2. Why is email etiquette important?
We all interact with the printed word as though
it has a personality and that personality makes
positive and negative impressions upon us.
Without immediate feedback your document
can easily be misinterpreted by your reader, so
it is crucial that you follow the basic rules of
etiquette to construct an appropriate tone.
3. The elements of email etiquette
General format Flaming
Writing long messages Delivering information
Attachments Delivering bad news
The curse of surprises Electronic Mailing Lists
4. General Format: The Basics
Write a salutation for Use caps when
each new subject email. appropriate.
Try to keep the email Format your email for
brief (one screen length). plain text rather than
Return emails within the HTML.
same time you would a
phone call.
Use a font that has a
Check for punctuation, professional or neutral
spelling, and look.
grammatical errors
5. General Format: Character
Spacing
Try to keep your line length at 80 characters or
less.
If your message is likely to be forwarded, keep
it to 60 characters or less.
Set your email preferences to automatically
wrap outgoing plain text messages.
6. General Format: Lists and Bullets
When you are writing For example,
directions or want to 1) Place the paper in
emphasize important drawer A.
points, number your 2) Click the green “start”
directions or bullet your button.
main points. Another example,
• Improve customer
satisfaction.
• Empower employees.
7. General Format: Tone
• Write in a positive tone • Use smiles , winks ;),
“When you complete the and other graphical
report.” instead of “If you symbols only when
complete the report.” appropriate.
• Avoid negative words • Use contractions to add
that begin with “un, non, a friendly tone.
ex” or that end with (don’t, won’t, can’t).
“less” (useless, non-
existent, ex-employee,
undecided).
8. General Format: Addresses
Avoid sending emails to
more than four
addresses at once.
Instead, create a mailing
list so that readers do
not have to scroll too
much before getting to
the actual message.
To: maillist4@cs.com
9. Attachments
When you are sending
an attachment tell your
respondent what the
name of the file is, what
program it is saved in,
and the version of the
program.
“This file is in MSWord
2000 under the name
“LabFile.”
10. General Tips for Electronic Mailing
Lists
Avoid discussing private concerns and issues.
It is okay to address someone directly on the
list. Ex, “Hi Leslie, regarding your question”
Change the subject heading to match the
content of your message.
When conflict arises on the list speak in person
with the one with whom you are in conflict.
11. When your message is long
Create an “elevator” summary.
Provide a table of contents on the first screen
of your email.
If you require a response from the reader then
be sure to request that response in the first
paragraph of your email.
Create headings for each major section.
12. Elevator Summary and Table of
Contents
An elevator summary Table of contents
should have all the main “This email contains
components of the
email. A. Budget projections for
“Our profit margin for the the last quarter
last quarter went down B. Actual performance for
5%. As a result I am the last quarter
proposing budget
C. Adjustment proposal
adjustment for the
following areas…” D. Projected profitability”
13. Delivering Information About
Meetings, Orientations, Processes
Include an elevator
summary and table of
contents with headings.
Provide as much
information as possible.
Offer the reader an
opportunity to receive
the information via mail if
the email is too
confusing.
14. Delivering Bad News
Deliver the news up
front.
Avoid blaming
statements.
Avoid hedging words or
words that sound
ambiguous.
Maintain a positive
resolve.
15. Delivering Bad News
Deliver the news up front: Avoid using “weasel words”
“We are unable to order or hedging:
new computers this “Our pricing structure is
quarter due to budget outdated.”
cuts.” More examples of hedging
are:
Avoid blaming:
Intents and purposes
“I think it will be hard to Possibly, most likely
recover from this, but
Perhaps, maybe
what can I do to help?”
16. Writing a complaint
• You should briefly state • Show why it is critical for
the history of the the problem to be
problem to provide resolved by your reader.
context for your reader. • Offer suggestions on
• Explain the attempts you ways you think it can be
made previously to resolved or how you are
resolve the problem. willing to help in the
matter.
17. Writing a complaint
Briefly state the history: Show attempts made by
“The current way we you thus far to resolve
the issue:
choose officers for our
organization is not “I have offered two
alternatives for officer
democratic. As a result, selection that still
we have a popularity involves the votes of the
contest that does not members but both have
always get us the best been rejected by the
candidates.” executive board.”
