Writing Effective E-mail Messages

Overview/Description
 Just when you think you don't have to care much about writing rules because you're using e-mail, you learn that it has rules surrounding how and when to use it, too. Like many people who use e-mail for business purposes, you'll want to explore Writing Effective E-mail Messages. In this course, you'll discover when e-mail messages may be inappropriate and how to write e-mail for different audiences. In addition, you'll learn tips and rules for writing effective e-mail messages, including how to compose terrific subject and lead-in lines that will grab your readers' attention. You'll also discover how to address e-mail messages appropriately and how to compose e-mails in a conversational tone. Finally, you'll learn about the privacy and legal issues surrounding the use of e-mail in today's business environment.

Target Audience
 Managers at all levels, administrative staff, and all employees using company e-mail systems.

Expected Duration
2.5 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Planning Your E-mail Messages

  • recognize the benefits of planning e-mail messages.
  • select situations in which e-mail messages are not appropriate.
  • identify the guidelines for deciding whether or not to send an e-mail message.
  • select the most efficient way of addressing e-mail in given situations.

    • Tips for Writing Effective E-mail Messages

  • recognize the value of using specific tips to enhance e-mail messages.
  • identify the writing rules for creating and sending appropriate e-mail messages.
  • read a scenario and select the best subject line for an e-mail based on specific guidelines.
  • choose an appropriate lead-in line for a specific e-mail message, based on e-mail lead-in guidelines.

    • Writing High-impact E-mail

  • recognize the benefits of applying the principles of clear and concise writing to e-mail messages.
  • select a sentence that most clearly states the main idea of a specific e-mail message.
  • identify the elements to include in e-mail messages to establish a conversational tone.
  • differentiate between active voice and passive voice in specific sentences.

    • E-mail Issues

  • recognize the benefits of understanding ways to handle designated e-mail issues.
  • identify the legal issues surrounding company e-mail privacy in specific cases.
  • identify the techniques for protecting an e-mail password.
  • select the options to help avoid junk mail generated by Internet mailing lists.

    • Course Number: COMM0226