Email Etiquette for Students

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Email Etiquette for Students

• Guidelines for online communication with your
  teachers..

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Why is Email Etiquette Important?

• E-mail is a commonly used form of acceptable
  communication in todays society
• With limited time and large class sizes, it
  becomes harder to discuss questions or problems
  with teachers
• Not all questions come to mind during classnot
  all assignments are completed during class

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Elements of Email Etiquette

• Basics
• Tone
• Attachments
• Complaints
• Good topics for email
• Bad topics for email

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The Basics

• When mailing a teacher, ALWAYS include your full
  name, class period or division
• Include your class and what the email is
  specifically regarding in the subject

Example Homer Simpson English 10P Period
3 Subject English 10P Donut Research Paper
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The Basics

• Think twiceonce you hit Send, anyone might be
  able to read your message
• Try to keep the email brief (one screen length)
• Because your teachers may not check their email
  after school hours, you may not receive an
  immediate response. Relax, you have a record of
  written communication and your teachers will be
  able to check in with you during class or lunch.
• Check for spelling, punctuation and grammar
  errors before clicking Send

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Tone

• Write in a positive tone
• When I complete the assignment versus If I
  complete the assignment
• Remain respectful of yourself, the teacher, and
  the assignment.
• Calling the assignment stupid or the teacher
  stupid paints a negative portrayal of your
  attitude toward learning
• Use smiles ?, winks -) and other graphical
  symbols only when appropriate

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Attachments

• When you are sending attachments, include in the
  email the filename, the file format, and the
  version of the program
• Attached Project3Proposal.doc This file is in
  Microsoft Word 2007.
• Always send it to yourself as well (ccd, or
  include your address in the recipient list) in
  case your message does not go through to your
  teachers email
• CRITICAL STEP!!! Double-check with your teacher
  the following day to be sure your message was
  received and that the attachment could be
  opened!!

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Concerns

• You should briefly state the history of the
  problem to provide context for the problem (i.e.
  I had to leave early for my baseball game so I
  was not in class when you discussed the
  assignment.)
• Explain the attempts you made to resolve the
  problem (i.e. I went online to get the
  assignment, but I still dont understand exactly
  what is meant by cite your evidence in MLA
  format.)

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• Explain why it is critical for the problem to be
  resolved (i.e. I want to turn in a correct
  assignment so that I am not marked down.)
• Offer suggestions or ways you think it can be
  resolved or how you are willing to help in the
  matter (i.e. I am attaching the assignment as it
  is, but I was wondering if I could stay in during
  lunch to get some help from you and if I could
  resubmit the assignment correctly.)

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Good Topics for Email

• You should email your teacher if
• You have an easy question that can be answered in
  a paragraph or less
• You have an assignment that you are allowed to
  submit via email
• You want to set up a meeting with your teacher

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Bad Topics for Email

• There are some guidelines that its best to
  follow, such as
• Dont try to turn in an assignment through email
  if your teacher has specified against it
• If you have to get an extension for an
  assignment, do it in person
• Dont bring up any topic that will require
  continuous conversation back and forth via email
• Check your frustration level when composing your
  emailthere is a large risk for misunderstanding,
  so its best to talk face-to-face

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Powerpoint adapted from the original

• Original powerpoint location
• Online Writing Lab
• http//owl.english.purdue.edu

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The End