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How to Write an Email to a Professor (With Examples)

Hannah Yang

Table of Contents

How to email a professor in 7 steps, email to professor examples.

Emailing your professor can be a daunting task.

Writing professional emails is never easy, but composing an email to a professor can feel especially nerve-racking. After all, your professors have a lot of control over your academic success and your future career, so you don't want to make a mistake.

So, how exactly do you write a successful email to a professor?

In this article, we’ll give you a step-by-step guide for how to write an email to your professor, plus a set of email templates you can use.

We’ve broken the process of emailing your professor into seven simple steps.

Step 1: How to Write the Subject Line

Start by writing a clear, concise subject line for your email.

Your subject line should be specific to your situation. Ideally, your professor should understand why you’re emailing them without even having to open the body of your message.

For example, if you’re emailing to request an extension for a research paper, you can use the subject line “Research paper deadline extension.” Or, if you’re emailing to ask for a clarification about the syllabus, you can use the subject line “Question about class syllabus.”

Step 2: How to Address a Professor in an Email

You should start your email with a formal salutation.

You can use formal greetings, such as “Dear” or “Hi,” followed by your teacher’s preferred title, whether that’s “Professor [Last Name],” “Mr. [Last Name],” “Ms. [Last Name],” or simply “[First Name].”

If you’re not sure about your professor’s title, “Dear Professor [Last Name]” is always a safe bet.

Step 3: How to Start an Email to a Teacher

Start your email by introducing yourself and explaining which class you’re in. For example, you might write, “My name is Hannah, and I’m a freshman in your ENGL 453 class.”

It’s common for professors to teach multiple classes, especially at large universities, so they don’t always know all their students by name. If you’re emailing from your academic account, they’ll likely be able to see your full name in the system, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry.  

Of course, if you’ve already established a working relationship with your professor, and they know who you are, you don’t have to introduce yourself. Instead, you can start your email with a friendly greeting, such as “I hope your week is going well” or “Happy Friday!”

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Step 4: How to Explain Your Request

Now that you’ve finished your introduction, it’s time to explain all the essential information about why you’re writing this message.

Professors lead busy lives, so try to keep the body of your email as concise as possible. Don’t use a whole paragraph when a single sentence would do.

Try to keep a professional tone while you explain your request. You don’t need to sound overly stiff, but you should generally avoid using slang or making jokes.

If you’re writing about an issue that includes personal details, such as a health issue or the loss of a loved one, it’s okay to be vague when explaining your reasons. Don’t feel pressure to include details about your personal life that you’re not comfortable sharing.

Finally, be specific about what kind of follow-up action you’re requesting from your professor, if any. For example, you can write, “Please let me know if it would be possible to extend the deadline,” or “Please send me your feedback on this draft at your earliest convenience.”  

Step 5: How to End an Email to a Professor

You can end the body of your email with a simple expression of gratitude. You can write something like, “Thank you for your understanding and support,” or simply “Thanks for your time.”

Step 6: How to Sign Off an Email

Sign off your email with a simple closing salutation, followed by your first name.

Keep it simple and polite. Popular choices include “Best,” “Thanks,” “Sincerely,” and “Regards.”

Step 7: Edit Your Email with ProWritingAid

You don’t want to send your professor an email riddled with grammar mistakes, especially if it’s your English professor! And even if they teach a different subject, like math or biology, you still want to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

Editing your email with ProWritingAid can help you avoid mistakes. Our editing tool will correct grammar errors, spelling typos, and weak word choices.

You can even ask the tool to help you ensure you’re using a formal tone so your email doesn’t come across as casual or unprofessional.

Now that we’ve gone over the seven steps for writing an email to a professor, let’s look at some examples.

Here are some email templates you can use, depending on your specific situation.  

Sick Email to Professor Example

Subject line: Missing class today

Dear Professor [Last Name],

My name is [your name], and I’m a student in your class [class name]. I’m writing to let you know that I won’t be able to make it to class today, due to health issues. [Insert details if needed].

Please let me know what material we’ll be covering so I can make it up before the next class.

[Your name]

Sample Email to Professor Asking for Help

Subject line: Help with [class name]

My name is [your name]. I’ve been really struggling with your class [class name] this semester, and I’m having a hard time understanding [details].

Would you have time to sit down with me and help me better understand the material? I would welcome any support you can offer.

Thank you in advance! I look forward to hearing from you.

How to Email a Professor About a Grade

Subject line: My grade for [assignment/exam name]

I hope your week is off to a good start!

I recently received my grade for [assignment/exam name], and it was lower than I expected. Could you please tell me where I lost points?

I know you have a busy schedule, but I would really appreciate more details, since I’m sure that information could also help me improve my grades in the future.

Thank you so much for your time!

Sample Email to Professor for Research

Subject line: Research opportunities in your lab

I hope you’re doing well!

