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Ethical E-mail

Chris Pirillo argues that e-mail users should be guided by the rule, “When in doubt, take the safer route." In “E-mail Etiquette (Netiquette)”, he details some of the rules that individuals should follow. Some highlights particularly relevant to students in online classes include:

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listUse an asterisk or underline for e-mail; not all capital letters. (CAPS are read as shouting.)

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listBe clear and concise

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listDon’t send nasty messages

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listStrip extraneous information from e-mails you forward. Quote only the relevant parts.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listUse an emoticon or inserted work (e.g. <grin>) to express emotion.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listAvoid abbreviations. For example, “R U OK” is not appropriate for academic and professional writing. Write “Are you alright?” instead.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listUse proper grammar.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listUse a clear, description subject line.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listDon’t forward jokes and other humorous messages.

For more information on effective e-mail messages, please see Effective E-mail Messages..

References and Resources

blue bullet used to denote item in a listBerg, Steven L. Effective E-mail Messages. 2007.

blue bullet used to denote item in a listPirillo, Chris. “E-mail Etiquette (Netiquette)” 1999. Writers Write. Reprinted from Poor Richard's E-mail Publishing.


Steven L. Berg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English and History
Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty
Livonia, MI 48152
734-462-4400
sberg@schoolcraft.edu
This page was last updated on 4 November 2007.