Email Etiquette

Awareness & Understanding

Email is one of the main ways adults communicate at work, school, and in civic life — but a poorly written email can create real problems. Start by reading three to five emails you've received recently (from school, a club, or a family member). Notice what makes some easier to understand than others. Look up "email etiquette basics" on Khan Academy or Common Sense Media. What surprised you? Write down three things you noticed about subject lines, greetings, and sign-offs. You're ready for the next step when you can name three elements every professional email should include.

Research & Investigation

Dig into the rules. Research professional email etiquette using free resources like Khan Academy's "Career and Technology" section or GCFGlobal.org. Look specifically at: when to use Reply vs. Reply All, how to write a clear subject line, and why tone matters differently in email than in texts. Find one example of a poorly written email online and one that's well-written. Compare them. You're ready for the next step when you can explain the difference between a casual and a professional email and give a specific example of each.

Planning & Preparation

Write two email drafts on a real topic — something like asking a teacher a question, reaching out to a local Salt Lake City nonprofit about volunteering, or contacting a school club advisor. Use a proper subject line, greeting, body, and sign-off in each. Then swap drafts with a classmate or family member and give each other feedback using a simple checklist: Is the purpose clear? Is the tone appropriate? Is it concise? Revise based on feedback. You're ready for the next step when you have two polished email drafts reviewed by at least one other person.

Taking Action

Send at least one of your drafted emails to a real person — a teacher, a local organization, or a community leader in Salt Lake City. Make sure you have a genuine reason to reach out. Track the response: Did they reply? Did they understand your message? If you get a reply, write a short follow-up. If you don't hear back within a week, send a polite follow-up email. You're ready for the next step when you've sent a real email and received or documented a response.

Leadership & Expansion

Teach what you know. Create a one-page "Email Etiquette Quick Guide" for peers your age — something a classmate could use before emailing a teacher or a job interviewer for the first time. Include a template, a do/don't list, and at least one real example. Share it with your class, post it in a school newsletter, or send it to a Utah youth organization you're connected to. You're ready for the next step when at least one other person has used your guide to write their own professional email.

Impact & Reflection

Reflect on how email etiquette connects to civic life. Think about this: city councils, nonprofit boards, and community organizations in Salt Lake City all rely on clear email communication. Write a short reflection on how professional email skills helped you accomplish something real in this quest. What would you do differently next time? How might these skills help you participate in your community as you get older? You're ready for the next step when you can explain how professional communication opens doors to civic participation.