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Professional Email Writing Course 2026

This course is for anyone who writes email at work, including people who are new to Canadian workplaces or are still building their English. It covers subject lines and structure, greetings and tone, requests and follow-ups, apologies, complaints and bad news, customer replies, and CC, BCC, attachments and privacy. Study each lesson, try its topic quiz, then take the timed final assessment. Score 80% or more to earn a certificate of completion.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 90 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 150 minutes of lessons, 6 untimed topic quizzes (90 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 35 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsProfessional Email Writing Course: Lessons: about 150 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Write short, specific subject lines and put the main point first
  • Choose greetings, closings and a tone that fit the reader
  • Write clear requests with deadlines, and polite follow-ups
  • Write sincere apologies, firm complaints and bad-news emails
  • Reply to customers, including upset customers, with clear next steps
  • Use To, CC, BCC, Reply all and attachments correctly
  • Protect personal information and spot phishing emails

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons6 lessons, about 150 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: Subject lines and clear structure15 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: Greetings, closings and professional tone15 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Requests, follow-ups and replies15 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Apologies, complaints and bad news15 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Replying to customers15 questions
  7. Topic quiz 6: Recipients, attachments and privacy15 questions
  8. Final exam35 questions, 35 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: Subject lines and clear structure

  1. Question 1 of 15

    What is the main job of an email's subject line?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. To tell the reader what the email is about and what they need to do

    A specific subject line tells the reader the topic and, if possible, the action needed, so they know whether to open and act on it.

  2. Question 2 of 15

    Which subject line is best for an email asking your manager to approve Saturday overtime by Friday?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Please approve Saturday overtime by Friday

    It is short, names the topic, uses an action word and gives the deadline.

  3. Question 3 of 15

    About how long should a subject line be so that it shows fully in most inboxes?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Under about 50 characters (6 to 8 words)

    Writing advice from the Language Portal of Canada is to keep subject lines under 50 characters or 6 to 8 words; some phones show only 33 to 44 characters.

  4. Question 4 of 15

    When is the best time to write the subject line?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. After you write the message, when you know exactly what it says

    Writing the subject line last lets you sum up what the message really says and what the reader must do.

  5. Question 5 of 15

    Where should you state the purpose of a routine work email?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In the first one or two sentences

    State your purpose up front so the reader knows right away why you are writing and what you need.

  6. Question 6 of 15

    The direct approach has three parts. Which order is correct?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Main idea, then details, then a goodwill close

    In the direct approach, the main idea comes first, then the details the reader needs, and the message ends with a goodwill close.

  7. Question 7 of 15

    Which message is best written with the direct approach?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A routine request for a copy of last month's invoice

    The direct approach suits routine requests, replies and good news; refusals and unwelcome announcements are bad news.

  8. Question 8 of 15

    Canada.ca's plain-language guidance gives a best length for most sentences. What is it?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Under 15 to 20 words

    The Canada.ca Content Style Guide says to break up long sentences, with the best length under 15 to 20 words.

  9. Question 9 of 15

    You need to tell a coworker about three unrelated things: a fire drill, a lost key and a holiday party. What is usually best?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Send separate emails, one topic each, with clear subject lines

    Limiting each email to one issue makes it easier to find, answer and act on.

  10. Question 10 of 15

    A new employee must follow four steps, in order, to reset their password. How should you present the steps?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. As a numbered list

    Numbered lists are for steps or a set order; bullets are for items with no special order.

  11. Question 11 of 15

    What is the main problem with how this email is organized?

    Subject: Saturday

    Hi Marco,

    As you know, we have been very busy this month. The spring inventory count is coming up, and head office wants every store to finish counting before the end of the quarter. Last year the count took longer than planned because two people were sick, and we all had to stay late. I've been thinking about how to avoid that this year, and I talked to Dana about it on Monday.

    Anyway, could you work an extra shift this Saturday, March 7, from 8 am to 2 pm? I need to know by Wednesday at noon.