18. Writing a complaint
Show why it is important for your reader to get involved:
“This is a problem for two reasons. First, I am concerned
that the executive board no longer protects the
interests of the organization and that their actions are
not in keeping with the constitution of the organization.
Second, there have been a number of complaints from
the members who feel that their concerns and
preferences are not being addressed by the executive
board, which decreases morale and productivity.”
19. Writing a complaint
Ask for help and offer a resolution:
“Please let me know what other options I may have
overlooked. I am willing to meet with the department
head and the executive board to seek out a solution
that is fair to the members and is good for the business
of the organization. ”
20. Do not take your reader by surprise
or press them to the wall
• Do not wait until the end
of the day to introduce a
problem or concern via
memo or email.
• Avoid writing a litany of
concerns that you have
been harboring for a
long period of time.
21. Taking Professors and TAs By
Surprise
Be sure you have
permission to
communicate with your
professors via email.
Complaints about grades
and projects should
generally be discussed in
person.
Post your concerns or
questions in a timely
manner.
22. If you are a professor or instructor
Be clear with your If you have cut off times
students about whether for when you will
they can contact you via respond to email, inform
email. your students about
Tell them what kinds of those times.
subjects you are willing Seek consent from
to deal with via email in students before
case you have some discussing their emails in
restrictions. the classroom.
23. Flaming in emails
• Flaming is a virtual term • Flame fights are the
for venting or sending equivalent of food fights
inflammatory messages and tend to affect
in email. observers in a very
• Avoid flaming because negative way.
it tends to create a • What you say cannot be
great deal of conflict taken back; it is in black
that spirals out of and white.
control.
24. Keep flaming under control
• Before you send an Read your message
email message, ask twice before you send it
yourself, “would I say and assume that you
this to this person’s may be misinterpreted
face?”
when proofreading.
• Calm down before
responding to a
message that offends
you. Once you send the
message it is gone.
25. When you need to flame
There are times when
you may need to blow off Here’s a way to flame:
some steam. Flame On
Remember your Your message
audience and your
situation before sending Flame Off
the email.
26. Responding to a flame
Empathize with the Avoid getting bogged
sender’s frustration and down by details and
tell them they are right if minor arguments
that is true If you are aware that the
If you feel you are right, situation is in the
thank them for bringing process of being
the matter to your resolved let the reader
attention know at the top of the
Explain what led to the response
problem in question Apologize if necessary
27. When Email Won’t Work
There are times when you
need to take your discussion
out of the virtual world and
make a phone call.
If things become very heated,
a lot of misunderstanding
occurs, or when you are
delivering very delicate news
then the best way is still face-
to face.
Hinweis der Redaktion
Welcome to the Email Etiquette Workshop. This presentation was designed in response to the growing popularity of email and the subsequent need for information on how to craft appropriate email messages, send resumes and cover letters via email, communicate with colleagues and classmates, and how to participate in electronic mailing lists. Anyone who uses email (regardless of regularity or purpose) will find this workshop to be useful. This presentation includes explanations and activities to include audience participation.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation : Email has become very prevalent in most people’s lives and many use it to cheaply and quickly communicate with friends, family, and co-workers. Although this technology is available to everyone, and most people are accustomed to using email, people still are not very savvy when it comes to understanding how email functions in a relationship both personally and professionally. How we interpret email : While most people are aware that the computer is not a person and that emails do not have a character of their own, many people still react to them as though they do. Readers assign meaning to everything that people write and tend to perceive it as concrete because it is in black and white (or whatever color you may choose). This response, coupled with a lack of nonverbal cues, poses a serious challenge for email writers. It is easy for emails to be misinterpreted because people write as though they are having a conversation; however, the receiver does not read that way. Ask the audience: How many times have you received an email and felt a little put off by the message even though it was from a good friend? Have you ever sent an email that upset or confused someone? What was it like to be in that situation and what did you do to clear up the misunderstanding? It is because of these uncomfortable situations that some ground rules on email etiquette were established and why email writers should be mindful of them.
