OnlineProfessor

Easy E-mail Communication Tips

For business and in school, e-mail communication is quite important. Sending an e-mail to your online professor is more efficient if you follow a few, simple tips.

E-mail Best Practices:

• Be Specific with the Subject Line. If you want a quick answer, be organized by putting specific information in the subject line of your message. Type your name, the class number, and the topic of your message. Simply typing a vague phrase like “question” or “information needed” is not very helpful.
• Be clear. When you type your question, be brief and clear. Explain your issue in a precise manner. Read over your message to be sure your phrasing is understandable. Messages sent in a rush without the proper review can lead to cryptic content that confuses the instructor. And if you have to go back and forth a few times just to clarify the question itself, it’s a waste of everyone’s time.
• Clearly identify yourself. I can’t tell you how many messages instructors receive with no identification. Instructors can usually make out a student’s name through the e-mail address, but if you have an odd e-mail name like Supergamer1000@gmail.com then it’s unprofessional to leave your instructor guessing about your identity.
• Be organized. Plan your message well. Sending an instructor ten messages in a row because you kept forgetting to add information can really be inefficient. It can also slow down the response time.
• Be professional. Remember to use care with written communication. Avoid sounding rude or unprofessional, even if you’re identifying an issue or problem.

Instructors want to be helpful, and if students do their part to make things clear and efficient, everyone wins.

Have a comment or question? Share it with us via the comment section located at the end of each article.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS