Dear students,

Please use the opportunity in this class to practice your formal writing skills on email. Unlike Twitter and texting, emails to professionals, colleagues, and teachers require formal writing. See the example below:

“Re” Line: clearly state topic of the email, as well as your course and section number

SALUTATION: Dear [name],

BODY:

• Write in complete sentences.
• Start your email by stating the purpose of the message [for instance, “I am writing to request a time to meet you in your office to discuss my work in the class.”
• If you are asking for something, please write “please.”
• Do not write “thank you in advance” since this implies that your request will be automatically fulfilled. 
• Include all pertinent information so the reader doesn’t have to do additional work — such as last names, section numbers, times, dates, etc.

SIGN OFF:

Thank you, [if you have asked for something]

Sincerely [or] Best regards, [if you are not asking for something]