Explanation: This slide provides an overview of the entire workshop. Workshop participants will benefit from information on the general format of email writing, content development, and tips on how to use electronic mailing lists.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: Many complain that writers of email do not take the time to be personable. One way to remedy this and extend good will toward the reader is to add a salutation for each new subject. “Dear,” “Hello,” and “Hi” are all acceptable greetings. If a writer is communicating with someone about the same subject (for example, authorization for overtime) then it is considered acceptable to just begin the email with the first sentence. *Caudron Length: A number of experts have a wide range of opinions on how lengthy an email should be. Some say that it does not matter and others say that an email should be as long as the text box without scrolling. Both perspectives appear to be correct. In general emails should be short and to the point. However, many companies are moving to paperless memos and other written transactions, thereby requiring that emails be longer. This workshop is going to cover how to effectively write a long email on slide #11 titled “When Your Message is Long.” Time: It is considered rude not to respond to an email as soon as possible. Writers should strive to respond to emails as quickly as they would a phone message, which tends to be immediately. If the email requires a longer message than the writer is able to provide at that moment, it is considered proper etiquette to let the sender know that the message was received and that the writer is planning to respond as soon as time permits. *Caudron Grammar and Punctuation: For the professional work world it is imperative that writers use capitalization, grammar, and other traditional ways of writing to include neutral fonts. Plain Text vs. HTML: Not all emails are formatted to read html. It is best to send everything in plain text unless the writer knows for certain that the person he or she is writing can read html.
Mouse-click to activate text Alert: People may become confused about how to accomplish this. Most emails will generally account for this now. Directions for Netscape email users: Click on the “Edit” menu on the task bar. Click on the “preferences” option. Choose the “Mail & Newsgroups” option. Click on the “Messages” option. Look to the right of the menu and focus on the “message wrapping” section. Be sure the number of characters selected for outgoing messages is between 70-80 characters. Directions for Non-Netscape email users: Writers should consult their instructional booklet or click on “help” in their email session to determine how to set their preferences. Most emails have a preferences option for their email. Reminder: If the message is likely to be forwarded it should be less than 60 characters so that it will work with anyone’s email software.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: This is one of many ways to organize information within an email document. It’s an effective way to make the information flow more logically and it helps the reader to know the proper order of the information in the email in a very clear and concise way. *Angell and Heslop
Explanation: The main point of this slide is to help participates understand the importance of tone. These are ways to create a document that sounds friendly and “nonverbally” open. While it is important to follow rules of punctuation and grammar in email, using contractions can create a conversational style that isn’t intimidating. Remind students that tone is dependent on audience -- an email to a co-worker might have a substantially different tone than email to a boss. Ask them to think about situations and determine appropriate tones for them. *Angell and Heslop
Explanation: Many users of email complain a great deal about long address lists because they find it rude. Web and Internet experts tend to agree that scrolling is perceived by users to be an imposition. In other words they generally feel put upon when they are required to scroll too much. It is proper etiquette to minimize required scrolling as much as possible. Suggestions: Rather than typing in numerous email addresses in the to: line, create mailing list groups so that there is only one address. It is okay to have three mailing groups included but writers should not include any more than that. How do I set up a list? Many email composers have address functions that allow them to set up addresses for groups and individuals. Generally, writers will find these functions in the “address book” component of their email. If a writer is sending out lists that have more than twenty people it is a good idea to check with the IT (technology staff) staff in his or her office to assist with setting up group lists.
Explanation: Attachments can sometimes cause more headaches than help, and it can be difficult for the recipient(s) to figure out why they are unable to download an attachment. One way to help is to provide all of the important information about the file so that the recipient can trouble shoot to something more serious if there is a problem other than incompatibility. Also, due to viruses that spread via e-mail attachments, it’s important that the recipient know that the sender meant for an attachment to be included with the message, and what kind of attachment it is, since opening unknown attachments could cause serious damage to the recipient’s system and spread viruses further. Always check any attachments you are going to send for viruses, and never open unknown attachments!
