Email is a major realm of technical communication that almost every company takes for granted. Even at AKA, we are often inundated with email to a point where responses become more of a reflex than a message that is well thought out. But there are a few ways that technical writing skills can help us create better messages, emails that communicate more effectively and result in less back and forth due to miscommunication.

Consistent Subject Lines

Always include a subject line in any email, but take it a step further and create a consistent one. This makes searching for previously sent emails easier and faster.

•  Avoid vague subjects
• Include some quick details on a consistent basis (allows you to search all emails)

Put It All Up Front

The opening line of any email should tell someone if they need to read on. Using a single line to describe what the email is all about allows people to better focus their time.

Use the Key Elements of Technical Writing

All the best qualities of technical writing apply to email. Short active voice sentencing gets to the point quicker and more clearly, leaving less room for miscommunication. Using bulleted points makes an email quicker to read. An email can have headers. Don’t be afraid to use a structured approach to your email writing. This allows people to focus on what concerns them.