My name is [your name], and I’m a [year, major]. I’m writing to ask about research opportunities in your lab next semester.

I’m really interested in the topic you’re researching because [details], and I have experience conducting research with [previous experience, if any].

Please let me know if you have any openings that might be suitable for me. I look forward to hearing from you!

How to Write an Apology Email for Missing a Class

Subject line: Missing class yesterday

I hope your week is going well.

I’m writing to apologize for missing your class [class name] yesterday. I was unable to attend because [details].

I know it was an important class and that I shouldn’t have missed it. I’ll do my best to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Extension Email to Professor Example

Subject line: Extension for [Assignment Name]

My name is [your name], and I’m a student in your class [class name]. I’m writing to request an extension for our assignment about [assignment details].

I’ve been struggling to complete the assignment in time because of [reasons]. I would really appreciate it if you could extend the deadline to [new deadline date], due to my situation.

Please let me know if that would be okay. Thank you so much for your flexibility.

Thanks again,

How to Write a Follow-Up Email to a Professor

Subject line: Follow-up re: [subject]

I recently emailed you about [topic].

I’m just writing to follow up on my previous email and make sure you’ve received it. If you have, please let me know when I can expect a reply.

Thank you again for your time!

Warm regards,

How to Email a Professor About Getting Into Their Class

Subject line: Joining your class [class name]

My name is [your name], and I’m a [year, major] at [school name]. I’m interested in joining your class [class name]. I’m really fascinated by [topic] because [reasons], and I’ve heard that your class is a must-take class for students interested in [topic].

I don’t know how much demand there is for the class, but I’m curious if there’s anything I should do in advance to increase my chances of getting into the class.

Thank you for your consideration! I look forward to hearing from you.  

There you have it—our guide for composing a clear and professional email to a professor.

Good luck, and happy writing!

Hannah is a speculative fiction writer who loves all things strange and surreal. She holds a BA from Yale University and lives in Colorado. When she’s not busy writing, you can find her painting watercolors, playing her ukulele, or hiking in the Rockies. Follow her work on hannahyang.com or on Twitter at @hannahxyang.

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How to Write an Email to Submit an Assignment

Team Desklib

Published: 2023-02-13

An email is an essential tool for communication in the modern world, especially in the academic world. Whether you're a student, teacher, or professional, writing emails has become a crucial part of our daily lives. In the academic world, emails are a common way of submitting assignments, communicating with teachers and professors, and collaborating with classmates.

In order to make a good impression, it would be considered beneficial to write an email to submit an assignment properly. Before moving forward in the blog, let's talk about why is it important to write an email before submitting an assignment. 

Importance of writing an email before turning in an assignment:

An email to submit an assignment allows students to communicate with their teachers in a professional and organized manner. This helps to establish a clear line of communication between the student and teacher and sets the tone for the rest of the course. What happens when you form communication before turning in an assignment is that it gives you a chance to convey the particulars, context, or any other important information that you feel like sharing with the teacher before he or she can keep it in mind before evaluating your paper. 

Moreover, emails can provide a permanent record of communication between the student and teacher. This is useful for both parties, as it allows the teacher to easily refer back to previous correspondence if necessary, and the student to have a record of the communication for their own reference. In addition, emails can be easily saved, archived, and searched, making them a great tool for record-keeping purposes.

In this blog, we'll go over the 6 steps you need to follow to write an effective email for submitting an assignment.

1. Use a professional email address

The first step in writing an email to submit an assignment is to use a professional email address. Your email address is often the first impression people have of you, so it's crucial to choose a professional email address that reflects your identity. Avoid using personal email addresses that include nicknames, humor, or casual language. Instead, use an email address that includes your first and last name, or your initials and last name.

For example, go for "[email protected]" which is a professional email address, whereas "[email protected]" on the other hand is not.

2. Give a clear subject line

The subject line of your email is the first thing people see, so it's important to keep a clear and concise subject line. The subject line should provide an overview of the content of your email, so the recipient knows what to expect.

For example, "Assignment Submission: [Name of Assignment]" is a clear and concise subject line that clearly indicates the purpose of the email. Avoid using vague or misleading subject lines, as this can lead to confusion and can make it more difficult for the recipient to understand the content of your email.

3. Start with a formal greeting

When writing an email to submit an assignment, it's important to start with a formal greeting. The greeting should include the recipient's name if you know it, and a polite salutation such as "Dear [Name],".

If you don't know the recipient's name, use a general greeting such as "Dear Sir/Ma’am,". The greeting sets the tone for the rest of the email, so it's better to choose the right words and tone.

4. Provide a brief introduction

In the next section of your email, provide a brief introduction. This section should briefly introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the email.

