To: Evan Crisp, a UBC Student
From: Hansol Yang, a UBC Student
Date: March 8, 2022
Subject: Suggestion on E-mail to Professor
I checked the email sent to ask for placement in a full course. It seems good to send an e-mail to ask for placement to the professor, but some points can be improved. Please check the review of the email below with suggestions for improvements.
Subject and Beginning:
The first impression is very important in writing. Here are some suggestions.
- Adding a good subject can help readers expect the contents of the e-mail.
- Using proper title and name is necessary for writing e-mails, especially if the e-mail is for business or professors.
Organization:
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Re-organizing the message by beginning with the purpose of the request and avoiding unnecessary personal information will improve the likelihood of receiving a response.
- If the reason you want to register for this section is more detailed and makes sense, the e-mail will be more persuasive.
Use of Words and Sentences:
- It is better to avoid using slang, such as ‘asap’ or ‘ttfn’. Some people might think using slang is rude.
- The readers will reply more if the information and requests are more clarified with only necessary parts included. For example, unless you really need to get the answer before going to the beach, it is better to remove the request.
Attitude:
I also suggest considering You Attitude while writing an e-mail. You Attitude is writing from the perspective of the reader. Here are some useful points in You Attitude.
- Starting with ‘you’ than ‘I’
- Concentrating on the reader’s benefit
- Writing with positive attitudes
- Avoiding unnecessary imperatives
For example, the PS says ‘I’ll be away in Mexico for the first two weeks of the term, so I’ll check in with you when I get back to see if I’ve missed anything important.’ This sentence can be more persuasive if the sentence centers on the reader and be more in a manner of requesting.
I hope the suggestions are helpful. Please let me know if there are any points to ask about or clarify. Wish you good luck with the request.
Best Regards,
Hansol Yang
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