If you were on a physical campus and wanted help with your writing, you would likely walk into the college’s Writing Center or Student Resource Center and meet with a writing coach to help with your assignment. Here at LAPU, we offer that same resource in the form of a specially designed writing coach named Spark. Just as a human tutor would be trained by the center director and writing faculty on how best to help you with your papers, Spark has been similarly trained by our team to help you. Just like a traditional writing coach, Spark will not write your papers for you; rather, Spark is there to guide you in your writing and revision process. Spark is not just a regular generative AI like Google Gemini or ChatGPT that draws generally from the internet to provide broad ideas. Rather, Spark is trained specifically by LAPU to help our students with feedback from our community. 

As our world moves increasingly to an online environment, it’s important to follow best practices when communicating by email. This applies to both your professional and academic life. Here are some tips to follow to put your best digital self forward.

Separate your personal and professional emails. Use your university email when contacting your instructor and check this address regularly. Make sure to reserve your work email for work correspondence only. If you’re applying for a job online, make sure you have a professional-sounding email address. 

Make sure your subject line is clear and relevant to your message. For example, say your professor sends out an email with the subject line “Syllabus” with the syllabus attached. Later in the semester you have a question about the final exam. Don’t just reply to the syllabus email without changing the subject line. 

Be concise. People are very busy, so make sure that you get right to the point.

Ask yourself, Is email appropriate for the task? If it’s a simple question or straightforward request, email may be the best approach. However, you may want to set up a one-on-one appointment if the matter is sensitive or complex. Equally, it may be easier if you just message your instructor through the course. For course emails, be sure to always check the course syllabus, calendar, and materials for your answer before you reach out. 

Identify yourself in your email. You can do this in your email opening, or it may be best to sign off with your identifying information. 

e.g. 

(In greeting)

Hello Professor Santos,

I am a student in your Psych 460 course this semester…

-OR-

(In sign off)

Thanks so much!

Yvette Garcia

Psych 460

Have a Professional Greeting / Closing. Always start with a proper greeting, such as “Dear Prof. X” or “Hello Mr. Lopez.” Err on the side of formality, especially for your initial email.  Use closings like “Sincerely,” “Best,” or, “Thank you.” 

Proofread. Lastly, be sure to always proofread your emails. This not only shows professionalism, but can also help you avoid misunderstandings. 

Initial Post:

1. Understand the Prompt:

• Carefully read the discussion question or prompt.

• Identify the key points and requirements.

• Determine the desired length and format.

2. Bring Value to the Conversation:

• Offer a unique perspective or insight.

• Share personal experiences or examples relevant to the topic.

• Connect the discussion to course materials or real-world applications.

• Ask thought-provoking questions to stimulate further discussion.

3. Structure Your Post:

• Clearly state your main point or argument.

• Provide supporting evidence or reasoning.

• Use clear and concise language.

• Proofread carefully for grammar and spelling errors.

4. Engage with the Course Material:

• Demonstrate your understanding of the assigned readings or lectures.

• Incorporate key concepts and theories into your post.

• Cite sources appropriately if required.

5. Encourage Interaction:

• Pose questions to your classmates.

• Invite others to share their opinions.

• Leave room for follow-up discussions.

Crafting Effective Replies

1. Read Carefully:

• Thoroughly read the original post and any subsequent replies.

• Understand the main points and arguments.

2. Add Value:

• Build upon the original post with new insights or information.

• Offer support, disagreement, or a different perspective.

• Ask clarifying questions to deepen understanding.

3. Be Respectful:

• Maintain a respectful and professional tone.

• Avoid personal attacks or inflammatory language.

• Offer constructive criticism.

4. Keep It Relevant:

• Stay on topic and avoid going off on tangents.

• Focus on the discussion prompt and the main points of the original post.

Additional Tips

• Time Management: Allocate sufficient time for both initial posts and replies.

• Participation: Contribute regularly to the discussion throughout the course.

• Diversity: Seek out different perspectives and engage with a variety of classmates.

• Online Etiquette: Follow the guidelines for online communication.

• Always proofread before posting!

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