For example, "My name is [Your Name] and I am a student in [Name of Course]. I am writing to submit my [Name of Assignment] for your review and feedback." This section should be short and to the point, so the recipient knows who you are and why you're writing.

5. Attach the assignment

The most important part of your email to submit an assignment is to attach the assignment itself. Make sure that the attachment is saved in a file format that is compatible with the recipient's computer, and that the file is clearly labeled with your name and the name of the assignment.

For example, "Name - [Name of Assignment].pdf". It's also a good idea to include a brief description of the attachment in the body of your email, to ensure that the recipient knows what the attachment is.

6. Provide additional information

In this section of your email, provide any additional information that the recipient may need. This could include a brief summary of the assignment, any specific instructions or guidelines that the recipient should follow, and any other relevant information.

For example, "The assignment is based on [Name of Topic] and includes [Number of Pages/Words]. I have followed all the guidelines and instructions provided in the guidebook and as given in the problem statement. 

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Emailing a Professor 101

Need help with sending an email to your professor? It can be quick and easy if you follow the steps below.

How To Write an Email to a Professor

When writing an email to a professor, you should always use a formal tone and vocabulary and stick to the point of the message. Additionally, you should make sure to:

• Use your academic email address.
• Write a clear and concise subject line.
• Use a formal salutation.
• Introduce yourself.
• Briefly explain why you’re emailing.
• End the email with a formal closing.
• Check for spelling and grammar errors.

Writing an Email to a Professor

Writing an email to a professor (or teacher) can be intimidating. After all, most of them have high standards when it comes to writing, so you probably feel the need to follow a specific format while ensuring the email is free of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

This can be overwhelming to students who have a lot to worry about—whether it be going over a syllabus, studying, completing assignments, balancing a social life, or all of the above.

We’re going to help you take the hassle (and stress) out of emailing a professor by giving you seven easy steps to follow.

Class Is in Session: How To Email Your Professor in Seven Steps

1. use your academic email address.

Most (if not all) colleges and universities provide students with an academic email address. If your school has provided you with one, use it. Using a personal email like [email protected] increases the chances of your email ending up in the spam folder or getting skipped.

2. Write a Clear and Concise Subject Line

It’s always a good idea to give your professor a preview of what the email is about, and that’s what the subject line is for. Make sure the subject line is clear, concise, and informative. Do not write the majority of your email in your subject line:

I do not understand some questions on the assignment you gave us. For example, is question number five supposed to have a thorough, elaborate answer with evidence?

Need clarification on questions for assignment due Tuesday

3. Use a Formal Salutation

Use Dear or Hello when starting an email to your professor. Additionally, make sure to use their correct title and avoid using Mr. or Mrs. If the professor has a PhD. , you can use Dr. However, you can’t go wrong with using Professor , regardless of their degree.

Hi Mrs. Duran,

Dear Professor Duran,

Keep in mind that the only time you can skip the formal salutation is if you’re continuing an already established email thread.

4. Introduce Yourself

Professors can have numerous students. You can’t expect them to know who you are solely by your email. After the formal salutation, write your full name and the course you’re taking. Some students also choose to include their student ID if it helps with the request they’re making (e.g., adding points to a test).

Hi Professor Duran,

My name is Jacob S. Carle, and I am in your Thursday 10:00 AM ENC1101 class.

We should note that some students prefer to start with a formality like I hope this email finds you well before introducing themselves. This is also acceptable and a stylistic choice that is up to you.

5. Write a Brief Message About Why You’re Emailing

Professors are extremely busy people. Don’t ramble in your email. Instead, get straight to the point. Write your email as briefly as possible. Additionally, make sure to use the appropriate tone and language .

6. End the Email With a Formal Closing

Once you have asked your question or made your requests, end the email with a formal closing like Thank you, Best, or Sincerely. Then write your name, and if you didn’t include your student ID in the introduction, you can add it to the closing.

Jacob S. Carle

Student ID: 123456

7. Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors

Arguably the most important part of writing an email to your professor is checking for spelling and grammar mistakes. A message riddled with errors can make it seem as if you’re not taking the time to write a professional and proper email.

However, spelling and grammar are not everyone’s strong suit. That’s why it’s a good idea to use LanguageTool as your text editor. Not only will this advanced writing assistant correct spelling and grammar mistakes (in over twenty languages), but it can also help rephrase your sentences to be more formal, fluent, or even more concise. It’s a tool that is valuable for all types of writers, especially students learning their way around professional and formal emails.

Unleash the Professional Writer in You With LanguageTool

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Effective Email Communication

What this handout is about.

This handout is intended to help students, faculty, and University professionals learn to use email more effectively. It can help you determine whether email is the best mode of communication in a particular situation and write messages that successfully convey your meaning to your intended audience.

