Checklist for a clear business email

Before you write

• The email has one purpose, and you can say it in one sentence.
• You know the name of the person you are writing to, or you have tried to find it.

The email

• The subject line says what the email is about, in a few words.
• The greeting uses the person's name.
• The first two lines say what you want or why you are writing.
• Each paragraph covers one point, with an empty line between paragraphs.
• Dates, times and amounts are written out in full, such as "Tuesday 4 March, 10:00".
• The request at the end is clear: what the reader should do, and by when.

Before you press send

• It is short enough to read on a phone without much scrolling.
• The tone is friendly and neutral when you read it as the recipient.
• Attachments are named clearly and actually attached.
• The signature has your full name and how to reach you.