How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Emailing a Professor

Emailing your professor can negatively effect your grade and reputation, if not done correctly. Learn how to avoid common mistakes when approaching your professor through email.

Instructions

Introduction

1. Think about what a general letter should look like. Every email to a professor should include a salutation, a body and a complimentary close.

2. Create a subject for the subject line. If you leave the subject line blank, the email may go in your professor's spam mailbox or it may be bypassed because they are not familiar with the address. The subject can be as simple as your class name and number or, even, your name.

3. Start your email with a salutation. No matter how you address your professor in or out of class, your email should be addressed, Dear Professor [Their Name].

Body and Complimentary Close

1. Write your body paragraph(s). Be succinct. Odds are that your professor is a busy person and doesn't have the time for irrelevant small talk. State who you are and your purpose for emailing them right away.

2. Use proper grammar. Internet lingo should not be used when emailing a professor. Not only is it possible that your professor is unfamiliar with these terms, it is extremely unprofessional.

3. Be mindful of your tone. Whether you are sending your professor a request, complaint or compliment, be respectful. Demanding that a professor complete a task is a no, no. Remember, be polite; your pleases and thank you's makes what may seem like a command a polite request.

4. Thank them for their time.

5. Add a complimentary close. All emails should end with sincerely (or something of the sort) and your real name.

Editing and Revision

1. Check your spelling and grammar. The most common mistakes made when emailing a professor are spelling and grammar errors.

2. Proofread after spell checking your document. Pretend you are the reader. Quickly ask yourself if your message comes across effectively and respectfully, without any rambling.

3. Replying to an email from a professor, no matter the length of the response, requires the same amount of etiquette.

4. Be sure to remember all of these components when emailing your professor to avoid common mistakes.

Tips & Warnings

• Always spell check. Be professional

• Beware of your tone. Do not use internet lingo.