*PLEASE NOTE: Going forward, I will only be responding to proper emails (that follow the guidelines provided), so if you would like a reply to your message, please make sure to email me accordingly. If you do not receive a response within the expected time frame, review your email and revise/re-send as necessary.

Thanks to those of you who reviewed the emailing resources and sent me the reflective email practicing those new skills! Your emails were really fantastic … way to step up your email games 🙂

Communicating clearly, effectively, and respectfully with me (via your City Tech emails) is one of your key responsibilities as a student in our asynchronous course. A friendly reminder that there is even a section on our Syllabus entitled “Email Etiquette”:

I encourage you to email me as soon as possible with any questions, concerns, or requests for conferences (outside of my regularly scheduled office hours). Please write a proper, respectful email, addressed to me and signed by you, including your name and course/section, and the issue at hand. Provide as much detail as possible, so that I can help you as much as possible. If you’re having tech issues, including screenshots would be helpful.

*Note: I will do my best to respond to emails within 24 hours during the weekdays (if you email over the weekend, expect a response the following week).

And yet … I am still, five weeks into the semester, fielding hundreds of messages, many of which are missing key elements of a proper email.

I want to help, but I cannot if you do not let me know what you need help with (and who you are!). Be as specific as possible. Are you are asking about an assignment? Tell me which one, specifically, and what your specific questions are (and make sure you have done your due diligence before emailing me, so you are asking an “informed question,” to use the phrase of the guidelines). Are you having tech trouble? Explain what are you trying to do, what the steps are that you have already tried, and attach screenshots. Are you requesting to meet but can’t make my regularly scheduled office hours? Share what would you like to discuss and what (all of your) availability is. Did you proofread your email before you hit send? Did you address me properly? Did you sign your name? And so on … you get the idea.

Remember, emailing is its own genre with its own conventions; writing is a process; and we always have to pay attention to the rhetorical situation (and how we communicate!).

So … review the resources provide, and definitely check out the clear write-up of guidelines that the email slideshow was adapted from. It’s a great resource to keep handy and refer back to over time.

Thank you, and I look forward to all of your awesome emails going forward 🙂