Writing a recommendation letter should be persuasive and give an overall positive and realistic picture of the student. Therefore, it is important that the teacher know the student and have a positive relationship. Faint praise should not be included. Recommendation letters include what may not be found on the application and provide an additional understanding of the applicant.
The recommendation letter consists of three parts: the opening, the body and a closing. The opening explains the relationship between the teacher and student, which includes length of time known. The body has several paragraphs and contains specifics that can include personal characteristics, strengths in subject areas, honors, awards, integrity, enthusiam, motivation, service activities, leadership skills and the abilitly to work well with others or independently. The closing should clearly state why the teacher recommends the applicant.
Compelling recommendation letters share information that expands upon the student's application and ideally will offer something new. This includes passion about a particular activity or subject, an unprecedented achievement, anecdotes about the student's character and ways the student rose to challenges.
Students are expected to do their part by providing the teacher with information. A current resume and full description of the school or place of employment that the student is applying to should be made available as soon as possible. The more information provided, the more persuasive the letter will be.
When writing a recommendation letter for a job application, the letter should be specific to the organization and the job. Also included are the teacher's relationship to the applicant, the applicant's skills and strengths, ability to work with and teach others, as well as the applicant's ability to accept critism, both positive and negative.
What not to include in a recommendation letter is just as important as what is included. Teachers should make no comments pertaining to race, national origin, disabilities, religion and parental or marital status. Also to be avoided is any type of negative implication that may keep the applicant from obtaining the position sought.