Email for beginners

In short: An email is a digital letter. You need an address like name@provider.com, write recipient, subject and text and click “Send”.

In more detail: Your mailbox consists of folders: Inbox (received), Sent, Drafts, Spam and Trash. You use it in the browser (webmail) or in a program such as Outlook.

In Depth

• New message: To: recipient address, Subject: short topic, below it your text.
• Cc / Bcc: Cc = copy, everyone sees the address. Bcc = blind copy, the address stays hidden (important for mass mails).
• Reply / Reply all: “Reply all” only if everyone really needs the answer.
• Signature: Automatic text under every mail (name, contact).
• Spam: Unwanted advertising lands in the spam folder. Never click links in spam.
• Politeness: Greeting, clear sentences, sign-off. Choose a subject that matches the content.
• Address: Free provider or ISP. Use a serious address (name instead of nickname) for job applications.

See also: Sending and opening email attachments, Recognising phishing and scams