English 420Y - Business Writing Online

The signature information on page 616 was very helpful for me. Being as a lab intern, I have recently received and sent out numerous emails to co-workers. I never noticed the signature from the person writing the e-mail, but after reading this section I realized I did not have one and soon created one. I have also used some of the steps from the Ten Habits of Successful E-mailers on page 606. I already knew about half of the steps, the other half being very insightful information. Regardless of who it is one always has to reply rather promptly because in my eyes it shows responsibility. I used to have a bad habit of reading e-mails but not responding to them for another week—being in a business setting I have since changed.

E-mailing is very different from text messaging in a variety of ways. The most obvious is the fact that e-mails are generally a lot longer than text messages. They are used to pass along high priority information, question professors about assignments, stay in touch with family members, and an assortment of other things. Attaching documents like resumes, pictures, and forwarding emails from other people are what set these two apart from one another. Text messaging is more or less an informal version of what an e-mail is. Abbreviations and acronyms are what make up most of the information sent. Often there are templates of common messages that are pre-programmed for you to send. Numbers usually take place of whole words and correct spelling and grammar gets thrown out the window.

After reading “Boss's Angry E-mail Sends Shares Plunging”, I’m actually happy it was posted to the public. Granted the employees may have not been working like they were supposed to, that does not give him the right to say whatever he pleases just because he is the “head honcho.” Some people referred to him as arrogant which tells me he is not much of a content person. This just goes to show anything you post on the internet is fair game for everyone’s eyes to see.