This presentation explains to students the purpose and format for emailing teachers in order to promote self-advocacy.

1. Email
Students taking action!

2. Who?
 teachers
 coaches or other leaders, too

3. What?
Questions
 what the assignment is
 how to do the assignment
 understanding a concept or skill
 materials for completing the assignment
Concerns
 absent = makeup work
 late work = explanation/advance notice/plan
 any problem involving a student

4. When?
Before you email questions:
 check your agenda
 check the teacher’s website
 call at least two classmates –
and I don’t mean “maybe” 

5. Why?
 You are the student.
 It’s your:
 assignment
 question
 concern
 This is a life-long skill. You need to self-
advocate.
 You are old enough to take on this
responsibility.

6. How?
 Like all forms of writing, email has its
own format.
 Keep in mind your audience: when you
email an adult, there are guidelines to
follow.

7. Content
 Explain the Issue: What’s the question,
problem, or concern?
 Propose a Solution: Be part of the
solution by brainstorming options.
 Share Availability: When will you be
checking email?

8. Form
 Subject line: a brief statement of the topic
(you only have to capitalize proper nouns)
 Salutations: begin with an appropriate
greeting – ex: Dear – followed by the
recipient’s name and a comma
Subject: alien landing
Message:
Dear Mrs. Almarez,

9. Form Continued
 Body: use correct conventions of writing
 capitalization
 punctuation
 complete sentences
 correct grammar and spelling
 FYI: Paragraphs
 are NOT made by indenting when emailing
 skip a line before beginning a new paragraph

10. Form Again
 Closing: include an appropriate closing
– ex: Sincerely – followed by a comma
 Signature: on the final line under the
closing, include your first and last
name
*If this is to a teacher, include your class period.

11. Tone
 It is easy for a reader to misinterpret the
writer’s tone in an email.
 Choose HOW you express yourself in
an email carefully in order to prevent
misinterpretation.

12. Remember
 You are not texting your family or
friends, so:
 no texting lingo (ex: c u l8r, LOL)
 minimal emoticons 
 don’t write in all caps: that indicates
shouting in email – FOR REAL!

13. Let’s practice!