NWFSC Student E-mail Etiquette

The subject line of your e-mail should contain a short statement pertaining to the content of your message. The recipients of your e-mail will be able to better organize and save their incoming e-mails. Subject lines will also help administrators combat spam mail and help spam filters to identify legitimate mail from spam mail.

The body of the message should state the problem or question clearly. It should be written without internet short-hand. Text messages are the easiest types of e-mail to send. Large graphic messages tend to take a long time to process.

If you have a question relating to a class, be as specific as you can about the problem you are encountering and include information to help identify your class and instructor.

Always include your full name when communicating with an instructor, preferably at the end of the message. Give your name as it is listed on the class roster, not your nickname.

Spell check is a good thing. You can set your e-mail options to automatically spell check each e-mail before sending.

You should always re-read your messages before sending. Don’t be too hasty to send an e-mail. With the convenience of e-mail, people are quick to send e-mails or reply in a hurry. This is alright when you have something quick to say, but when you are upset or angry, remember the ease of pressing the SEND button can get you in a lot of trouble. If you are disconcerted and you are composing an e-mail, you can write it as hastily as you wish, just don’t hit the SEND button when you are done. Instead, let the e-mail sit there, and walk away for awhile. When you return, review the e-mail, try to read the e-mail as though you were the recipient. Make the changes you feel are appropriate and once you feel comfortable with what you have written go ahead and send it.

Write with professionalism. High standards are appreciated in all aspects of life and make you look good.