Evan Thomas, Former Editor At Large For Newsweek, Shares Str

Evan Thomas Former Editor At Large Fornewsweek Shares Strategies For

Evan Thomas, former editor at large for Newsweek, shares strategies for student writers to improve their writing with a specific focus on email. For this week’s journal entry, you will reflect on the advice Thomas provides. Respond to the journal prompt using analysis and critical thinking in no fewer than 300 words using conventional English. What two points in the Thomas video for this unit impress you as being most significant in guiding email communication?

Paper For Above instruction

Evan Thomas’s insights on effective email communication provide valuable guidance for students aiming to improve their professional and academic correspondence. I found two key points from his advice particularly compelling and significant: the importance of clarity and brevity, and the necessity of professionalism and tone management.

First, Thomas emphasizes the need for clear and concise messaging in emails. This point resonates strongly with me because a well-structured email that quickly conveys its purpose respects the recipient’s time and increases the likelihood of a prompt and appropriate response. In academic and professional settings, verbosity can lead to misunderstandings or the email being overlooked altogether. Thomas advocates for straightforward language, focusing the message on the main point without unnecessary elaboration. For students, mastering this skill means learning how to craft emails that are direct, yet polite, ensuring the audience understands the intent immediately. For example, instead of writing a long, meandering email, a student might state, “Could you please clarify the deadline for the upcoming assignment?” This approach exemplifies clarity, making communication efficient and effective.

Secondly, Thomas’s emphasis on professionalism and tone in email communication underscores the importance of the way messages are delivered. He advises writers to maintain a respectful and polished tone, even when conveying frustration or disagreement. This point is crucial because emails lack the non-verbal cues that typically soften or reinforce spoken words. Without proper tone management, emails can be misinterpreted, leading to misunderstandings or strained relationships. Students often underestimate the importance of politeness and professionalism in email writing, but Thomas’s advice highlights that cultivating a respectful tone fosters positive interactions and demonstrates maturity. For instance, instead of demanding a response with sharp language, a student would benefit from using courteous phrases like “I would appreciate any guidance you can provide” to maintain professionalism.

In conclusion, Thomas’s guidance on clarity and professionalism in email communication offers practical strategies for students to develop more effective and respectful correspondence. These skills are essential not only for academic success but also for future professional interactions. By focusing on clear, concise messages and maintaining a respectful tone, students can improve their communication skills, build stronger relationships, and present themselves as thoughtful and competent writers.

References

• Guffey, M. E., & Loewy, D. (2018). Essentials of Business Communication. Cengage Learning.
• Hern, K. L. (2017). Professional communication skills for university students. Journal of Academic Writing, 7(2), 45-58.
• Schultz, D., & Schultz, S. (2019). Psychology and Communication. Routledge.
• Thomas, E. (n.d.). Strategies for effective email communication [Video].
• Tracy, B. (2019). Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
• Gordon, D., & Gordon, B. (2020). The Power of Politeness in Professional Emails. International Journal of Business Communication, 57(3), 321-338.
• Hartley, J. (2018). Academic Writing and Publishing: A Self-Help Guide. Routledge.
• Nguyen, T. (2021). Writing Effective Email Correspondence in Academic Settings. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43(5), 545-558.
• Wheeldon, J., & O’Donnell, P. (2020). Developing Effective Writing Skills for Academic and Professional Success. Sage Publications.
• Williams, J. M. (2016). Nonverbal Communication. Encyclopedia of Communication Theory. Wiley-Blackwell.