Email.
Email etiquette on campus can be a big issue for some. Apparently, not everyone defines and/or practices email etiquette in the same ways! Go figure.
I think it's high time we had an open, public discussion about what our expectations for email writing are in 2009--and what better place to have such a discussion than the WC blog??
Post your thoughts on the following:
1) Under what circumstances is it appropriate to email a professor back? Even to just confirm that you received his or her email?
2) Should emails follow academic grammatical and mechanical conventions? If so, which ones? If not, why not?
3) What is an acceptable time frame for responding to an email that asks a direct question?
25 comments:
I think our opinions are a direct result of our experiences, so I'll talk mostly about my experience with email and email etiquette.
1) I don't think I've ever thought about this. Is this to imply that we should not have a friendly relationship with our instructors? I would think that it would serve as a detriment a student's level of comfort between their instructor if they can't email them on an as-needed basis. I definitely think that this is a business relationship, and should be treated as so, but (in my opinion) instructors can (and, therefore, should) serve as mentors to their students. An open door is always a nice way to create that rapport. But it's also the student's responsibility to only "bother" the prof if it's necessary! These are busy, busy people, and their time is valuable!
2) I am a firm believer that you will be judged by how you express yourself - especially in the written form. It is stationary and insightful and reflective and it just means SO MUCH! Communication is an art, and some will argue that as long as the message is communicated, all is well. That may be true, but I think HOW you say is much more important. Emails, in this arena, should be handled according to your audience. If you're emailing your bestie, you don't have to type in all caps and you can use all the LOLs you want. But if you're writing to a professor, a boss, a partner on a class assignment, etc., you should be treating them like business associates, and therefore, your writing should be as pristine as you can make it. Of course, emails to close business partners will have an informal tone, but there's no excuse for poor mechanics.
3) I am completely at fault for not emailing people back in a timely fashion. We're all so darned busy, and at the end of the day, the last thing I want to do is strap on the ball-and-chain computer to get my emails taken care of. I try to email people back within a day or two. Jan Schmittauer says 72 hours; other profs try to do it in 48. Three days at max, I'd say, especially if it's a direct question that's been asked.
A simple rule of thumb to go by, be respectful. That should be easy, right?! As in all forms of writing, the writer must keep in mind the audience and perhaps most important, the words will be accessible F-O-R-E-V-E-R! In this day and age, we must be prepared to see our writing live on in cyberspace. Furthermore, tone of voice is nonexistent in emails and sometimes comments "read" horribly; keep this in mind.
1) I think this all depends on the professor. I also think that professors that correspond with students via emails frequently need to add an email etiquette portion to their syllabus. Let the students know what is expected from the start.
2)I second Jenn's response to #2. Right on!
3)If a direct question is posed, then an email should be viewed as a telephone call; no more than 24 hours should elapse.
I think if a instuctor writes with a question you should respond.Confimation of an email i have never thought of doing but yes it probally would be a nice thing to do.Gramor and punctuaction in emails should be used even though im guilty of not doing this.I try to respond to emails within a day that i have recieved them
janet mullins
1) When a paper is emailed and you have not heardback that they have
recived it
2) I think they should but im not one to do a lot of emailing or blogging so i think it would depend on the person
3)I think at lest 24 hrs should be long enough for emails to be answered unless stated other wise
loretta raisanen
Under what circumstances is it appropriate to email a professor back? Even to just confirm that you received his or her email?
I feel that anytime no matter when it is appropriate because we the students pay the school which pays them.
Should emails follow academic grammatical and mechanical conventions? If so, which ones? If not, why not?
No because a email is not a formal paper it is just a way to communicate between two people.
What is an acceptable time frame for responding to an email that asks a direct question?
24hrs max
Zach Schumacher
Katherine Branham
02-02-09
1.To me I feel that emailing a proffesor is perfectly exceptable because, when you enroll in a class automatically gives you the right to have communication with your instructor.It's like a relationship without communication,How long could it remain?
2.I feel that writing is a big part of our emails.In order to get our point across,yes I feel that academic grammatical and mechanical conventions are nessesary.
3.I feel as soon as a person is able to respond,they should.
1. I feel you should email your professor back if you have additional questions or concerns. You may want to email them to let them know you got their email if its about something important.
2. I don't think you should email about acandemic grammatical and mechanical conventions because that has nothing to do with the class or homework.
3. I feel the proper time frame should be that day to respond to a question.
Kymberly Conrad
1. I feel you should email your professor back if you have additional questions or concerns. You may want to email them to let them know you got their email if it is about something important.
2. I don't think you should email about academic grammatical and mechanical conventions because that has nothing to do with the class or homework.
3. I feel the proper time frame should be that day to respond to a question.
Kymberly Conrad
I think anytime you feel unsure about a topic or assignment. Of course you should be aware of your grammar. As soon as possible is the best policy. It's pretty straight forward.
