Clear email subject lines

The idea

Name the purpose and the topic; add a useful detail such as a date or reference when needed. Keep it concise.

Examples

• The subject line is “Request for a library tour”.
• The subject line is “Change to Friday’s meeting time”.
• The subject line is “Question about the summer course”.
• The subject line is “Application for the assistant position”.
• The subject line is “Problem with the garden booking”.
• The subject line is “Thank you for the museum visit”.

Watch out

A vague subject gives the recipient no clue about the message. Avoid using only Hello.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the clearer subject for this situation: The interview date needs to change. Change of interview date / Hello

   Show answer or example answer

   Change of interview date

   Change of interview date: identifies the requested date change.

2. Choose the clearer subject for this situation: You have a question about a train ticket. Question about my train ticket / News

   Show answer or example answer

   Question about my train ticket

   Question about my train ticket: signals a question about the ticket.

3. Choose the clearer subject for this situation: You are applying for a chef position. Application for the chef position / Important

   Show answer or example answer

   Application for the chef position

   Application for the chef position: identifies the job application.

Use it today

Write a subject line for a request to change a lesson time.