Propel Rules

Rule

Description

Point Deduction

Too short

Your subject line is too short. Use 4 to 8 words and capitalize the first word and proper nouns. For example: Question about Algebra I assignment

5

Too long

Your subject line may be too long. Use 4 to 8 words and capitalize the first word and proper nouns. For example: Interested in Acme Corporation summer internship

5

All caps

Using all capital letters may appear aggressive. Provide a summary of the email and only capitalize the first word. For example: Update on our group project

5

First word is lowercase

When you start the subject line with a lowercase word, it can appear too casual. Capitalize the first word in the subject line.

5

Missing

You need a subject line so the recipient understands what your message is about. For example: My recent grade on the Biology exam

5

Rule

Description

Point Deduction

Greeting missing

To be polite, consider a greeting. For example:

Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good evening.

5

Rule

Description

Point Deduction

Addressing missing

Consider addressing the person with a formal title like Mr., Ms., Dr., Prof. or Coach and then the person’s last name (ex: Dr. Smith).

5

Greeting with comma

Use a comma at the end of the greeting. For example: Ms. Williams,

5

Rule

Description

Point Deduction

Too many exclamation points/question marks

The recipient may find too many exclamation or question marks unprofessional. Do not exceed one exclamation or question mark.

3

Word all capitalized

Avoid ALL CAPS as the style can seem like you’re shouting. Capitalize only proper nouns (ex: Chromebook) or the first word of a sentence.

3

Blocky paragraphs (too many sentences)

Your paragraph is lengthy, and you might lose the reader’s attention. Break the paragraph into sections with 1 or 2 sentences total.

3

Use actual date rule

To avoid confusion, use the actual date rather than words like “yesterday” and “next week.” For example, “I will see you on Monday, January 5” or “Let’s meet the week of March 6-10.”

2

Too many pronouns

To be clearer, replace the pronoun with the words it represents. For example: “I wrote that to prove a point” becomes “I wrote the grammar lesson to prove a point.”

2

Run-on sentence

You may have a run-on sentence. Place a period at a natural pause in the sentence. In addition, do not use multiple commas in place of periods. Review the sentences in this box as a good example.

0

Angry Letter

Your tone suggests you may be upset. Read the email aloud and consider where you can change your words to project a more positive voice.

0

Capitalize first letter

Capitalize the first word of every sentence (ex: I am excited to go to the student conference).

3

Contractions

Add an apostrophe to the contraction (ex: can’t, I’d, they’ve).

2

Sentence fragments

Possible incomplete sentence. Make sure the sentence has a subject and a verb. For example: I (subject) worked (verb) on the project.

0

Indentation

Do not indent the first line of a new section. Keep all text in “block” style aligned to the left side of the message area.

2

Days of the week

Capitalize any day of the week (ex: “Tuesday” or “Saturday”).

2

No closing line

Include a closing line that suggests you appreciate the person’s time. For example: “Thanks, and I hope to hear from you.”

3

Include your name

A proper email requires that you sign your name at the end of the message. Consider a dash and then your name (ex: – Jane Doe).

3

Dash next to your name

Add a dash to the left of your name to “sign” the email (ex: – Jane)

1

Capitalize your name

It’s more appropriate to capitalize your name (ex: change “jane doe” to “Jane Doe”).

3

Period at the end

Place a period at the end of the sentence to show the sentence has concluded.

3

Question mark at the end

Add a dash to the left of your name to “sign” the email (ex: – Jane)

1

Capitalize your name

It’s more appropriate to capitalize your name (ex: change “jane doe” to “Jane Doe”).

3

Slang

Over 80+ slang words and phrases are caught by our tool.

idk, sup, bro, gonna, plz, lowercase i
the letter u, the letter ur, sus, rizz, iykyk,
it’s giving, slay, yeet, finna, btw, thx, fr fr, emojis, ngl, ong, low-key, bae, on-fleek
yas, periodt, cap-no cap, bruh, idk,
gonna/gunna, lemme, ttyl, tmr/tmrw
y (as in “why”), 2mrw, b4, yo,
imma/ima/i’mma, bro, rn, wsp, hwk,
bye, mtg, I want, lmk, ty, fr, imo, imho,
quest, tmmr, pls, plz, cred, whaddup,
tryna, trynna, skibidi, wanna, sry, lowk
onna, lil spoon, profanity checker,
w or w/, gm, sup, frt, hmb, ikr, y’all or yall,
guys, pmo, smth, poppin, alr, dawg, teach, atp, nvm, dw, omw, atp, ykw

1