[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F0F0F0″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” min_height=”176px” height=”100px” custom_margin=”0px||-15px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”7px|5px|0px|5px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” min_height=”52px” height=”189px” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|auto||” custom_padding=”||13px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.23.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Many students find it difficult to compose emails to their course instructors to clarify expectations and instructions for course assignments, ask follow-up questions about responsible AI use, or request deadline extensions. Thankfully, there are plenty of strategies to ensure that your email is clear, concise, thoughtful, and professional.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”Establish a professional tone” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#ffffff” image_icon_background_color=”#005493″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”16px” module_id=”tip1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#005493″ image_icon_custom_padding=”8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false” border_radii_image=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#f5aa1c” global_colors_info=”{}” image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=”#005493″ image_icon_background_color__sticky=”#005493″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
Include your full name as well as course and section number, and address your professor by their full name to establish a professional tone.<\/p>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Dear Professor Johnson,.<\/em><\/p>\n My name is Shauna Doherty and I am enrolled in your course CHEM 101 Section 1.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Conclude by indicating anticipated \u201cnext steps\u201d” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#ffffff” image_icon_background_color=”#005493″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”16px” module_id=”tip1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#005493″ image_icon_custom_padding=”8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false” border_radii_image=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#f5aa1c” global_colors_info=”{}” image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=”#005493″ image_icon_background_color__sticky=”#005493″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n If your request is urgent or time sensitive, conclude by expressing how you look forward to receiving their reply. If you anticipate that more communication might be required, conclude with a request to discuss \u201cnext steps\u201d further. If an online or in-person meeting is needed, conclude by introducing potential scheduling options. If you have issued a request, conclude by thanking your instructor for their kind consideration. If you have appended an attachment, conclude by requesting confirmation that your instructor could access it.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”Indicate the purpose directly and early on” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#ffffff” image_icon_background_color=”#005493″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”16px” module_id=”tip1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#005493″ image_icon_custom_padding=”8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false” border_radii_image=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#f5aa1c” global_colors_info=”{}” image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=”#005493″ image_icon_background_color__sticky=”#005493″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Mention the last contact between you then get straight to the point by indicating clearly and succinctly the reason for your email.<\/p>\n Example:<\/strong><\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m writing to [ask you about \/ to confirm \/ to inform you of \/ to follow up on]\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Strategies for requesting an assignment extension ” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#ffffff” image_icon_background_color=”#005493″ icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”16px” module_id=”tip1″ _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h2″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#005493″ image_icon_custom_padding=”8px|8px|8px|8px|false|false” border_radii_image=”on|100%|100%|100%|100%” use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#f5aa1c” global_colors_info=”{}” image_icon_background_color__sticky_enabled=”#005493″ image_icon_background_color__sticky=”#005493″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Do not wait until the night before the assignment is due to request an extension. Keep your email short, polite, and to the point. Do not give lengthy reasons, descriptions, or excuses. Ask for more time than you need to avoid asking for an extension on your extension. Be prepared to wait several days before receiving a response to your request. Resist the urge to send a follow-up email unless an unusually long period of time has elapsed.<\/p>\n