Your letter of recommendation may help your favorite student obtain a much-needed scholarship.
Scholarship applications often require the accompaniment of letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic abilities and work ethic. At some point in your career, you may be asked to write a letter of recommendation for a family friend, a coworker, an employee or a current student. It is essential to write a professional, formal letter of recommendation because this element of the application could determine whether the applicant is awarded a scholarship.
Instructions
1. Ask the scholarship candidate to provide an outline for the letter of recommendation. This will act as a starting point for the collection of information required to write the letter. The rough draft should include information about the applicant's qualifications, including a list of specific work and academic experiences the applicant would like to have highlighted within the letter. Also ask the applicant to supply a recent copy of his resume.
2. Review the scholarship description. The entity that is offering the scholarship likely has specific requirements that must be met by applicants. Read the description and use a pen and paper to write specific elements that must be addressed within the letter of recommendation.
3. Draft the first and subsequent paragraphs of the letter of recommendation on a computer using word processing software. In the first paragraph, introduce yourself and explain how you know the applicant and why you are qualified to pass judgment on her capabilities.
4. Write the second paragraph. Use professional language to outline your individual knowledge of and experiences with the applicant. Provide a confirmation of facts that must accompany the application. For example, if you are writing a letter of recommendation for someone you supervise, confirm the applicant's dates of employment within your letter.
5. Write the third paragraph. In this paragraph, you will make your specific recommendation. For example, confirm your willingness to hire this applicant for future work or discuss why you believe this person will excel in his chosen academic field.
6. Write a fourth paragraph. In this paragraph, provide specific examples that validate your claims. Include any extracurricular activities provided by the applicant. Refer to specific incidents provided by the applicant in the outline mentioned in Step 1.
7. Write the closing paragraph. Provide your contact information and invite the application reviewer to contact you if she has additional questions regarding the applicant's qualifications. Close the letter using a formal business closing line such as, "Sincerely yours," followed by your name.
8. Format the letter of recommendation. Place the recipient's address at the top of the page. Address the recipient by name, if you know it. For example, the letter might begin with, "Dear Mr. Burns."
9. Edit the letter of recommendation. Check for spelling and grammatical errors before printing and signing the letter of recommendation. You should carefully review the final printed draft one last time before providing the letter to the scholarship candidate.
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