    Thanks,
    Aisha

    Show answer

    Answer: D. The request and deadline are buried at the end

    The main point and the deadline should come first; here they are hidden at the end after long background.

  12. Question 12 of 15

    Which subject line would work best for this email?

    Subject: Saturday

    Hi Marco,

    As you know, we have been very busy this month. The spring inventory count is coming up, and head office wants every store to finish counting before the end of the quarter. Last year the count took longer than planned because two people were sick, and we all had to stay late. I've been thinking about how to avoid that this year, and I talked to Dana about it on Monday.

    Anyway, could you work an extra shift this Saturday, March 7, from 8 am to 2 pm? I need to know by Wednesday at noon.

    Thanks,
    Aisha

    Show answer

    Answer: D. Can you work Sat., March 7, 8–2? Reply by Wed.

    It is under 50 characters, says what Aisha needs and gives the deadline.

  13. Question 13 of 15

    Which opening sentence would best improve this email?

    Subject: Saturday

    Hi Marco,

    As you know, we have been very busy this month. The spring inventory count is coming up, and head office wants every store to finish counting before the end of the quarter. Last year the count took longer than planned because two people were sick, and we all had to stay late. I've been thinking about how to avoid that this year, and I talked to Dana about it on Monday.

    Anyway, could you work an extra shift this Saturday, March 7, from 8 am to 2 pm? I need to know by Wednesday at noon.

    Thanks,
    Aisha

    Show answer

    Answer: D. Could you work this Saturday, March 7, from 8 am to 2 pm? Please reply by Wednesday noon.

    Putting the request and deadline in the first sentences follows the direct approach.

  14. Question 14 of 15

    What does Government of Canada writing guidance suggest as a maximum length for most emails?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About one screen: around 25 lines or 250 words

    The Language Portal of Canada advises keeping a message within one screen page, about 25 lines or 250 words.

  15. Question 15 of 15

    You put eight different phrases in bold in a short email. What is the likely result?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Nothing stands out, because everything is emphasized

    Bold works only when used sparingly; too much bold takes away its effect.

What to know before the test

  • Keep subject lines under about 50 characters (6 to 8 words) so they show fully in the inbox. Some phones show only 33 to 44 characters.
  • Government of Canada writing advice is to keep an email within one screen: about 25 lines or 250 words.
  • Canada.ca's plain-language guidance says the best sentence length is under 15 to 20 words, and paragraphs should have no more than three sentences.
  • Use the direct approach (main idea first) for routine and good-news messages, and the indirect approach (reasons before the decision) for bad news.
  • In a complimentary close, capitalize only the first word and put a comma after it: "Best regards,".
  • People in the BCC field get a copy, but the other recipients can't see their names.
  • The Privacy Commissioner of Canada found a complaint well-founded after a federal department emailed 636 people using the To field instead of BCC, which showed everyone's addresses.
  • Under Canada's anti-spam legislation, a commercial email needs consent, identification information and an unsubscribe mechanism. Unsubscribe requests must be processed within 10 business days.

Frequently asked questions

What certificate do I get, and what is it not?

If you score 80% or more on the final assessment, you can download a certificate of completion for this course. It shows that you finished a general skills course. It is not an accredited qualification, and it is not a certification from any employer, vendor or government.

Is this course for people who are learning English?

Yes. The lessons use plain, simple English and many examples, so they work well for newcomers and English learners. Native speakers who want to write clearer work emails will also find it useful.

How does the final assessment work?

It has 35 questions picked at random from the course's question bank, and you have 35 minutes. You get a new mix of questions each time you try. Some questions ask you to read a sample email first.

Does the course follow Canadian spelling and style?

Yes. It uses Canadian spelling and follows plain-language advice from the Government of Canada, including the Canada.ca Content Style Guide and the Language Portal of Canada.

What if my workplace has its own email rules?

Follow them. Many employers have rules about signatures, sending personal information, encryption and marketing emails. This course teaches general good practice, not your employer's policy.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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