Email Essentials
This is the first of the five parts of a professional email and should tell the reader what the message is about.
What is the subject line?
Unlike high school, professors generally will not do this for you when an assignment or responsibility is approaching.
What is chase you down/remind you?
This month-long U.S. observance recognizing the histories, cultures, and contributions of people with roots in Latin America begins on this date.
What is September 15?
This Dominican baseball legend hit 762 career home runs and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Who is David Ortiz?
You are emailing your professor about missing class. Which is more professional: “Hey, I missed class. What did I miss?” or “Hello Professor Smith, I was unable to attend class today and wanted to ask about the material I missed.”
What is the second email?
“Hello Professor Smith” is an example of this part of a professional email.
What is the greeting?
A professional email should include your full name and this to make it easy for Professors to assist you.
What is your student ID number?
This country celebrates its independence on September 16, making it one of the major national independence celebrations associated with Hispanic Heritage Month.
What is Mexico?
This Puerto Rican tennis star won the 2016 Olympic gold medal in women's singles.
Who is Monica Puig?
Your subject line says only “Question.” What important information should you add to make it easier for the professor to identify you and your message?
What are the course, topic, full name, and student ID number?
This part of an email explains why you are contacting the professor.
What is the purpose?
True or False: Waiting until the last minute to tell a professor about an absence is an example of effective professional communication.
What is False?
The term “Latino” generally refers to people with cultural or ancestral connections to this broader region of the world.
What is Latin America?
This Argentine soccer legend won the 2022 FIFA World Cup and spent much of his club career with FC Barcelona.
Who is Lionel Messi?
A teammate says Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin Heritage Month are exactly the same term in every context. What is one reason terminology can be more complicated than that?
What is that different people and institutions may use different terminology to describe Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latine, or Latin American identities?
According to the recommended structure, this section should explain what you need and provide relevant information.
What are the details/request?
Name two areas that communication can affect beyond your classroom experience.
What are recommendation letters, internship opportunities, future employment, attendance accommodations, or academic support?
This civilization built the ancient city of Tenochtitlan, located where present-day Mexico City developed.
What is the Aztec/Mexica civilization?
This Dominican-born baseball star won three National League MVP Awards during his career and finished with 703 home runs.
Who is Albert Pujols?
Your professor has not responded to an important request. You sent the email 10 minutes ago. Based on professional communication principles, what should you generally avoid doing?
What is immediately sending repeated follow-up emails/expecting an instant response?
Name all five parts of the anatomy of a professional email.
What are subject line, greeting, purpose, details/request, and closing?
Your professor receives an email from you that is respectful but doesn't explain what you need, has no ID number, and is sent the night before the issue occurs. Identify three problems with this communication.
What are lack of clarity/details, missing student ID, and communicating too late?
September 15 was selected as the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month partly because it marks the independence anniversary of these five Central American countries. Name them.
What are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua?
This Puerto Rican boxer is widely regarded as one of the greatest Latin American boxers, winning world titles in four weight classes.
Who is Miguel Cotto?
Final Challenge: Your professor is also someone who could potentially write you a recommendation letter. Based on the communication checklist, name four behaviors that can help you build a professional relationship.
What are communicating early, being respectful and clear, proofreading, including your full name/ID, using complete sentences, and communicating responsibly?