GUIDELINES
- Introduce yourself briefly. Include basic information such as your job and relationship to the person being referred to in the letter.
- Provide information regarding the person's character based on experience. Do not give information that is not based on actual facts, and avoid adding overly subjective comments that could undermine your credibility.
- End the letter with an invitation to contact you for further inquiries if necessary.
SAMPLE LETTER
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Letter Date]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]
[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-
Dear [Recipients Name],
Greetings. I am Allison Jordan, 34 years of age, and the owner of Fine Art Salon. I am the employer of Ms. Anna Jenkins, one of the parties in a case filed in your jurisdiction.
Ms. Jenkins has been working for us for the past three years, and during this time, I was able to observe her behavior and get to know her better. Based on how she has conducted herself, I can confidently say that she is a model employee. She works hard, is honest, and has never given us problems. In fact, we have consistently paid her bonuses for her impeccable performance and professional attitude.
I hope that you find this helpful in your quest for the truth. Should you need further information, I remain at your disposal. Thank you.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Character reference to a judge. Sample letter.
Further things to consider when writing reference letters to government officials
Reference Letters
Reference letters are letters written to endorse someone's general character and personality. A reference letter differs from a recommendation letter in that the latter supports the person's application for a specific job or education program and is usually addressed to a particular person. A reference letter is more general in nature, refers to the overall character of the person, and is not addressed to anyone in particular. It is normally addressed as "Dear sir/madam," or "To whom it may concern." The person who writes the reference letter is known as the referee, and he/she could be a close friend or colleague.
For you to write good reference letters, you need to know the candidates well to be able to express their best character. Start off with a salutation and the name of the person the letter is about. Write a sentence or two explaining how you know the person and for how long. Mention the strong qualities, characteristics, and strengths of the person in question. Giving brief examples, discuss why you feel the person will be a great addition to office and work culture. Use strong verbs but do not exaggerate. Conclude with your contacts and signature.
Letters to Government Officials
Letters to government officials are letters written to any person who works and acts in an official capacity for the government. The recipients of such letters could be congressmen, governors, or even the president. There are many reasons why you may want to write to a government official. Maybe some roads in your area need reconstruction and proper lighting. Perhaps there is a curfew in your town which has made it impossible for you to do night shifts. Whatever the reason, the letter must be formal, respectful, and well-worded.
When writing letters to government officials, you need to decide the official to whom you want to direct the letter. Start by introducing yourself and clearly stating the reason for your letter. Explain how the issue at hand affects you and other people in your group. Explain your personal stand on it and the reason for your position. Offer suggestions that you think can solve the problem. Emphasize important information by bolding or underlining. Try to keep the letter short, preferably one page. Wrap it up by thanking the recipient in advance for reading the letter and considering your thoughts. Type the letter or write it in clear, legible handwriting.
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