Language is Weird

My friend and roommate recently told me about an exchange that he had with a teacher of his and his academic adviser.  He has a Co-Op this semester, so he is not taking any classes.  He works 9 to 5 every day, so it was difficult for him to meet with his academic adviser to discuss his registration for next semester.  Most of his contact, he did via email with his adviser and the chair of the aero department.  In one such email, he was complaining to the both of them that the schedule for his classes didn’t make sense.  Somehow, two of his classes were scheduled at the same time, and they were supposed to be taught by the same teacher.  In the email, he made it very clear that he needed advice as soon as possible.  In the subject of the email, he put “PLEASE RESPOND” in all caps.  In the body, he included something to the effect of “the schedule is whacked.” He received a quick response from his professor, however his academic adviser was not very happy with his email.  She felt that his email was not professional enough for the setting.  This is a great example of how your audience determines how your writing will be interpreted.  She also did not appreciate the use of caps in his subject.  She thought that it was too demanding.  Audience is everything in your writing.  My friend had to write a very carefully worded email to apologize to his adviser.  This is a very real example of what we learned in class.