Dad's Quick Take
Use a clear subject line, a quick greeting, get to your point in the first sentence, keep it short, and close politely with your name. Proofread before you hit send. Clear and brief beats long and formal every time.
The anatomy of a good email
- Subject — specific and useful: 'Question about Friday's shift,' not 'Hi.'
- Greeting — 'Hi [Name],' is friendly and fine in most workplaces.
- First line — say why you're writing right away.
- Body — a few short sentences; one topic per email.
- Close — 'Thanks,' or 'Best,' then your name.
A template you can steal
Subject: Question about the marketing internship
Hi Ms. Lee,
Thanks for the interview on Tuesday — I really enjoyed learning about the team. I wanted to check on the timeline for next steps. Please let me know if you need anything else from me.
Best,
Jordan Rivera
Quick rules
- Use a professional email address (your name, not a nickname).
- Don't write in all caps or use too many exclamation points.
- Reply within a day, even if just to say you'll follow up.
- Use 'Reply All' only when everyone truly needs it.
- Read it once out loud before sending.
Common questions
How formal should I be?
Match the person. A first email to a stranger is a touch more formal; ongoing threads can relax. Warm and clear is always right.
Should I use emojis?
In casual workplaces, sparingly, once you know the vibe. When in doubt with someone senior or new, skip them.