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