Email Etiquette Quiz

1.

Why shouldn't I type my e-mails in all caps?

A.

All caps insinuates you are adding very strong emphasis or yelling.
B.

It makes you look lazy and/or uneducated.
C.

It is a strain on your eyes and makes reading your e-mail more difficult.
D.

All of the above.

Correct Answer
D. All of the above.

Explanation
To not use the shift key is plain old lazy! When you type in caps for emphasis (or to yell) you risk the other side adding more emphasis than you desire which is risky at best. Studies reflect that typing in all caps does in fact make your email more difficult to read too. Instead choose the words you use carefully to relate your intent or tone.

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2.

What is the most important thing I should do with every e-mail?

A.

Make sure the Subject: field is short, concise and accurate.
B.

Have a nice greeting: Hi, Hello, etc.
C.

Have a proper sign off: TIA, Sincerely, etc.
D.

Spell check, use full sentence structure and use proper grammar..
E.

All of the above.

Correct Answer
E. All of the above.

Explanation
By keeping these issues in mind, you ensure that your email communications are received positively by your contacts, associates, family and friends.

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3.

How quickly should I reply to e-mail?

A.

As soon as I can; no longer than 24-48 hours.
B.

When I get around to it.
C.

I don't have to reply.
D.

Doesn't matter.

Correct Answer
A. As soon as I can; no longer than 24-48 hours.

Explanation
If you don't reply, the other side will begin to think you are ignoring them. For business, replying as soon as you can impresses those who may be deciding whether to do business with you or your perceived competitors.

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4.

Which of the following is considered to be poor e-mail etiquette?

A.

A. Keeping the message personal
B.

B. Responding to messages as soon as possible
C.

C. Using lots of capital letters to emphasize certain words

Correct Answer
C. C. Using lots of capital letters to emphasize certain words

5.

Why should I use the BCC field?

A.

So I can send copies of business e-mail to my coworkers without my boss knowing.
B.

To keep my e-mail looking clean.
C.

To respect my contact's privacy.
D.

So I can send copies to anyone I want.

Correct Answer
C. To respect my contact's privacy.

Explanation
Unless everyone you are emailing knows each other, you need to use the BCc field to protect the privacy of your contacts and not expose their addresses to strangers!

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6.

Before sending a very large attachment, I should:

A.

Compress the file (zip it up).
B.

Send it first thing in the morning and call to make sure it was received.
C.

Send it only during week days.
D.

Compress the file, then ask first when would be the best time to e-mail it.

Correct Answer
A. Compress the file (zip it up).

Explanation
You really have no visibility to the other side's resources or inbox activity to assume they can handle any large attachment you want to arbitrarily send. Always ask first and then follow through sending your compressed file. Especially for business, refrain from sending large attachments outside of business hours because that is convenient for you. You won't leave a very good impression if you fill up your associate's inbox and cause all subsequent email to bounce!

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7.

I should fill in the ____________.

Correct Answer
subject box