University of California Los Angeles One Face Neutral Professional Email Writing Task

You will demonstrate your knowledge of email writing by writing two practice emails and by editing an email that you have already sent.

You will write one face-neutral email. You may choose one of the following topics:

• Ask a question about an assignment that is due at least a week later
• Ask for an appointment to discuss a paper that you have not yet submitted
• Write to thank a professor for something nice they did for you

You will write one face-threatening email. You may choose one of the following topics:

• Ask a professor for an extension on a paper: you have not done any of the preparation for the paper and the paper is due in two days.
• Ask a professor about a grade that you think is lower than you deserve
• Ask a professor to excuse your absence from class for 3 class meetings: you are meeting your best friend in another city (you have used up all your allotted absences)

You will choose an email that you have written to a professor. Using what you have learned about requests, advice, modals, and email language, you will edit this email to make it more professional and effective.

• You will submit the text of the original email with all identifying information (names, course numbers, email addresses) removed
• You will write one paragraph to explain the problems with your email and how you will address them
• You will submit a revised copy of the original email where you make changes to increase readability, professionalism and effectiveness.