Jody Jankoski
SLM 521
Elective 8
E-mail Communication for Middle Schoolers
We
use e-mail everyday to send files and pictures, give information, or just catch
up with a friend. Because we use e-mail so much, it is important to learn how to
a good e-mail user in order to send exactly the message we want to send. When
you cannot see the other person’s face or hear the tone of their voice,
messages can be misunderstood. By following some of the tips below, you can be
a better e-mail user.
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Ten Tips for Electronic
Communication Success: |
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*Your recipient cannot use normal communication
cues such as body language and voice inflections to determine whether you are
being serious or not. Try to be as clear and straightforward as possible in
expressing yourself. |
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*A good subject line will give your recipient an
idea of what you are writing about. This will put them in the proper frame of
mind for reading your message. Also, some people get a lot of e-mail and your
e-mail might be ignored if it seems unimportant. |
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*Avoid pronouns in the first few sentences
so that it is clear to your recipient what you are talking about. *If you are replying to a
question in an e-mail, quote that section in your e-mail so that your
recipient will not have to look back at the old e-mail. |
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*This will encourage the recipient to read the
entire message and allow them to navigate it easily. |
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*This will allow your recipient to better
understand your feelings even though they cannot see your face or hear your
voice. |
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*Some people interpret spelling mistakes and poor
grammar to mean that the writer is not smart. *Others may take spelling and grammar mistakes as a
sign of disrespect and that you did not care enough to write a proper
message. |
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*Messages to your friends can be casual, but school
or business related e-mails might need to be more formal. |
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*This will quickly establish a connection and help
the recipient get an idea of where you are coming from. |
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*Some computers do not read things like italics and
certain fonts very well and it can make your message hard to read. This will
make your message easy to follow on any computer. |
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*This will allow the recipient to access the site
by copying and pasting if any problems occur with the link or with e-mail
formatting. |
5.
Use capitalization and symbols such as smileys or asterisks to express
emotions in your message.
6.
Spell and language check e-mails before sending them.
7.
Tailor the formality of your writing to the audience who will be reading the
message.
8.
When writing to someone you do not know, introduce yourself and explain how
you learned of the recipient.
9.
Use plain text in an easy to read font.
10.
If you are sending a web address in your message, include it as text
beginning with http://.