GUIDELINES

  1. If you need a favor from a person, don't apologize. Make the person feel honored in your letter. Tell the reader why he/she is capable of helping you. Explain your reason for requesting this favor. Be persuasive and make the request reasonable. Tell the reader that you will repay his/her kindness.
  2. Make it clear to the reader why you are asking for a favor. Also, tell the reader why he/she can help you.
  3. If you are asking too much from the reader, be persuasive in making the request reasonable.
  4. Compliment the person but avoid flattery. Tell the reader that you are willing to repay his/her kindness.

SAMPLE LETTER

[Senders Name]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]

[Letter Date]

[Recipients Name]
[Address line]
[State, ZIP Code]

[Subject: Normally bold, summarizes the intention of the letter] -Optional-


Dear [Recipients Name],

Good day! I am writing you to ask for a favor that I hope you will oblige in.

In less than two months I will be taking the Graduate Record Examination, with the hope to enter Lakewood University, where they have the best graduate school program for the course I want to complete. The school places an extremely high emphasis on a student's success in the exam, which is why I feel extremely pressured to get an above average score on the GRE.

Seeing that you helped my older sibling pass his GRE and get into MIT's graduate program, you were the first person I thought of when considering who I could approach to assist me. I am not asking for too much time; I would just really appreciate any pointers you could give me and a few lessons on the mathematics and physics sections, which I feel are my weakest points.

I look forward to your response to this request that I have. I hope that you will give me a definite reply. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-

[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -

Request a favor. Sample letter.

Further things to consider when writing request letters to mentors

Further things to consider when writing request letters to mentors

Request Letters

Request letters are letters written to ask formally or politely for something. Any matter that requires a humble and polite appeal can be put forward using a request letter. It could be a job interview, a promotion, or a favor; a request letter will get the job done. A request letter can be formal or informal depending on the recipient. If you are requesting a friend to do a task for you, for instance, you can choose to go informal. But if you are requesting your manager for a promotion, the letter has to be formal. Either way, a request letter must be sent early enough to give the recipient ample time to process and respond to the request.

When writing request letters, you need to be brief and direct, avoiding any auxiliary information that might weaken the message you are conveying. State exactly and clearly what you are requesting for giving reasons for it. If you are requesting for a raise, for example, explain in details why you think you deserve one. Maintain a polite tone throughout the letter. Close the letter by thanking the recipient in advance and expressing your anticipation for his/her consideration.

Letters to Mentors

Letters to mentors are letters you write to your mentor, or any other trusted and experienced adviser. Mostly, these are thank-you letters to show gratitude to the person for mentoring and guiding you. Sometimes it could be hard to find the right words to express yourself to someone from who you have learned so much and who means so much to you. Don't worry. You don't have to write a whole book to show that you are grateful. You only need a short message to say thank you. Many people would choose to say thank you using chats or text messages, but nothing beats that old-fashioned letter. A letter is something the mentor can keep for years and read it over and over again.

Letters to mentors are informal and usually have a casual tone. Address your letter warmly, making it personal and sincere. Explain the purpose of your letter. Mention how you cherish the recipient's advice and how you have benefited from it. Enquire after the recipient to show that you care about him/her. To wrap up nicely, let the recipient know that you appreciate his/her advice one last time. Close the letter by signing your name.

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