Writing Guidelines: Emails

Remind students to always consider their Purpose, Audience, and Subject when writing email (Type). Even though email can be a quick mode of communication, students should carry out all the steps in the writing process, especially when the topic is serious and the receiver is important.

Then review the writing guidelines. As an activity, have students practice writing emails to different audiences. Give them a subject and purpose, such as objecting to the cancelation of an important field trip. Then have students write emails to three different audiences: one to a teacher or an administrator, one to a relative, and one to a friend. Ask students how their approach to writing changes when they write to different audiences.