8 Points for Email Etiquette

1. Don’t forget your subject line. It should be very clear what you are writing about. So a blank is not appropriate. “Homework: Please read” is a better subject line than “question” or “class?” A subject line that identifies both your course and the issue, like “HUMA homework: question about the sculpture assignment,” would be excellent.

2. Professors like their titles and their names within the email.
Dear Dr. Brokenrecord,

3. Always identify yourself at the end of the letter with the name you go by in class. Use Jim Student rather than Jim, though, since I may have ten Jims. If in class I call you CeeCee, then don’t sign the email Celina Caroline. I won’t know who that is!

4. Always identify your course number and class time.
ENGL 1301 at 8 am MWF or
ENGL 0310 at 10 am or
HUMA 1301 7-9

5. Always remember that this is a permanent internet record kept by the school. Do not put anything in your email you would not be willing to have the entire school hear about. I’m not going to publish it, but you might need to show it to someone.

6. Always use the highest standard of English in your messages. Neither teachers nor bosses, regardless of their ability to translate text spellings, want to have to figure out what you said. If it needs to be said, say it well and correctly.

7. Email is not the best medium for urgent communication, unless it is the only medium possible. It is a good medium for information that is complicated.

8. As a check for whether or not your email is appropriate, read it aloud. Think about whether you would be willing to say it to your mother, your guardian angel, or your boss.

Note: This has gone from four to eight points. It may grow again as folks find new and unusual ways to create email disasters.

Students are not the only ones who have trouble with email. A good advice column from the CHE is on administrators who need email etiquette lessons.