Email Etiquette

Expectations Refresh: Respectful

In our school, we are RESPECTFUL

“Respectful” means that we are polite and kind to others.

We’re having this conversation because it’s a good time for some refreshers on polite email etiquette.

These are important skills to work on because they prepare you for a job.

Email

basics

Emailing a teacher

Think before you email

“Can I find the answer myself?” Make sure the answer is not already given in your syllabus or task instructions.

“Am I calm?” If we write and send emails when we’re angry, we’re more likely to say disrespectful things we’ll regret later.

If you’re upset, consider drafting the email and coming back to it the next day to read it again.

Write a clear subject line

• A short summary of the email (1-5 words), not the entire email
• Not a link or left blank
• Make sure it helps someone know what the email’s about

“Help with worksheet 14.3” or “Question about volcano project”

“hello” or “science”

Start and end professionally

Always include an appropriate greeting, using the receiver’s correct title. For example:

• Good afternoon Ms. Knutson,
• Dear Mr. Telander,
• Hello Mrs. Murray,

Always end with a closing and your full name. For example:

Thank you for your time and have a great day.

​

Sincerely,

Lexie Brown

Use proper grammar and a professional tone

• Write complete sentences with punctuation
• Capitalize appropriately (AVOID ALL CAPS)
• Use your school email address
• Use standard fonts and formatting
• Avoid colored text
• Unsure if you have a professional tone? Have a trusted person read it before you send

Proofread before sending

Make sure you’ve attached the right file(s)

When you’re done, send to the right person

Add email addresses AFTER you’ve written your email.

• Cc (“Carbon Copy”): If you put someone’s name in this box, you’re saying, “Hey, read this, but don’t feel like you have to respond.”
• Bcc (“Blind Carbon Copy”): Nobody besides this person or people will know that they received the email. In other words, if you put George in the “To” box and Sarah in the “Bcc” box, George won’t know that Sarah also received the email.

My Mom just accidentally prematurely sent an email to an accounting firm… It was supposed to say ‘I am afraid that we will have to postpone our meeting”

but she accidentally hit send when all it said was

Hi Jeffrey,

I am afraid

Reply quickly and avoid ‘Reply all’

Email should be checked daily. Try to respond to all emails requiring a response within 24 hours.

In many cases, it’s polite to only ‘Reply’ to your teacher / the person who sent the email.

Ask yourself, “Does everyone need to know my answer to this question?” If the answer is “no,” hit Reply.

Test Your Knowledge

Activity Options

bmurray@rushcity.k12.mn.us

hey!

I was wondering if you could help me with

Activity Options

bmurray@rushcity.k12.mn.us

https://www.britannica.com/animal/monkey

Good morning Mr. Murray,

​

I found this article about monkeys and I was wondering if I could use it in my science report. Is that okay?

​

Thank you!

​

Best,

Charlie Leo

Activity Options

bmurray@rushcity.k12.mn.us

QUESTION ABOUT MONKEY REPORT

Good morning Mr. Murray,

​

I found this article about monkeys and I was wondering if I could use it in my science report. Is that okay?

​

Also, I CANNOT FIND YOUR DIRECTIONS FOR THE REPORT! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO???

Activity Options

bmurray@rushcity.k12.mn.us

? bout monkeys

hey murray, I found the article bout munkeys and was wondering if I could use it in my science report is that okay. thx murray!

Activity Options

bmurray@rushcity.k12.mn.us

Question about my science report

Good morning Mr. Murray,

​

I found this article about monkeys and I was wondering if I could use it in my science report. Is that okay?

​

Thank you!

​

Best,

Charlie Leo