Writing a Good Subject Line

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Good Subject lines are important to good email communications. This is particularly true on mailing lists.

Why does it matter? First, mailing list archive serves as a form of self-generating documentation. The better your subject line, the more likely someone will learn from your post (or a reply.)

Second, not everyone wants to read every message. That's why it is called a Subject, it lets readers know the subject without opening the message.

Let's say we are members of a support list about a program called Under Ware. Some examples of subjects that people are likely to use that aren't helpful:

Under Ware
Problem (or variations, like I have a problem or Under Ware Problem)
Error
(No Subject)

The topic of the list is Under Ware problems. Every message to the list has to do with an Under Ware problem. You haven't told us anything with the above.

Some good examples:

Warnings with today's CVS
Under Ware doesn't work with Linux kernel 12.8.37
Under Ware throws an exception with my data set.

If you make an effort to write better subject for a week or two it will become natural. You will find that it improves both your mailing list and private email communications. Try it!

PS: Hi Wired Al! Thanks for the link. It really was me that posted to your blog ;-)

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