A reader asked whether she needed to reply to an email. She had written to her professor, he had responded, and now she wondered whether a response was required or unnecessary. Read her email and the professor's reply. What would you advise? (Note: I have changed all names.)
Subject: Textbook for Psychology 104
Hello, Professor Rogers.
I am enrolled in your Psychology 104 class this semester. I see that "Introduction to Psychology" by Marks is the required textbook. I have the third edition instead of the fourth. Would the third edition still be adequate for this class?
I look forward to the class.
Claire Kwon
Professor Rogers replied:
The 3rd edition is not optimal for following along in class or completing assignments, because the page numbers are different. I list specific page numbers in the syllabus schedule, homework assignments, and lectures to make using the book and learning the material easier.
If you decide to use the 3rd, I ask that you not interrupt the class to ask for help finding pages.
See you next week.
John Rogers
After reading Professor Rogers' reply, Claire decided to invest in the fourth edition of the textbook, but she did not know whether she needed to respond to the professor. Was "Thank you" the right response or something else?
Tomorrow evening I will share my advice for Claire. But feel free to jump in ahead of me!
Lynn
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