Meghan Christensen
SLM-521
E-Mail Tips
E-mails are sent out everyday to anyone
that owns an e-mail account. All the students in our school (grades K-5), have
a computer login and password giving them access to the internet. If your
parents allow you to have an e-mail account, you could use that account to
e-mail friends or family. Before you type an e-mail to someone you know, take a
look at the following tips for writing a nice e-mail.
- Make sure your subject is to the point. You want the person to see your subject heading and know what the e-mail is about.
- If you need someone to respond to your e-mail quickly, then you need to type in URGENT: before you write your subject. This will let the recipient know they need to get back to you soon.
- If you are answering someone else’s question through e-mail, then you should copy and paste their question to your e-mail and type your answer underneath. Some people my have forgotten what the question was that they asked, so this will make the e-mail less confusing for them.
- Make sure you are very clear when typing a response to someone. DO NOT leave out important details (like dates or times).
- Do not use fancy fonts when sending out an e-mail. Some computers may not have the same programs that you do. The e-mail you send out may look nice, but the person getting the e-mail may have a hard time reading/understanding it.
- Let’s say you want to e-mail a cool website to one of your friends. Be careful how you include it in your e-mail. The best way to send a web address through e-mail is by placing carrots (<) in front and on the back of the address like this: <http://www.carrollk12.org>. This makes it easier for the reader to understand the address they will use.
- Try not to write really long e-mails. Keep them in short paragraphs. This makes it easier for the recipient to read and not lose their place when they scroll down.
- Since you are not talking face-to-face with the person, you need to be carefully how you say things over an e-mail. Only use all capital letters if you want the person to notice what you do or do not want, such as: I CAN NOT make it to the lunch on TUESDAY. Let’s try and GO on FRIDAY. This way the message is clear.
- If you want to use a smiley face (or a frown) in your e-mail, make sure that the face can be clearly seen to the viewer. :-) If you add a smiley face next to other symbols it may be hard to see: :-(.
- Check over your e-mail before you send it. If your e-mail page has a spell checker on it, use it. Read over your e-mail to make sure everything sounds ok. DO NOT take a lot of time doing this because it the recipient has a question they will e-mail you back.
A Beginners Guide to Effective E-Mail.
2007. Kaitlin Duck Sherwood.