MEMORANDUM
To: Evan Crisp, UBC Student
From: Janice Pang, Student, ENGL 301, 
Date: November 15, 2019
Subject: Writing Effective Email Messages to Professors
Here is a list of tips on writing email messages to professors. Following these tips will help you in writing a professional and clear email message and finding success in correspondences with professors.
Tips for Emailing Professors
Students can write effective email messages to professors following these guidelines:
- Using academic or professional email address.
- Making sure full name is displayed in the “From” field so that the professor can easily recognize who the message is from.
- Writing a clear and informative subject line to help the professor determine the urgency of the email and what the email is regarding. The subject line also helps in organizing and locating emails in the future.
- Beginning email by addressing professor by title and name.
- Being clear and concise to make sure the message in the email is easy to understand.
- Refraining from use of text-message style abbreviations or slang that may be confusing and distracting.
- Conveying respectful tone and style throughout the email. This includes being respectful of the professor’s time, allowing them sufficient time to respond.
- Closing email with something polite such as thanking the professor for their time and attention to the email.
- Ending the email with a signature block containing name, title, and contact information (e.g. email or phone number).
- Proofreading to make sure correct grammar and spelling are used throughout the email.
Email is an important communication tool for reaching professors. Following these guidelines can help us effectively communicate with professors. If you have any questions, please email me at janice.pang@alumni.ubc.ca.
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