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Introduce basic information up front. Who are you and what is your relationship to the person you are writing for? How long have you known the person in question? How much time do you spend together? Where did you meet? Readers of a character reference letter want to know exactly what kind of relationship the writer has to the individual for whom they're vouching. Spend time thinking about the nature of your relationship to the individual in question. Be detailed. Instead of saying, "I've known Tom for three years," say instead, "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Tom for the past three years at Yum Yum Burgers in Paytonville, Ohio." Character references should follow a three-part format consisting of an opening introductory paragraph in which you describe who you are and your relationship to the person on whose behalf you're writing; a second paragraph in which you lay out your analysis of the person's character; and a closing paragraph in which you beseech the reader to look favorably upon the individual who you're writing about. Close the reference letter by urging the reader to look favorably upon the subject of the letter. Sign it "Sincerely, [your name]." Keep the character reference letter short. The readers don't need page after page of information on a character reference. They need the basics. Keep this in mind when penning a rough draft for your character reference. A character reference letter is not a venue for carefully comparing the good and bad parts of a person's personality, background or lifestyle. It should, instead, be aimed at providing an honest but upbeat assessment of the individual's accomplishments, goals, and personality. A successful character reference will leave the reader with a positive impression of the individual in question. Use positive adjectives in order to stress what a good person your subject is. List, briefly, the relevant accomplishments for the person about whom the reference is being written. For instance, if the individual has donated to philanthropic causes with either time or money, mention as much in your letter. If they have a military background and served with honor, cite their acts of bravery or courage in order to minimize a harsh legal penalty. List also any contributions the individual makes to their church or fraternal organization. If you find yourself wondering whether or not to put a certain accomplishment in, ask yourself, "Is this relevant or does it show good traits?" Before submitting your letter, give it a once-over to catch any spelling, punctuation or grammar mistakes. New word processing technology makes this task easier for those who are not great writers. Check any words which are underlined with a red squiggly line; unless they are names, they are likely misspelled. In addition to spelling and grammar, ensure your facts are correct. Submit a draft copy to the person on whose behalf you're writing in order to ensure everything is correct.
Include background on yourself and your relationship to the person you're writing for. Use an appropriate format when writing the character reference. Keep the character reference letter positive. Do a final edit.