Whether you're writing a letter to recommend a former or current student as an excellent scholar, or a previous employee as an outstanding worker, the prospect of creating a character reference can be intimidating. Don't worry, however, there are plenty of resources to help you write the perfect letter of reference. Start with the proper format, and piece together the sample phrases that fit the occasion and the person you're talking about. For an even faster method, choose a template and fill it out with the appropriate names and dates.

Formatting a Professional Letter of Recommendation

When you're writing a professional reference letter, format it like any other business letter. All text should be left-justified, or lined up on the left-hand margin. The first block of text is the header, which includes your address and the current date. The second block of text includes the name, title and address of the recipient. The third block of text begins with the salutation, continues with the body of the letter, and wraps up with a closing and signature block.

Sample Recommendation Letter Text

Once you've typed in the header and the recipient's address block, decide on a greeting. Common greetings for a professional letter include the following:

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