1)Yes, to confirm e-mails and answer questions.
2) No, e-mails are not formal
3) Before the next class
Scott Cain
3february2009
1)Each instructor is different and has thier own opinion concerning Emails. I believe this subject should be discussed on the first day of class. At this time the instructor can state thier expectations and be open to feedback.
2)I think accountability for grammar and mechanics is important.If a student is corrected in these areas it may help to improve thier communication skills.
3)A response should be given as soon as humanly possible.
I think you should email your professor back if you have additional questions and/or concerns. I also think you should email back to confirm that you received his/her email as well because if you don’t, some people (such as myself) if they don’t get an email back they take it as the other person not caring, or ignoring. I don’t think it really matters if emails follow the conventions. Your email with questions concerning things doesn’t have anything to do with your actual homework, so you shouldn’t have to follow the academic grammatical and mechanical conventions. As for emailing back, as soon as possible.
Bethany Hawk
1. I think it is great to keep in contact with your professor no matter what. I dont see nothing wrong with sending an email to them at all.
2.Yes they should in away. I think if its about your grades and very important stuff then yes is should be grammatical.
3.As soon as you recive the email you should send one back right away.
Anthony Gilbert
I feel that you should be able to email a professor on anything school related. the email would not need to follow academic grammatical. I feel it should be like talking outside of school. If a email of emportance could be responded to in no more than 24 hours I feel. One not so emportant if it takes longer so what as long as it gets a response.
I feel it is appropriate to email a professor back at all times. Unless the professor has already ended the conversation in his or her email by saying, I'll see you in class or is just an update about class. I believe it is important for email should follw academic grammatical and mechanical conventions. If this is corrected it will help with communication and writing skills. But sometimes writing an email to a friend isn't formal and is wrote how you speak. A good time frame for a responding to an email is around 24-48 hrs. Some want it asap but we all have busy lives and no one expects anyone to check their email every second.
Katie Downs
Jerry James
1) If the professor is emailing you 1-on-1 you should respond, but if its a group announcement, there is no need.
2) The e-mail should be clear and to the point, but it depends on the professor on how gramatically correct it should be. Some are more critical of mistakes than others.
3) Obviously, it is best to respond quickly to a direct question.
1.)I beileve that you should be able to email a professor about alot of things. you are paying to go to school so it is nice to keep in contact with a professor to make sure you are on top of your grades.
2.)I do not think that an email should have to be so formal because then it sort of feels like you are not really getting indivdual attention.
3.)It would be nice to have an answer for a direct question at least 2-3 days before the student has that class again.
David Johnson
1.) I think that it is appropiate to keep in touch with a professor because you are paying to go to school. It is nice to make sure that you are staying on top of the assignment and making sure you are not missing anything. This is really helpfull if you miss a day.
2.) I dont think they should be so formal because then it doesnt feel like you are getting the indivdual attention. It feels like they might have sent you a forward already drawn up message
3.)2-3 days before the student has the class again
I've never really thought about this subject before. I think in my opinion that the best time to email our professors is anytime when you really need them. Whatever the subject may be if your not showing up to class or have a question. There should be an understanding between the students and their instructor if there is a specific time or style they want to be emailed. All students should have a comfortable relationship with their professor. Just remember to respect that they are very busy and may not get back right away. Nancy Wright.
1)I think that anytime you feel that it is necessary to double check things or ask a question.
2)Yes, I think that if you follow academic protocol it makes you sound better educated.
3)I think that an acceptable time frame is as soon as you receive the email.
Rachel Ross
1- yes i think it is a good idea to email your professer back.
2- yes i do think emails should follow conventions.
3- when ever you get the email for a responding a direct question.
1- yes you should email your professer back
2- they should follow the acadmic convention
3- yes it is acceptible to respond to a direct questions
Bobbi jo plummer
I do not like email. Because we all do not have internt at home and sometimes does have time email a teacher or professor. Today we use more internt to email. I just wish that we did not use email and just try something eslse.
1). I think you need to contact your professors often. They need to hear from you, just like you need to hear from them.
2.) yes, I believe that emails should look a little professional. Its not like it goes to a business, but it is your professor that will be looking at it. And you want to set a good impression with them. You wouldn't want them to think that you could care less. If you didn't care what your email looked like, what do you think about your papers you have to write then.
3.) A direct time frame would be as soon as you recieved it. Now if you are the type that doesn't check her emails on a daily basis, then you should tell them and explain to the person that you are just now reading the email and you are so sorry that it took so long to respond.
Alice
I think you sould email you perfessor back if you have additional questions
I do not think an email should follow all those guideline because it should be breif and to the point
I think you should email you perfessor back as soon as you recive their email
Rosalie King
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