The practice of including an entire prior email exchange within a new message, often to provide context or a record of past communication, can be described as an email chain inclusion. This technique ensures recipients are aware of previous discussions, decisions, or information shared. For example, when forwarding a response to a superior, the original request and subsequent replies might be attached to provide a complete picture of the situation.
Incorporating the entire message history offers significant advantages. It allows new recipients to quickly understand the background of the conversation without needing to search for individual emails. This can save time and improve efficiency, especially when dealing with complex or multi-layered issues. Historically, this approach developed organically as email became the primary means of business communication, providing a simple method for maintaining context and accountability.