| As a result of writing literally hundreds of letters of | | | | who invariably understands exactly what a project is |
| recommendation over the years, I have learned that | | | | all about."o "[name] consistently produces high quality |
| there are certain common elements and approaches | | | | work in a timely fashion."o "The only area of |
| that are applicable to almost all such letters. | | | | weakness that I ever noted in [name]'s performance |
| If you look closely at most recommendation and | | | | was..." |
| reference letters you will notice that there are certain | | | | A typical letter of recommendation will normally include |
| "types" of phrases that recur over and over again, | | | | three to four assessment statements. |
| throughout the various letters. | | | | CLOSING STATEMENTS |
| These statement types can be grouped into three | | | | The closing statement in a letter of recommendation |
| major categories: opening statements, assessment | | | | should be one or two sentences at most, and it should |
| statements, and closing statements. These statements | | | | make a clear statement of recommendation that |
| are the three key components of any letter of | | | | flows logically from the points made in the assessment |
| recommendation. If you formulate these phrases well | | | | part of the letter. They will often begin with transition |
| you are guaranteed to have an excellent letter. | | | | phrases such as: "In summary...", "In Closing,...", "Based |
| OPENING STATEMENTS | | | | on the foregoing,...", "Accordingly,...", etc. |
| The opening statement in a letter of recommendation | | | | Closing statements in recommendation letters are |
| should state the name of the person being | | | | generally positive, but in some circumstances they may |
| recommended. It can also explain why you are the | | | | be qualified, or sometimes, even completely negative. |
| person writing the letter. The opening statement should | | | | Following are three generic typical closing statements |
| normally be one short sentence and should never | | | | for inclusion in recommendation letters:o "I am |
| exceed two sentences. | | | | therefore very pleased to be able to recommend |
| Following are three generic typical opening statements | | | | [name] for..."o "Based on my time working with [name], I |
| for inclusion in recommendation letters:o "I am writing | | | | recommend her very highly for..."o "I respect [name] as |
| this letter at the request of [name of requestor]."o "This | | | | a colleague, but I must say that in all honesty, I cannot |
| is in response to your recent request for a letter of | | | | recommend him for..." |
| recommendation for [name]."o "I am pleased to be able | | | | In summary, mastering these three types of |
| to write this letter of recommendation for [name]." | | | | "recommendation power phrases" is one of the keys |
| ASSESSMENT STATEMENTSAssessment | | | | to writing all types of letters of recommendation. As |
| statements in a letter of recommendation are those | | | | such, knowledge of how to write typical opening, |
| sentences and phrases that contain the | | | | assessment, and closing statements, as illustrated |
| recommender's specific assessment of the | | | | above, is essential to writing effective letters of |
| performance, characteristics, and attributes of the | | | | recommendation. |
| person being recommended. | | | | In fact, when I was compiling these phrases for the |
| Normally an assessment statement will be followed up | | | | revised edition of my book on this subject, I collected |
| by one or two specific performance-related examples | | | | more than 150 generic "Recommendation Letter |
| backing up the statement just made. | | | | Power Phrases" . |
| Following are three generic typical assessment | | | | Copyright © Shaun R. Fawcett. All rights |
| statements for inclusion in letters of recommendation:o | | | | reserved. |
| "In my opinion, [name] is a hard-working self-starter | | | | |