BRIEF GUIDE TO EMAIL ETIQUETTE
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Email communication has become indispensable for professionals in the Internet age, but, often, emailers do a poor job representing themselves and their concerns to others.  For example, this short article looks at the results of a study in which researchers concluded that though people think they understand the tone of email messages 90% of the time, we really only "get" the emotional tone of email about half the time.  This longer article addresses similar studies.  The point for students and professionals: we need to be especially careful in our professional communications to do everything possible to maintain professional tone and content.  The suggestions below should help you to do that.
FORMAT
  1. Be brief.
  2. Avoid mixing subjects.  (If possible, address only one topic or issue in an email.)
  3. Make sure you identify yourself if the receiver might have any doubt about who you are.
  4. Use proper spelling and punctuation.  (Avoid ALL CAPS.  Don't use all lower case letters.  Don't use instant messaging shorthand like "imho," "lol," and the like if there is any chance the receiver will either not understand or find the abbreviations too informal.)
  5. Use specific, informative subject lines.
  6. Never include unnecessary graphic backgrounds and attachments.  
  7. Never "flame" anyone in a professional situation.
  8. Assume that your email will one day be read by everyone on the planet.
  9. Avoid marking a message as "high priority" unless you really, really mean it; and, even then, think twice.  (It's like barging into someone's office yelling, "You gotta help me, NOW.")
  10. If you use a signature file, keep it short.
  11. If you use a signature file in a professional situation, keep it impersonal.
  12. Avoid unprofessional email addresses.  "SexyDude@hotmail.com" will not win you any points with the boss.  (On the topic of email addresses, this post is also helpful.)
ASKING AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS
  1. Make your action requests clear and specific.
  2. Make your information requests clear and specific, too.
  3. If you are asking for help, make sure you've already exhausted your personal resources.
  4. When you answer a question, supply context, if only by quoting the question asked.
ATTACHMENTS
  1. Avoid big attachments, if possible.  Certain online services--like DropSend (the free version), MailBigFile, YouSendIt, and Dropload--will allow you to make a large file available to a message recipient without trying to stuff it into the recipient's mailbox.  
  2. Make your attachments readable on as many computers as possible.  Often that means saving them in .rtf or .pdf format.
  3. ALWAYS clearly identify any attachments.
  4. ALWAYS give your attachments informative, specific file names. "English Paper.doc" is a terrible title.  "Profile Paper by John Doe.doc" is a pretty good one.)
  5. If it's a short response of some kind, you should probably put the text in the email mesage itself, rather than in an attachment.  Ask the recipient what s/he'd prefer if you aren't sure.
RE: AND FWD:
  1. In responses, make sure you are answering all questions.
  2. In forwards, avoid excessive caretting: >>>>>>>>>
  3. Unless they are necessary to the present conversation, don't leave a trail of old emails at the bottom of your new email.
  4. If it is necessary or helpful, though, leave in the trail of old emails.
  5. Never respond to an old email without putting in a new specific, informative subject line.
  6. Be extremely careful (and courteous) with "Reply to All."
  7. Don't forward someone else's message without permission.
  8. If you're upset, sleep on it before you send it.
FOR EMAILING PROFS:
  1. Consider putting your section number or meeting time in the subject line.  "Profile Paper for John Doe, ENG 103-999."
  2. Especially before you've established a relationship and reputation with your professor, always include a greeting.  "Dr. Jones--" or "Hello, Mr. Jones." or "Dear Professor Jones" all work fine (though the first two options--the less formal ones--may be your best choices).  
  3. It is also important in the time before you've established a relationship and reputation with your professor to include the course number and meeting time somewhere in your email, possibly underneath your name at the bottom of the email.
  4. Whatever it is, ask politely.
  5. In a brief follow-up email, say "thank you" and let your teacher know that you appreciate his or her time and work.
SOURCES and FURTHER READING

The following online sources are due credit for helping me think about all this:
Also of interest:
Compiled/Created by Fred Johnson, 11/05, 5/06, Etc.