Christie Withrow

SLM 521

Email Suggestion List

Email is a fun and free way to communicate with anyone, whether they live close or far away. I have created a list directed toward children in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade so that they will write more effective emails.

Once it’s sent, it’s sent.

Email is permanent. You can not get an eraser after you press the “send” button. That is why the most common problem I have seen with kids and adults is writing an email when you are mad. Try to cool off before you respond to an email that angers you. If you get into a fight on the playground, you know that you should walk away before you do something that you will regret. Same goes for email. You should get up and walk away from the computer for a little while. One thing we like about email is that you can send a message quickly. However, that also can encourage us to type something we really did not mean to say. Remember, it’s what you say not how fast you say it.

Know your recipient.

Sometimes it is okay to use sloppy language. For example: R U ready yet lol?!?! Don’t wannabe la-8.

This is informal talk. You use it with close friends and family whom use it with you. Informal language makes you feel relaxed. It is not okay to use informal language in a professional setting. You need to use formal language with your boss, teacher, principal, and maybe older adults who you would speak to in person in a formal manner. Recipients do not see you, so they can only judge you on how well you compose your email. This is your judgment call. Ask yourself: How would I speak to them in person?

Keep subject line brief and specific.

A subject like is similar to a header. It grabs the attention of the reader without giving too much away.

Refer to previous conversation.

Some emails do not save previous conversations. You need to restate what you are responding to in your content, otherwise there could be confusion. For example: Yes, I will be attending the math study session tomorrow (instead of just yes).

Change pronouns.

Look at all pronouns in your first three sentences. Change pronouns to something concrete.

Fancy text is not fancy.

There is something called “quoted-printable” that allows email to recognize different symbols. Some people may get annoyed if their email does not recognize these fancy symbols. If you email this person regularly, ask them if your email was legible.

Punctuation and quotation mix-up.

In school you were taught that the punctuation mark goes inside the last quotation mark. In emails the punctuation mark goes outside the last quotation mark. For example: “smile”.

Attachment attached.

Always click on the attachment to make sure it is there to open and it is what you really want to attach before you send an email. A good idea would be to tell the recipient that you have attached something for them to open so they don’t miss it.

Use short paragraphs.

Don’t make us get lost in your long paragraphs. Plus it looks intimidating. Break up paragraphs to a few sentences each. Thanks.

Emphasize THIS.

Use ALL CAPITAL letters and exclamation marks sparingly. TOO MUCH drama and nobody will believe you.