Playing for Real E-Mail Tips

Chapter 2

Playing for Real Case Study Follow-Ups

E-mail Tips

I’m so glad that I opened a separate e-mail account for my school messages, because my study group this semester has been relying on e-mail to communicate about our work. At our first class, our instructor asked us to complete a short group assignment and e-mail him our work. One student in our group, Kara, offered to send the e-mail. But when we got to the second class, our instructor never received the e-mail. He asked us to stay after class to find out why we hadn’t completed the work.

Kara said she sent the message on Sunday evening. She said she sent it from her sister’s account because she was having trouble with her own school e-mail account. Her sister’s e-mail address is “[email protected].” The instructor said maybe that was why he never received the e-mail.

Kara had a copy of the work with her and gave it to the instructor. But I hate that we made a bad impression on our very first group assignment.

1. What might have happened to the e-mail Kara sent from her sister’s account? Why is it important to use your own e-mail account when sending school-related messages?

2. What kind of impression does Kara’s sister’s e-mail address give the instructor and others? What should you keep in mind when creating an e-mail address?

3. If one person is responsible for submitting material to the instructor, what are some steps you might take to be sure the message is sent on time and arrives with no problem? Campus Resources

Hi—it’s me, Andre, again. I really was glad that I didn’t skip the first class. In addition to receiving my syllabus and learning about the instructor’s expectations, I learned a lot about some really cool campus resources. The only bad thing was that I didn’t talk to many of my classmates or even the instructor after class. I know it’s important to get to know the instructor and my peers for group work. But I hate making small talk and introducing myself to people sometimes. And there were so many people waiting to talk to the instructor.

But then the weirdest thing happened this week at work. I was working the lunch shift and recognized a customer who sat at one of my tables. I realized as I approached the table that it was my instructor from class. He was there by himself for lunch just reading the newspaper. I decided that it was my second chance, and, before I took his order, I introduced myself and said I was in his class. He was so nice and reminded me to stop by during office hours if I had any questions. And then he asked my recommendation for the best sandwich on the menu! I realized it was silly to have been nervous about introducing myself all along.

1. Have you ever felt uncomfortable introducing yourself to strangers in a new situation?

What did you do to make this experience easier?

2. Would it have been appropriate for Andre to ask his instructor questions about the syllabus during lunch? Why or why not?