Writing an Email to a Professor: Sharing Additional Material (Intermediate)

By JoeyLast Updated: May 27, 2026Categories: Write an EmailTags: Difficult

Situations for Sending an Email to Professor

In TOEFL Writing Part 2, some questions ask you to write an email to a professor. In this scenario, you may be asked to make a request in an academic context, ask questions, or share updates on the progress of an academic project.

Since a professor is not your friend, you need to maintain a formal tone when writing the email, unless otherwise specified.

Creativity Tends to Be Important

When you are asked to write an email to a professor, TOEFL often provides only limited information or context. This means you need to use your creativity to develop details such as your current situation, any issues you have encountered, and updates on the project you are working on.

Maintain Formality

The level of formality in an email depends on the context and the relationship between the sender and the recipient. In TOEFL Writing Part 2, emails addressed to colleagues are generally written for professional purposes. Although colleagues are not strangers, the relationship is typically work-related rather than personal.

For this reason, casual or informal language is usually inappropriate unless the prompt explicitly allows it. Maintaining a clear and professional tone is essential in this task.

Now, let’s try writing an email based on a similar scenario.

Practice Question

Email Prompt

You will read some information and use the information to write an email. You will have 7 minutes to write the email.
You are taking an environmental studies course taught by Professor Bennett. Recently, the class discussed how cities can reduce waste and encourage people to recycle more effectively. While looking for additional materials, you found a short documentary about a city that introduced a successful recycling program in local neighborhoods.
You would like to contact Professor Bennett about it.
Write an email to Professor Bennett. In your email, do the following:
Briefly describe the documentary you found.
Explain why it connects to a topic discussed in class.
Ask whether the professor would consider reviewing it or sharing it with the class.
Write as much as you can and in complete sentences.
Your Response:
To: Professor Bennett
Subject: Documentary Related to Our Class Discussion

Remember that you only have 7 minutes to complete the task. This means you are not expected to provide an in-depth analysis of the problem or detailed suggestions. Keep your ideas simple and focus on clarity.

Also, since you are writing an email to a colleague, the tone does not need to be overly formal. As long as you avoid highly colloquial expressions, a polite and natural style is enough.

Model Answer

To: Professor Bennett
Subject: Documentary Related to Our Class Discussion

Dear Professor Bennett,

While looking for additional materials related to our recent class discussion on recycling and waste reduction, I came across a short documentary about a city that successfully increased recycling participation through neighborhood programs.

I thought the documentary connected well to the topics we discussed in class because it shows practical ways local governments can encourage environmental responsibility. The examples in the film might also lead to interesting discussion about how similar programs could work in other communities.

If you are interested, I would be happy to send you the link in case you would like to review it or possibly share it with the class.

Best regards,
Joey

Overall Structure

This response is suitable for TOEFL Writing Part 2 because it follows an effective structure:

Introduce the documentary
Explain its connection to the course
Politely offer it to the professor

The response stays focused on these three points, which is especially important in a timed TOEFL Writing task. Because the writer doesn’t add unnecessary details, the email remains clear.

Opening

While looking for additional materials related to our recent class discussion…

This opening sounds natural and academic. Instead of beginning with a direct request, the student first explains how the documentary was found. This creates a smoother introduction.

Describing the documentary

…a city that successfully increase recycling participation through neighborhood programs.

This sentence gives enough detail to make the documentary sound real without becoming too long. The writer doesn’t try to summarize the entire film. Only the key idea is introduced.

That is important in a 7-minute task.

Connecting it to the Course

I thought the documentary connected well to the topics we discussed in class…

This sentence directly addresses one of the required tasks in the prompt. This makes the recommendation more convincing.

Expanding the Academic Value

The examples in the film might also lead to interesting discussion…

This is an effective addition because it shows academic thinking. The student isn’t only recommending the documentary personally, but also considering how it could benefit the class as a whole.

Polite closing request

If you are interested, I would be happy to send you the link…

This is a polite ending. The student doesn’t pressure the professor. Instead, the phrase “If you are interested” leaves the decision open. That tone works very well in professor emails.

Hi, I completed a Master’s program at Purdue University, where I specialized in test design and assessment effectiveness. My academic focus was English-language standardized tests, including the TOEFL, IELTS, ACT, SAT, and GRE. I began writing these articles because, when I was preparing for the SAT and GRE myself, I found few resources that explained the tests in a systematic and practical way. My goal is to create materials in which solving questions naturally builds the background knowledge needed for the exams, helping learners manage both content and strategy more effectively.