Obligatory link to an explanation of the BLUF ("bottom line up front") format: https://hbr.org/2016/11/how-to-write-email-with-military-precision https://hbr.or

Obligatory link to an explanation of the BLUF ("bottom line up front") format: https://hbr.org/2016/11/how-to-write-email-with-military-precision https://hbr.org/2016/11/how-to-write-email-with-military-pre... I see too many people write long emails, both in total word count and in word count per paragraph. Then they wonder why it takes someone 1-2 weeks to respond. Unless you're working in an environment that thrives on them, such as academia, a long email creates a significant cognitive burden on someone who is probably trying to context switch as fast as possible. Combine it with a lack of clear action for the reader -- "What are your thoughts?", for example -- and you will find your emails left indefinitely on their "too hard" pile.