MEMORANDUM
To: Evan Crisp, Student
From: Matthew Shen, Student
Subject: Best Practices for Emailing Professors
Date: July 18, 2020
In the context of ENGL 301, I have reviewed and been privy to your email to Professor Lambert. I have outlined some suggestions to improve the quality of communication with a professor below.
Best Practices for Writing an Email to a Professor
- Include a subject line. Subjects lines outline the topic of the email and can be used to determine priority of response. Additionally, a subject line could help ensure your email is not moved to junk mail.
- Using a professional email address would help in generating a proper response. If a professional email does not exist, look to create one or use a school-provided email address.
- Address the professor with their proper title. This is a sign of courtesy and will also help in generating a proper response.
- Get to the point in the email. Make your request clear and concise, without any need for further interpretation. This saves time and ensures multiple unnecessary follow-up emails do not have to be sent.
- Keep the tones of the email polite and professional. Use proper punctuation, spelling, and formalities; this will help effective communication in any situation.
- Understand that Professor Lambert would be doing you a favor by accepting you into the English class. The professor is by no means required to do so, despite refusal to take an 8:00AM section out of convenience. Addressing the professor with gratitude could potentially go a long way.
Applying these practices would be useful in communication in school and in workplaces. Please contact me with any questions you may have.
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