[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-281494-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":81,"doc-detail-281494-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","writing-letters-of-recommendation-tips-and-sample-letters","Writing Letters of Recommendation - Tips and Sample Letters","","Guidance on writing strong letters of recommendation for student applications, with practical direction on structure, tone, and credibility. Emphasizes using a supportive context, including at least three paragraphs (introduction, assessment, conclusion), and matching letter length to recommendation strength. Recommends specific, accurate examples over vague descriptors, avoiding exaggeration, optionally using relevant statistics, and framing weaknesses constructively. Includes signature and authenticity suggestions, plus strong and weak sample residency recommendation letters to illustrate effective drafting.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/","Template",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/","Letters",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/writing-letters-of-recommendation-tips-and-sample-letters/281494/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/writing-letters-of-recommendation-tips-and-sample-letters/281494.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Aurelia","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-23","2026-09-16",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",14,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What paragraph structure should a strong letter of recommendation include?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"A strong letter typically includes at least three paragraphs: an introduction explaining how long and in what capacity you have known the student, a paragraph detailing your assessment of the student’s abilities, and a conclusion summarizing the strength of the recommendation.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Why can letter length affect how the recommendation is interpreted?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"Letter length is often treated as an indicator of strength. Strong recommendations may go to a second page, while letters that are one page or less are sometimes seen as “red flags” by some program directors.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How should weaknesses be handled in a recommendation letter?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"If weaknesses must be mentioned, consider framing them positively, such as highlighting demonstrated improvement, rather than stating shortcomings in a blunt or negative way.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},281494,1790200276,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,89,94,98,103,108,113,117,122],{"id":85,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},11,"Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":90,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":91,"show_sort_weight":92,"slug":93},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":55,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":95,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":97},"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":99,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":100,"show_sort_weight":101,"slug":102},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":104,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":105,"show_sort_weight":106,"slug":107},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":109,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":110,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":112},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":114,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":115,"slug":116},18,30,"letters",{"id":118,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":119,"show_sort_weight":120,"slug":121},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":123,"doc_module":22,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":124,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":125},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":127},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":128,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":22,"category_id":114,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":33,"language":135,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":139,"read_time":26},1099514068365,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/10000253d8d9f28188e?_k=1776742907772140068","Tips for Writing Strong Letters of Recommendation  \nImportant: If you cannot write a supportive letter of recommendation (e.g., if you did not work with the student very long or did not have a good experience), please let the student know that he/she should request a letter from someone else.  \nThe tips below assume that you are in support of the student’s application and would like to see him/her be successful:  \n􀁸 The strongest letters include at least 3 paragraphs:  \no Introduction – including how long and in what capacity you have known the student  \no 2nd Paragraph – outlining details of your assessment of the student’s abilities  \no Conclusion – summarizing the strength of your recommendation  \n􀁸 Letter length is often interpreted as a measure of the strength of your recommendation – if your recommendation is strong, the letter should go on to a second page; letters that are 1 page or less are often considered “red flags” by some program directors  \n􀁸 Include accurate descriptions and specific examples of the student’s abilities – avoid either exaggeration or overly vague/generic descriptors  \n􀁸 When possible, include statistics (e.g.,“Ms. Jones is among the top 5% of students with whom I have worked,” or 10%, 20%, etc. )  \n􀁸 In describing any weaknesses, consider whether you can frame them positively (e.g.,“demonstrated improvement in documentation…” rather than “demonstrated poor documentation”)  \n􀁸 Include any position titles, including faculty appointments, in your signature  \n􀁸 “Real” signatures are preferred over digital signatures  \nThe table below provides a useful example of revising a “vague” or “ambiguous” letter:  \nRoberts & Termuehlen, Acad Psych 2013; 37(1): 55‐9.  \nSAMPLE LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION – STRONG  \nEsteemed Residency Program Well‐Known University 1234 University Way Big City, Florida 54321  \nMarch 19, 2014  \nDear Program Director,  \nIt is my pleasure to write in support of the application of Mr. Ian Harris for your residency program. I have been an educator for decades with considerable experience with national organizations. I worked closely with Mr. Harris during his third year clerkship as well as during his acting internship. As is evident from his CV, Mr. Harris has excelled throughout his career with many notable accomplishments which I will not repeat here. I will focus on my experiences with Mr. Harris, primarily those related to his clinical abilities and which demonstrate the qualities necessary for your residency: excellent knowledge, clinical skills, patient care, and leadership. I have observed Mr. Harris in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, taught him in class, and overseen his performance during his clerkship and acting internship.  \nIn addition to considerable intellect and exemplary performances on standardized examinations, Mr. Harris is a warm, engaging individual who teaches others by example, is inclusive, and consistently exhibits curiosity and motivation to learn. He comes prepared for all types of learning situations, having researched the relevant topics so that he can provide quality care as well as participate actively in class and clinical supervision. Mr. Harris is articulate, well‐read, and able to utilize his knowledge effectively in the clinical setting. In addition to prioritizing his own learning, Mr. Harris considers the needs of others. On multiple occasions, he has arrived in clinic with handouts on relevant clinical topics tailored for the rest of the medical team. He has been described as one of the best students to rotate on our service by our residents and several attending physicians. A colleague was so impressed by Mr. Harris’ knowledge and skills that she invited him to give a presentation during Grand Rounds. His presentation was outstanding – comprehensive in scope yet presented efficiently and effectively. On his own time, Mr. Harris designed a well‐conceived, thorough study protocol on risk factors for readmission within 30 days to our inpat","cbCaincGCLSjV8OS","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaincGCLSjV8OS","pdf",238963,"English","# Tips for Writing Strong Letters of Recommendation\n## Core Structure and Content\n## Length, Specificity, and Statistics\n## Framing Weaknesses and Signature Guidance\n# Sample Letter of Recommendation - Strong\n# Sample Letter of Recommendation - Weak","[{\"question\":\"What paragraph structure should a strong letter of recommendation include?\",\"answer\":\"A strong letter typically includes at least three paragraphs: an introduction explaining how long and in what capacity you have known the student, a paragraph detailing your assessment of the student’s abilities, and a conclusion summarizing the strength of the recommendation.\"},{\"question\":\"Why can letter length affect how the recommendation is interpreted?\",\"answer\":\"Letter length is often treated as an indicator of strength. Strong recommendations may go to a second page, while letters that are one page or less are sometimes seen as “red flags” by some program directors.\"},{\"question\":\"How should weaknesses be handled in a recommendation letter?\",\"answer\":\"If weaknesses must be mentioned, consider framing them positively, such as highlighting demonstrated improvement, rather than stating shortcomings in a blunt or negative way.\"}]","Writing Letters of Recommendation - Tips and Sample Letters | PDF",1789566455]