Subject: Enquiry regarding upcoming assignment

Dear Professor,

I hope this email finds you well. This is regarding the assignment 2 as I am unclear about certain instructions for the writing format. I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide some guidance to help me better understand the assignment.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Best regards,

Oliver

Follow-up Question:

1.     Yes, because it is to show a sign of respect and politeness due to different age gaps.

2.     Lack of seriousness // The professor might don’t understand the word ‘LOL’ (acronym)

3.     Yes, such as use a specific format

• Use a clear and specific subject line

• Use a proper greeting

• Be concise and focused

• Use a polite and professional tone

• Provide context

• Be specific about your request

• Proofread for grammar and spelling

• Include a proper closing

• Include relevant contact information

• Be mindful of timing

Link for reading materials:

1. https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/resources/communicating-in-class/communicating-in-tutorials-and-lectures/emailing-your-lecturer

2. https://academicpositions.com/career-advice/how-to-email-a-professor

Team members : Haakim, Christine, Anastacia

Link :

https://medium.com/geekculture/stop-using-acronyms-they-are-a-terrible-way-to-communicate-b93b48a09305

Https://dubbot.com/dubblog/2024/abbreviations-acronyms.html

Team Members:

Ainun, Angie & Hafiz

-I think your draft is good but I think there are rooms for improvement.

1. Yes, to avoid confusion, better team engagement and potential evolution of the team. (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8863383)

2. Yes, because it increases stress and lower satisfaction. Poor communication can hinder participation in decision making. (https://doi.org/10.1057/jibs.2013.64)

3. - Constructive feedback ( positive and development and praise and critism feedback)

   - Provide the specifics of what occured

   https://leading-from-within.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Guidelines-for-Giving-Constructive-Feedback.pdf

“Ugh, I can’t believe I overslept for my job interview. It’s so frustrating, but I guess all I can do is laugh at myself now. 😅”

Explanation: The message conveys a mix of frustration and humor, with a slight tone of embarrassment.

• Frustration: The opening phrase, clearly expresses exasperation and disappointment.

• Humor: The phrase “I guess all I can do is laugh at myself now,” paired with the sweat-smile emoji (😅), suggesting the sender is trying to make light of the situation and accepted her fate in that situation.

• Embarrassment: While not explicitly stated, the context of oversleeping for something as important as a job interview hints at the feeling of embarrassment.

Reading links:

1. https://thefulcrum.ca/sciencetech/u-of-o-study-finds-emojis-impact-text-message-perception/

   
   

Follow-Up Questions:

1. Yes, humor and emojis often convey different meanings depending on the context, tone, and the relationship between the sender and recipient. For example, a laughing emoji could suggest genuine amusement or a coping mechanism for embarrassment. Misinterpretations are common because the nuances of tone and emotion in text are limited.

2. Using clear language to describe feelings can prevent confusion, For example, “I’m frustrated but im trying to show the funny side.” Combining this with emojis can add nuance but shouldn’t replace words entirely.

3. Yes. Close friends are more likely to understand each other’s communication styles and emotional cues, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.

rewritten message:

Is there anything else you guys want to change? I would appreciate any improvements.

1. Yes. Because these factors can influence how messages in a group chat are interpreted, the use of humor in certain phrases (slang) may be well understood within one cultural context but can be offensive to someone from another background.

2. Yes. For the sake of clarity and understanding. Straightforward messages can be conveyed without ambiguity. (no need to use extravagant phrases or unusual words with more than one meaning) this also will reduce misinterpretation and facilitate quick-decision making.

3. Yes. Inclusive language, which treats all people with respect, dignity and impartially, can create an inclusive environment by removing discriminatory terms and replacing them with clearer, less-offensive alternatives.

Reading list links:

https://nulab.com/learn/collaboration/overcoming-language-barriers-communication/

https://pumble.com/blog/direct-communication/

https://www.usemotion.com/blog/group-communication

https://consensus.app/papers/differences-humor-perception-usage-implications-jiang/e3747c40185954cba3fddaca4ad74d17/

Chris doesnt understand Alex's sarcasm.

