how to communicate in an email

Name

Date

Emails: An Essential Part of Professional Communication

Scenario 1/Susan’s email Revised:

Dear Professor X,

I have been enjoying your course, and appreciate your honest feedback. After spending many hours conducting the necessary research to write the most recent assignment, I was surprised to receive such a low grade. I am hoping you can clarify for me the reasons for the grade I received. Unfortunately, I am unclear as to what else I can do and have become frustrated. I do understand that you want your students to continually improve their writing and research skills, which is why I am writing you now. If you can, I would really like to meet with you in person to discuss the specific steps I can take to improve my grade, both on this particular assignment and in the course in general.

Sincerely,

Susan

Scenario 2/Don’s email Revised:

Dear Professor Y,

First I want to say that your class has been very interesting, and I have enjoyed learning the material. You present the information in a unique way, and I appreciate that. I have never been very good at writing, and was hoping you had some tips for me as to how I can improve my grades. Lately I have been working with a writing tutor but it seems like my grades are not improving. I am even worried that I might fail the class. I am hoping you have some time to offer some suggestions as to how I can improve my performance.

I was also wondering if there are any alternative assignments you can offer students like me, who are sincerely interested in the class but who might not necessarily be good at communicating our thoughts in writing. If not, I was hoping you might be able to meet with me in person so that we can talk about what I can do to excel in your class.