Course: Professional Email Writing 101
Instructor/Channel: Freelance Circus, Empowering freelancers across the globe
Platform: Skillshare
Length: 19 lessons, 1h 11m
Prepared by: Lykuoyhay Sout
Date: September 29, 2026

Part 1: Course Report 1. Introduction

This course teaches how to write professional emails that are clear, direct, and lead to action. It is practical: it names specific habits to drop, such as slang, contractions, and filler phrases, and specific structures to use, such as a clear call to action and a strong subject line.

2. Lessons Covered

My screenshot shows lessons 11 to 19. I could not find the full outline online, so the earlier lessons are left for you to fill in.

# Lesson Duration 1–10 [Add your lesson titles from the course page]   11 Eliminate Slang and Contractions 2:59 12 Use Action Verbs 1:15 13 Avoid Saying "I'm Sorry" 2:37 14 Avoid Saying "I Feel" 3:04 15 Avoid Saying "I Just" 1:57 16 The "Call to Action" Sandwich 1:45 17 The Body of Your Email 10:02 18 Writing a "Call to Action" Subject Line 8:36 19 Using CC, BCC, and Reply All 6:00 3. Key Lessons Learned

Tone and word choice (lessons 11 to 15)

• Replace slang and contractions with formal wording ("do not" instead of "don't").
• Use strong action verbs so the email sounds confident and clear.
• Avoid weakening phrases such as "I'm sorry", "I feel", and "I just", which can make the writer sound unsure.

Structure (lessons 16 to 18)

• Build the email around a clear call to action (CTA), so the reader knows exactly what to do.
• Write the body so it supports the request without unnecessary detail.
• Write subject lines that state the action needed.

Email etiquette (lesson 19)

• Use CC, BCC, and Reply All deliberately, so the right people are informed and no one is flooded with unnecessary messages.

4. Skills Gained

I can now write emails with a professional tone, structure them around a clear request, write action-oriented subject lines, and use CC, BCC, and Reply All correctly.

5. Personal Reflection

[Add your own experience here. For example: which habit you will change first, such as removing "I just", and how it applies to emails to lecturers, supervisors, or clients.]

Part 2: Project

I could not find this class's official project prompt, so check the Project tab on the class page. This one applies the rules from lessons 11 to 19 and works for most "write a professional email" prompts.

Project: Rewriting an Email

Scenario: I am sending the results of a data analysis to stakeholders and need them to review it and approve the next step.

Before (weak version)

Subject: Report

Hi guys,

Sorry to bother you, I just wanted to send the report I made. I feel like the results are okay but I'm not sure. Let me know what you think whenever you can.

Thanks

Problems:

• The subject line is vague.
• The greeting is informal and uses slang ("guys").
• It contains "Sorry", "I just", and "I feel", which weaken the message.
• Contractions ("I'm") make the tone too casual.
• There is no clear call to action and no deadline.

After (improved version)

Subject: Action Required: Review Q3 Data Analysis Report by Friday, October 3

Dear [Name / Team],

Please review the attached Q3 data analysis report and confirm whether we may proceed with the next phase by Friday, October 3.

The analysis shows [one-sentence key finding]. Based on this result, I recommend [specific recommended action]. The full methodology and charts are included in the attachment.

I completed the data cleaning, analysis, and visualization, and I am available to walk you through the findings in a 15-minute meeting if that would be helpful.

Please send your confirmation or feedback by Friday, October 3, so the team can begin the next phase on schedule.

Kind regards,
Lykuoyhay Sout
Data Science Team
[Contact information]

CC/BCC note: I would put the decision-makers in "To", my supervisor in "CC" so they stay informed, and use "BCC" only when I need to protect email addresses, such as when writing to a large external group. I would not use "Reply All" unless everyone on the thread needs my answer.

How the improved email applies the course Course lesson How it appears Eliminate slang and contractions "Hi guys" became "Dear [Name / Team]"; "I'm" became "I am". Use action verbs "Review", "confirm", "proceed", "recommend". Avoid "I'm sorry", "I feel", "I just" All three phrases are removed. Call to Action sandwich The request appears at the start and again at the end, with the deadline. The body of your email Short, focused, with one key finding and one recommendation. CTA subject line "Action Required: Review … by Friday, October 3". CC, BCC, Reply All Explained in the note above.

The "Call to Action sandwich" description is my interpretation from the lesson title, so adjust it to match how the instructor explains it. The report and project use only the lesson titles I could see, so add anything specific you remember from the lessons, especially lessons 1 to 10. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your real details, and tell me if you want a different scenario, such as an email to a lecturer or a job application.