When you scan your inbox, the letters "PS" often sit at the bottom of a colleague or client's message, floating just above their signature. In the context of email communication, PS stands for "postscript," a term carried directly from traditional letter writing. While the main body of the message conveys the primary information, the PS serves as a final, often crucial, touchpoint.
The Origin and Definition of PS
The origin of the PS is rooted in the physical limitations of typewriters and handwriting. Before word processors allowed for easy editing, a writer who remembered a critical point after finishing a letter had no efficient way to insert text at the top without re-typing the entire page. Instead, they would add a separate line, noting "P.S." followed by the additional thought. The definition is simple: it is an afterthought added after the main correspondence is complete, yet its placement at the very end gives it disproportionate weight.
Why the PS Endures in Digital Communication
One might assume that the digital age, with its effortless editing capabilities, would render the PS obsolete. However, the opposite has occurred. In email, the PS has evolved into a high-impact rhetorical device. Because it breaks the visual pattern of the email, it signals to the reader that the following text is distinct from the rest. It creates a sense of intimacy and directness, as if the sender is leaning in to share a confidential aside that didn't fit the formal structure of the main message.
Strategic Use in Professional Settings
In a professional environment, the PS is a tool for prioritization. If you are emailing a busy executive or a hiring manager, the PS allows you to include a critical call to action or a key detail that must be seen even if the recipient skims the rest of the email. Common uses include highlighting a deadline, reiterating a meeting time, or adding a final persuasive point. Because the PS is the last thing the reader sees before moving on, it often becomes the anchor for the entire interaction.
The Psychology Behind the Punctuation
The effectiveness of the PS is rooted in psychology. Recipients read emails linearly, but the brain tends to remember the beginning and the end of a message best—a phenomenon known as the serial position effect. By placing a compelling note in the PS, you capitalize on the "recency effect." Furthermore, the PS creates a feeling of exclusivity; it suggests that the sender had something specific to say to the reader personally, rather than broadcasting a generic message to a list.
Common Variations and Etiquette
While "PS" is the standard, you will occasionally encounter "PPS" (post-postscript) or "PPPS" (post-post-postscript). Generally, using multiple postscripts is considered poor email etiquette, as it implies a lack of foresight or urgency in the original composition. Etiquette dictates that the PS should be concise. If the information is too lengthy to be a true afterthought, it likely belongs in the main body of the email, organized into clear paragraphs with appropriate headings.
PS in Marketing and Sales
For marketers and sales professionals, the PS is a prime real estate. In promotional emails, newsletters, and sales pitches, the PS is often used to deliver the ultimate incentive or final warning. Phrases like "P.S. Don't forget to claim your bonus," or "P.S. The early bird price ends tonight," are designed to combat procrastination. It serves as a last chance to trigger the desired action, making it a vital component of conversion-focused copy.
