Professional E-mail Etiquette Guidelines for Students

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Your college instructors may be teaching over one-hundred students a semester and get a lot of e-mail.  Following these guidelines will allow them to help you more quickly and will assist you in developing professional communication habits to carry through your college experience and into your career.

Use your college assigned Gmail account

Example: ljohnson1234@student.elgin.edu

Create an informative subject line

Example: BUS 101 100 Assignment Question

Use a formal salutation as instructor wishes to be addressed

Examples:

• Dear Instructor or Professor (last name)
• Dear Dr., Mr., Ms. or Mrs. (last name)

NOTE: If you are unsure, use “Dear Professor” (last name)

Write clear, correct, and concise short statements

Example:

• Purpose of your message
• Details regarding question
• (If applicable) Steps you have already taken regarding your issue

IMPORTANT:

• NO spelling, punctuation or grammar errors
• Capitalize proper nouns and the first word of each sentences
• Avoid emotional pleas such as “URGENT” or “Respond ASAP”

Conclude with a formal sign-off or complimentary closing

Example: Thank you or best regards

Provide an e-mail signature

Example: Your first and last name

Optional:

• Course/section information
• E-mail address and/or phone number