When you scan your inbox, the subject line is not the only element demanding attention. Tucked beneath the sender’s name, often in bold capital letters, you might see a sequence that reads "PS." In the context of professional and personal correspondence, PS stands for "postscript." This term originates from the Latin "postscriptum," meaning "written after," and it serves as a final thought added after the main signature. In modern email etiquette, the PS has evolved from a simple afterthought to a strategic tool that can significantly alter the impact of your message.
The Anatomy of a Postscript
To understand the function of a PS, it is helpful to view an email as a physical letter. Traditionally, the postscript appears after the valediction (such as "Sincerely" or "Best regards") and the sender’s signature. In digital formatting, this usually translates to a line of text placed below your typed name. The purpose is to append information that was omitted during the initial drafting process or to emphasize a point the recipient might have overlooked. Because it sits outside the main body, it naturally draws the eye, creating a visual hierarchy that ensures your critical message is seen last and remembered first.
Strategic Communication and Psychology
The power of the PS lies in its psychological weight. In a crowded inbox, readers often skim emails, focusing on the opening paragraph and the closing lines while missing the detailed arguments in the middle. By placing a crucial call to action, a deadline, or a key benefit in the PS, you create a final opportunity to persuade the reader. It acts as a cognitive bookmark, ensuring that the most important takeaway is the last thing the recipient processes. This technique is frequently employed in sales, marketing, and fundraising because it leverages the recency effect—the tendency to remember the final items in a series best.
Professional Etiquette and Tone
While the PS is effective, it requires careful handling to maintain a professional tone. Overuse of the PS can diminish its impact and make the sender appear scatterbrained or manipulative. In formal corporate environments, a PS should be used sparingly and only to highlight essential information that supports the main argument of the email. It should never be a place to introduce entirely new topics that belong in the body of the message. When used correctly, it conveys confidence and a keen attention to detail, suggesting that the sender understands exactly what needs to be communicated and where to place the emphasis.
Common Applications in Business
In a business context, the PS serves several practical functions. It is a popular spot for including contact information for follow-up, adding a personal touch to a standardized template, or reiterating a unique selling proposition. Below is a breakdown of common scenarios where professionals utilize the PS effectively:
Job Applications