Although email is a valuable tool, it creates some challenges for writers. Miscommunication can easily occur when people have different expectations about the messages that they send and receive. Email is used for many different purposes, including contacting friends, communicating with professors and supervisors, requesting information, and applying for jobs, internships, and scholarships. Depending on your purposes, the messages you send will differ in their formality, intended audience, and desired outcomes.

So—how do you know when sending an email is the most effective way of accomplishing your communication goals? When is a brief message OK, and when it is more appropriate to send a longer, more professional-sounding email? How should you decide what style of writing is appropriate for each task? Keep reading for answers to these questions!

When is email the appropriate form of communication to use?

Email is a good way to get your message across when:

• You need to get in touch with a person who is hard to reach via telephone, does not come to campus regularly, or is not located in the same part of the country or world (for instance, someone who lives in a different time zone).
• The information you want to share is not time-sensitive. The act of sending an email is instantaneous, but that does not mean the writer can expect an instantaneous response. For many people, keeping up with their email correspondence is a part of their job, and they only do it during regular business hours. Unless your reader has promised otherwise, assume that it may take a few days for them to respond to your message.
• You need to send someone an electronic file, such as a document for a course, a spreadsheet full of data, or a rough draft of your paper.
• You need to distribute information to a large number of people quickly (for example, a memo that needs to be sent to the entire office staff).
• You need a written record of the communication. Saving important emails can be helpful if you need to refer back to what someone said in an earlier message, provide some kind of proof (for example, proof that you have paid for a service or product), or review the content of an important meeting or memo.

When is email NOT an appropriate form of communication to use?

Email is not an effective means of communication when:

• Your message is long and complicated or requires additional discussion that would best be accomplished face-to-face. For example, if you want feedback from your supervisor on your work or if you are asking your professor a question that requires more than a yes/no answer or simple explanation, you should schedule a meeting instead.
• The information is highly confidential. Email is NEVER private! Keep in mind that your message could be forwarded on to other people without your knowledge. A backup copy of your email is always stored on a server where it can be easily retrieved by interested parties, even when you have deleted the message and think it is gone forever.
• Your message is emotionally charged or the tone of the message could be easily misconstrued. If you would hesitate to say something to someone’s face, do not write it in an email.

Who is your audience?

People have different opinions what email should look like, so it is always helpful to be aware of the expectations of your audience . For example, some people regard email as a rapid and informal form of communication—a way to say “hello” or to ask a quick question. However, others view email as simply a more convenient way to transmit a formal letter. Such people may consider an informal email rude or unprofessional.

A message like this one might be OK to send your friend, but not to your professor:

Do you know what the assignment is about? Can U help me?

Although it may be obvious to you that you wouldn’t send such an email to your professor, let’s carefully examine what assumptions this message makes about the reader and their expectations. The tone of this message is very casual; it assumes that the reader knows who the sender is and has a close personal relationship with the sender. Because it contains an ambiguous reference to “the assignment,” this message also assumes that the reader is familiar with the subject matter at hand (for instance, it assumes the reader will know which course and which particular assignment the sender is referring to). The writer also makes an implicit assumption about the reader’s comfort with the language that is often used when sending an instant message or text message. The “U” might be taken by some readers as a sign that the writer is too lazy to type out the word “you.”

Making assumptions about your audience’s expectations increases the risk that your message or its tone will be misinterpreted. To ensure that your message has its intended effect, use the following questions to help you think about your audience and their needs:

• Who is your audience? How often does your audience use email to communicate?
• What is your audience’s relationship to you—for example, is the reader your teacher? Your boss? A friend? A stranger? How well do you know them? How would you talk to them in a social situation?
• What do you want your audience to think or assume about you? What kind of impression do you want to make?

Important components of an effective email:

Subject lines.

Email subject lines are like newspaper headlines. They should convey the main point of your message or the idea that you want the reader to take away. Therefore, be as specific as possible. One-word subjects such as “Hi,” “Question,” or “FYI” are not informative and don’t give the reader an idea of how important your message is. If your message is time sensitive, you might want to include a date in your subject line, like “Meeting on Thurs, Dec 2”. Think about the subject lines on the email messages you receive. Which ones do you think are most effective? Why?

Greetings and Sign-offs

Use some kind of greeting and some kind of sign-off. Don’t just start with your text, and don’t just stop at the end without a polite signature. If you don’t know the person well, you may be confused about how to address them (“What do I call my TA/professor?”) or how to sign off (Best? Sincerely?). Nonetheless, it is always better to make some kind of effort. When in doubt, address someone more formally to avoid offending them. Some common ways to address your reader are:

• Dear Professor Smith,
• Hello, Ms. McMahon,
• Hi, Mary Jane,

If you don’t know the name of the person you are addressing, or if the email addresses a diverse group, try something generic, yet polite:

• To whom it may concern,
• Dear members of the selection committee,
• Hello, everyone,

