Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Interview the person
Step 2:
List the qualities
Step 3:
Organize and write the letter

2torial #0600:
Learn2 Write a Letter of Recommendation

Turn praise into prose

It may be a coworker, an employee, a student, or a friend--someone has requested a letter of recommendation, you said yes, and now all you can do is sit at your desk and draw a complete blank. We'll help you get your laudatory juices flowing, from gathering and organizing the necessary information, to putting the best words down on paper.

Remember what this letter is for: you're not just giving a description of the person, you're giving praise. If you're at all uncomfortable with this task, it's your responsibility to let the person know. A vague, lukewarm letter can have the same effect as an outright negative one. If you tell the person you don't think you're best suited for the job, he or she will get the picture.

This advice is particularly true in these litigious times. Be aware that if you send a negative letter, the person for whom you wrote it can charge you with defamation. On the other hand, if your letter is positive but skips over information known to you that could prove harmful to the place or person receiving the letter, there's a possibility that you could be held liable.

But hopefully, you'll have a comfortable enough relationship with the person so you can write without worry. So boot up your computer and get ready to let the accolades fly.