Email Basics Interactive

Topic: Email Basics
When I am done this lesson, I will know:
• What email is
• How to set up an email account
• Some basic email features
• How to send a basic email
Pre and Post Self-Assessment
Pre Pre Post Post

Yes, I know this No, I want to Yes, I know this I still need more
learn this practice to learn this
I know what
email is
I know how to
set up an email
account
I understand
some basic
email features
I know how to
send a basic
email
Page 99
New Words and Terms
email
inbox
outbox
junk mail/spam
deleted/trash
compose
draft
reply
forward
email folders/labels
contact
carbon copy
What is Email?
Email is electronic mail that was developed to provide a way to send and receive messages more
quickly than standard mail.
An email address has three components:
Component Example
Email ID john.smith
The @ symbol @
The domain name of the email server gmail.com
In the above example the email address would be [email protected]
There are many different email services. Some common ones are:
• www.hotmail.com
• www.gmail.com
• www.yahoo.ca
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Although there are many different email services, they have common features like:
• Inbox
• Outbox/Sent box
• Junk mail/Spam
• Deleted/Trash
• Drafts
• Compose/Create new email
Note: We are going to use Gmail to learn how to use email. If you already have a Gmail email, you can
skip over the Setting up a Gmail Account section.
Gmail is a free email service through Google.
Setting up a Gmail Email Account

Go to www.gmail.com
Click the “Create an account” button.
Fill in the information required.

Remember to use a strong password.
You will be asked to put in a phone number.

This will be used to verify your account. If you don’t have a
cell phone number, check with your instructor to see if
you can use the number where you are learning.
Follow the steps as they appear.
Record your new email address and password somewhere

safe.
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Using Your Email Account
When you log in to a gmail account, you will be taken to your INBOX.
The INBOX is the folder where unread and read emails are stored that you have not deleted.
Emails that have not been read will usually stand out somehow. They might be bold or be a different
colour.
Email Folders
The most common folders are:
• SENT
• SPAM/JUNK
• TRASH
• DRAFTS
SENT: After you have sent an email it will automatically be stored in the SENT folder.
SPAM/JUNK: Emails such as advertisements that your email account has blocked or filtered are stored
here.
TRASH: Emails that you have deleted are stored here.
DRAFTS: Emails that you have started or are working on are stored here.
Email – Create a LABEL

You can create your own FOLDERS to organize emails you want to keep. In Gmail, they are called
LABELS. You will see a folder at the top of the page. If you click on it you will see this drop-down. This
allows you to create a new label.
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When you want to add an email to a label, you open the email from your INBOX. Click on the icon at
the top that looks like a folder with an arrow on it. You will see this drop-down. From here you can
move the email into the folder or label you want.
Email – Replying
When you open an email and read it, you have the option to:
• Reply
• Reply All
• Forward
• Delete
REPLY: Send a message back to the person who sent you the current email.
REPLY ALL: If the email was sent to yourself AND others, when you reply to all, everyone who received
the original email, will also receive your reply.
FORWARD: The forwarding feature can be used to send an email someone else sent you to a different
person.
DELETE: This will move the email to the deleted folder. You can still see the email in the folder. If you
delete an email by accident, you can move it back to the inbox.
DISCUSSION QUESTION
When would you forward email?
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Contacts/Address Book
Most email accounts will let you save other people’s email addresses in a Contacts Folder or Address
Book.
Within your address book or contacts folder there should be a link called NEW or ADD or ADD NEW
CONTACT. You can click on this to add a new email address.
Creating and Sending Email

To create a new email you will need to click on a link labeled NEW or COMPOSE or CREATE.
You will now have a blank email on your screen.
TO: This is where you will need to type the person’s email address.
• Some email accounts will allow you to start typing the address or person’s name and the
remainder pops up for you
• For others you will need to use your CONTACTS folder or ADDRESS BOOK to find the address
• You can enter more than one person’s name
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CC: CARBON COPY
• Used when you want a copy of your email sent to another recipient as well
• Used in the workplace frequently
BCC: BLANK CARBON COPY
• A copy of an email message sent to a recipient whose email address does not appear in the
message
• The person in the TO box will not know that the person in the BCC box is also getting the email
SUBJECT: Gives the recipient an idea of what your email is about
• Only needs to be a few words

• Example: Kitchen Helper Position
BODY: This is where you type your email message.
You can use features similar to ones in Microsoft Word, such as bold, underline, font size, etc. by
clicking on the A at the bottom of the New Message box.
Once you have written your email, and you are happy with it, you can click send.
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Attaching a File to an Email
• To attach a file, you first need to create or reply to a message
• Most email accounts have a paper clip icon to indicate the link used to attach a file
• Common labels are: ATTACH or INSERT
• Click on that link
A box should pop up that will allow you to search for a file you would like to attach.
Search for and select the file you wish to attach (left click once to select).
Click OPEN.
The file should now be attached to your email. When you are ready and have double checked
everything, click SEND.
Email Safety Myths and Truths
Myth Truth
The email says it is from someone I know. So An email sender can add any from address they want.
it must be from someone I know. Spammers use “from” addresses that are forged.
They use things that are familiar to you to try and
trick you.
If I open an email but don’t click any links in By opening a suspicious email an attacker can tell
the email, I will be safe. your account is active. If you are not 100% an email is
safe, you shouldn’t open it.
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TRY THIS/PRACTICE
Send an email to your instructor.
Watch these videos to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL007352170EA6EB06

learn more about Gmail
basics
Source: GCFGlobal.org
OPTIONAL: I WANT TO LEARN MORE
Complete a full Gmail tutorial here. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/

Complete a full general tutorial here. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/email101/

Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework Connection
Competency Task Group(s)

Find and Use Information • Read Continuous Text
• Interpret Documents
• Extract Information from Films, Broadcasts and Presentations
Communicate Ideas and • Interact with Others

Information • Complete and Create Documents
Page 107

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Topic: Email Basics

When I am done this lesson, I will know:

Pre and Post Self-Assessment

Pre Pre Post Post

An email address has three components:

The domain name of the email server gmail.com

In the above example the email address would be [email protected]

Gmail is a free email service through Google.

Setting up a Gmail Email Account

Fill in the information required.

You will be asked to put in a phone number.

Record your new email address and password somewhere

TRASH: Emails that you have deleted are stored here.

Email – Create a LABEL

Creating and Sending Email

You will now have a blank email on your screen.

BCC: BLANK CARBON COPY

SUBJECT: Gives the recipient an idea of what your email is about

• Only needs to be a few words

BODY: This is where you type your email message.

Email Safety Myths and Truths

Watch these videos to https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL007352170EA6EB06

OPTIONAL: I WANT TO LEARN MORE

Complete a full Gmail tutorial here. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/gmail/

Complete a full general tutorial here. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/email101/

Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework Connection

Competency Task Group(s)

Communicate Ideas and • Interact with Others

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