Learning Skills and Strategies

* This information has been written by Jen Stange- Writing Tutor

1. Have you tried to answer your own question before emailing your instructor?​

    Check the course outline for:​

• Policy on late assignments or extensions​
• Additional readings or links to help you understand topics and assignments​
• Your instructor's preferred communication method (email, Blackboard message, etc.)​
• Office hours

2.  Use a Formal, Polite and Respectful Tone

     Open with a professional greeting​

• Don't: Hey, Hey there, Happy Friday!, Hi!, Yo!, or no greeting at all​
• Do: Dear Dr. Smith, Hi Dave, Hello Jen, Good morning Dr. Kaur​

     Use proper spelling, grammar, and paragraphing​

• Don’t: r u around?​
• Do: Can I book an appointment with you?​
  • End by thanking them for their time​
  • Proofread your email before sending it​

3.  State Critical Information Early

      Reason for your email in the subject line​

• Don't: English assignment​

• Do: Extension for English 219H Analysis Essay​

  • Course name and number​

  • Your instructor likely teaches many classes!​

  • Your first AND last name​

  • Especially if you have a common name

4. Clearly State Your Purpose and Request

• Clear explanation of why you're emailing​

• Ask for what you need—be specific!​

• But please!—don't overexplain or overshare

5. Do Your Homework BEFORE Reaching Out

• Research and brainstorm your topic to figure out exactly what you need help with​

• Prepare specific questions​

• Show your instructor you've done some deep thinking already​

  • "Show your work"​

• Get help from other sources​

  • Library​

  • Writing Centre​

  • Classmates​

• Don’t expect your instructor to do the heavy lifting for you!

6. Make Requests, Not Demands

    Don’t:​

• Demand to meet at a specific time​

• Demand a specific result​

    Do:​

• Ask to meet during their office hours, if possible​

• Offer more than one day and time when you can meet​

• Ask for late submissions, extensions, or exemptions​

7. Leave Enough Time!

• Ask early and often if you're unsure about anything​

• Don't wait until you're in crisis​

  • Instructors can refer you to available supports​

• If possible, plan ahead. Don't wait until the last minute to ask for help or an extension

8. Acknowledge Their Reply

• Acknowledge their response with a "thank you"​

• Still have questions? Send a follow-up email but don't overdo it. At some point, you just have to do the thing!

9. Just Ask!

 "PLEASE ask! Don't be afraid to ask. We WANT you to ask. If you need clarification, so does someone else in your class. PLEASE don't        worry about asking. Just ask."  -English Upgrading Instructor​

​"My advice is 'do ask' (after you've checked the course outline)!"   -Social Work Instructor​

​"Don't be shy...If you want help, ask for it. It's better to ask for help beforehand than to just not ask and then not be clear on the assignment and therefore not happy with your mark​."   -English Instructor

To: instructor@rdpolytech.ca​

From: student@rdpolytech.ca ​

Subject: Extension for ENGL 219H Analysis Essay​

Hi Dr. Kaur,​

My name is Chris Jones from your ENGL 219H class. Due to family matters, I can't get the essay done by next week's due date.​

Can I have an extension of one more week? I'd like to book an appointment with you to discuss it further. I can meet tomorrow or Wednesday after 2 pm. If those times don't work, please let me know what works for you.​

​Thanks for your time,​

Chris