Doomed doesnt literally mean doomed

Without context, it may come off as literal or dismissive to others

Abbreviations/emojis:

LOL & two emojis (🤦‍♂️&🤷‍♂️)

Cultural differences in interpreting the meaning:

Cultural backgrounds greatly influence how humor, sarcasm, and casual language are understood. Chris, a non-native English speaker, probably learn English in the formal way, so, he interprets the phrase “we’re doomed” literally and worries the project is beyond saving.

2. "Hey team! I know the project is tough, so we might need to work late tonight to stay on track. Let’s divide tasks first. We can do this! 💪 #studentlife"

3.Chris: Okay, Alex. I misunderstood abt your message. I literally thought you meant smth neg or in a bad way. Could you clarify which parts we should focus on for tonight

Tay: Got it, Alex! I was unsure about your message earlier, but this makes sense now. Let’s figure out who’s doing what ?

Follow Up Q1 :

Chris

- Non native speaker

- Lacking knowledge in word vocabulary

- Directly translates messages

- Doesn't know how emoji works

Taylor

- Perceived the usage of emoji and abbreviation that was used by Alex as inappropriate

- Interpret emojis and abbreviation differently

- Doesn't understand Alex's message tone

Alex

- Assuming everyone has the same cultural background as his

- Prone to create misinterpretation

Q2:

Use Clear Language: Avoid slang, abbreviations, and ambiguous emojis. Provide context where possible.

Seek Confirmation: Follow up on messages to ensure clarity. For example, “Does that make sense to everyone?”

Provide Alternatives to Chat: When discussing complex or sensitive topics, suggest voice or video calls to reduce ambiguity.

Reading links:

https://consensus.app/results/?q=how%20can%20the%20miscommunication%20happens%20when%20the%20tones%2C%20emoji%20and%20abbreviation%2C%20and%20the%20context%20is%20wrongly%20described%20in%20a%20message%3F%20Take%20the%20note%20of%20non%20native%20speakers%20existence%2C%20assumption%20of%20culture%20backgrounds%20and%20symbols%20misinterpretation.%20&pro=on#result-1

https://consensus.app/results/?q=What%20strategies%20can%20be%20used%20to%20avoid%20misunderstanding%20in%20group%20chats%20especially%20in%20multicultural%20teams&pro=on

Group members: Lisa, Jason, Zakiah, Akmal

Hi Mr. Chen,

Im Sophie. I hope you are doing well. I came across your profile and I am impressed by your work in cross cultural communication. As a recent graduate in English for Global Communications, I am eager to learn new things from professionals like you. Would you be open to share any knowledge on this area? I would really appreciate it.

Thank you for your time!

Best regards,

Sophie

Follow-Up Questions and Answers:

1. What specific elements of Sophie’s original message may have led to a lack of response?

·      Her message doesn't explain why she's specifically reaching out to Mr. Chen. There's no mention of what kind of advice or insights she's seeking.

·      She hasn't shown any knowledge of Mr. Chen's background or achievements. No mention of his specific area of expertise or recent work.

·      The use of "Dear" is too formal for LinkedIn's professional-social environment. The overall tone feels like a copy-pasted formal letter.

·      The message reads like a generic template that could be sent to anyone. No personal touch or genuine connection attempt. Doesn‘t share anything about herself or her background

2.     How can LinkedIn differ from email or formal letter communication?

·      LinkedIn - encourages a conversational and approachable tone. Ask open - ended question to encourage a response.

·      Messages should be even more concise than email. Focus on a strong opening line that grab attention and quickly conveys values.

·      Email / formal letter – Typically requires more formality, structured introduction and detail context.

·       the ability to send longer and more detailed messages. This allows Sophie to provide more context and information about the offer, increasing the likelihood of engaging her prospect.

