Learning to write with ‘you-attitude’ was one of the most challenging parts of the course. The assignment required us to write to Evan Crisp explaining to them proper email etiquette while maintaining ‘you-attitude’. Writing with ‘you-attitude’ meant avoiding the use of pronouns and imperatives and being positive, amongst other tasks. Though I found the task incredibly difficult, the feedback I received on the memo was excellent, which was a massive relief as I had really struggled.

Memo to Evan Crisp

MEMORANDUM

To: Evan Crisp, UBC Student

From: Matilda Murray, ENGL 301 Student

Date: 12th July, 2022

Subject: Best Practice Tips for Professionally Writing Professors

Introduction:

Here is the memo requested regarding tips on professionally writing professors. These tips can be beneficial when asking a professor for a favour.

Writing Tips:

The following tips will be helpful when writing a professional email:

• • Using a professional email, such as a UBC email.
  • Including a subject line that indicates the email’s topic.
  • Self-editing work to ensure it is free from grammatical errors.
  • Using a professional tone and language that avoids slang and abbreviations.
  • Addressing the professor in a respectful manner, such as greeting them by their full name and title and thanking them for their time.
  • Avoiding giving a strict time frame to respond when asking a favour.
  • Signing an email with a full name and appropriate sign-off, such as ‘best wishes’ or ‘kind regards’.
  • Including necessary information, such as a student number and the course code.
  • Omitting personal information, only including what is necessary.
  • Excluding postscripts which are often unnecessary in professional writing, all information should be included in the main text.

Conclusion:

Hopefully, these tips are effective, and we can convince the professor to find some space in their course. If there are any questions, please feel free to email me at: matildamurray1@gmail.com.