Time-sensitive requests during off hours. Explanations with too much personal information. These are a few of the ways many college students communicate with their instructors over email, much to the dismay and frustration of many educators.
"I would have never sent 85% of the emails that I and other professors receive from students in terms of just misspellings, not articulating what the issue is, and the angry rant email,” says Dr. Marvin T. Chiles, an assistant professor of African American history at Old Dominion University. “We've all got them. If you have taught a college class for 15 minutes, you got an angry email from a student."
Dr. Marvin T. Chiles
“This presentation was designed in response to the growing popularity of email and the subsequent need for information on how to craft appropriate email messages,” a guide from Purdue University reads.
The posts feature various tips such as: checking for proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation; explaining prior attempts to solve the issue at hand; using correct titles for individuals; and keeping emails brief and to the point.
Informal language
“To stay updated on university-related matters, students should check their email frequently, ideally daily, but at a minimum, twice a week,” Dr. Stacey Patton, professor in Howard University’s media, journalism, film & communication department, wrote in an Aug. 9 Facebook post. “Effective and professional communication is expected from students. While emails might seem informal due to their speed and convenience, in academic and professional contexts, they should remain formal.”
