After reading indecipherable emails from acquaintances in my non-working life this week, I realized that not everyone understands the elements of writing a basic email.

Consider this post a refresher for folks who have been emailing since the days of shiny AOL disks---or feel free to share this post with friends and family who still view email as an online version of passing notes in class.

Write an eye-catching subject line.

The recipients of your email are as busy as you are. Chances are they will skim their in-boxes for the hottest, most urgent emails first and then make time for the secondary fires later. You want to get their attention quickly and prompt them to open your email.

If the information is vital and timely, make sure the subject line says so. A true-life example: "My neighbor is giving away his piano" is a better subject line than "Yo. Whazzup?" The former would have let me known that I could have gotten a free piano. Instead, I waited until evening to answer my relative's e-mail and completely missed out on the free piano. (If you want to boost your subject-line writing skills, check out the bite-size  Take 10: How to Write the Perfect Email Marketing Subject Line webcast.)

Keep your facts straight and clear.

Ask yourself, "Why am I writing this email? What does this person need to know? Is there a date, place and time to keep in mind?" Imagine that you've only got a minute or two to get your point across. You need to be friendly, direct and clear in your communication. Don't provide a rambling back story to the email.

Also, if you are mentioning numbers, dates, and times, be sure that you don't make the email sound like a word problem on a math test. This week, I received an email that my middle son's game was scheduled for 9 a.m. but  we could get to the field 30 minutes early for a 20-minute drill for a 20-minute game at 9:30 a.m. after the practice if we wanted to but it was mandatory yet not and the field was reserved for 50 minutes.

Choose your audience carefully.

You've clicked on all the right names from your address book. Haven't you? Make sure to look through the list one more time. Does everyone on the list need to know your question or read the email?

If you're answering an email, don't automatically hit "reply all" to mega-lists. Consider whether you really want all those people reading your reply. You might end up sharing the comment or question with entirely too many people. Plus, hitting "reply all" is like the equivalent of stepping forward from the crowd and speaking for everyone.

This week, a snarky parent answered a rambling email from a coach by hitting "reply all" ---and we all got to read a condescending, poorly written email. It was the equivalent of watching a kid throw a temper tantrum in the middle of the store where you are shopping. You want to avert your eyes, not react, but you can't avoid what's in front of you.

Of course, "reply all" works well when you're part of a team or a collaborative effort. But don't hit "reply all" automatically. Think first.

Check your spelling.

It doesn't take very long to hit spell check and see what went awry in the crafting of your email. Newbies sometimes feel that the typos and hasty scribbles make the email sound "real." It only lets your readers know that you didn't take time to write the email---so why should they take time to read it?

Use the right "from" address.

Most people have more than one email address. Take the time to log in under the appropriate name for the email. If you send 492 emails from work about non-related work issues, don't get upset if we use that address to answer your email. What do we know about your different accounts? Most people reply to the email that was sent.

Give readers closure.

You don't hang up the phone abruptly without signaling that you're ending the conversation. You don't just walk away after you've made your point (unless you're mad). Be sure to signal the end of your email. You can include a reminder for the next meeting, recap in a quick sentence what you will do, or write a run-of-the-mill-but-oh-so-purposeful "feel free to contact me  with comments or questions." It's good manners.

Feel free to add your own tips in the comments section.

Allons-y,

Veronica