Netiquette

Netiquette: Guidelines You Should

Follow
 Overview
What is Netiquette?
Rules 1 7 and why they are
important
Where can I go to learn more?
 What is Netiquette?
Netiquette is an abbreviation for
Internet etiquette
Simply stated, Netiquette is the dos
and donts of online communication
Rule #1: Do not use ALL
CAPS
Using all uppercase
characters is
considered shouting
Use proper sentence
case (i.e. the
standard
capitalization of an
English sentence)
 Rule #2: Complete the
Subject Line

Use descriptive and specific subject

lines
Include your class and section number
Focus on one subject per message
If you veer off onto another topic, update
the subject line
Include a signature block at the end of
your message
 Rule #3: Ensure that your
messages are professional and
well-written
Ensure that your messages
are professional
Are well-written and free of
typographical and grammatical errors
convey the correct tone
 Rule #3 Guideline #1
Do not send personal
messages
Be aware of the policies related to the
computers and communication systems you
are using
You more than likely have signed a computer
and/or network usage agreement (Acceptable Use
Policy (AUP)) at your school or place of
employment
Computers and communication systems made
available to you in the academic or business
setting are for business purposes only
You should not assume you have personal
privacy rights regarding your electronic
communications in these settings
 Rule #3 Guideline #2
Be concise and clear
Stay on topic
Convey your
message
effectively and
efficiently
 Rule #3 Guideline #3
Dont use Netspeak
Trendy abbreviations or Netspeak are
cryptic and only serve to confuse the
recipient
Some conventions to show emotion (e.g.
emoticons) are considered acceptable
Examples of Examples of
Netspeak: emoticons:
TTFN ta-ta for now :-) happy face
PLZ please :) happy face no
BTW by the way nose
IMHO in my humble :-( sad face
opinion :( sad face no nose
LOL laughing out loud ;-) wink
 Rule #3 Guideline #4
Make sure your messages are
error-free
Carefully proofread
your messages to
check them for
mistakes
Use the spell check
tool
 Rule #3 Guideline #5
Dont respond when you are
angry or frustrated
Heated messages are called flames
If you are angry, stressed, or
frustrated, you should wait to
compose your message so that you
do not get into a flame war
 Rule #3 Guideline #6
Dont say it if you wouldnt say it face-
to-face
Dont say things in an
electronic
communication that
you would not say in a
face-to-face situation
When you have to
resolve a conflict or
provide feedback, face-
to-face communication
may be a better choice
 Rule #3 Guideline #7
Avoid sarcasm and humor
Be careful when using sarcasm and
humor it is often misinterpreted
 Rule #4: Avoid replying to a
message unless it is purposeful
Ask yourself if a message warrants a
response
If a response is necessary, most
times it is good enough to reply to
the person who generated the
original message
Reply-to-all only if absolutely
necessary
 Rule #5: Do not send SPAM
SPAM is considered
an abuse of electronic
messaging systems
SPAM includes chain
e-mails, urban
Ensure the messages you
legends, charity
send or post do not fall requests, e-mails
into the category of SPAM
- check their validity at
about lost children,
Web sites like advertising, etc.
http://www.snopes.com/
http://www.truthorfiction.c
om//
 Rule #6: Avoid sending large
files and attachments
Be frugal with
bandwidth
Know that some people
still use slower modems,
dial-up connections,
and/or older computers
Tell your recipients if
you have included file
attachments
 Rule #7: Know your audience
and your content
Share what you know but do check
your facts
Know when formality is necessary
and appropriate
Address your professors and fellow
students in the appropriate manner
 References
Adams, T., & Scollard, S. (2005). Internet Effectively: A
Beginner's Guide to the World Wide Web. Boston: Pearson
Education, Inc.

Netiquette. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2009, from Northern Virginia

Community College - Extended Learning Institute:
http://eli.nvcc.edu/orientation/netiquette.htm

Netiquette Home Page. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2009, from

Netiquette Home Page - A Service of Albion.com:
http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

Spam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6,

2009, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPAM

Taylor, T. (2007). 100% Information Literacy Success. Clifton

Park: Thomson Delmar Learning.