(Bibliography not used)
A ‘Bibliography’ is rarely provided
A supplementary bibliography may include additional works that were read but not cited.
‘Works consulted’ (optional)
Once you know how to label your list of references, you can start putting the list together. Here are some general rules that apply to all referencing styles:
When looking for sources, you might have noticed that some publications offer ‘suggested citations’. It can be helpful to copy and paste these suggested citations, but you will probably need to make some changes to ensure the citation is compliant with your referencing style. That said, let’s take a look at each referencing style in a bit more depth.
Key points to remember:
For further guidance, check out APA Seventh Edition ! This resource is great as it provides plenty of examples.
At the end of your essay, you should report a ‘Table of Cases’ a ‘Table of Legislation’, and finally, a ‘Bibliography’. In OSCOLA, the bibliography should include all secondary sources that were cited in the essay.
The secondary sources are listed in a very similar way to the footnotes except that the author’s name is inverted (surname, first initial).
If there are any unattributed works, these should begin with ——.
You’ll notice that OSCOLA is a pretty minimalist referencing style. This means it’s quite easy to get the hang of. You can find full and detailed guidance in this OSCOLA referencing handbook .
There is no official manual for Harvard style like there is for APA and Chicago. Rather, universities adopt their own versions of Harvard style. So, if your faculty uses Harvard style, get a hold of your university’s referencing guide to check the requirements.
This Harvard referencing guide from The University of East Anglia is comprehensive yet easy to understand – definitely one of the best guides out there!
Note how a colon is used to introduce the page numbers. This is one of the key differences between APA and ASA style. For more information, check out the ASA quick style guide .
As mentioned, the works cited list is equivalent to a reference list, so it must list all the publications that were cited in the essay.
Want to know more? This MLA resource is highly recommended!
The Chicago Manual of Style is updated regularly so always use the latest guidance. Finally, if you are using the Chicago footnote style of referencing, check out the bibliography guidance here .
In a word, yes!
Imagine, for a moment, that you’ve just finished reading an essay…
Overall, it made some interesting points, but there were no references to back up the claims that were made. Would you think this was a good essay? Would you trust what the author had written? Or would you think it was lacking?
Once you see things from the reader’s perspective, the importance of the reference list suddenly becomes clear.
In essence, this special list boosts the credibility of your essay. So, don’t make it an after-thought.
Need help with your referencing list or bibliography? Our essay writing service can help!
Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts
This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.
Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.
The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.
The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives. The Purdue OWL offers global support through online reference materials and services.
The Purdue OWL® is committed to supporting students, instructors, and writers by offering a wide range of resources that are developed and revised with them in mind. To do this, the OWL team is always exploring possibilties for a better design, allowing accessibility and user experience to guide our process. As the OWL undergoes some changes, we welcome your feedback and suggestions by email at any time.
Please don't hesitate to contact us via our contact page if you have any questions or comments.
All the best,
Facebook twitter.
You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. |
Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 3:18pm
Whether you’re a high school student headed to college or a college undergraduate preparing for grad school, letters of recommendation are often a requirement to advance to the next stage of your academic journey.
However, asking a teacher or professor for a letter of recommendation can be intimidating, whether in-person or via email. But fear not—we’ll walk you through the ins and outs of asking for letters of recommendation to help you gain acceptance to the college or graduate school of your choice.
Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics , education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations. An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. Advertisers do not influence our rankings or editorial content.
A letter of recommendation is a formal letter written by someone in a position of authority, such as a teacher, to provide testimony regarding your abilities, achievements and character.
Colleges and universities ask for letters of recommendation because they give admissions officers a well-rounded picture of you. Recommendation letters can provide more insight into your personality and abilities beyond your transcript and extracurriculars and set you apart from other applicants.
The number of recommendation letters you need can vary, so verifying each school’s requirements is important. One to three letters are typically required, but two to three is the standard. Consider two letters as your minimum and a third letter as a backup or supplementary perspective to offer the admissions committee further insight into your qualities and achievements.
Someone who knows you well academically is best suited to write your recommendation letter. Typically professors and teachers fill this role. However, coaches, counselors and club advisors can be potential candidates, especially if they know you in multiple settings, such as in the classroom or an extracurricular club.
Employers or supervisors at your workplace are possibilities for a secondary letter if they have firsthand experience of your abilities and accomplishments.
Remember to review the school’s application requirements to see if they want recommendation letters from specific people, such as a core subject teacher or a school counselor. Letters of recommendation for graduate school may need to come from undergraduate professors.
Give plenty of notice.
Teachers usually have multiple recommendation letters to write, so give them as much advance notice as possible. Giving them a month before the due date is the minimum, but providing six to eight weeks of notice is even better.
For high school seniors, the beginning of the school year is an optimum time to ask for recommendations, particularly if you are considering applying for early decision. The more time your references have, the greater your chance of receiving a sincere, thorough letter.
