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CMA Foundation · Fundamentals of Business Laws and Business Communication · Writing and Drafting for Business Audiences

Which of the following is the best practice for the subject line of a business email?

The best practice is to write a brief, specific subject line that tells the reader what the email is about. This helps the recipient judge its purpose and priority and trace it later. Blank, vague or all-capital subject lines fail to inform and look unprofessional.

  1. ALeave it blank so the reader opens the email out of curiosity
  2. BWrite a brief, specific phrase that tells the reader what the email is aboutCorrect
  3. CWrite the entire message in the subject line in capital letters
  4. DUse a general word such as 'Hello' for every email

Explanation

A subject line helps the reader understand the purpose and priority of the email and later find it again. A brief and specific phrase does this. A blank or vague subject line gives no information, and capital letters appear as shouting.

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