E-MAIL MESSAGES
Observe how others write e-mail where you work
Provide an informative, specific subject line
Keep your messages brief
· Use a simple structure: state your topic, summarize background information, and present your main point and supporting material.
· Exclude information not directly related to your main point.
· Stick to one topic.
· When quoting from previous e-mails, include only the relevant lines.
Make your message easy to read on screen
· Write short paragraphs.
· Put blank lines between paragraphs.
· Use headings.
· Use lists.
Protect privacy with e-mail
· Be careful about mixing personal and work-related topics.
· Let strong feelings settle down before sending your e-mail.
· Never include anything you would not want forwarded to other readers.
· Never write something about a person you would say directly to the person.
· Never include confidential information.
From Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach