Spend time thinking about the nature of your relationship to the individual in question. Be detailed. Instead of saying, “I’ve known Tom for three years,” say instead, “I have had the pleasure of working alongside Tom for the past three years at Yum Yum Burgers in Paytonville, Ohio. ”
Close the reference letter by urging the reader to look favorably upon the subject of the letter. Sign it “Sincerely, [your name]. ” Keep the character reference letter short. The readers don’t need page after page of information on a character reference. They need the basics. Keep this in mind when penning a rough draft for your character reference.
Use positive adjectives in order to stress what a good person your subject is. [4] X Research source List, briefly, the relevant accomplishments for the person about whom the reference is being written. For instance, if the individual has donated to philanthropic causes with either time or money, mention as much in your letter. If they have a military background and served with honor, cite their acts of bravery or courage in order to minimize a harsh legal penalty. List also any contributions the individual makes to their church or fraternal organization. If you find yourself wondering whether or not to put a certain accomplishment in, ask yourself, “Is this relevant or does it show good traits?”
Address judges and magistrates as “Your Honor,” professors as “Doctor” or “Professor,” and commanding officers in the military by their rank (for instance, “General” or “Sergeant”). [6] X Research source
If you’re writing for a court case, ensure you know the exact details of the crime the person you’re writing for committed, and talk to them about their feelings about the case. Show the person you’re writing to that you understand the gravity of the case, and if the accused seems to genuinely regret what they did, stress this in your letter. [8] X Research source Do not write a letter for someone you don’t know well, or who hesitates to give you all the requisite background details as to why they need a character reference from you.
If you’re writing to a group of people like an academic review board or an anonymous board of immigration and naturalization officials, address the letter with “Dear Sir or Madam. ”
