E-Mail Netiquette

Netiquette:

This is etiquette practiced on the Internet. Netiquette is often dynamic and hard to define, but the netiquette of the specific forum you are using will become apparent after you use the forum for a while. (adapted from ehow.com)

Why is understanding netiquette so important?

To Avoid Miscommunication: There have been too many instances where a person misinterprets an e-mail leading to an argument between the reader and the sender of the e-mail. It is sometimes tricky to understand a person's tone or connotation when reading their message and not actually seeing them face-to-fact. However, there are some ways to prevent miscommunication.

Common Netiquette:

• When to use CAPITAL letters in e-mail: This is one method of expressing frustration and anger. Using all caps can also be used to "yell" at someone or imply negative thoughts. On the other hand, it can simply be used to make an important announcement or a bold statement.

  "DO NOT CONTACT ME" versus "do not contact me"
  Both sentences state the same thing. Which is more polite?

• Use of emoticons: Combine emotion and icon in one word and you get emoticon. When writing an informal e-mail, writers sometimes use smilies to make sure their tone is understood by their reader. If you are having trouble visualizing the symbol, turn your head sideways :)

  Symbol	Meaning
  :)	Happy
  ;)	Winking
  :(	Sad

Click here for a basic Smiley Dictionary.
Beware! Some people get carried away by these emoticons!
Click here for a history on emoticons

• Read the whole e-mail before forwarding:
  If you come across an interesting message or e-mail, it is a good idea to read the e-mail completely through. It is not enough to scan the first couple lines. Read the forward through and ask yourself if it is worthwhile to send to others.

• Limit the number of forwards that you send:
  A reader can become quite weary when bombarded with multiple e-mail forwards from the same sender. For example, if the reader opens one or two of the forwards and does not find them applicable, chances are he/she will delete the rest without reading them. However, if a personal message is mixed in with the forwards, the user might treat it as a forward and delete it as well. This is an easy way to lose credibility.

• If sending a forward, know when to use To:, Bcc:, and Cc:
  When sending an important message to a long list of recipients, ask yourself if it is necessary for all the recipients to know one another. If it is not necessary, use BCc to address the recipients. Many readers become frustrated from having to scroll through pages and pages of e-mail address before reaching the actual message.

• Do not send large attachments without getting permsission or warning the recipient:
  Be careful when sending large attachments to others; sending a digital photo or a Word Document as an attachment is okay. However, if sending multiple photos, a number of Word documents, or a movie clip, this can take up a lot of space in a person's inbox. Large attachments become inconvenient to those people who use modems to check their e-mail.

Additional Information on Netiquette:
Netiquette, by Virginai Shea, online edition