ETIQUETTE MAY SEEM LIKE an old fashioned idea, but the idea of polite behavior we expect in face-to-face exchanges has made its way to the Internet. With the pervasive use of electronic communication such as discussion groups, e-mail, and instant messaging, rules of polite behavior on the Internet have evolved.

Adhering to these guidelines will help to ensure that your messages are read, understood, and appreciated by the recipient(s).

•Keep messages concise and clear whether communicating via asynchronous (e-mail, discussion threads) or synchronous (chat, instant messaging) modes. The longer the message, the more likely the receiver will not read the entire message.

•Tailor the message to the receiver(s). Compose a message in the manner in which you would talk to that individual or group. The recipient doesn't necessarily know the spirit in which the message is intended. Sarcasm or humor could be misconstrued.

•Don't send a message that you wouldn't say to that individual in person. And remember...e-mail is never private.
To: Joe B.
From: Fred J.
HI JOE,
DID YOU GET MY LAST E-MAIL? I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU.
FRED
Typing your message in all capitals suggests shouting or anger.

•Be considerate of the reader. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation before sending your message. No profanity please.

•Be careful about typing in capital letters. This may suggest shouting or anger.

•When replying to e-mail, include the original or excerpts of the original e-mail. This way, the recipient is reminded of the original message.

•Sign your messages. E-mail addresses and online nicknames do not necessarily coincide with a person's actual name.

•Use a meaningful e-mail address in professional communication, avoiding addresses like jokermen@hotmail.com or ladybug@msn.com.

"Emoticons" are visuals created with certain key strokes to create a facial expression or other object. While emoticons should not be used in place of clear, concise writing, they can be used to add emotion and expression to electronic communication.

Punctuation can be used as emoticons to add expression to written communication in general, and this applies to electronic communication as well. Multiple question marks may indicated confusion or surprise. Multiple exclamation marks can express excitement or also surprise. A series of periods between sentences can indicate a pause or moment of thought, sometimes expressed as hmmmm......
Surprise :-o
Wink ;-o
Sad :-(
Happy :-)
Roses -->@-->@-->@
Questioning ?????
Shock/Excitement !!!!!!
Emoticons indicate feelings that are absent in computer discourse.
Keep your reader(s) in mind and experiment with emoticons only in the appropriate context. Emoticons are often regarded as unprofessional.

An increasing amount of electronic collaboration and communication is taking place in the educational setting. Instructors conduct help sessions via discussion thread or chat. Classmates collaborate using e-mail or discussion groups. Class sessions are conducted online. Because of these developments, lively but appropriate electronic communication is essential. Getting one's point across is also a must. As with written and face-to-face communication, there are implicit rules in electronic communication.

For information on clear and concise writing, see the EET article on Writing Clearly.

Christina Sierra