·      Using email can help Sophie with her question that allows her to attach file.

      3. What tone should young professionals use to build authentic connections on LinkedIn?

- Young professionals should aim for a tone that is friendly, respectful, and genuine.

Messages that are too formal can create a barrier and make the interaction feel forced or intimidating. Rather than approaching networking with a transactional mind-set, focus on building genuine connections. Showing enthusiasm and mentioning specific reasons for reaching out (e.g., shared interests or notable projects by the recipient) helps foster a meaningful connection.

Reading Material

(https://www.socialmediabutterflyblog.com/2024/04/essential-networking-strategies-for-young-professionals-to-build-lasting-career-connections/)

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13596748.2014.872934

Daniel, Izzalia, Dessiemae, roziefa

Sarah should response:

• Good job, Liam! Please do elaborate more on that.

  
  

Follow up questions & Answers:

1. 
   

   Emoji can create misunderstandings in professional or academic group settings for two main reasons:

• Different people have different understandings. The interpretation of emoji varies widely based on individual perspectives, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. For instance, while some might see a "thumbs-up" emoji as a sign of agreement or approval, others might perceive it as dismissive or sarcastic. This variation can lead to miscommunication, especially in diverse group settings.

• One emoji might have different meanings. A single emoji can carry multiple meanings depending on the context. For example, the "crying face" emoji (😭) might indicate extreme sadness or overwhelming joy, depending on the situation. In professional or academic conversations, such ambiguity can cause confusion or even offense if the sender’s intended meaning is unclear to the recipient.

2.

• Put context before the emojis. Like HAHAHAHA 😭, means LOL. Represent sosial expression.

• Use simpler emojis. Like thumbs up, thumbs down.

• Use more words instead of emojis.

• Seek clarification. Just ask if you don’t understand. Like, “what do you mean by 👍🤨?”

• Be specific and direct. Use presice language, avoid using of jargon or vague expression.

Reading Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/emojis-vs-words-better-option-shiza-abbasi

• https://englishonline.britishcouncil.org/blog/articles/emoji-etiquette-how-and-when-to-use-emojis-at-work/

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2021/08/24/generation-divide-different-age-groups-use-emojis-differently-and-that-isnt-likely-going-to-change/

Team members: Diasnurina, Angellina, Anis, Sofrin.

Hezron, Dolenix, Izzah

"Just got my exam results. Unfortunately, I barely passed😢"

Answers:

1. There are three risks of using sarcasm on social media platforms:

Risk of miscommunication:

People from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds may not understand the sarcasm, causing the message to lose its intended meaning.

Risk of damaging relationships: 

Misunderstood sarcasm could create tension or conflict, especially with people who are unfamiliar with your communication style.

Risk of Offending Others: 

Without tone and context, sarcasm might seem rude or dismissive, potentially hurting someone’s feelings.

2. Some people will get that Jacob is actually upset about barely passing, especially if they know Jacob personally but others might think Jacob is genuinely grateful to pass and miss the sarcastic tone completely. It's like whispering in a noisy room and not everyone will hear you clearly. When we use sarcasm online, especially with people who don't know us well, the real message can get lost in translation. That's why sarcasm can make digital messages less clear, especially when communicating with unfamiliar audiences who don't know our personality or communication style.

3. The appropriateness of using sarcasm in an online post depends on multiple factors. For example, we definitely need to avoid using sarcasm when discussing sensitive topics that can cause misunderstandings and outrage. However, some situations allow the usage of sarcasm, like using it in comedic and funny posts. The usage of sarcasm in social media is very contextual because social media can lack engagement and charm without sarcasm. Despite that, the wrong use of sarcasm can cause outrage, anger, and misunderstandings from the audience. Therefore, the usage of sarcasm should be clear and understandable, and most importantly, know your audience.

Link for reading materials:

https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/what-benefits-risks-using-humor-sarcasm-your-brand?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&utm_campaign=share_via 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-surprising-benefits-of-sarcasm/