English 421Y: Technical Writing Online

Though you are all probably aware of these general email guidelines, it is always a good professional practtice 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.

• 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, "Rivers 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.
• 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.