Your closing is extremely important because it lets the reader know who is contacting them. Always sign off with your name at the end of your message. If you don’t know the reader well, you might also consider including your title and the organization you belong to; for example:

Mary Watkins Senior Research Associate Bain and Company

Joseph Smith UNC-CH, Class of 2009

For your closing, something brief but friendly, or perhaps just your name, will do for most correspondence:

• Best wishes,
• See you tomorrow,

For a very formal message, such as a job application, use the kind of closing that you might see in a business letter:

• Respectfully yours,

Cc: and Bcc: (‘carbon copy’ and ‘blind carbon copy’)

Copying individuals on an email is a good way to send your message to the main recipient while also sending someone else a copy at the same time. This can be useful if you want to convey the same exact message to more than one person. In professional settings, copying someone else on an email can help get things done, especially if the person receiving the copy is in a supervisory role. For example, copying your boss on an email to a non-responsive co-worker might prompt the co-worker to respond. Be aware, however, that when you send a message to more than one address using the Cc: field, both the original recipient and all the recipients of the carbon copies can see all the addresses in the To: and Cc: fields. Each person who receives the message will be able to see the addresses of everyone else who received it.

Blind copying emails to a group of people can be useful when you don’t want everyone on the list to have each other’s addresses. The only recipient address that will be visible to all recipients is the one in the To: field. If you don’t want any of the recipients to see the email addresses in the list, you can put your own address in the To: field and use Bcc: exclusively to address your message to others. However, do not assume that blind copying will always keep recipients from knowing who else was copied—someone who is blind copied may hit “reply all” and send a reply to everyone, revealing that they were included in the original message.

Some additional tips for writing more effective emails

Think about your message before you write it. Don’t send email in haste. First, decide on the purpose of your message and what outcome you expect from your communication. Then think about your message’s audience and what they may need in order for your message to have the intended result. You will also improve the clarity of your message if you organize your thoughts before you start writing. Jot down some notes about what information you need to convey, what questions you have, etc., then organize your thoughts in a logical sequence. You can try brainstorming techniques like mapping, listing, or outlining to help you organize your thoughts.

Reflect on the tone of your message. When you are communicating via email, your words are not supported by gestures, voice inflections, or other cues, so it may be easier for someone to misread your tone. For example, sarcasm and jokes are often misinterpreted and may offend your audience. Similarly, be careful about how you address your reader. For instance, beginning an email to your professor or TA with “Hey!” might be perceived as being rude or presumptuous (as in “Hey you!”). If you’re unsure about how your message might be received, you might try reading it out loud to a friend to test its tone.

Strive for clarity and brevity in your writing. Have you ever sent an email that caused confusion and took at least one more communication to straighten out? Miscommunication can occur if a message is unclear, disorganized, or just too long and complex for readers to easily follow. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that your message is understood:

• Briefly state your purpose for writing in the very beginning of your message.
• Be sure to provide the reader with some context. If you’re asking a question, cut and paste any relevant text (for example, computer error messages, assignment prompts you don’t understand, part of a previous message, etc.) into the email so that the reader has some frame of reference for your question. When replying to someone else’s email, it can often be helpful to either include or restate the sender’s message.
• Use paragraphs to separate thoughts (or consider writing separate emails if you have many unrelated points or questions).
• Finally, state the desired outcome at the end of your message. If you’re requesting a response, let the reader know what type of response you require (for example, an email reply, possible times for a meeting, a recommendation letter, etc.) If you’re requesting something that has a due date, be sure to highlight that due date in a prominent position in your message. Ending your email with the next step can be really useful, especially in work settings (for example, you might write “I will follow this up with a phone call to you in the next day or so” or “Let’s plan to further discuss this at the meeting on Wednesday”).

Format your message so that it is easy to read. Use white space to visually separate paragraphs into distinct blocks of text. Bullet important details so that they are easy to pick out. Use bold face type or capital letters to highlight critical information, such as due dates. (But do not type your entire message in capital letters or boldface—your reader may perceive this as “shouting” and won’t be able to tell which parts of the message are especially important.)

Proofread . Re-read messages before you send them. Check your grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation. If your email program supports it, use spelling and grammar checking tools. Try reading your message out loud to help you catch any mistakes or awkward phrasing that you might otherwise miss.

Questions to ask yourself before sending an email message

• Is this message suitable for email, or could I better communicate the information with a letter, phone call, or face-to-face meeting?
• What is my purpose for sending this email? Will the message seem important to the receiver, or will it be seen as an annoyance and a waste of time?
• How much email does the reader usually receive, and what will make them read this message (or delete it)?
• Do the formality and style of my writing fit the expectations of my audience?
• How will my message look when it reaches the receiver? Is it easy to read? Have I used correct grammar and punctuation? Have I divided my thoughts into discrete paragraphs? Are important items, such as due dates, highlighted in the text?
• Have I provided enough context for my audience to easily understand or follow the thread of the message?
• Did I identify myself and make it easy for the reader to respond in an appropriate manner?
• Will the receiver be able to open and read any attachments?

