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Importance and pecularities of online communication.

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Importance and pecularities of online communication.

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Online communication is the exchange of information through the internet using tools like emails, messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram), social media (e.g., Instagram, Facebook), forums, or video calls (e.g., Zoom, Teams).

It is important to learn how to use our language depending on the context and setting because:

✅ Different situations require different tones. For example, how you speak to a friend is not the same as how you write to a teacher or boss.

✅ Using the right level of formality shows respect and understanding of social rules.

✅ It helps you communicate clearly and effectively, so others understand your message the way you mean it.

✅ It builds your reputation and confidence in both personal and professional settings.

✅ It avoids misunderstandings and shows you are aware of culture, roles, and relationships.

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When to use formal and informal language?

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When to use formal and informal language?

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Formal VS Informal English Vocabulary (Part 2)

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Formal VS Informal English Vocabulary (Part 3)

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🖥️ Using Language Appropriately in Online Communication

In today’s world, we use the internet to talk to people all the time — through emails, messages, chats, or social media. This is called online communication. It is fast and convenient, but it also requires careful use of language.

The way we speak or write online depends on the context (the situation), the audience (who we’re talking to), and the purpose (why we’re sending the message). For example, you wouldn’t speak the same way to your best friend and to your boss. That’s why it’s important to understand register and formality.

🔑 What is Register?

Register means the level of formality in your language. There are three common levels:

Formal – used in professional or academic settings.
Example: “Dear Professor, I hope you are well. Could you please review my assignment?”

Neutral – polite, but less formal.
Example: “Hi, can you help me with this task?”

Informal – casual and friendly, used with people you know well.
Example: “Hey! What’s up? Got a sec?”

Choosing the right register shows respect and helps others understand you better.

🧠 Why Is It Important?

1. To show respect – Using the correct tone and words for the situation helps you sound polite and professional.

2. To avoid misunderstandings – Informal messages can sound rude if sent to the wrong person.

3. To express your identity – Language online also shows who you are: your culture, your emotions, and your background.

4. To succeed in school and work – Knowing how to write formal emails or polite messages is an important life skill.

💡 Tips for Online Communication

Always check who you are writing to.

Think about what platform you are using (Instagram, email, WhatsApp, etc.).

Use proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar in formal writing.

Avoid slang and emojis in formal messages.

Be polite — add greetings and closings when needed.

🗣️ Final Thought

Online communication is not just about typing fast — it’s about choosing the right words for the right moment. When you know how to change your language depending on the situation, you become a smarter, more confident communicator.

Let me know if you'd like a simplified version for A2-level students or want comprehension questions added.

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Tips and advice for students for successful studying both online and face to face

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LibGuides: Digital Study Skills: Communicating online: Netiquette

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Tips and advice for students for successful studying both online and face to face

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Netiquette Guidelines for Online Communication

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Netiquette Guidelines for Online Communication

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Etiquette - what exactly is it? Etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that guide people in certain social situations. These guidelines for "good etiquette" can differ depending on cultural expectations, as well as where the exchange takes place, and with whom. You may be following "good etiquette" and not even realize it. Common rules include saying please and thank you, not talking with your mouth full, not inquiring about personal matters (unless you know the person) and keeping eye contact when conversing.

These specific rules apply to in-person social situations, but what about non-face-to-face interactions, like in online spaces? This is where netiquette guidelines come in.

According to DataReportal 's Digital 2020 report, the average internet user spends 6 hours and 43 minutes online a day, equating to 100 days per year. Whether we are shopping online, writing a report, or commenting on a Facebook post, there is no denying that we spend a massive amount of our time communicating online. Especially now, as we face the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has become necessary for us to adapt to online communication.

As this progression to online communication takes place, the widely accepted etiquette for in-person interaction cannot be applied to online spaces. So, is there etiquette for online communication? Yes, but it is ever evolving. It's referred to as "netiquette."

What is netiquette?Netiquette is etiquette for online socialization. Practicing good netiquette is important for everyone, especially working professionals, because any interaction you have online is there forever. The importance of netiquette cannot be overemphasized because your online identity has the potential to benefit or damage your professional career, employer, and personal life.

Lee E. Krahenbuhl, Communication Studies Program Coordinator, reiterates this by stating:
When you first go on social media, you quickly learn things that you never knew and never would have known about people. This is because when people are face-to-face, there are things that they don't share. There is this phenomenon and communication we call disinhibition. When we go online, we are dis-inhibited. We lose all our inhibitions about sharing extremely private information. We share everything we are comfortable with, and we are comfortable with everything, and sometimes it is incredibly inappropriate. This can lead people to lose their jobs and relationships.
With that said, here are some netiquette guidelines you should consider when communicating online.

This netiquette guideline is one of the most important to follow because it can prevent unintended repercussions, such as misunderstandings, arguments, and negative views from outsiders. Let's say, you skim over an email and felt the sender's tone was hostile, you then you quickly respond with an equally hostile email. Imagine that the sender's tone was not hostile at all and you just misunderstood their tone. You have now risked your professional reputation and relationship with that individual.

