1、Chapter16Letters of RecommendationChapter 16Letters of Recommendation推荐信Chapter16Letters of RecommendationContents of this chapterI.IntroductionII.Sample AnalysisIII.Sample ContrastIV.Useful Patterns and SentencesV.Types of recommendation letters(additional)VI.Tips for recommendation letters(additio
2、nal)Chapter16Letters of RecommendationI.Introduction Letters of recommendation are written to evaluate individuals.Recommendations may be written to nominate people for awards or for membership in organizations,and they may also be written by employers to appraise the performance of employees.Chapte
3、r16Letters of RecommendationI.Introduction The central concern in recommendation is honesty.Thus,you must avoid exaggerating to cover up a candidates weaknesses or underestimating his/her ability to destroy the persons chances.Ethically and legally,you have a duty to the candidate as well as to othe
4、r employers or organizations to describe that person truthfully and objectively.Chapter16Letters of RecommendationI.Introduction Respond only to a written request.Moreover,dont volunteer information,particularly if it is negative.Provide only job-related information.Avoid commenting on behavior or a
5、ctivities not related to the job.Avoid vague and ambiguous statements.Keep in mind that imprecise and poorly-written remarks may be made innocently but could be interpreted quite differently.Follow the guidelines in writing:Chapter16Letters of RecommendationI.Introduction Supply specific evidence fo
6、r any negative comment.Support any damaging information with verifiable facts.Stress facts.Facts speak louder than words.Let the reader make his/her own judgment.If you want to express an opinion,back up your opinion with facts.State that your remarks are confidential.The words imply that the respon
7、se will be seen only by people who have responsibility for the hiring decision.Follow the guidelines in writing:Chapter16Letters of RecommendationI.Introduction1.Opening2.Body3.ConclusionThree parts of a recommendation letterChapter16Letters of Recommendation1.Opening Give the name of the candidate
8、and the position sought.State that your remarks are confidential.Suggest that you are writing at the request of the candidate or the potential employer.Describe your relationship with the candidate.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation1.OpeningTo match the tone of the letter(additional)Example opening
9、wordsOpinion of individualThis letter is in reference toThis letter is in reference toVery lowThis serves as a letter of reference This serves as a letter of reference forforFairly low I am pleased to write this letter ofI am pleased to write this letter of recommendation forrecommendation forAverag
10、e I am pleased toI am pleased to recommendrecommendFairly high It is a genuine pleasure and honor for It is a genuine pleasure and honor for me to recommend me to recommend Very high Chapter16Letters of Recommendation1.OpeningExamples of opening(additional)Dear Mr.Villas:This is in response to your
11、recent request for a letter of recommendation for Maria Hillman who worked for me up until two years ago.To Whom it May Concern:Scott Smith worked for me at XYZ Technologies for three years as a senior technical instructor.I am writing this letter of recommendation to confirm that his recent layoff
12、from XYZ was not in any way tied to his performance,and to highly recommend him as an employee with your organization.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation2.Body Describe the candidates academic or job performance and his/her potential.You can focus on such traits as communication skills,organizational
13、 skills,interpersonal skills,ability to work with a team,dependability,loyalty and initiative.In describing these traits,be sure to back them up with evidence.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation2.BodyExamples of body(additional)I was quite impressed by James ability to complete all work assigned to h
14、im on time,if not before it was due.His research was always thorough and comprehensive,and his fact checking always accurate.We sometimes allow our editorial assistants to do some writing,but James talents prompted us to assign him more pieces than the norm.His writing is clear,concise,and evocative
15、.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation2.BodyExamples of body(additional)Michael is an enthusiastic,dedicated employee with reliable work habits.He often does not need guidance or supervision,but willingly accepts it when offered.He is consistently successful in improving his skills,and he works hard to
16、 do so.Michael is always willing to pitch in to help the team,and he gets the job done right the first time.He is efficient in planning projects,punctual in meeting deadlines,and conscientiously adheres to company standards and guidelines.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation3.Conclusion You should off
17、er an overall evaluation.Indicate how you would rank this person in relation to others in the organization.If you are strongly supportive,you may summarize the candidates best qualities.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation3.ConclusionExamples of conclusion(additional)Holly is an invaluable asset to an
