Your letter will open with a line that begins "Dear" followed by the name of the person who will receive the letter. Then your opening sentences will provide your name, the name of the candidate, and the reason for your letter. Explain your relationship to the candidate and how long you've known them. If you have any special qualifications that make your reference more valuable, you should include those as well. Confirm details that are relevant to the candidate's application. If you've been their supervisor at work, you'll want to state the company where you've worked and your position, as well as their position (if relevant), how long they've worked at the company, and how long you've supervised them. For example, you might write "My name is Bob Brass, and I am a managing supervisor at Button Factory. I am writing as a reference for Joe Johnson, who has been under my supervision at Button Factory for the past five years." Immediately after your introduction, include a sentence that lists the skills or traits you will discuss in greater detail in the body of the letter. The type of skills or traits you include here depends both on your relationship to the candidate and the purpose for your letter. Character reference letters should focus exclusively on character traits, while employment reference letters should focus on particular skills the candidate has that make them a good fit for that particular job. Academic reference letters are to some degree a hybrid of these two types of letters. In addition to skills that make the candidate well-suited to that particular course of study, you also might include character traits, such as their intelligence or their inquisitive nature. This should be the last sentence of your first paragraph. Simply list the skills or traits you'll discuss them in the next paragraph. For example, you might write "In my experience, Joe Johnson has the stamina, organization, and communication skills to be a tremendous asset to your firm." In the second paragraph of your reference letter, you will go into greater detail about each of the skills or traits you listed at the end of your introductory paragraph. Keep in mind that space is at a premium, and you don't want your letter to be too long. For this reason, it's best to find a concrete example that shows at least two, if not all three, of the traits or skills you mentioned in the introduction. A concrete observation of the candidate that displays the skills or traits you mentioned is the most efficient way to get your point across. For example, you might write "Joe Johnson showed me he was capable of multi-tasking and performing several different button-pushing or button-turning operations simultaneously. For example, one day he volunteered to take on additional work when he anticipated there would be a slow-down in production because several other employees were sick. He frequently accepted additional responsibility and worked overtime while also maintaining an active role in his community and family." In your third and final paragraph, end on a positive note by summarizing and restating the skills or traits you highlighted in the body of the letter, and indicate that you believe the candidate is well-suited for the job or academic course of study to which they've applied. This paragraph doesn't need to be more than two or three sentences long. Write one sentence summarizing the body of the letter and recommending the candidate. You also may want to include a sentence relating the example in your second paragraph to your future work. For example, you might write "To this day, I evaluate the work of my other employees in comparison to Joe Johnson. With his stamina, organization, and communication skills, Joe would be a tremendous asset to your firm." The final sentence of your letter should include the easiest way to contact you if the recipient has any questions or would like to further discuss the information in your letter. Provide a specific way to contact you directly, including any limitations on the days and times you are available. For example, you might write "If you have any questions or would like to discuss my experiences with Joe further, please don't hesitate to call me at 555-555-5555. I am generally available at that number Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m."

Summary: Introduce both yourself and the candidate. List at least three exceptional skills or traits the candidate has. Provide supporting examples. Write your concluding paragraph. Invite follow-up questions.

You can also combine potting soil with rich compost. Mint plants need rich and well-drained soil to thrive. Curl the roots if they are too long for the pot. Pack the area just enough so that the mint stands on its own. Then plant the entire pot into the garden soil, allowing the pot to extend five inches above the surface of the soil. If possible, avoid planting it in the garden. Place it on a patio or on a windowsill to avoid spreading the mint plant. These can be removed once the plant is thriving.

Summary: Purchase gritty compost from a local gardening store. Fill the lower third of the pot with compost and potting soil. Set your mint cutting or seedling in the pot. Fill in the area around the mint with potting soil. Line a portion of your outdoor garden with plastic if you want to plant your pot in the soil, but want to discourage it from spreading. Insert several wooden dowels next to the plant to give it support.

It's important for your students to know that they can trust you as an expert in your field. When you introduce yourself, tell them how many years you've been working in your field and what you have achieved there. Then they'll know you know your stuff. Tell them how long you've been teaching your course. If you've been teaching the same course twenty times, let them know, so they have a sense that you've created the best course possible. If you're new to the classroom, however, don't let your students know so they don't see you as a pushover. Once the introductions are out of the way, it's important to let your students understand your expectations so they can meet them. Have a well-organized syllabus that shows them exactly what to expect from every day of the course. Answer any questions they have after you go over it, so you can clear up any confusion. Whether you're teaching children or adults, it's important to have a clear code of conduct, which shows not only your expectations, but the punishments if your students fail to meet them. Common code of conduct rules include showing mutual respect and avoiding disruptive behavior, such as using texting, talking on the phone, or whispering in the back of the classroom. Whether you're giving a quiz or a final exam, it's important to make sure the assignment is fair and useful for your students. They will be better students after all of your hard work, and will thank you for being an understanding teacher and classroom leader. Have a study guide. Before an exam, tell your students what they can expect to be on it so they don't have any surprises on the day of the test. Provide sample problems. Give your students practice problems so their skills are sharp on the day of the test. To be a good classroom leader, you have to find new ways to introduce boring old material to your students. If you don't mix things up, your students will get bored and distracted and may even lose respect for you. Bring current events into class discussion. Even if you're not teaching a history class, you can find a way to bring up current events, whether it's something related to the government or sports, and tie them into your material. This will make your students feel that your discussion is relevant to the real world. Have unique activities that get your students moving and thinking. Allow your students to create their own paragraphs, board work, skits, or any other activity that may help them understand an old concept in a new way. To be a good classroom leader, you have to prove that you care about your students' success. Be kind and approachable in the classroom, so they respect you but aren't afraid to ask questions. Give good feedback on both written assignments as well as your students' in-class responses. This will show that you care about them on an individual level and want them to succeed. Thank them for a great class. On the last day of class, bring them a special treat, or write them a note to say how much you've enjoyed having them in the classroom. This will make your classroom experience end on a positive note and will show what a great leader you are.
Summary: Show your expertise in the subject matter. Establish your rules on day one. Have fair assessments. Be creative. Show your students you care.