Email Etiquette Vocabulary Study Guide

Attachment

A digital file (such as a PDF, document, or image) attached to an email message and sent along with it.

Audience

The specific person or group of people who will read your message.

BCC (Blind Carbon Copy)

An email header field used to send a copy of a message to recipients while hiding their email addresses from everyone else to protect privacy and prevent mass replies.

Body Text

The main section of an email that clearly explains your situation, provides context, and asks your question.

CC (Carbon Copy)

An email header field that is used to send a copy of a message to someone so they stay informed ("in the loop"), even if they do not need to reply directly.

Cyberbullying

Using digital devices to repeatedly harass, threaten, or humiliate another person online.

Domain Name

The portion of an email address located after the @ symbol that identifies the host organization or network (e.g., @oceanschool.org vs. @gmail.com).

Draft

An unfinished email that is automatically saved while you write, allowing you to edit and review it before sending.

Hyperlink

A clickable piece of text or image in a digital document or email that takes the reader directly to a specific webpage.

Netiquette

Short for "Internet etiquette"; the rules and norms for polite, respectful, and appropriate behavior in digital spaces.

Phishing

A scam where attackers send fake emails that are designed to look like it came from a trusted person or company to trick you into sharing passwords, personal info, or clicking malicious links.

Reply All

An email button that sends your response to the original sender and every single person listed in the To: and CC: fields simultaneously.

Recipient

The person who receives and reads the email message in the To: field.

Salutation

The formal greeting at the very beginning of an email addressing the recipient (e.g., Dear Mr. Davis,).

Self-advocacy

The skill of speaking up for yourself, asking for assistance, and expressing your academic needs clearly and respectfully.

Signature Block

The section at the bottom of an email identifying the sender's full name, grade level, subject, and class period.

Sign-off

A polite closing phrase written before your name at the end of an email (e.g., Sincerely, or Best regards,).

Spam

Unwanted, unrequested bulk emails sent out automatically to large lists of recipients, often containing advertisements or scam offers.

Subject Line

The short, 3-to-6-word summary title at the top of an email that tells the recipient what the message is about before they open it.

Tone

The attitude, mood, or feeling conveyed through your choice of words, punctuation, and formatting in a written message.