Instructor Emails

Use descriptive subject lines

In general, it is best to be more formal than casual.
Include a greeting like “Hello,” or “Dear”. Opening with “Dear Dr. Knowles” is more professional than opening with “Hi”.
If they hold a PhD, refer to them as Doctor/Dr. (ex, Dr. Knowles).
If you are unsure an instructor has a PhD, 'Professor Yang' is an acceptable option to use.

Use complete words and sentences throughout your message.
Be as specific as possible. For example: In your 9/12 lecture you covered (topic). I want to better understand the topic and would like to review that part
of the lecture.
Be polite and concise; only include needed information.
If you have multiple questions, group them in a bulleted list.
Using ‘I’ statements helps promote a productive, problem-solving approach. Example: "I would like some help on following the lectures on (topic). Do you have any suggestions on how I can improve reviewing the material?" rather than "You talk too fast, or you didn’t ...".

Sign your name and provide your internet ID for the instructor’s ease.
If you are not emailing your instructor about a course, remind them of how they know you. For example, “I took WRIT 1001W with you last Spring…”.

Make sure your email is free of spelling errors, is clear and concise, and that it has all the key information.
It is best to avoid slang, emojis, and abbreviations.
If you are writing when upset about something, it might be best to wait another day before sending the message. Then, reread the message for clarity and tone.