Email Etiquette for the Classy Co-ed!

 

“yeah cuz i got a fbook but idk idc what ones i get assigned.”

 

Shown above is an actual response that I received to an email sent about an upcoming health project.  Working with different professors around campus, I have often heard complaints about the way that students email them.  I never imagined how awful some emails could actually be until I read this one.  Here is the set-up that I find to be most useful for an effective email:

 

 

Introduction:  Make sure that you acknowledge the recipient of the email!  I feel like typing “Dear Dr. Griffith,” might be a little too formal for an email, so I usually start mine just by using the professor or person’s name.  Example:  Dr. Griffith—

 

Secondly, make sure that you introduce yourself!  The first line of your email should be able to tell them who you are and why you are emailing them. 

 

Example: Hello! My name is Rob Adams and I am in your HPE 111-07 class.  Or Hello, My name is Breanna Griffith and I am the President of the Alpha Omicron chapter of Alpha Sigma Tau.

 

Body: When emailing a project leader or professor, keep your email short and to-the-point.  If you missed class, be honest about it and do not beat around the bush. For some things, it might be easier to visit the professor face-to-face. For example, if you need a letter of recommendation, or to go over some deadlines for a project.  This not only helps the professor to get to know one of his or her students, but also gets your name out there and ensures that your question will be understood and answered. 

          Here are just a few more things to watch for in the body of your email:

          -Text talk, for an example please look at the way I opened this article.  Your professor won’t “lol” at your lack of class.

          -Run on sentences: while I don’t remember all of the rules about run-ons, do try to limit your thoughts to one sentence and not a paragraph with a period at the end.

          -Punctuate! Punctuate! Punctuate! Use periods, commas, and apostrophes—that is what they are for!

          -Watch tricky words such as their, they’re and there or the you’re and your family.  Make sure you are using the right ones!

 Conclusion: To close your email, try to thank the professor or group member for their time.  Also, I generally try to close it the way I opened it.  If you used a salutation such as “Dear —“ to open it, then try “Sincerely” or “Thank You” and put your name on the next line. 

 

 

Example: Thank you for your time!

                             Sincerely,

                   Breanna Griffith

 

Now that you’re ready to start emailing—Type away!

 

 

Breanna Griffith is an Intern at College Lifestyles ™ and a junior at Clarion University who loves the art of email.