The Two-Minute Edit That Saves Every Email

Is the ask in the first two lines?

If the reader stopped after the opening, would they know what you need? If not, move it up. Everything else is support.

Does every paragraph earn its place?

Read each one and ask what it adds. Background the reader already has, and context that repeats the previous paragraph, can go.

This is usually where half the length disappears.

Would a tired reader misread the tone?

Assume the recipient is busy and slightly stressed. Anything that could read as sharp will. Adjust the small words rather than adding a paragraph of padding.

Is the next step explicit?

Name who does what, by when. "Let me know your thoughts" ends a message without moving it forward; "can you confirm by Thursday" does.