To: Evan Crisp, UBC Student
From: Leif Jack, ENGL 301 Student
Date: July 15th, 2022
Subject: Writing Persuasively to Professors
Hello Evan,
Thank you for reaching out to our class! Getting no response from a professor is understandably aggravating, and I am happy to help make the email standout to the professor.
Suggestions
I’ve read through the email that was sent, and below are some suggestions:
- Sharing vacation plans and similar details can be a great way to personalize emails and give context to a situation, but considering their relevancy to a discussion is important. In this case, focusing instead on the exciting parts of the course could show passion for the subject matter while keeping the email personalized.
- Letting the professor know about the Mexico trip once enrolled in the course, but asking about what assignments are due during that time, and if lectures can be joined via Zoom are good ways to show dedication to the course.
- Professors like knowing students’ names, so greeting them with your full name and concluding with it helps them remember who they are talking to.
- Abbreviations can be efficient, but a disadvantage is their meaning can be unclear if the reader is unfamiliar with a particular abbreviation. Writing them out in full ensures maximum clarity and professionalism.
- Including a subject line lets the professor understand the issue at a glance.
- Being diplomatic about why the course’s 8 am section is an issue, and letting the professor take as much time as needed to reply shows flexibility, which in turn can show a willingness to learn
Effective emails balance clarity with sensitivity, and pressing matters can make achieving this balance tricky. I hope this helps with registering in the course, and please let me know if there any questions!
Sincerely,
Leif Jack
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