How Can Instructors Teach Students to Communicate Professionally Through Email?

How Can Instructors Teach Students to Communicate Professionally Through Email?

Teaching Professional Email Writing: How Instructors Can Support Students

Have you ever gotten an email from a student that made you pause—no subject line, no greeting, and a request that felt more like a demand than a question?
Many instructors receive messages like this every semester. While the intent is usually harmless, these emails can lead to confusion, frustration, or miscommunication for both students and instructors. Professional email communication isn’t intuitive for many students. Most are accustomed to texting or informal online messaging and may not realize there are different expectations when emailing instructors or university staff. Taking a few minutes to make those expectations explicit can go a long way. One simple and effective teaching strategy is to show students clear examples of what not to do and what to do instead.



This Email Tips resource uses a “Do This/Not That” approach to highlight common email missteps, such as vague subject lines, overly casual language, or skipping greetings, alongside more professional alternatives students can follow. Rather than assuming students already know how to write professional emails, sharing guidance like this helps them:
  1. Communicate more clearly and respectfully
  2. Understand academic and workplace norms
  3. Build confidence advocating for themselves
  4. Practice a skill they’ll use beyond your course

How Instructors Can Use This Resource in Talon

Instructors can easily incorporate the Email Tips document into their course by:
  1. Adding it to the syllabus or Start Here module to set expectations early
  2. Sharing it during the first few weeks of the semester
  3. Referencing it when email issues arise, instead of rewriting feedback
  4. Connecting it to career readiness, emphasizing that these skills transfer to the workplace

A Small Instructional Move with Lasting Impact

Explicitly teaching professional email writing doesn’t require much class time, but it can significantly improve communication and reduce misunderstandings. Including a short, clear resource in Talon gives students guidance they can return to whenever they need it—and supports their success both in and beyond the classroom.
Resource: Email Tips: How to Write Professional Emails to Instructors and University Staff
Created by Jenny Davis, UC Online
Source: Canvas (Instructure)
https://uc.instructure.com/courses/1864788/files/206582273

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