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Subject:Protocol recommendation for e-mail From:David Hailey <dhailey -at- ENGLISH -dot- USU -dot- EDU> Date:Thu, 7 Jan 1999 09:48:14 -0700
Hi everybody,
I would like to recommend that we as professional communicators begin a
protocol for the subject line of e-mail. Whenever we send private messages,
we should begin the subject line with the name of the addressee--(e.g.,
Subject: Dave--I need a quick answer to a question)
Because I subscribe to this and a couple of other groups I receive more than
200 messages per day. Most of you do not receive that much mail yet, but
chances are, in a few years you will. I will occasionally receive irate
e-mail from people who are upset that I have not answered a query addressed
specifically to me. Because I receive so much mail, I too often miss
important messages addressed to me but with non-descript subject lines.
I request that my students begin the subject line with my name, and whenever
I address a message to a specific person, I always begin the subject line
with his or her name. I always get responses.
As technical communicators (communications specialists) we are in a position
to take the lead in solving this problem.
Whadda' ya' think? If you have a reply, please reply off list. Otherwise,
please consider the suggestion. It makes sense to me.
