MEMORANDUM
To: Evan Crisp, UBC Student
From: Ben Maxfield, ENGL 301 Student
Date: March 8th, 2022
Subject: Best Practices for Writing to a Professor with a Request
The following list covers some tips and best-practices for writing an email to a professor with a request to be added to their course.
A professional email with such a request includes a(n):
- Appropriate, identifying email address
- Descriptive subject line outlining the inquiry
- Relevant greeting including the recipient’s appropriate title (e.g., Dr.)
- Positive and friendly tone that avoids the use of imperative statements
- Polite and respectful request
- List of alternative arrangements or accommodations
- Lack of grammatical errors and informal language
- Explicit willingness to work around the professor’s schedule
- Respectful conclusion thanking the professor for their time
Please consult this list when writing an email to a professor with a request. I hope that this information will help you communicate more professionally in the future. Feel free to reach out to me at benmax@student.ubc.ca if you have any questions.
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