18、y technical communications department,and I highly recommend hiring her.If youd like to discuss her attributes in more detail,please dont hesitate to contact me.Chapter16Letters of Recommendation3.ConclusionExamples of conclusion(additional)Always,in his work,Kaya is consistent,dedicated and passion
19、ate,enthusiastic,cheerful,and a pleasure to work with.I highly recommend him for any position of work,leadership,education,or any other capacity in which he can spread his excitement and share his talents with others.Chapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample AnalysisLetter A:A positive recommendat
20、ion letterTo whom it may concern:To whom it may concern:I have known Allan Smith since 2008 when he came to the Business I have known Allan Smith since 2008 when he came to the Business School,Curtin University.Allan had come to participate in coursework School,Curtin University.Allan had come to pa
21、rticipate in coursework masters program run by the school.masters program run by the school.He was rapidly involved in many activities within the school and activities He was rapidly involved in many activities within the school and activities held by a number of non-governmental organizations.He be
22、came a most held by a number of non-governmental organizations.He became a most respected and popular tutor,and was asked to design and implement respected and popular tutor,and was asked to design and implement training programs for the Triple Trust Organization(TTO).training programs for the Tripl
23、e Trust Organization(TTO).Allan successfully completed the program and then set about Allan successfully completed the program and then set about documenting his experiences in the training field to develop a framework documenting his experiences in the training field to develop a framework for othe
24、r similar programs.This path-breaking work was so impressive for other similar programs.This path-breaking work was so impressive that a number of nongovernmental organizations involved in our training that a number of nongovernmental organizations involved in our training of micro-enterprise entrep
25、reneurs requested a copy of Allans thesis.of micro-enterprise entrepreneurs requested a copy of Allans thesis.(To be continued)Chapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample AnalysisLetter A:A positive recommendation letter(Continued)A very friendly disposition,a keen social conscience and an admirable
26、 A very friendly disposition,a keen social conscience and an admirable work ethic make Allan a valuable asset in any organization.His interest work ethic make Allan a valuable asset in any organization.His interest in Economics extends well beyond the narrow confines of the course in Economics exten
27、ds well beyond the narrow confines of the course syllabus,to the implementation of policy which will make a difference syllabus,to the implementation of policy which will make a difference to those at the lower end of the income distribution.to those at the lower end of the income distribution.Allan
28、s academic background,his teaching experience and his track Allans academic background,his teaching experience and his track record in the field of micro-enterprise development are testimony to his record in the field of micro-enterprise development are testimony to his dedication,energy and enthusi
29、asm with which he tackles any project at dedication,energy and enthusiasm with which he tackles any project at hand.hand.I am very happy to recommend Allan to any potential employer,as I am I am very happy to recommend Allan to any potential employer,as I am confident that he will justify my confide
30、nce in him.confident that he will justify my confidence in him.Dylan ThomasDylan ThomasDean of the Business School,Curtin UniversityDean of the Business School,Curtin UniversityChapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample AnalysisLetter B:A negative recommendation letterDear Mr.Edison:Dear Mr.Edison:
31、Lawrence International provides the confidential employment Lawrence International provides the confidential employment information about Alice Harris you requested in your letter of August information about Alice Harris you requested in your letter of August 15.15.She worked from January 5 to July
32、13 as an office clerk in Lawrence She worked from January 5 to July 13 as an office clerk in Lawrence International,responsible for records of sales and customer service.International,responsible for records of sales and customer service.She is good at figures and,in general,she has done well in rec
33、ord She is good at figures and,in general,she has done well in record keeping.keeping.Between February and May,for five times,the customers reported that Between February and May,for five times,the customers reported that she had been impatient and rude to them.After being criticized by the she had
