Plain Text Email Example
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This is an example of how plain text with a monospaced
font can be formatted to look professional.
Notice the double rule below the title. It is formed by
using equal signs. Various common characters can be put
to clever use as rules and other visual dividers. Just
remember to follow these simple rules:
1. Stick to a "monospaced" font such as Courier. In
a monospaced font, each character, numeral, and symbol
takes up the same width, just like a typewriter. This
makes it possible to align text using spaces -- something
you can't do with regular typefaces.
2. Notice how this numbered list indents the text? I'm
doing it with hard returns at the end of each line
and spaces at the beginning for the indent. You should
never do this with regular typefaces which have
variable widths for each character. But, if you use
a monospace font such as Courier, you can. In fact,
in an email with monospaced fonts you MUST align text
using returns and spaces.
3. Keep all lines UNDER 55-60 characters. Otherwise a
smaller than expected window will force lines to
break before your returns and really screw up the
layout. Shrink this window down extremely narrow
and see what happens.
4. Provide adequate whitespace around paragraphs and
blocks of text.
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Notice how clean the layout appears. Notice also that
I stick mainly with the same rule design instead of mixing
several different kinds in this message.
Consistency and simplicity are marks of a good design.
Sincerely,
Eugene Barnes
Website Design & Services
----------------------------
www.eugenebarnes.com
info@eugenebarnes.com