Netiquette is essential when using email. Email is a form of communication that is can be used informally between friends and also formally when conducting business. When emailing for business, you are what you write. You have to represent yourself professionally which includes being respectful and using proper grammar and punctuation. Pirillo adds, “One of the biggest mistakes people make is to type in all caps. It is one thing to use all caps for a title or to emphasize a certain word, but when an email is in all caps, the receiver might interpret the message as if they were being yelled at” (1999). You also need to take into consideration that you can’t take an email back once you send it. Using netiquette when you write emails really takes time and effort. You should never just send a quick business email because it can lead to misunderstandings and ineffective communication. You should always write a message, reread the message and make sure that the message is serving its purpose and conveying the intended message. There are also limits to what should, and should not be communicated using email. For example, “You should not email to broadcast confidential matters or discussions with third parties. You should also find other sources of communication when you find yourself responding more then three times on the same matter or if the context is highly complex (www.library.yale.edu). All of these rules are included in netiquette and are aimed at improving communication through digital media. As the world turns to the electronic age, it looks like electronic interaction is the new medium for communication.
Sources
1. Pirillo, Chris. (1999). Email Etiquette. April 5, 2007, from http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/dec99/pirillo1.htm
2. http://www.library.yale.edu/training/netiquette/notsend.html