34、been impatient and rude to them.After being criticized by the manager,she made no improvement.In June,she again quarreled with manager,she made no improvement.In June,she again quarreled with a customer.She left the company at Lawrence Internationals request.a customer.She left the company at Lawren
35、ce Internationals request.(To be continued)Chapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample AnalysisLetter B:A negative recommendation letter(Continued)But she is earnest with her job,and her job at recording sales was But she is earnest with her job,and her job at recording sales was satisfactory.satisf
36、actory.Sincerely,Sincerely,John LiJohn LiHuman Resources ManagerHuman Resources ManagerLawrence InternationalLawrence InternationalChapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample Analysis1.What is the central concern in writing a recommendation letter?2.How many parts should be included in a recommendat
37、ion letter?3.What should be included in the opening part of a recommendation letter?Key:1.The central concern is honesty.2.It should include three parts:opening,body,and conclusion.3.In the opening,the writer should give the name of the candidate and the position sought.State that the remarks are co
38、nfidential,and suggest that the letter is at eh request of the candidate.Describe the relationship with the candidate.Questions for comprehension:Chapter16Letters of RecommendationII.Sample Analysis4.What should be included in the body of a recommendation letter?5.How would you write the final part
39、of a recommendation letter?6.Could you point out the differences between these two recommendation letters?Key:4.The body of a recommendation letter should describe the candidates academic or job performance and his/her potential.5.In the final part,I would offer an overall evaluation.6.The major dif
40、ference is that letter A is positive while letter B is negative.Questions for comprehension:Chapter16Letters of RecommendationIII.Sample Contrast1.A recommendation letter for membershipPoor To whom it may concern:To whom it may concern:I am writing on behalf of Mr.Jim Esposito to apply for membershi
41、p I am writing on behalf of Mr.Jim Esposito to apply for membership in the West Bay Umpires Association.in the West Bay Umpires Association.For the past two years,we officiated at both high school and collegeFor the past two years,we officiated at both high school and collegebaseball games.Working c
42、losely with Mr.Jim Esposito,I have found baseball games.Working closely with Mr.Jim Esposito,I have found that he is a good umpire.He is alert on the field,and he makes his that he is a good umpire.He is alert on the field,and he makes his calls quickly and sticks to them.But,since Jim is affected b
43、y the calls quickly and sticks to them.But,since Jim is affected by the managers,he sometimes does not follow the work ethic of our managers,he sometimes does not follow the work ethic of our profession.In general,he is highly respected by both managers and profession.In general,he is highly respect
44、ed by both managers and players.I have really enjoyed working with him.players.I have really enjoyed working with him.Jim likes to join the West Bay Umpires Association!I would be happyJim likes to join the West Bay Umpires Association!I would be happy(To be continued)Chapter16Letters of Recommendat
45、ionIII.Sample Contrast1.A recommendation letter for membership(Continued)Jim likes to join the West Bay Umpires Association!I would be happyJim likes to join the West Bay Umpires Association!I would be happy to discuss his skills if you call me at home any evening.to discuss his skills if you call m
46、e at home any evening.Sincerely yours,Sincerely yours,James CollinsJames CollinsChapter16Letters of RecommendationIII.Sample Contrast1.A recommendation letter for membershipImprovedTo whom it may concern:To whom it may concern:I am glad to support Jim Espositos application for membership in the I am
47、 glad to support Jim Espositos application for membership in the West Bay Umpires Association.West Bay Umpires Association.For the past two years,Jim and I have officiated at both high school For the past two years,Jim and I have officiated at both high school and college baseball games.Working clos
48、ely with him,I have found and college baseball games.Working closely with him,I have found that he is a good umpire.Not only is he alert on the field,but he that he is a good umpire.Not only is he alert on the field,but he makes his calls quickly and sticks to them.Even though Jim has makes his call
49、s quickly and sticks to them.Even though Jim has occasionally changed his calls because of managers complaints,he is occasionally changed his calls because of managers complaints,he is highly respected by both managers and players.I have really enjoyed highly respected by both managers and players.I
50、 have really enjoyed working with him.working with him.(To be continued)Chapter16Letters of RecommendationIII.Sample Contrast1.A recommendation letter for membership(Continued)We need more umpires like Jim Esposito in the association!I would We need more umpires like Jim Esposito in the association!