Therefore, it is important to abstain from skimming over material and quickly responding without much thought. Remember read, think, and then respond. This guideline also applies to social media. Before sharing your opinion about an article or updating your followers about something personal, read and/or think before responding or posting. Doing this can also benefit your professional reputation because it shows that you are attentive and not reactive.
Mind mechanical and grammatical errors.
Although mistakes are inevitable, it is important to be aware of your spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Not only can poor mechanical and grammatical errors cause confusion and frustration for the reader, it can also harm your professional reputation. Repeatedly making the same mistakes may cause you to appear uncreditable, unintelligent, and in some cases disrespectful.

This is important to understand because it can reflect poorly on your employer as well. Following this netiquette guideline when communicating with your superiors and new individuals can lead to good first impressions. Susan Adams, a writer for Forbes, reiterates this by saying "Good grammar and clear sentences suggest respect." Lastly, this is important off the clock as well. When on social media, you should practice good writing mechanics and grammar to improve your overall writing skills and reputation.
Mind word usage and tone.
Depending on your situation using jargon, idioms, and slang may be appropriate, but it is important to know your audience and setting. Be sure to provide context, avoid repetition, and differentiate between these different types of word usage. Using them inappropriately can have a negative effect on your professional reputation.

Similarly, to the "Read, think, and then respond" guideline, it is important to be aware of your tone. According to Britannica, communicating online can result in people "los[ing] sight of the feelings of, or to be insensitive to, others; consequently, users tend to be more blunt in stating their views than they probably would be face-to-face." With that, be mindful and try to be respectful and kind, avoiding a blunt tone.
Other netiquette tips:

Avoid using all CAPS

Avoid sarcasm

Respect other's privacy

Upload appropriate file types

Check the facts

Remember your communicating with a person

While you consider these guidelines, also remember to consider who you are speaking with and on what platform you are socializing. Netiquette rules or guidelinescan differ across various situations, so it is important to be cognizant of your particular situation.

Are you looking to expand your communication skill set? Stevenson University Online's Master's in Communication Studies program equips working professionals with the skills to develop innovative strategies for effective communication.

Stevenson University Online offers Bachelor's and Master's programs that can equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's professional landscape. Programs include Business Communication, Business and Technology Management, and Communication Studies. All courses are online, allowing you to continue working while pursuing your degree.

Sources:

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Etiquette - what exactly is it? Etiquette is a set of unwritten rules that guide people in certain social situations. These guidelines for "good etiquette" can differ depending on cultural expectations, as well as where the exchange takes place, and with whom. You may be following "good etiquette" and not even realize it.

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Task: Rewrite the same informal message for different platforms/audiences.

📧 Formal Email

💬 Professional Chat

🗨️ Group Chat with Peers

📲 Social Media Post

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Activity 4. Find pairs with the purposes of the messages.

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Activity 4. Find pairs with the purposes of the messages.

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Digital communication culture. Why do we need netiquette? | Татьяна Баранова | TEDxPresnenskiyPark

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Activity 3. Classify the messages into three categories according to the style.

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Activity 3. Classify the messages into three categories according to the style.

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Classify the messages into correct categories.

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Activity 2. Find a mistake and correct it.

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Activity 2. Find a mistake and correct it.

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Below are five messages. Each one has a register problem — the tone, formality, or style does not match the situation or audience.

Your task:

1. Identify what is wrong with the register or style.

2. Rewrite the message using a more appropriate register for the situation.

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First, read the 'Introduction', and write down key highlights from the articles and tables.

Second, watch the videos and useful graphics from the resources. If needed, write down anything new, that seemed important.

After, watch videos from tutorials and try to practice your skills right after in the section, called 'Practice'.

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Activity 1. Try to compare these text messages. Try to answer questions below.

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Activity 1. Try to compare these text messages. Try to answer questions below.

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How would you classify each: formal, semi-formal, or informal?

What platforms do you think are appropriate for each message? (e.g., email, WhatsApp, Teams)

What setting or context is appropriate for each? (e.g., academic request, group work, casual peer talk)

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Activity 6. Write a message in one of four styles.

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Activity 6. Write a message in one of four styles.

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Using one of the requests, it in an appropriate style:

📧 Formal Email

💬 Professional Chat

🗨️ Group Chat with Peers

📲 Social Media Post

For example: a request for an additional task from a professor:

Dear Dr. Akhmetova,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to kindly ask if you could provide me with an additional task to help strengthen my understanding of the topic we covered in our recent lesson.
Thank you for your time and support.
Best regards,
Adina

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Below you have three situations. Each one gives you:

A topic

A specific request

A platform to use (email, chat, social media, etc.)

Your job is to write a full message for each situation, using the correct style and register for the platform. Make sure your message is clear, polite, and appropriate for the audience and context.

Check your friends' work and try to identify their mistakes. Give your feedback and try to analyse each post.

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Think about:

What did you learn about using language online?

How did your understanding of formality change?

Which platform do you find most challenging to adapt to and why?

Why is it important to use appropriate language in different contexts?

Write one sentence about:

What youfound most useful

One thing youwill apply in real life

One question you still have