To: Evan Crisp, UBC Student
From: Han Li, student of ENG 301
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Subject: Writing with You-Attitude: Advice for Writing Emails to Professor for Course Registration
Introduction
Sorry to hear you haven’t received a response to the message about course registration. Reader-centred is the core principle for writing, and here are some tips to keep in mind.
Best Practices for writing to a professor
- Adding a subject with the course number and the main point
- Addressing the professor politely with the proper title (Dr. or Professor.)
- Including a concise self-introduction with name, major and student number.
- Writing with You-Attitude and reader-centered principle
- Avoiding starting memos and letters with “I” or “We” to show the importance of the professor
- Avoiding selfish tones like “I need” “I refuse” considering from professor’s perspectives
- Straightening to the main points with specific goals rather than personal feelings and schedule (away in Mexico)
- Emphasizing positive to professor’s decision, introducing current difficulties
- Expressing appreciation for professors’ efforts as professors do what they can do
- Avoiding using short descriptions like “PS”, which is informal and unorganized
- Ending the email positive and polite expressing the expectation for the reply
Conclusion
It is vital to write politely and professionally for readers. Focusing on the tips above will increase our chance of adding to a full course. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me at hl6344@mun.ca.
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