GUIDELINES
- Begin the letter with a short self-introduction that includes your name, profession, and the capacity in which you know the person referred to in the letter.
- Provide a description of the person in question. Focus on specific character traits or qualifications that are relevant to the purpose of the letter. Keep any anecdotes or examples short and to the point.
- Close the letter respectfully.
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! My name is Angeline Ricks, and I hold the post of Senior Language Trainer at Fluency Solutions, Inc. I am writing about Ms. Monette Tan, one of my former colleagues.
Ms. Tan worked with us as a Junior Language Trainer for two years before she decided to leave for further studies in 2009. Her job at Fluency Solutions included creating training materials and some classroom instruction. As such, I can confidently say that she possesses the theoretical knowledge necessary to teach the English language. Furthermore, we have not encountered any major problems with her, as her attendance record is quite impeccable.
Thank you for contacting us. If you need information, do not hesitate to give me a call at 555-5555.
Sincerely,
[Senders Name]
[Senders Title] -Optional-
[Enclosures: number] - Optional -
cc: [Name of copy recipient] - Optional -
Character reference letter. Sample letter.
Further things to consider when writing reference letters to organizations
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 Organizations
Letters to organizations are letters written to institutions, associations, or any organized body of people working together to achieve a common goal. An organization could be a charity, union, corporation, or even a neighborhood association. There are a thousand reasons why you may want to write to an organization. Maybe you want to volunteer to offer your services, or you want to make a donation. Perhaps you are requesting sponsorship for your event. Whatever the reason, any letter to an organization must be formal and addressed properly.
When writing letters to organizations, it's important to know what it is that you want to achieve and what you want the organization to do. Use the standard business letter format. Start your letter with a proper salutation and introduce yourself or your company. State the purpose of the letter. Mention what you are asking for or what you are offering. Include any materials or information that you feel might be important to the recipient. Use a polite and professional tone. Keep the letter short, preferably, one page. In the end, thank the recipient in advance for his/her time and consideration. Sign-off using business-appropriate language. Include your full name and contact details.
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