How to e-mail a professor

College students, there are some tips and guidelines for you, if you want to get more from emailing your professor. Michael Leddy, a professor, has written a guideline based on his experiences from reading his student’s emails. Summary of the main points are:

• Write from your college or university e-mail account.
• Include the course number in your subject line.
• Choose an appropriate greeting.
• Avoid rote apologies for missing class.
• Avoid direct requests.
• Proofread what you’ve written.
• Sign with your full name, course number, and meeting time.
• Don’t send unexpected attachments.
• When you get a reply, say thanks.

I understand where Michael guideline’s is coming from - I guess he has received many emails from students who expect him to remember which class are they in, do not treat email as a formal communication tool, and do not understand a professor may need to lecture many subjects per semester. Nevertheless, the guideline spells out very clearly on things should do on sending emails.

How to e-mail a professor - [Orange Crate Art]

Die Dulci Fruere