The Aristotelian Internet

Email is probably the easiest way to get in touch with me. Since I only have a few office hours each week and a few virtual hours, there’s a 99% chance that you’re going to want to get in touch with me during a time that I am not available in one of these forums. Go ahead and check the virtual office first. If you don’t get a response in more than ten minutes (you must be patient) then email me. Make certain that you follow this simple guide to ensure that your email does not get filed in the “idiot mail” and that you get a specific response from me.

(Thanks to Michael Leddy for providing me with a starting point for this post.)

Choose an account to use throughout the semester

While I highly recommend using your TWU account (since you must check it regularly for Blackboard updates), I don’t require you to use this email address. If you choose to use an outside email address, please use the same one throughout the semester. I get at least 100 emails every day and I always open those from familiar names first.

Think ahead about the email address you plan to use

Within the 100 emails I receive every day are at least 10 spam mails from various sites trying to sell me things I don’t want. The owners of these sites are not as intellectually able as you and I, so the names are usually ludicrous. So, if I see an email address like “iluvbeer” or “goodluvin4u” (don’t laugh, these are actual addresses I’ve had appear in my inbox. Both were from students, both were deleted), I don’t open it. It goes straight to the trash and the address is blocked immediately.

Include a subject line

It’s always a good idea to let me know what your email is about before I open it. This can be something as simple as “Question about essay” or “I need an appointment.” As with unfamiliar email addresses, emails with no subject are relegated to the last of my to do list.

Use a greeting

I can’t stress this enough. It’s only polite to begin an email with “Ms. Blackwell” or “Dear Ms Blackwell.” I’ll even settle for a simple “Hello.” Whatever you choose, use a greeting. If you accidently send me the email you intended to send a close friend or another professor I’ll know right off that I should not be reading the email. Without a greeting, expect me to read the entire thing.

Be specific about your class

Please do not include the line “I’m in your English class” in your email. I know you’re in my English class. I don’t teach anything else. However, that line is not only ridiculous, it’s ambiguous. In addition to teaching English classes, I also take English classes. Are you a student or a fellow classmate? You’re best to just leave this line out.

Be specific with your email

If you want to set up an appointment, be assertive and tell me what works best for you. If you have a question about an essay, ask a specific question.

Sign your email

Do not take for granted that I have some form of diving rod that will tell me who you are and which class you are in. End your email with your name and class, like this: Katie Student ENG 1023.17 This way, I know who you are and what class you’re in. Since my classes are not always on the same schedule, this is a good idea for a closing. You don’t want me to send you the wrong response, trust me.

Proofread Your Email

I am an English teacher and this means I am a bit obsessive about unproofread anything. If you don’t believe me, come by my office and I’ll show you the coffee table book I’m working on. It’s called “Everything I needed to know I learned teaching First Year Composition” and it’s a collection of unproofread sentences from various student essays, tests and emails. You don’t want to find yourself in the book as badly as I don’t want to read an email laden with misspellings and bad punctuations.

Consider the time of your email

There are certain times when a response from me will take longer than normal. For example, if I am in class I obviously cannot respond to you within five minutes. These times are conveniently listed for you under Spring 2007 Availability. Also, realize that even though it revolves primarily around the school, I do have a life. Weekend responses may take a bit longer than usual. In the same context, 3am emails will not be responded to until I am awake. I may not be sleeping, but if I’m still awake at 3am, you really don’t want me to respond to your email. Do not email me 15 minutes before an assignment is due to ask a question. I have had students in the past do this and then use my failure to respond as a reason to not turn in the assignment on time. I’ll tell you now what I told them–you’ve had the assignment for several days, which meant you had several days to email me with questions. Either you’ll turn in the assignment now or take the late penalty. The choice is yours.

Things Not to Email Me

Some of you, at some point during this semester, will consider emailing me at least one of these topics. If so, you won’t be receiving a response since I have already posted the responses here.

What did we do in class today?

It’s simple, in class today we worked on the information listed on the syllabus for today. You have a syllabus, check it.

What is our homework?

Again, this is on the syllabus. If I gave something new as an assignment, you need to check the Announcements page on Blackboard. I post it there.

Are we having class today/tomorrow?

If I have not announced in class (and on Blackboard) that we are not having class, then we are. In case of inclement weather, TWU will announce class closings. However, until that point, expect to trudge through the rain/wind/sun and come to class.

Can I get extra credit to improve my grade

While there is a small chance I’ll give an extra credit assignment during the semester, it will be for the entire class. I don’t give out individual extra credit work.

What are your office hours?

Again, check your syllabus. I’ve listed them there. If I plan to change them or have to be out of the office, I’ll post this on the Announcements Page on Blackboard.