All letters of recommendation
differ; however, most good letters of recommendation need at least three
paragraphs containing the following types of information. The letter should
spill over onto a second page, if possible.
Identify yourself and the student.
Explain your affiliation, the capacity in which you have come to know
the student, and for how long you have known him or her. Include course
names as well as course numbers. State what grades the student earned
in your course and mention how you would rank the student in relation
to other students that you have known in the past. For example, did the
student submit the best paper on nuclear disarmament that you have read
in the last ten years? Did she excel at a particular activity or fall
in the top 2% of students that you have taught in some specific respect?
Discuss the student's strengths
and weaknesses. Be sure to give concrete examples to back up more
general statements. Specificity is very important in a letter of recommendation.
Make detailed references to specific projects or activities in which the
student participated, or work that was produced.You should discuss some
or all of the following:
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