Professional Email Writing: From Clear to Confident

Foundations beginner

Decide what an email is for, who it is for, and how to put the point where the reader will see it.

1. Purpose and audience
   1. Know why you are writing 12 min · required
   2. Write for the reader in front of you 12 min · required
   3. Assessment: Purpose and audience
2. Structure and subject lines
   1. Lead with the point 14 min · required
   2. Subject lines that get opened and filed 10 min · required
   3. Assessment: Structure and subject lines

Clarity and tone intermediate

Make every sentence and request clear, and keep a tone that is direct and courteous.

1. Clear sentences and requests
   1. Cut words without cutting meaning 14 min · required
   2. Make requests and deadlines unmistakable 14 min · required
   3. Assessment: Clear sentences and requests
2. Tone and difficult messages
   1. Sound polite without sounding vague 14 min · required
   2. Deliver bad news and say no 14 min · required
   3. Assessment: Tone and difficult messages

Confident professional email intermediate

Handle follow-ups, escalations, recipients and the final check before sending.

1. Follow-ups and escalation
   1. Follow up so things move forward 12 min · required
   2. Escalate a problem without drama 14 min · required
   3. Assessment: Follow-ups and escalation
2. Recipients and review
   1. Reply, CC, BCC and threads 12 min · required
   2. The two-minute review before you send 10 min · required
   3. Assessment: Recipients and review

Final assessment

Final assessment