Communicating Professionally with Your American Professors Lori Rottenberg INTO Mason

Your Professor May have between 30-100 students. Does not know your email address or G-number! Does not remember which assignments you turned in and which ones you didn’t! Is busy every day grading and planning. Is different than your roommate or friend.

What Would You Do If You Got This? Sadly, I don’t read Arabic or have G-numbers memorized. 

Or This? Dude!!! This is not how to speak to a professor. Plus a Level 6 Core student should know how to use a verb in a sentence, right? 

Or This? Sure, whoever you are!!!!

Or This? Who are you and what are you sending me?

Or This? Sure! Who are you??? 

Or This? “I need a recommendation” is not a polite way to ASK for 7 copies of something that takes extra time and effort from a teacher, plus the “end of the week” is not a reasonable turnaround time.

To Communicate Professionally Answer the wh- questions! Who What Where When Why How Use proper tone and etiquette! Spell-check!

A Sample Remember to ask about how to make up any work or quizzes if you have to miss a class or be late.

I like the way this student carefully identified himself and why he was sending me something via email.

How You Want Your Professors to Think of You

Not…

Great Videos https://bit.ly/2c7lZ2Q    https://bit.ly/2MVJiCn 

Example 1 From: Karen Smith To: sford@hawaii.edu Subject: From a student in your 550 class Hi Professor Ford, this is from Karen Smith, a student in your History 550 class. I am writing to you in regard to the paper due next Monday. I would like to be given an extension until Wednesday if possible. On Sunday, I had to take my younger brother to the emergency room after he was injured playing tennis. We were at the hospital all day, and I wasn’t able to finish my paper. I know your policy is not to grant extensions, but I was hoping you’d understand my circumstances. I couldn’t foresee this emergency. I’d gladly supply you with supporting documentation. I understand you might not be able to do this, but if you could, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Karen Smith

Example 2 From: Lisa Jones To: sford@hawaii.edu Subject: Dear Prof. Ford, I have a request on the homework assignment that you assigned to us which must due on Monday. One of my close relative has gotten into a car accident yesterday night and she’s in a critical condition. I was the only close relative that she has in Hawaii. Since I have to take care of her until she gets better, I have not enough of time to do the assignment. Thus, could you extend the due date of that assignment, please? I have to apologize that I have such as unreasonable request; however, she really needs my help at this time. Please give me time to finish up. Thank you very much! Sincerely, Your Student, Lisa Jones

For homework… Send me an email! I am at lrottenb@gmu.edu.