Sample emails

Use what you’ve just learned to explain why Student 2’s email to Professor Jones is more effective than the email written by Student 1. How does the tone of the messages differ? What makes Student 2’s email look and sound more appropriate? What are the elements that contribute its clarity? If you were Professor Jones and you received both messages, how would you respond to each one?

Email from Student 1:

hey, i need help on my paper can i come by your office tomorrow

Email from Student 2:

Hi Dr. Jones,

I am in your ENGL 101 class on Thursdays, and I have a question about the paper that is due next Tuesday. I’m not sure that I understand what is meant by the following sentence in the prompt:

“Write a 10 page paper arguing for or against requiring ENGL 101 for all UNC freshmen and provide adequate support for your point of view.”

I am not sure what would count as “adequate” support. Would using 3 sources be OK?

Can I come by your office tomorrow at 2:00 pm to talk to you about my question? Please let me know if that fits your schedule. If not, I could also come by on Friday after 1:00.

Here are two versions of an email from a supervisor, Jane Doe, to a group of her employees. Which version do you think is most effective? Why?

Version 1 of Jane Doe’s Email:

Subject: tomorrow As you know, tomorrow afternoon we’ll be meeting to discuss the status of all of our current projects. Donuts will be provided. Be sure to arrive on time and bring along the materials you have been working on this week—bring enough copies for everyone. Some of these material might include your calendars, reports, and any important emails you have sent. Also, I wanted to remind you that your parking permit requests are due later this week; you should turn those in to Ms. Jones, and if she is not at her desk when you stop by, you can email them to her.

Version 2 of Jane Doe’s Email:

Subject: materials for Wed. staff meeting

Hi, everyone—

For tomorrow’s 3 p.m. staff meeting in the conference room, please bring 15 copies of the following materials:

• Your project calendar
• A one-page report describing your progress so far
• A list of goals for the next month
• Copies of any progress report messages you have sent to clients this past month

See you tomorrow—

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Lamb, Sandra E. 2006. How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You’ll Ever Write , 2nd ed. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.

Terminello, Verna, and Marcia G Reed. 2002. E-Mail: Communicate Effectively . New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Email Writing for Students

Most of us have been using email for a large portion of our lives. So it’s natural to assume that everyone knows how to send a “good” email. But that’s definitely not true, especially for students. Just like any other skill, learning to send a meaningful, accurate, and polite email must be taught. Let’s look at how we as educators can do that.

Age-Appropriate Email Strategies

Depending on the age of the student, the following tips are appropriate (from the article Email Etiquette for Students ):

Elementary School:

• Using proper sentence structure
• Spell checking
• Privacy for both the student and the recipient(s)

Middle School:

• Thinking before clicking Send
• What to share and what not to share
• Basic courtesies in email and texting

High School:

• When to email or text and when not to
• Not all communications should be emoji or acronym based
• How to clearly communicate with you mean
• How grammar and approach can leave an impression
• How to use email for employment opportunities
• Portraying a serious intent and professional tone

Start with the Basics of Writing an Email

As a former English teacher, I would begin helping students learn about emails by discussing that writing an email is a different type of writing than, say, writing a text message or a legal document or a joke. There are certain ways that it should be done. Then I would show them this easy-to-understand infographic.

The five steps above, if followed, would result in a polite, informative, email that is a call to action to resolve some problem or question. (Please note that, while this is formulaic writing, something I don’t normally believe in, I do feel that it would work well as an introduction to students on the art of composing an email. Once they’ve mastered it, they can branch off on their own more.)

I would go over this with the students and then pull up several example emails that I had created previously, having the whole class talk through how they could be improved. For each email, I would ask the students, sometimes in pair, sometimes alone, to think through the five steps to see if there were changes in any of them that needed to be made. For me, I would use these as my examples in this order (from simple to more complex):

• An email with no greeting or closing
• An email that doesn’t state the problem or question
• An email that has too long or too short a subject line

Next, ask students what information they think would need to be added to the five steps to help a busy teacher. (Perhaps the class period of the student?) I would then talk about voice in writing and how, since this email is going to their teacher and not a friend, it needs to be grammatically correct. That’s a good time to show them the spell checker and how to use it. This is also a great time to show them how to create their own signature for an email, even several (one for more formal messages and also an informal one for their friends or family).

Finally, I would ask students when sending an email may not be a good idea. I would hope they would come up with when they are angry or when it’s an urgent matter that really needs a face-to-face (or Zoom to Zoom) discussion. They might also say that a student shouldn’t send an email if he/she can just ask the teacher the next day (for something minor).