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: The most important concept about electronic mailing lists is that they are conversations, but PUBLIC conversations. When writers respond to an e-list they should be sure to check who the message is going to. If you have a personal concern or message then respond to someone privately on the list or in person.
Mouse-click to activate text Elevator Summary: Business experts often refer to this kind of summary either as an elevator summary or an executive summary. Either terminology is correct. An elevator summary is a summary that can be given to a colleague or employer in the short time it takes to get from the ground floor to the third floor on an elevator. It has the bare essentials of the message. *Angell and Heslop Why a summary? We all know what it is like to inundated with email, so much so that is difficult to figure out what emails have priority over others. If there is a brief summary at the top readers can make a decision about whether to save the email for later or finish it at that time. The table of contents: The table of contents is a very friendly gesture toward readers when they are required to read long messages. It allows them to skip to the sections of the email that apply to them and avoid those areas that do not. Other explanations : If the reader needs to respond immediately to the email then that should be conveyed in the first paragraph; otherwise, that message may be overlooked and the writer will not receive the response as quickly as one is needed.
Elevator summary activated by mouse-click, table of contents loads automatically Sample : This slide shows examples of the elevator summary and the table of contents. *Angell and Heslop
Explanation : Many companies, in an effort to save on paper, are sending vital information through email about their conferences, corporate orientations, and new policies and procedures. Most likely, new employees will be easily frustrated and confused, so providing information about orientations should be detailed and organized. The more information that is included in the email the less likely the composer will have to fax or mail a document. The same is true for meetings and for policy changes.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: There is a myth that continues to circulate that the more a person stalls in getting bad news out the better the recipient will feel about it because he or she will be prepared. THIS IS NOT TRUE. In fact, stalling or beating around the bush only leads to reader frustration and may not serve the messenger well if he or she is writing the email to their boss. It is better to deliver bad news up front in the elevator summary.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: This slide provides examples of poor choices for prioritizing information and shows ways to construct messages that are not blaming or ambiguous. The term “weasel words” was coined by Angell and Heslop to describe words that appear cowardly, ambiguous, or indirect in an effort to ward off or stall potentially negative repercussions.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: When writing a complaint via email the writer should provide a very clear picture for the recipient mainly because there is a tremendous amount of room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding. It is important that the writer provide a context and state clearly what the problem is and how he or she would like to see the problem resolved. Reminder: Remind the participants that if the problem is urgent, they should indicate that in their elevator summary and let the recipient know they need a response as soon as possible.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: These are the first two steps one can take in writing a complaint. It is important for the writer to provide a context for his or her audience and to show the audience that he or she has taken all the necessary and required steps to resolve it. When a person takes the time to show that she or he is contributing to the solution the message takes on a positive tone that is generally received with greater ease and optimism by the audience.
Explanation: Everyone does not agrees on what is considered to be a “problem.” When writers clearly state what they perceive to be troublesome it reduces the possibility of disagreement between them and their audience. Labeling something as a “problem” is not sufficient enough to motivate others to act. The problem must be clearly defined in a way that can foster solutions.
