ETHNS6101 – Euthenics 1

Lesson 4

AMAU Netiquette
AMA UNIVERSITY

Mr. John Ahyet Marcelo Santos

Online Learning Coordinator
 About the Module

This module contains the basic rules of

netiquette or network etiquette in aiming for
a harmonious relationship among users.
Sampu doon
 Manny Pacquiao/42
666 miles
Boxer
 Isko Moreno/46
143 miles
Yorme ng maynila
 Bongbong Marcos/64
1970 miles
Anak ni Ferdinand Marcos
 Definition of Netiquette
Netiquette, or network etiquette/internet
etiquette, refers to the set of rules, guidelines, and
practices in keeping the polite and appropriate behavior
and attitude of people in the internet.
To retain the harmonious relationship among users
of the internet, netiquette is required knowledge.
Although they are not physically present, you have to
remember that there are real people behind user
accounts. To keep the cyberspace culture user-friendly
and a pleasant experience for its users, you need to
learn the basic rules of netiquette.
 Basic Rules of Netiquette

Ross (2011) has enumerated the basic rules

of netiquette. These are the following:
 1. Remember the human

This rule is rooted from the golden rule

we have been thought from when we were
children: “Do to others what you want them to
do to you.” You have to exhibit empathy in
interacting with fellow users of the internet. Put
yourself in their shoes and think twice about
doing things that could possibly hurt another
person’s feelings.
 2. Adhere to the same standards of
behavior online that you follow in real life
Treat online as just another place in the
world where you have the chance to interact
with people you barely know. Most assume that
the chances of getting caught on cyberspace is
little to nothing. Take note to avoid spreading
false information.
 3. Know where you are in cyberspace

Like how there are differing rules of

etiquette in places and events, you should know
where you are in cyberspace so you’d know how
to appropriately act. An online institution
 4. Respect other people’s time and
bandwidth
You work primarily on your own when
accessing cyberspace. However, that does not
mean you are the center of cyberspace.
 5. Make yourself look good online

Don’t use offensive language. Always

remember to be pleasant and polite.
 6. Share expert knowledge

The internet was initially founded and

spread throughout the world for the sake of
sharing information across borders. If there is
something you know that some people don’t,
share it with them, as much as possible, if it is
absolutely necessary.
 7. Help keep flame wars under control

Flaming, according to Stewart (2015), is

“the act of sending someone an outrageously
insulting message whether by private email or in
a public posting, usually because you disagree
with something they have said.” Ross concurs and
says, netiquette forbids the spread of flame wars
as it will start discord among groups.
 8. Respect other people’s privacy

At this age when reaching a loved one or an

acquaintance is possible with just a click, we still
have to maintain reasonable spaces between us.
We must respect a person’s right to privacy and
avoid prying into his or her accounts, files, and
documents.
 9. Don’t abuse your power

System administrators must learn not to take

advantage of the hierarchy of roles. Respect
begets respect and administrators of websites
and platforms do not have the authority to peek
into private emails, messages and files.
10. Be forgiving of other people’s mistakes

Before we reached this point of knowledge

in cyberspace, we have all been newbies and
have all been clueless of this new concept of
internet. Maybe there are still things we don’t
know about cyberspace, considering its depth. Be
kind about pointing out errors, even a minor one.
Do it through a private message, as much as
possible. Everyone makes mistakes every once in
a while, as things still slip our minds.
 Other Netiquette Rules:
• Don’t plagiarize. Even if the material is on the web,
properly credit its source and ask for permission.
• Avoid spamming as it can cause either a disturbance or
irritation.
• Avoid overusing emoticons especially in emails to the
institution.
 Establishing contact with the university
through email
One of the most basic modes of communication
between instructors, the student support and the
students of the online university is through email. In the
event of concerns needing immediate response, you may
compose a letter to send to the concerned department.
Although email is considered less formal than
academic writing, it is equally important to observe
proper composition in writing your email directed to the
institution.
 Recine (2015) has given the following guidelines in
composing an email to your university staff, officials and
faculty, that will convey respect and formality:

1. Use the last name of the recipient with a formal title

(such as Mr., Ms., or Mrs.) in your greeting, following the
word “Dear.” This is to properly identify who you are
trying to address in the letter, while also conveying
respect to the addressee.
2. Avoid the usual wordy academic writing in letting the
university official and faculty know your concern as it is
not considered appropriate for email. Get straight to
the point and specify your concern, if needed. Keep it
concise, but still wholly informative.
 Recine (2015) has given the following guidelines in
composing an email to your university staff, officials and
faculty, that will convey respect and formality:

3. Avoid using conversational or slang words. It is

informal to use these words in conversation with your
instructor or university official.
4. Use complete sentences in stating your concern.
Writing in fragments and incomplete sentences may be
interpreted as rude or too informal.
5. Be polite and express your gratitude in the shortest
way possible.
 Recine (2015) has given the following guidelines in
composing an email to your university staff, officials and
faculty, that will convey respect and formality:

6. If it is absolutely necessary to copy a number of

people in the email, make sure that the number is at its
minimum. Make sure that the email addresses copied
into the email are directly concerned with your email.
Commonly Utilized Netiquette Rules
(adapted from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no1/mintu-wimsatt_0310.htm)

• Do not use offensive language. Present ideas appropriately.

• Be cautious in using Internet language. For example, do not
capitalize all letters since this suggests shouting.
• Popular emoticons such as J or L can be helpful to convey
your tone but do not overdo or overuse them.
• Avoid using vernacular and/or slang language. This could
possibly lead to misinterpretation.
• Keep an “open-mind” and be willing to express even your
minority opinion. Minority opinions have to be respected.
Commonly Utilized Netiquette Rules
(adapted from http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no1/mintu-wimsatt_0310.htm)

• Think and edit before you push the “Send” button.

• Do not hesitate to ask for feedback.
• Using humor is acceptable but be careful that it is not
misinterpreted. For example, are you being humorous
or sarcastic?
• Be reminded that support staff answering student
queries may be mentors and teachers for other
courses. Be mindful of your language.
Thank you!
End of Lesson 4