Putting It into Practice

Before turning your students loose with email, it would be good to have them practice first. Here are two different ways to do that (taken from Classroom Activities: Email ).

Class Email

Foster new friendships and help students practice their reading and writing skills. Pair students up in the classroom (or with students in other classrooms) and have them exchange email addresses. Ask one to write a message to the other and start an email change. You may want them to write about a specific topic, such as a response to an issue or a piece of writing, or you may want them to just share what happened that day. Once your students are comfortable with this, they could become e-pen pals with students in another city, state, or country!

Community Leaders

Many government and community leaders, such as the mayor, governor, and even President of the United States, have email addresses that people can write to and share their thoughts. Discuss different issues in the community with your students. What can be changed? What seems unfair? What issues should leaders be working on or improving? Brainstorm different ideas and then have students write emails to their community or government leaders. Remind them that in formal messages, they should refrain from abbreviations and emoticons.

Writing an Email Resources

To help your students learn more about the art of email creation, here are a few good resources:

• Email Etiquette Lesson Plan – a great resource with a Kahoot! game, video, primer quiz, and both guided and independent practice. The lesson plan is designed for grades 6-8, but I would be very comfortable using it for grades 4-12.
• How to Write an Email to Your Teacher (with a nice graphic of both a “good” email and a “bad one)
• How to Write an Email to a Teacher (with Pro Tips) – nice three-minute video for secondary students
• The Best First Writing Lesson of the Year: Email Etiquette 101 – This article lays out why email etiquette is so important and then provides some great ideas for teaching it. (I especially loved the #EmailFail idea, although most of the examples provided are for adults only. Instead, have your students create their own “EmailFail examples.)
• How to Email a Professor (With Samples) – very clear directions in this article
• Email Etiquette for Kids – good lesson with two activities for upper elementary students
• Email Writing: 10 Classroom Activities – good for an introductory unit for secondary students
• 15 Ways to Make Email Practice Fun – lots of innovative ideas here
• Digital Etiquette – This is a four-minute video from BrainPOP that covers digital etiquette in general. It might be a good way to lead into the email lesson.

An Additional Resource

Thanks to Lindsay Foster from Gainsville ISD who created two wonderful infographics to share with GISD students from the information in this blog. One of them is in English and the other is in Spanish. Perhaps you could use these as a starting point for an infographic for your students!

*This blog post was updated with new content on August 19, 2021.

Lori Gracey

Lori Gracey currently serves as the executive director of the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) and is responsible for training technology directors, administrators, curriculum supervisors, librarians, and teachers across the country. Since 2009, she has led TCEA in membership and revenue growth, helped to pay off their building and purchase a new, larger building, and implemented new conferences, partnerships with other associations, and professional development opportunities for members and non-members. She serves more than 75,000 members and oversees a staff of 20. Lori has served on the board of the Texas Society of Association Executives and SXSWedu, and she has served as the Regional Program Chair for the ISTE 2017 and 2021 Convention in San Antonio. Lori has 28 years of experience in education, with 22 years as a curriculum and technology director.

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Have a good day ms

Really good website to help understand to write an email

Excellent article, I definitely appreciate this website. Thanks!

This post is fantastic for addressing a skill that is easy to assume students have. I used it to inform an infographic we sent to parents supporting at home learners, and they loved it.

I was inspired to create my own district specific graphics – one in English and one in Spanish – to assist students with this type of communication. I then shared the graphics out on our department’s Twitter feed. https://twitter.com/CurriculumGISD/status/1428415973212762113

Fabulous idea, Lindsay. And thanks for sharing!

Thank you for these wonderful resources! Is there a way to get the graphic that states how to email a teacher?

Thanks for the kind words, Millicent. You can download the graphic by right-clicking on it and selecting Save Image.

It is nice idea

Hi Would it be permissible to use the infographic as a poster in school as well as share on our school website? Thanks C

Or course, Christine! Feel free to use this infographic.

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How to Write a Professional Email, With Tips and Examples

Writing polished professional emails is a critical skill: It’s a basic but important tool for day-to-day communication with coworkers, managers, clients, and customers.

Nearly everyone in the academic and professional fields communicates via email, so knowing how to write them well is a key skill for any student or employed individual to master. Here we’ll discuss how to write a professional email and give you tips, suggestions, and the dos and don’ts of professional email communication .

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Table of contents

What is a professional email, 8 tips for writing a professional email, 3 professional email examples, professional email faqs.

A professional email is an email sent in a professional setting, such as between two colleagues, a supervisor and their employee, a student and their professor, or a job applicant and a hiring manager. Professional emails contain a clear, actionable message.

Professional emails can be short messages thanking someone for meeting with you and wishing them a good weekend. In most cases, though, the email is about a workplace task.

