reread your post to make sure what you're saying is clear.
keep your posts short and concise.
keep your posts on topic.
spell-check.
Don't
make fun of someone else's thoughts or opinions -- respecting your classmates helps ensure everyone can maximize the benefits of a discussion board.
immediately respond to a post in anger -- responding to a post in anger may lead to classmate resentment. Also, other classmates may not be as inclined to participate in fear of how others may respond. Keep the discussion board friendly and on topic.
Before sending a message, consider whether you would say what you have written to the person's face. The detached nature of email will sometimes embolden people to say things they would never say in person.
It is much easier to delay sending an email than it is to try to repair the damage from a hurtful message.
Pay careful attention to where your reply is going; if a personal message ends up on a mailing list or listserv, it may be embarrassing for you and annoying for the other list members.
Do not use your email address to enter online contests or other drawing like events.