The document provides guidance on proper email etiquette, or "netiquette", for college students. It discusses being brief, using proper grammar and capitalization, including relevant details in emails to professors, and considering your audience. Examples of good and poor emails are included to demonstrate these best practices. The document concludes by posing hypothetical situations and suggesting appropriate email responses to professors regarding missed classwork or needing assistance.

1. EMAIL NETIQUETTE
Created for SVD 100
Fall 2009
Glenda Lowery
Associate Professor of English/Reading

2. NETIQUETTE
• "Netiquette" is network etiquette, the do's
and don'ts of online communication.
• Netiquette covers both common courtesy
online and the informal "rules of the road" of
cyberspace.

3. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
From: xyx123@email.vccs.edu
To: hray@rappahannock.edu
Hi, i would like to set up a meeting
with you for some time next week
if that is possible.

4. From: abc789@email.vssc.edu
To: hray@rappahannock.edu
Hello there Hallie this is _______. I am a new
student here in warsaw. i would like to meet
you and talk with you. Please email me back.
Thank you

5. From: def456@email.vccs.edu
To: hray@rappahannock.edu
hi this is _______ in your glenns class. I missed
class do to family issuses. i am trying to catch
up but i am having a dificalt time
understanding the black board. i just got my
book 9/2. and if you can please email me what
i missed in tuesday night class thank you

6. THE REPLY
Dear Mr. _____,
Sorry to hear you're having trouble getting started this term.
Are you having trouble getting into Blackboard, or are you having trouble
understanding the assignments?
(Two additional paragraphs with very specific instructions about what needs to be
done and how)
I hope you'll be able to get this work done and catch up by next Tuesday--this course
packs in a lot of information into 16 weeks (the equivalent of a year of high-school
Biology), so you can't afford to get behind.
Best wishes,
Hallie Ray
P.S. Please remember this is a college course, and it is appropriate to use proper
capitalization, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure when writing Emails.
Thank you!

7. MORE—WHAT DO YOU THINK?
From: duh000@email.vccs.edu
To: mross@rappahannock.edu
M Ross in don't get exactly what you are asking for
position paper. I did my paper I'm not sure it's
right. I started off with a small comparison then i
explain what is reality based on the 3 theories. i
was not sure u asking for just 1 criteria or all 4 so i
just explain dualism compare to the criteria of
comprehensibility. then i gave a brief explanation
of why dualism has holes in it to. i used 3
references just to say what they thought about
there prospective theory.

8. COMMENT BY INSTRUCTOR
I had to read this about five times before
figuring out what the student was talking
about.

9. From: alamb@rappahannock.edu
To: mia321@email.vccs.edu
Hi ________,
I haven't had any contact with you concerning
your Math02 class. I need for you to get
started or at least call me or email me.
My cell phone number is ______. My email is
alamb@rappahannock.edu

10. THE REPLY
dear mrs lamb,
i am so sorry i missed the test 1 in your class i got stuck in
williamsburg yesterday because i have to attend a driving class last
minute and had to get a ride from a 16 year old to get there
because i didnt want to risk driving on labor day weekend. but i
think i have got it straight now. i can take the test tomorrow or
wednesday. i knew the testing center would be closed on labor day.
i also apologize for not using capital lettrs, i dont do it to be
direspectful, i am just in a hurry because my daughter is fussing
because its getting to be her bedtime and my fiancee wont get her
ready for bed. grr men. i really will take this class seriously, the
reason i didnt take it earlier this week is i have been reviewing my
textbook to refresh my memory. when it comes to math i tend to
forget things. i am sorry to email you so late in the day. i havent
daughter all weekend really and i just couldnt put her down today.
shes my world. thank you for your time and i will check my email
tomorrow to see if i am able to stay in your class.
Thanks again,

11. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE
From: cless@email.vccs.edu
To: glowery@rappahannock.edu
Mrs. Lowery,
Please let me know if you don’t get this email.

12. AND FINALLY
From: dum111@email.vccs.edu
To: sheadley@rappahannock.edu
Mrs. H, quik ques....I went out last night to
celebrate passing finals and drank 2 much. I
have been throwing ups since 11p til now...is
that normal?
Comment from Mrs. H:
And, no I didn't respond.

13. NETIQUETTE FOR RCC STUDENTS
• Check your RCC email frequently.
• Use only RCC email for college business.
• Pay attention to audience.
• Use correct spelling, grammar, punctuation.
• Keep emails short and to the point.
• Use the subject line.
• Identify yourself by name and class.
• Format the message for readability.
• Read/proofread the message before sending.
• Make questions/requests specific,
understandable and reasonable.

14. FIVE HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS
How would you
respond in an email?

15. NUMBER 1
You missed math class today and would like to
get the assignments and information about
what was covered.

16. Number 1 Reply
Dear Mrs. Parker,
I missed class today because of a flat tire.
Please let me know where in Blackboard I can
find information about what we covered today
and what the next set of assignments is.
Thank you.

17. NUMBER 2
You have a question about something that was
covered in history class today while you were
in class.

18. Number 2 Reply
Dear Mr. Paden,
While reviewing my notes for the chapter 3
test, I realized that I am missing some key
dates. Could you please tell me when (insert
events) happened?
Thank you.

19. NUMBER 3
You know that you are going to miss English
class a week from today and you would like to
know what is going to be covered.

20. Number 3 Reply
Dear Mrs. Alderman,
I have been called to serve on a jury next
Wednesday. Could you please let me know
what assignments will be due that day so I
won’t get behind? Thank you.

21. NUMBER 4
You would like some extra help on a concept or
topic that is being covered in chemistry class.

22. Number 4 Reply
Dear Mr. Crook,
I think I am going to need some extra help on
(insert topic). Could you suggest someone in
the tutoring center or another student who
might be able to help me? Thank you.

23. NUMBER 5
You have a question about a grade that is not
posted in Blackboard. The biology instructor
has not given you credit for lab quiz.

24. Number 5 Reply
Dear Dr. Ray,
I was checking my grades in Blackboard and I
don’t see my grade for lab #3. Have you
posted those grades yet? I came in late that
day but I did take the quiz which I have if you
need to see it. Thank you.

25. Questions?
Comments?

26. REMEMBER!
What goes out into
cyberspace stays in
cyberspace!

27. So think before
you click send.