Though you are all probably aware of these general e-mail guidelines, it is always a good professional practice to review the standards of a particular professional community or culture. To ensure your understanding of these principles, e-mails that do not follow these guidelines will now be returned unanswered. If your e-mail is returned unanswered, it means I have not acknowledged the content of your e-mail.  Reformat your e-mail and send it to me again.

  • Give an e-mail a subject heading that is concise and direct: I should know right away what it is about and what its purpose is (for example, "Project Two Revision" or "Question about Cover Letter").
  • Keep subject headings consistent on extended exchanges (maintain the conversation thread).
  • Include an appropriate (as defined by the nature of your relationship with the receiver) greeting and conclusion in the email (please include your first and last name).
  • Describe any attachments and how they should be used.
  • Use formal but casual language (complete sentences, capitalization and punctuation, correct spelling - especially names and companies.)
  • Watch pronoun usage. Make sure objects referred to by pronouns are clear (avoid saying something like "That thing we talked about in class the other day").
  • Be respectful and cooperative.

In line with the principles and practices of the course, these guidelines, and their enforcement, are not designed to be a punitive measure; they are designed to introduce (and induce) good professional habits.

Here's a good PowerPoint on E-mail Ethics.

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