Email

Discussion:

 How much time a day do you spend on writing and answering emails?
 Do you have a system for answering them?
 Is email a gift or a curse for you at work?
 Can you remember life before email?
Which of the following English email abbreviations do you know? Fill in the table and
explain them to your partner.

CC
BCC
BTW
LOL
CUL8R
FYI
FYA
OTOH
BW
FAQ
THX
BFN
RUOK

How polite are you when you send email? Are you a Netizen or a Newbie? Discuss the
following questions with your partner and decide on one answer for each question.
You should be ready to give reasons for your answers.

1. When writing an email, paragraphs should be:

A short B long C Indented D Invisible

2. The best way to make several points in an email is:

A Include all the points in one paragraph.

B Include all the points in the last paragraph

C Use lists with bullet points and numbers

D Send a hard copy to everyone

3. If you know the recipient is often in a hurry, the best way to send a supporting
document is:
A Put it in the body of the message

B Attach it as a separate document

C Type slowly

D Send it by carrier pigeon

4. When sending a message you should CC:

A Everyone in the department

B All the bosses so they know you’re working hard

C Only those who really MUST know

D Everyone you know

5. When writing a Subject line:

A Use a general and friendly term like “Hi” or “Hello”

B Be specific but brief

C Be as detailed as possible

D Type “READ THIS – IMPORTANT”

6. CAPITAL LETTERS should be used:

A To make jokes

B Never

C To show you are angry

D All the time, they’re easier to read

Score one point for each correct answer.

6 points: You’re perfect, well done.

4 – 5 points: Not bad but you make occasional mistakes

2 – 3 points: You need to learn some more netiquette.

1 point: Stick to telephoning until you’ve read a book on

netiquette!

Further Discussion

1. What is SPAM? How much SPAM do you receive? How can you stop it?

2. What advantages does email have over telephone calls and when is it better to
make a phone call?

3. What are the main dangers of email?

4. Are there times when email is not appropriate and a letter is the only answer.