If possible, speak with your prospective recommenders in person before you send them your written request for a letter of recommendation. Before your conversation, rehearse and prepare your “pitch” to clearly and succinctly outline the purpose of your application and why you’re seeking their recommendation.
Also, meeting your recommenders in person can help them recall their experience with you in their class, which can be beneficial when they write your letter.
At first, you may feel shy about requesting such a favor. But remember that teachers and professors receive these requests frequently, and writing letters of recommendation is common practice in this field.
Send a well-written request to each person who agreed to write you a letter by email. Your email subject line should read “Request for Letter of Recommendation” or something similar. Remind them of who you are and the college you’re applying to. Provide a deadline and an option to decline your request.
Provide a copy of your current resume to the person writing the letter. Consider including a sheet highlighting key school courses or projects you’ve worked on, relevant work experience, specific character attributes or academic accomplishments and any long-term goals relevant to the recommendation. This information can help jog the writer’s memory and provide them with details that can add a more personal touch to the letter of recommendation.
It’s always a good idea to send your references a short, polite reminder one to two weeks before the due date. Following up is also an opportunity to ask if they need additional information from you.
Send a thank you in writing to everyone who submitted a letter for you. A handwritten note is the best option. Sending your note by email is the next best option. Do not send a thank you note by text message. Lastly, don’t forget to share the good news of your acceptance to the school with your recommenders.
Waive your right to view.
We recommend waiving your right to view your recommendation on your application form since letters of recommendation are typically considered confidential. Admissions officers may view them as more trustworthy if they know you haven’t seen them.
No one is obligated to write you a letter of recommendation. People may decline your request for various reasons. For instance, some teachers decide to only write a certain number of recommendations each year and may have reached their quota.
Also, if someone you ask for a reference hesitates, it’s a sign that they aren’t a good fit. They may not know you well enough to speak to your qualifications.
Be prepared with alternatives. If anyone declines your request, take it graciously, thank the person and reach out to the next person on your list. If you don’t have an alternative, a guidance counselor or academic advisor can help you think of someone.
You should update those who have written your letter of recommendation. Your updates can include informing them of your acceptance to a college and other important achievements. Keeping your references updated is a polite gesture since they are essential to the application process.
How do you ask for a letter of recommendation via email.
When writing a letter of recommendation via email, keep it short and formal. Include a direct subject line such as “Request for Letter of Recommendation” and a formal salutation and closing. Use the first paragraph to reintroduce yourself to the recommender and your second paragraph to make the request. Ensure that you provide a clear deadline.
Show your appreciation for your recommender’s time by giving plenty of advance notice. Whether approaching the request in writing or in person, maintain a polite and professional demeanor. Clearly, explain why you have chosen them as a recommender, what information you expect the letter to include and details on where to send the letter.
A generous lead time is essential when asking for a letter of recommendation. Give your letter writers at least one month before the due date—and preferably longer. Ensure the date is clear in all your communication with the recommender.
Jeff Tompkins is a writer and teacher of English as a Second Language living in New York City. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1967 and was educated at Brown University and University College London. His articles and reviews have appeared in CHA Review of Books and Films, the Brooklyn Rail, the Chicago Review of Books, PopMatters, Words Without Borders, and other outlets.
Explore Jobs
Find Specific Jobs
Explore Careers
Explore Professions
Best Companies
Explore Companies
Find a Job You Really Want In
Being asked to write a reference letter for someone can be both an honor and a challenge, so it’s essential to know to write a professional reference letter. When someone asks you to do this , you’ll probably have an idea of what you want to say, but it can be difficult to know how to say it professionally.
Whether an old student, coworker, or employee asked you to write a professional reference letter, in this article, you’ll learn how to structure a clear, professional recommendation letter so that you can help the person you’re recommending look their best. We will also provide a professional reference letter template and example to help you get started.
Key Takeaways:
When writing a reference letter it is important to have a professional introduction, what your relationship is to the candidate, and enough examples proving the candidate’s ability to do the job.
Keep the letter positive and don’t lie to make the candidate seem like a better option than they are.
It’s important to stick to the submission instructions to make sure you are providing enough information for their potential employer.
Reference letter template and samples, tips for writing a professional reference letter, professional reference letter faq.
To write a professional reference letter, you should start with a header on a physical copy, introduce yourself professionally, and identify the applicant’s strengths with examples. Below is a more detailed list of how to write a professional reference letter:
A header (physical copy only). Just like with any professional letter, if you’re planning to type and print out the recommendation letter, you’ll want to put your name, title, address, email address, and phone number at the top of the page (if it isn’t already included in your letterhead).
A professional introduction . After your professional salutation, you’ll want to get right to the point and explain who you’re writing about and how long you’ve worked with the person you’re writing on behalf of. The reader should immediately understand your relationship with the applicant.
Identify the applicant’s strengths. Talk about specific skills and strengths they have, as well as how they used those for your organization. Make sure to mention that you enjoyed working with the person, and then clearly state that you are recommending them for the position.
