It's important to practice professional communication when reaching out to your instructor over email or a Canvas message. Be sure to include a greeting, write in complete sentences, and avoid using slang or emojis.
Some of your instructors may not care one way or the other, but getting in the habit of writing professional emails is good practice when preparing for the workforce.
See below for more tips on how to write an appropriate email to your instructor. These tips can also apply when sending emails to anyone you know (or hope to know) in a professional capacity.
Do you have a question about course schedule, exam dates, or upcoming (or past due) assignments? Check your syllabus first!
Your syllabus has a lot of great information on meeting times, required materials, and class expectations, so you may be able to find the answer there without having to contact your instructor.
The modules in Canvas might also have the information you're looking for, like past assignments or due dates.
It's important to ask for help when needed, and if you have an unexpected absence or something else interfering with your coursework, it's good to let your instructor know as soon as possible to discuss next steps. However, in many cases you may find that the information you need can be found in your syllabus.
Rather than using your personal email -- which, let's be honest, might not have the most appropriate username -- using your school email address (username@students.cptc.edu) looks more professional and ensures that you are the real sender of the email. You can also use Canvas' messaging system as it's school-related and tied to your real identity.
Regardless of the email or messaging service you use, it's important to include a proper greeting, such as
Starting an email without a greeting may be considered impolite but it's also crucial not to open an email with slang or an informal greeting ("yo, sup, howdy").
Make sure you've also spelled your instructor's name correctly by double-checking against your syllabus or Canvas contact list.
After you greet your professor, get to the point of your email quickly, whether its a question about an assignment or letting your instructor know of an upcoming absence. Keep it concise so that your instructor knows the point of the email and what's expected of them.
Also, try to avoid using informal abbreviations ("FYI, BTW, ASAP") and spell out the words instead.
Thank the instructor for their time and include a sign-off ("sincerely, best wishes, best regards") followed by your name.
Take a moment to run your email content through spell-check or read through for any grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
This tutorial adapted from "How to Email a Professor: Tips and Samples."