- Use a person's name when you respond to his or her postings.
- Compliment your peers when they post strong response or contribute original ideas.
- Ask questions if anything is unclear or you want further information.
- Be considerate, keep your language direct and respectful.
- Avoid slang and jargon.
- No sarcasm. Sarcasm is negative and can lead to tensions and hurt feelings.
- Reread your message before sending them to ensure that your ideas are clearly communicated and supported.
- Make connections: text to text, text to self, text to the world. Back up your ideas with information (details, evidence, and examples) to strengthen your statements.
- Do not use all caps when writing; it is interpreted as yelling.
- Avoid emotional punctuation, like exclamation points, unless you are complimenting an idea shared.