How do you write an e-mail to a professor or someone like your boss? I never learned how to write a good e-mail and all I would write is something like "Hi, blah blah blah".

Here. I just searched google and it took me like 5 seconds.

Dr So and so,

I'm doing a project for Dr whatsherface, and I need access to the blah. Would that be alright with you?

rockz

If he doesn't respond, go find him as he's wandering the hall, and say, "Hey, Dr so and so, can I use the blah for Dr whatsherface's class?" Then again, I know nearly all of the teachers in my major, and they're all hicks, which makes it easy.

I don't think it should really be any different than if you were actually writing a letter on paper.

And yes, I think being concise, clear, and direct is a good thing to do.

I always treat them like writing a letter. Start with a dear professor blah blah.
Tab text
sincerely,
echo

Unless its an english teacher, who are usually weird enough to want to be on a first name basis.

Then it's HEY YOU TEACHER! I GOT PROBLEMS! FIX EM YUP GUD.

I always write professors, bosses, and colleagues in a similar manner to the way I post here. I just make sure that my grammar is good (which it usually is anyway) and I avoid using internet lingo.

Proper format for emails does not require tabbing. Use two returns instead to create a line break, it'll make you seem super sophisticated.

lol Fred where'd you come from?

You probably don't even need formatting. Example:

Hello, I'm in your [name of class], and I had a question regarding [question]. (elaborate if necessary)

[Your name]

It seeems fine to me.