Professional email topics

• Scheduling a meeting
• Asking or answering a question
• Clarifying a statement or directions
• Following up on an earlier communication
• Reminding the recipient of a deadline
• Explaining something

According to the “ Email and Document Usage Benchmark ” report, 91% of employees communicate with their clients via email, and 61% prefer it to other communication methods. So it’s a safe bet that you will send a lot of emails over the course of your career.

When you know how to write a professional email, it gives the recipient a positive impression of you and, if applicable, your company or organization. It shows prospective employers that you’re serious about your application and lets professors know that you’re serious about your assignments.

Professional email characteristics

• A professional tone
• An appropriate greeting
• A clear and direct subject line
• A concise message that states its purpose
• An appropriate closing that explains what action should be taken

Professional email scenarios

Anytime you need to send an email in a professional or academic setting, you need to write a professional email. This includes:

• Communicating with colleagues and managers
• Communicating with individuals outside your organization like vendors, partners, and clients
• Communicating with professors and school administrators
• Communicating with government officials
• Communicating during the job application process
• Communicating with customer service

Basically, any email that isn’t to a close friend or family member should be written according to professional email guidelines. This is true even when you’re frustrated or otherwise unhappy with the recipient, such as when you’re writing a complaint email.

1 Include the topic in the subject line

The first thing your recipient sees in their inbox is your email’s subject line. In a marketing email, the subject line can make the difference between the recipient opening it and deleting it. Your subject line needs to be concise, attention-grabbing, and relevant.

State exactly what your email is about in the subject line. This way, the recipient knows what to expect from your email. There’s no need to get creative or clickbaity here; the recipient will appreciate a clear subject line that helps them read and respond to your email efficiently.

2 Address the recipient properly

The best way to address a professional email’s recipient is “Dear,” followed by either their first name or their last name along with the appropriate honorific . If you aren’t sure which honorific to use, stick with either their first name or first and last name.

Alternatively, you can start the email with “Hello” or “Hi,” followed by the recipient’s name. Usually, this is reserved for individuals with whom you already have a relationship, like a colleague or manager.

3 Keep it focused

A professional email should cover one topic. It could be a question, a request, an answer, or an explanation. Whatever it is, the email’s body should be focused on this topic. Keep your email concise but don’t leave out key information. Concise means “only as long as it needs to be.”

4 Include your signature

After writing the email’s closing line, which should include a call to action or an actionable step, add an appropriate sign-off and your signature. A professional signature should include all information the recipient might need to communicate with you appropriately, such as your title, phone number and extension, and email address. Yes, we know they could just hit reply to respond, but including your email address eliminates any potential confusion about how to reach you.

5 Proofread

Before you hit send, proofread your email. Do a quick read-through to make sure it doesn’t contain any typos, spelling mistakes, or grammatical mistakes. Email mistakes can undermine your entire message and make you look unprofessional.

6 Avoid a casual tone

In most cases, this means not using emoji.

A professional email should be written in a professional tone. Avoid slang, colloquialisms , and anything else that feels casual enough to be a text message. Similarly, steer clear of cliché phrases like “just circling back” when following up.

7 Watch your words

Remember, anybody can forward your email to anybody else. Similarly, anybody can download, print, or screenshot your email. An email is a written record of a conversation, so if you don’t want a written record of something, don’t say it in an email.

8 Make your directions clear

Don’t assume the recipient knows where a specific file is located or which sources you used to support your position in a recent essay. Spell out everything you mention and include links when applicable so your recipient knows exactly what you’re talking about—and can access it easily.

1 Subject: Thank you for your interest in our summer graduate program!

Dear Vanessa,

Thank you very much for your inquiry. At this time, we are not accepting new applications for our summer graduate program.

We wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors!

Best regards, Simone Blakely, PhD Humanities, Department Chair

2 Subject: Please close your window before you leave

As per my last email, please refrain from leaving the window open after leaving your desk at the end of each day. Last night, we came in to find water in your cubicle.

Thank you, Alexei

3 Subject: Do you have time for a call this week?

Dear Mr. Albanese,

I recently saw your post on LinkedIn about looking to connect with wholesale snack

vendors in your area. I own and operate AcmeCo Snacks, a subscription-based wholesale snack supplier. I would love to have twenty minutes of your time to discuss what I carry and pricing options. Are you free for a quick call later this week?

Please let me know if you’d like me to share my summer catalog. We’ve got some great new products coming in, and I’d love to walk you through our packages.

I’m free Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12–5 p.m. EST. Please let me know a few time slots that work best for you.

I’m looking forward to chatting more!

Best, Miriam Schneider Owner and CEO, AcmeCo Snacks “Need a snack? We’ve got your back.”

A professional email is an email sent in an academic or business setting that contains a clear, actionable message.

When should you write a professional email?

What are the important elements of a professional email.

• Subject line
• Concise body paragraph(s)
• Closing section with an actionable step for the recipient