SOAR-High
Earth System Science
A Clerc Center Web-Based Collaboration
Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. 
To our Visitors
Do you use
SOAR-High
materials?
Tell us!
Home
About
Site Map
  Go to Class
Unit: 
1 2 3 R.I
4 5 6 R.II
Portfolios
Pictures
Class
Discussion
Rules & Guides
  Resources
  G.L.O.B.E.
Science
Web Links
Tool Room
Deaf Scientists
Calendar
Teacher Notes
Act. 1.33 Writing Effective Email

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Email

Students have sent e-mail like these to the SOAR-High teachers:
Subject: 
Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2002 09:20:35 -0600
From:   <no_mail@gallaudet.edu>
Reply-To:
To:   Mary.Ellsworth@gallaudet.edu

I think it is lakes like Lake Erie, Lake Michigan and some other lakes that I couldn't name.

..... Tom

Problem: How do I reply to Tom? (what address?)

 Subject:   eros
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2000 11:17:13 -0500
From:  <no_mail@Gallaudet.edu>
Repy-to:
To:  Mary.Ellsworth@Gallaudet.edu

The satellite enters orbit Feb 14, 2000 at 10:33 AM
 
 

Problem: Who sent this email?
Subject:   hey
Date:  Tue, 1 Feb 2000 11:34:27 -0500
From:   <no_mail@gallaudet.edu>
Reply-to:
To:   Mary.Ellsworth@Gallaudet.edu

Hey there....
The picture that u shown us... I aint sure what sphere was that.... I think it is the biosphere....  I aint sure.
 
 

Problem: Is this a professional tone?

 Subject:   Our Email address
Date:  Fri, 14 Jan 2001 22:37:56 -0600
From:   <no_mail@gallaudet.edu>
To:  Mary.Ellsworth@gallaudet.edu

Hey Mary, 

I hope this is working! 
Here are our email addresses... Honeydog1@aol.com and 
ZZgood@hotmail.com

Have a good day =) 

Problem: Who are Honeydog and ZZgood????

Ask yourself these questions about each e-mail:

  • Who sent the e-mail? 
  • What is the purpose of the e-mail?
  • Who do I reply to?
  • Does the e-mail have the appropriate tone?


Here are two more examples:   Ask yourself the same questions (above).
Subject:  EROS question
Date:   Tue, 15 Feb 2002 10:33:45 -0600
From:   <no_mail@gallaudet.edu>
Reply-To:   izzybuzz@aol.com
To:   Mary.Ellsworth@gallaudet.edu

The NEAR spacecraft is on schedule for its 10:33a.m. (EST) rendezvous with asteroid Eros.

The spacecraft will try to orbit around Eros

-  Izabella

 Subject:   Large Rock BONUS POINT
Date:    Wed, 09 Feb 2003 10:41:11 -0500
From:   <no_mail@Gallaudet.edu>
Reply-to:  Beachy65@aol.com
To:   Mary.Ellsworth@Gallaudet.edu

The picture shows a large rock and it was taken  by the Voyager  spacecraft in  1990 from the outer solar system.

Larry
 

These two emails are examples of effective email messages.   The students included good information and the teacher will have no problems understanding and responding to them.
 

Rules for Writing Clear and Effective Email
When you send e-mail it is important to include information about who you are, why you are writing, and to use an appropriate tone in your writing. 

The emails you write to your close personal friends may not be this formal.   However it is always important to think about your 'audience'.  Emails to your teachers, your boss at work, school administrators, etc.  should be written in a clear professional style. 

Here are rules to remember for writing clear, effective and professional e-mail:
 

Rules for Writing E-mail
  1. Create a title that tells the topic of the e-mail.
  2. Write in complete sentences.
  3. Address the person in a respectful tone.
  4. Include a salutation (Dear, Hello, etc)
  5. Type your email address on the 'Reply-to' line.
  6. Use cc (meaning carbon copy)  to keep a copy of the e-mail for yourself, or to send a copy to another person (or several other people). 
  7. If you are answering a question, summarize the answer in your own words.  DO NOT COPY WORDS from another web page.  It's a good idea to include the question in your email too.
  8. Always include your name

Practice
1.  Answer this bonus question in an e-mail and send it to your teacher. 
2.  Add a cc to one other teacher. 
Note:  You will get a grade for this e-mail, based on how well you follow the rules for writing e-mail and how well you answer the question!  (see a checklist)
 
Bonus Question - Practice sending effective email

Go to this webpage: NASA Earth Science Enterprise.   Find the answer to this question:
 
A NASA astronaut put a flag on the Moon.   Did he claim the Moon as property of the United States (like Columbus claimed America for Spain when he landed here) ?
Send the answer to your teacher in e-mail.
Send e-mail to Mrs. Teresa Huckleberry (ISD)
Send e-mail to Ms. Mary Ellsworth  (MSSD)
Send e-mail to Mr. Chris Gonzales  (UHS)
Send e-mail to Dr. Jana Lollis   (NCSD)
Send e-mail to Mrs. Sarah Raymond  (MSSD)

[ Back to Unit 1 ]

These web pages and some supporting images were generated with IDL.



 
 
 
 

Copyright © 1999 Gallaudet University
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
All Rights Reserved
Mon Jan 6 05:23:32 2003