:
- Draft your core message: Write your main text, email, or letter completely. Make sure your primary point is clear and stands on its own.
- Identify a secondary hook: Think of a detail that didn't quite fit the main flow, a friendly personal question, or a gentle reminder that adds warmth or urgency.
- Keep it concise: Condense that secondary thought into a punchy, single-sentence statement.
- Place it below the sign-off: Drop it beneath your typed name or signature block so it catches the eye as the final lingering thought.
For example, if you're writing a project update to a colleague, you might close the main text with your timeline review, and then add a P.S. asking about their upcoming weekend plans or noting a quick schedule change for Monday.
Modern Uses in Email and Marketing
While personal letters are rarer today, the postscript is alive and well in professional email communication and digital marketing.
Email newsletter writers and copywriters rely heavily on the P.S. to drive action. Because many readers skim long emails, marketers often place their primary link or core offer right inside the postscript, knowing that skimmers will catch it even if they miss the middle paragraphs. According to industry insights from platforms like Mailchimp, clear formatting and distinct callouts dramatically improve reader engagement.
In everyday workplace communication, adding a casual postscript can soften a direct or formal message. It bridges the gap between professional distance and human connection, reminding the recipient that there's a real person behind the screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to include periods in the abbreviation?
Yes, traditional grammar rules dictate that P.S. includes periods because it is an abbreviation for postscriptum. However, modern digital communication often drops the punctuation, writing simply "ps" or "PS". Both are widely accepted, though traditional punctuation looks cleaner in formal contexts.
Can I include multiple postscripts?
You can technically add a second postscript, which is abbreviated as P.P.S. (post-postscriptum). However, using more than one postscript often looks disorganized. It's usually better to incorporate those extra thoughts back into the main body or save them for a separate message.
Are postscripts appropriate for formal business emails?
They can be, provided they match the tone of the message. A casual P.S. asking about a client's travel or adding a quick scheduling note works well in business correspondence. Avoid using them for crucial contract terms or core project requirements that belong in the main body.
Why do people read the P.S. first?
Human reading psychology draws the eye toward isolated blocks of text and signatures. Because a postscript sits entirely separate from the body paragraphs near the very bottom, it naturally catches the reader's peripheral vision and sparks curiosity before they even read the rest of the text.
