If you have a question about course content regarding concepts, assignment due dates, or late policies, your classmates are probably confused, too. Instead of emailing, ask those questions in the course discussion board so everyone can benefit from the response.

If your question is personal or private in nature, regarding a grade, feedback on an assignment, serious health issues, etc., it is more appropriate to email your instructor. Their job is to help guide you through the course, so if you need help, ask.

Use full sentences, proper punctuation, and a professional tone. An email should read more like a letter than a text message. Follow the steps below, then review the examples.

1. Use your official SNHU email account
    
2. Find your instructor’s email address, either in their first “Welcome” announcement or in your course under “Tools” and “Classlist” in Brightspace
    
3. Compose your email:
    
   1. Subject: Use specific keywords, such as your course code, and the main purpose of your email. Also include your name so your instructor knows who is writing.
   2. Salutation: Match the formality to the recipient. Address professional contacts by their formal title and last name, unless they have invited you to do otherwise. Try "Greetings Dr. Rivera", "Dear Instructor Williams", or "Hello Dr. Patterson".
   3. Body: You should always start the body of an email by introducing yourself if it's your first time connecting with this person. Next, clearly explain what you need in a few sentences, including the necessary details and context.
   4. Closing/Request: Politely restate your request and/or identify the next anticipated step.
   5. Sign-off: End with a professional closing phrase such as "Thank you" or "Best Regards."
   6. Signature: Include your first and last name.

Subject: "Sample Student name" Question about assignment for ENG 130 2-2 grade 

Salutation: Dear Instructor,

Body: Hello, my name is [student name]. I am a student in your ENG-130-10347 course. I'm writing you to ask if you could help me understand the grade I received for the introduction section of the rubric in the module 2 assignment. I reviewed your feedback on the grading rubric and read through the paper again, but I still can’t figure out what I didn't do. I want to learn so I can apply this feedback to the final paper in module 7.

Closing/Request: Thank you in advance for the clarification.

Sign-off: Regards,

Signature: Sample Student

Dear Dr.Nair, 

Hello, my name is Lee. I am a student in your ENG-130-10347 course. I'm writing you to ask if you could help me understand the grade I received for the introduction section of the rubric in the module 2 assignment. I reviewed your feedback on the grading rubric and read through the paper again, but I still can’t figure out what I didn't do. I want to learn so I can apply this feedback to the final paper in module 7.

Thank you in advance for the clarification.

Regards,

Lee Park

Subject: "Sample Student name" BUS 225 Final Project Discussion Request

Salutation: Dear Instructor,

Body: Hello, my name is [student name], and I am a student in your BUS-225-10328 class. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the final project before I finalize my presentation. I have reviewed the rubric, general questions discussion, and your announcements, but I have a few more questions before I move forward. A quick meeting would help me confirm my understanding and answer the few questions I still have.

Closing/Request: Please let me know if you have office hours before Thursday, or if not, what time would work for you this week.Thank you for your time.

Signature:  Thank you,

Sign-off:  Sample Student

Dear Dr. Brooks, 

Hello, my name is Devi Weeks, and I am a student in your BUS-225-10328 class. I am writing to request a meeting to discuss the final project before I finalize my presentation. I have reviewed the rubric, general questions discussion, and your announcements, but I have a few more questions before I move forward. A quick meeting would help me confirm my understanding and answer the few questions I still have.

Please let me know if you have office hours before Thursday, or if not, what time would work for you this week. Thank you for your time.

Thank you,

Devi Weeks

Avoid: Writing a vague subject like "HELP ME" or "idk what to do now"
Do this instead: Write a clear and specific subject, including your course code

Avoid: Writing quickly and sending without proofreading
Do this instead: Use a spelling and grammar checker, and read your email out loud before sending

Avoid: Using overly formal and rigid language, such as "I formally request", or "I am inquiring regarding"
Do this instead: Maintain a friendly yet professional tone, such as "I am writing to ask" or "Can you please clarify?"

Avoid: Using text-speak, slang, emojis, or abbreviations
Do this instead: Write in full sentences with proper punctuation

Avoid: Jumping right into details and requests 
Do this instead: Start by introducing yourself, so the recipient knows who you are from the start of the email

Avoid: Inserting a file without checking it
Do this instead: Confirm that you have attached the file and that it is correct