To: Money Dhaliwal – The Scribblers writing team member – English 301
From: Glen Kavaliunas, The Scribblers writing team member – English 301
Date: July 22, 2020
Subject: Peer Review of Writing with YOU–Attitude
Writing with YOU-attitude can be challenging but is extremely effective when used correctly. Advising Evan Crisp to also write with the You-attitude is a well thought out strategy. Below are a few observations and suggestions for enriching the list.
First Impressions:
The recommendations laid out in the list are useful and the use of key words makes the focus of the each point easily identifiable. The suggestions cover many valuable topics in a very succinct manner. The listed tips are extremely valuable and are likely to secure a positive replay.
Organization:
The list of suggested tips is well organized and easy to read. The use of key words clearly shows the topics being addresses.
Content:
The categories suggested in the memo regarding best practices for emailing a professor are appropriate, but perhaps lacking some details.
Including the following may complete the list:
- A statement about respecting the professor’s time and exception of a reasonable time period to wait for a reply might be helpful.
- Prioritizing and Showing respect for the class reflects the type of attitude a professor desires from a student.
Writing Style:
This memo very clearly demonstrates the YOU-attitude. The document focuses on universal comments rather than individual critique. Changing the following sentences to remove the implied “you” will ensure no imperatives are present.
- “…when requesting something of the reader.” The implied meaning of this sentence is when you are requesting something of the reader. Adjusting the sentence to eliminate the implied subject will be more effective and improve the tone.
Grammar and Expression:
The memo is well written and free of grammatical and spelling errors.Tone and expression is professional, yet friendly.
Concluding Comments:
With a few changes and additions, this is an excellent list of tips for improving emails to professors.
To summarize, the suggested additions are listed below:
- A statement about respecting the professor’s time and a reasonable time period to wait for a reply might be helpful.
- Prioritizing and Showing respect for the class reflects the type of attitude a professor desires from a student.
- “…when requesting something of the reader.” The implied meaning of this sentence is when you are requesting something of the reader. Adjusting the sentence to eliminate the implied subject will be more effective and improve the tone.
Please feel free to ask if you have any questions or something needs clarification.
Thank you,
Glen Kavaliunas
encl: https://blogs.ubc.ca/engl301-98a-2020sa/2020/07/18/writing-with-you-attitude-memo/
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