We discuss this in class every term.
Here is one author’s list:
1. To communicate bad news, complaints or criticism
2. When you are seeking information that is not simple and straight-forward
3. When you are seeking approval on something that is involved or controversial
4. When you’re sending a few people complicated instructions
5. When you are asking for comments on a long document (probably attached to your proposed e-mail)
6. To request information from a group on a recurring basis
7. To convey instructions to a large number of people
8. To achieve consensus
9. To explore a subject or idea
10. To send news, interesting documents, links, policies, directory updates and other ‘FYI’ stuff
UPDATE 7-20-07: And here’s another’s:
- When you are right
- When you are wrong
- When you are mad
- When you don’t know what you want
- When you are stalling
- When you are drunk
- When you are gossiping
- When you see the “Re’s” pile up
- When you have nothing to add
- When the exchange is over
- At 3 am
- When you are bored
- When you should be concentrating on someone or something else