Maybe you're working on the next great American novel. Maybe you write long letters to your European pen pal. Or maybe you haven't written anything since you scribbled your name in chalk on the sidewalk when you were 6 years old. Regardless of how much you like writing (or how much you've written), you'll be writing for the rest of your life, so you might as well know how to do it properly and professionally.
I'm Amanda Milligan, an English and journalism junior at UF and a copy editor at the Alligator. Every week, I'll discuss some sort of writing tip or technique that will help you with your daily lives.
Whether you're the next Ernest Hemingway or the next Stephanie Meyer-and, for the record, I consider this a bad thing-this blog is for you. If you're in the latter category, no fear. Just put the pen down, take a deep breath and read my blog religiously. Everything will be okay. Unless you get swine flu. Then I'm sorry.
In this post, I'll discuss some tips for writing professional e-mails.
Even though the Internet has created a more casual version of the English language, iTz NaWt AxEpTaBlE 2 tYp lYk DiS. Do you get a migraine just looking at that? I sure do.
In professional e-mails, good grammar is extremely important, so please, for the love of the English language, proofread your e-mails several times. Don't just scan it over - you'll miss things. Also, make sure to double-check the spelling of the name of the person you're addressing. Misspelling someone's name will immediately set one of the worst impressions and is probably equal to showing up to an interview wearing a Snuggie. Seriously.
Make sure you're always addressing someone in your e-mail. I've known people who are almost offended when an e-mail starts off without their name. A teacher I once had equated it to talking to someone without saying, "Hello!" or, "How are you?" first.
So, to be on the safe side, always put the person or company's name at the start of the e-mail, using the most appropriate and correct title in front of it.
Finally, and while this may also seem like total common sense, have a professional e-mail address. E-mail addresses like dRuNkInChIkAxOx@imclearlyatrainwreck.omg are not going to get you anywhere in life. Try your full name or a combination of your first and last name. If you can't make any other e-mail addresses with whatever service you use, try Gmail.
I pray that you already do the things I mentioned, but if you don't, please start. Until next time, proofread!
