Online Life
Email Communication
Writing an email is easy—but writing one that actually gets read and gets results? That takes skill. In this short explainer, you’ll learn a simple strategy for making your emails clear, respectful, and effective. By answering three key questions in every message, you’ll increase the chances that your email gets noticed—and gets action.
What's About
Email is everywhere. Whether you’re at work, in school, or handling something personal, email is still one of the main ways people communicate online. But it’s also easy to get wrong.
This video explains why writing effective emails is about understanding your reader—who they are, how busy they might be, and what they need in order to respond. Without tone, body language, or facial expressions, email leaves room for confusion. That’s why clarity is everything.
To help, the video introduces a three-question formula:
What is this about? – Use a specific subject line that sets expectations.
Why am I receiving it? – Start your message with context that explains the purpose.
Do I need to do anything? – Be clear about what action (if any) is needed and highlight it visually.
Whether you’re scheduling a meeting, sending an update, or requesting feedback, this approach ensures your message is easy to understand, respectful of time, and more likely to get a response.
This video explains why writing effective emails is about understanding your reader—who they are, how busy they might be, and what they need in order to respond. Without tone, body language, or facial expressions, email leaves room for confusion. That’s why clarity is everything.
To help, the video introduces a three-question formula:
What is this about? – Use a specific subject line that sets expectations.
Why am I receiving it? – Start your message with context that explains the purpose.
Do I need to do anything? – Be clear about what action (if any) is needed and highlight it visually.
Whether you’re scheduling a meeting, sending an update, or requesting feedback, this approach ensures your message is easy to understand, respectful of time, and more likely to get a response.
What it Matters
We all send emails, but many don’t get the response we hope for. This video helps learners improve their digital communication by focusing on the recipient’s experience. By answering three simple questions in every email, learners can write messages that are clearer, kinder, and more effective.
By the end of this video, you’ll be able to:
- Explain why email communication can be misunderstood or ignored.
- Use specific subject lines to get the recipient’s attention.
- Provide clear context at the start of your message.
- Make requests easy to see and act on.
- Respect the recipient’s time by keeping messages focused and direct.
By the end of this video, you’ll be able to:
- Explain why email communication can be misunderstood or ignored.
- Use specific subject lines to get the recipient’s attention.
- Provide clear context at the start of your message.
- Make requests easy to see and act on.
- Respect the recipient’s time by keeping messages focused and direct.
Standards Aligned
- ISTE Standard: Digital Citizen, Indicator 2b
- ACRL Info Literacy Frame: Information Creation As a Process
Part o the course: Work Skills
Boost productivity and communication with real-world workplace tools. From project planning to digital documents, this course builds your professional toolkit.
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