Assignment: Professional Email Communication Objective: The…

Assignment: Professional Email Communication Objective: The goal of this assignment is to help you understand the importance of professionalism in email communication and to practice writing a formal email. Background: Communication style varies depending on the context and the recipient. For instance, the tone and language used in an email to a friend would differ from that in an email to a dean or a boss. As students stepping into the academic and/or professional world, it’s essential to master the art of formal communication. In the funeral industry, you often communicate with individuals who are grieving. Therefore, it’s crucial to balance maintaining a professional tone and showing empathy and respect. Though we may not be aware, we are constantly changing our ways of communicating based on the people we’re around and the situations we are in. Let’s take e-mail as an example. In an e-mail to a friend, I might use a casual, familiar tone, and in an e-mail to my dean or instructor, I should use a more professional, respectful tone. E-mailing an instructor is similar to e-mailing one’s boss. You wouldn’t necessarily use the same tone with your boss that you would use with your friends. Understanding this difference and learning how to communicate appropriately in certain situations is one of the many keys to your success in the academic world and in the workplace. I often receive messages and e-mails that are difficult to decipher because they are written in a texting shorthand or without any attempt at editing, or they are written in a tone that may be considered rude or even aggressive when there is no reason for that.  Directions:  Write a formal email, being professional, in response to the article listed in the resources but linked here as well. In your email, address the specific difficulties students encounter in such courses, and compare these difficulties with those they experience when they take a classroom-based course. Also, include whether you agree or disagree with Laird’s assessment of distance learning and classroom-based learning.  “I’m Your Teacher, Not Your Internet-Service Provider” by Ellen Laird Questions to answer in the body of the email: The guidelines for writing the formal email follow: 1. Write a detailed subject line that includes the following information: · Course name and Section · A few words describing the content of the e-mail (e.g., Need help with paraphrasing, questions, etc.) 2. Determine what your instructor prefers to be called. · Ms., Mrs., Mr., Dr., Instructor, or Professor (For our classes, Mrs. Routh or Instructor Routh works, but always check with your instructor and never use a first name unless that is what they have said to use.) 3. Begin every e-mail with a greeting: · Dear _________, · Hello, __________, · Greetings, __________, 4. State your purpose for e-mailing (why and about what are you e-mailing me?) · If you are having a problem, describe what you have already done to try and solve the problem and what help you still need. 5. Write correctly. · Use complete sentences. · Use correct punctuation. · Use standard capitalization. · Use correct spelling. 6. End every e-mail with a closing that includes your first name and last name and course. Do not assume that instructors know who you are or which class you are in. · Sincerely, _____________ · All the best, ___________ · Thank you, ____________ **Show your instructors you are serious by taking a little extra time when emailing. You will type this assignment up in a Word document and submit it here; however, this is the format that should be used when addressing any of your instructors or faculty members of the school anytime you email them. 
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