Explanation: Most often when people receive complaints the natural reaction is to ask “so how does this involve me?” It is vital that writers prescribe courses of action to motivate their audience. First, writers should concede that they may have overlooked an option; perhaps there are other ways to resolve the problem without calling meetings and sending out intimidating memos. Second, writers should show how they are willing to participate in the solution by suggesting their willingness to meet with a third party, the party in question, or others. This shows that writers have good will toward the organization.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: One of the quickest ways to frustrate someone is to surprise him or her by either copying a complaint to both him or her and their boss (skipping over the chain of command) or waiting until the end of the day to introduce a problem. This is likely to compromise the complaint’s effectiveness and alienate the writer from his or her audience. Once the audience is alienated, co-workers and employers may not express any empathy toward the writer, his or her concerns may not be addressed in a timely manner, the message may be ignored, or the writer may receive a flippant email. Rather than take readers by surprise writers should address concerns as soon as possible and with as much decorum and diplomacy as possible.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: Professors and TAs find themselves inundated with email from their department and from their students. Students who are exercising appropriate netiquette understand that they should respect the boundaries set by their teachers. Some professors will tell the students how often they check their email and let them know the best way a student can communicate with them outside of the classroom. If they do not, it is acceptable to approach the teacher and clarify that point. Some students will choose email as a forum for venting their frustrations about the class as a way to avoid speaking directly with the professor. In certain cases this may be acceptable if written with propriety. It is expected that some students are shy. However, it is critical to follow the steps laid out in this presentation on writing sensitive documents. Also, students in the audience should be reminded that they need to contact their teachers as soon as they have a concern, not later. Reminder: It is important to remind the participants of the workshop that they should always consider their situation and the relationship they have with their instructor or professor. There are always exceptions to the rules as some professors prefer to deal with email and others not. Students should consider writing an email generalizing their concerns and then if need be, make an appointment to see the professor.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: Every professor and instructor has his or her own way of using email in the classroom. Adherence to your preferences is most likely to occur when you explicitly state your policy to your students and/or include it in your syllabus. Do Not Want Emails? Then be sure to inform your students that you have chosen not to include your email address and that is not acceptable avenue to get a hold of you. Instead, offer them other avenues. Otherwise, students may seek out your email address in the campus directory. Subject Specifications: Some professors do not have mind discussing grades via email and others do. Some professors do not like to discuss class materials via email and others do. If you have certain preferences, be sure to let your students know what those are. Also be aware of your school’s policies regarding disclosure of grades or other sensitive information to students. Consent: Many times students will ask questions where the answer you give will benefit the entire class and not just them. Seek the consent of the student to let the class know that they brought up the concern or refer to the email without specifically mentioning the student who sent it. Just as professors do not like to be caught by surprise, neither do students.
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation : Many people become frustrated with a co-worker, boss, or office policy and have the need to vent that frustration. However, there are some serious problems with flaming and it should happen sparingly in emails. Activity: (read the following email to the audience) “I am so sick and tired of all the crap that goes on in this office. Judy is the most annoying person that I’ve ever known and she hardly ever gets her work done in a timely manner and I’m tired of watching her do nothing. Besides that, every time I try and get help Larry just acts like there isn’t a problem. I am SO CLOSE TO QUITTING! I swear that if someone says another thing to me I am out the door honestly. The procedures in here are only for certain people and the rest are favorites. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think this problem can be solved until Judy is fired.” Discussion: Have the audience think about the ramifications of sending this email. Who will be hurt? How? What could have been done by the writer earlier to avoid this build up of frustration? Might the writer have some legitimate concerns that are masked by his or her anger? What might be a better way to write about those concerns? *Angell and Heslop
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: It is easy for writers to let their guards down when communicating electronically because they are not actually getting immediate feedback. The nature of communication changes. Sometimes people tend to do and say things over email and on electronic mailing lists that they would never do in an office meeting or face to face with a co-worker. It is essential that the participants understand how unproductive flaming emails are and the snowball effect they can have in the office (because they can be forwarded or printed). Reminder: Do not use obscene or abusive language and do not flame in a public forum like a message group or electronic mailing list. *Angell and Heslop
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: If a writer is compelled to flame and must blow off some steam then he or she must take the time to forewarn the receiver by letting them know which part of the email is the venting portion. Reminder: Email is public so remind the participants that they do not want to send something that may come back to haunt them. Also remember that even though writers may take the precautions of using the flame format, they may still offend the reader. *Angell and Heslop
Mouse-click to activate text Explanation: When responding to a flame, the respondent must do his or her best to remain professional and neutral. Emails are infamous for creating misunderstandings. Try to be as clear as possible and as empathetic as possible. If none of the above tactics work then it is most appropriate to take this concern outside of the electronic sphere and into the traditional interpersonal (face to face) sphere. *Angell and Heslop
Explanation: Not all messages are best delivered via email. There are many instances when one should stop and say, “It’s time to meet or talk in person because we’ve gotten as far as we can through email.” Generally, most people are agreeable to talking in person. Reminder: Because of the facelessness of email there are a number of misunderstandings and misperceptions that can occur.