Eparadox

Electronic paradox or e-paradox (pronounced ee-par-uh-doks) is a common error that occurs when writing email. E-mail was intended to make communication more efficient through its ease and speed of transmittal. However, email tends to be written informally and with haste. When this happens tone is lost and the likelihood of the receiver misunderstanding the message increases.

Common mistakes that change the tone of an email:
1. For important emails, business emails, not reviewing the tone of the email before sending can cost you a key account and derail relationships. An easy way to make sure the tone is appropriate is to ask someone else to review your email. Often times you are not in a position to ask someone for their input. Recommend putting the email in draft for at least 30 minutes and doing another activity. Changing tasks will give you fresh eyes when you read it again.

2. We have all read emails that are too informal. Certain protocol should be followed when sending emails that are important. Addressing an email to your friend Bob as "Hey Bob" is fine for friends. It does not work well when Bob is, say, the company CEO.

3. WRITING IN ALL CAPS. Writing in all CAPS means you are shouting. Unless you are conveying cheer, recommend not using all caps in any email message. Appropriate use of ALL CAPS in email is "GO VOLS!". An example of an inappropriate use of ALL CAPS is "PLEASE FINISH THE MARKET ANALYSIS BY END OF TODAY".

The term "e-paradox" was first coined October, 1999 at Mortimer's in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Adam Moffatt and Kristinn Haraldsson.

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