Here are some things to consider when composing e-mail.

What is proper etiquette?
E-mail etiquette is a subject that most people are largely unaware exists. When sending messages, most anything can go, but remember, without the vocal tones and inflection that most of us are used to, words can often miscommunicate meaning. Here are a few tips:

• Don't ever type in all CAPS unless you're emphasizing a specific word or sentence. Most people construe CAPS as yelling.
• Properly case your words, and punctuate paragraphs and sentences. This lets your recipients know that you're taking time to effectively communicate with them and that they're important enough to you that you'll take the time to use proper grammar and diction. However abbreviations are acceptable.
• When sending messages to multiple recipients, don't disclose any personal information about any of the recipients as every recipient gets the exact same message.
• Messages should be concise and to the point. Think of it as a telephone conversation, except you are typing instead of speaking. Nobody has ever won a Pulitzer Prize for a telephone conversation nor will they win one for an e-mail message. Its also important to remember that some people receive hundreds of e-mail messages a day (yes, there are such people), so the last thing they want to see is a message from someone who thinks he/she is the next Dickens.

Abbreviation
Abbreviation usage is quite rampant with e-mail. In the quest to save keystrokes, users have traded clarity for confusion (unless you understand the abbreviations). Some of the more common abbreviations are listed in the table below. I would recommend that you use abbreviations that are already common to the English language, such as FYI and BTW. Beyond that, you run the risk of confusing your recipient.

• BCNU - be seeing you
• BTW - by the way
• FWIW - for what it's worth
• FYI - for your information
• IMHO - in my humble opinion
• OBO - or best offer
• ROTFL - rolling on the floor laughing
• RTFM - read the funny manual
• TNSTAAFL - there's no such thing as a free lunch
• TTFN - ta ta for now
• TTYL - talk to you later

E-Mail E-Motions (E-Moticons)
E-Motions are a way to express emotion when using text. The following is a list if E-motions and their meanings:

• :-) grin
• :-I indifference
• :-( disappointment
• (-: user is left-handed
• B-) user wearing sunglasses
• ;-) a wink
• :-@ user is screaming
• :-& tongue-tied
• :-D laughter
• :-O shocked, or user is yelling
• :-/ skepticism
• :( real downer