Email, instant messaging (IM), and texting are ways of sending text messages back and forth to other people on the Internet. They seem very similar: In all, you compose a message, and when it’s ready,...

Email, instant messaging (IM), and texting are ways of sending text messages back and forth to other people on the Internet. They seem very similar: In all, you compose a message, and when it’s ready, you send it; and when someone else sends something to you, you receive it on your device and can read it.

But in practice, email, IM, and texting can be surprisingly different; each has its own rhythm, its own strengths and weaknesses, its own sociology, and its own etiquette.

As you use these messaging systems during the course of the term, watch for differences between them. Which medium is more appropriate for which kinds of relationships and communications? Which medium is more stressful to use? Which takes more time? Which is more convenient for you? Which one is more useful for getting real work done? Which one would you use if you knew that whatever you wrote was eventually going to be published in a book? If you were restricted to using only one of these communications methods, which would it be?