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Replying to Classmates
Use this page when you need to reply to a classmate’s post in an online discussion.
What a good reply does
A reply is your response to a classmate’s post. A good reply adds something to the conversation. “I agree” or “Good post” is friendly, but it gives your classmate nothing to think about, and most instructors do not count it.
There are four useful kinds of reply. One reply can do more than one of them.
- Answer. If your classmate asked a question, answer it. This is the easiest way to start.
- Agree and add. Say what you agree with, then add something new: an example, a reason, or an idea from the reading.
- Disagree politely. Give a different view, and give your reason.
- Ask. Ask about something you want to understand better.
What instructors expect
Instructors do not always write these expectations down. In most U.S. college classes, they apply to every student.
- Use your classmate’s name. It shows who you are talking to, and it is polite.
- Show that you read the post. Name the idea you are responding to.
- You may disagree. Disagreement is a normal part of a college discussion. It is welcome when you give a reason.
- Write about the idea, not the person.
- Check the prompt. It tells you how many replies to write and how long each one should be.
If you can choose, reply to a post that has no replies yet. Every student hopes that someone will answer.
- Reply:
- a response to a classmate’s post.
- Thread:
- one post and all the replies to it.
- Tone:
- the feeling your words give the reader, such as friendly, angry, or respectful.
Example: a reply
A classmate named Daniela wrote that breaking a large task into small steps works for her, but a weekly schedule does not, because her work hours change. She ended her post with a question: “Does anyone else have a schedule that changes? How do you plan your study time?”
Here is one reply. Each number matches a note below it.
Daniela,1 my schedule changes every week too, so I understand the problem.2 I like your idea of reading one section each night. What works for me is planning on Sunday night, after my manager posts the schedule. I look for three short blocks of 30 minutes and put them in my phone calendar.3 I see the weekly schedule a little differently, though. I think it can still work if you make a new one each week.4 Have you tried studying during your breaks at work?5
- The name. The reply begins with the classmate’s name.
- The connection. This sentence shows that the writer read the post and understood it.
- The answer. Daniela asked how other students plan their study time. The writer answers with exact details: when, how many, how long.
- A polite disagreement. The writer has a different view of the weekly schedule. The words a little differently and I think make the tone friendly. The second sentence gives the reason.
- A question back. The question keeps the conversation going. This part is optional.
Language focus: disagreeing politely
Softening words
In English, a very direct disagreement can sound rude, even when the writer does not mean it that way. Writers add small softening words to keep a friendly tone.
| Too direct | Polite and clear |
|---|---|
| You are wrong. | I see this differently. |
| That is not true. | I am not sure that is always true. |
| This strategy does not work. | This strategy might not work for everyone. |
| Your post is confusing. | I did not understand your second point. Could you explain it? |
Common softening words: I think, in my experience, might, may, could, sometimes, not always, a little.
A pattern you can use
Say what you agree with or understand. Then give your different view and your reason.
- I agree that small steps help, but I think a schedule is also important because it protects your study time.
- I understand your point about cost. In my experience, though, the free tools work well.
Softening changes your tone. It does not change your opinion. A reply with too many softening words can hide what you think, so state your view and give your reason.
Sentence starters
Fill in each blank with your own words.
- To answer a classmate’s questionYou asked about . What works for me is .
- To agree and addI agree that , and I would add .I had a similar experience when .
- To disagree politelyI see this differently because .I understand your point about , but .
- To askCould you say more about ?What did you mean by ?
Practice
- The prompt says a reply “must add something.” Which reply does?
- A. Great post! I agree with everything you said.
- B. I agree that small steps help. I use the same idea for math homework: I do five problems, and then I take a break.
- C. Nice job.
- A classmate’s post ends with this question: “How do you stay focused when you study at home?” What is the easiest way to begin your reply?
- Make this sentence polite and clear: “You are wrong about the weekly schedule.”
- Which sentence is about the idea, not the person?
- A. You did not read the article carefully.
- B. I think the article says something different in the second paragraph.
Show suggested answers
- B. It says what the writer agrees with and adds a new example. A and C are friendly, but they add nothing.
- Answer the question. For example: “You asked how to stay focused at home. What works for me is putting my phone in another room.”
- One possible answer: “I see the weekly schedule differently. I think it helps because it shows me when I am free.” The new sentence talks about the schedule, not the classmate, and it gives a reason. Other answers are possible.
- B. Sentence A judges the classmate. Sentence B talks about the article and gives the classmate something to check.
Next step
Check your reply before you submit it
- Did I use my classmate’s name?
- Did I show which idea I am responding to?
- Did I add something: an answer, an example, a reason, or a different view?
- If I disagreed, did I give a reason and write about the idea?
- Is my reply the right length? Check the prompt.