EMAIL:
Basic
Tips for the
Elementary
School Student
1)
Remember: Safety first. Never give out personal information such as your name
or address, and never to respond to an email from some one you do not know.
When in doubt, have an adult check it out.
2)
Make sure you type the email address correctly. Unlike regular mail, a single
misplaced letter in the address will keep the email from reaching its
destination.
3)
Always use the subject line, but make it useful. Be specific. A subject line of
"Here it is" is not nearly as helpful as "The homework
assignment you requested."
4)
Think about your audience. Just like when writing a letter, there are different
styles depending on who is being sent the email. A casual style is fine in an
email to your best friend but is probably not appropriate if you are emailing
the school board.
5)
Keep it short and easy to read. Brevity is valued and expected in emails. Keep
your sentences and paragraphs short. A good rule of thumb is that if the email
is longer than one page, it is probably too long. Also remember to add spaces
between paragraphs to make it easier on the eyes.
6) Be
polite. Regardless who you are writing to, keep your manners kind and your
words polite. Never use foul language.
7) Be
aware of the emotions your words can convey. "I wanted you to be there" might be interpreted as
disappointment. "I wanted you to BE THERE!" might be perceived as
anger. Be sure when using bold, italics, or capitals, your words convey what
you mean.
8)
Understand email shorthand. In casual email writing, symbols such as :-) can be
used to express emotion (in this case, happiness.) Abbreviations such as LOL
(laugh out loud) are used to convey meaning as well. Check out this website for a
brief introduction to this form of communication.
9)
Check your spelling and grammar. It matters, even in casual writing.
10) Think
before you attach. Before including a link to a website, make sure it is not
inappropriate and that the link works. Before including an attachment such as a
photo or video clip, in addition to appropriateness, ask yourself if it is
relevant and necessary, especially when sending to someone with dial-up access
for whom such files take a long time to open.
11)
Remember, your email is a reflection on you. Think before you write, re-read
what you have written, and don't ever hit the send button if you think you
might later regret it.