Provide examples. The more details you can provide about the candidate’s specific on-the-job qualities, the better. Think of one or two stories where the applicant went above and beyond or leveraged one of their most valuable skills to great effect.
Closing lines. Near the end of your letter, reiterate that the applicant has your complete support and that you can recommend them with no reservations. Offer to answer any more questions if the recipient has them, and then sign off with your typed name and handwritten signature if you’re printing the letter.
Contact information (email copy only). If you’re sending your reference letter as an email, put your contact information after your sign-off and name. Include things like your phone number, alternate email addresses, and a LinkedIn page.
Here is a professional reference letter template, as well as a professional references example for a letter and email. Remember to tailor your reference letter to fit the needs of who you are writing about.
Professional reference letter template
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [Applicant’s Full Name] for the [job title] position at [company name]. My name is [Your Name] , and I’m a [job title] at [your company name]. I’ve been working the [field/industry] industry for [number] of years. stands out as a cut above the rest. [Applicant’s First Name] and I worked together at [company name], and during our time together, [he/she/they] showed a remarkable talent for [skill 1] and [skill 2]. I was always impressed with [Applicant’s First Name] [soft skill] and ability to [key qualification/trait]. One particular moment that stands out to me was when [Applicant’s First Name] [personal story of a shared experience where the applicant really impressed you or displayed incredible aptitude]. While I value [Applicant’s First Name]’s technical abilities, [he/she/they] stood out as so much more than a technocrat. [Applicant’s First Name] always displayed a [adjective] attitude and was a real pleasure to work with thanks to [his/her/their] [soft skill1 1] and [soft skill 2]. I’m pleased to recommend [Applicant’s First Name] with no reservations whatsoever. [He/She/They] would make an excellent addition to your [department name] team at [company name]. If you have any more questions about [Applicant’s First Name], please feel free to contact me at [contact information]. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Company Name] [Job Title] [Additional Contact Info] [LinkedIn (optional)]
Printed reference letter example
Sarah Smith Department Director Company, LLC 1212 Main Street New York City, NY 32323 February 20, 2020 Dan Thomas CEO Business, Inc. 3535 3rd Street Boston, MA 02134 Dear Dan, I have had the pleasure of working with Rachel Williams at Company, LLC for the past four years. During this time, I’ve watched her be both attentive to detail and focused on reaching big-picture goals. She is teachable, innovative, and brought organization and excellence to her role here. Rachel used her communication and organizational skills to help her team of employees complete projects quickly without sacrificing quality. She is enjoyable to work with, as she brings a positive attitude to every situation, is a good problem-solver, and works hard to make sure her job gets done well. Rachel would be a great asset to have at any organization, and I give her my highest recommendation. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Sincerely, Sarah Smith — Sarah Smith Department Director Company, LLC [email protected] (123)456-7890
Email reference letter example
Subject Line: Recommendation for Shaun Johnson Dear Marjorie, I’m writing to recommend Shaun Johnson. I’ve worked with him closely for two years at Marketing, Inc., and I have enjoyed having him on my team. Shaun is a bright employee who isn’t afraid to take on new tasks and implement new ideas to better the organization. He is teachable, asks for help when he needs it, and takes constructive criticism well. One highlight of his time here was when he designed and ran a highly successful digital marketing campaign that exceeded our projected results at less than the budgeted cost. His intense research and hard work made this happen. Shaun is a positive person to be around and a great team player, willing to help however he can around the office. He would be a valuable addition to any organization, and I believe that his skill set would fit very well into this new opportunity. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any additional information. Sincerely, James Kyle — James Kyle Director of Marketing Marketing, Inc. [email protected] 444-333-2222
When writing a reference letter, be sure to include the hard and soft skills as well as examples of how they use those skills. Here are some more tips to keep in mind when writing your letter:
Include soft and hard skills in your recommendation. While it’s important to highlight the person’s ability to perform the tasks that come with their specific job, it’s also a good idea to communicate the personality traits and soft skills that make them great to work with.
Provide specific examples. While giving general compliments is helpful, try to provide one or two specific success stories in your letter. This will give more weight to your recommendation and helps employers truly see the qualifications of the applicant.
Highlight skills that match those listed in the job description. Just as it’s important to match a resume to a job description , it’s also a good idea to highlight some of the specific skills that an employer is looking for in a recommendation letter.
Ask for their resume. Whether you currently work with the person you’re writing a recommendation for or not, it can be difficult to come up with specific examples of their accomplishments on the fly.
Try to provide a neutral or positive review, but don’t lie. If you’re asked to provide a review and don’t feel like you have enough positive things to say about the person, it’s more beneficial to both you and the recipient to politely decline writing the letter.
Send it as a PDF if you aren’t sending the letter directly to the employer. Sometimes an employee may ask for a generic letter of recommendation to have on hand to submit with multiple job applications.
If they write their own recommendation, make sure you read it and agree with it before you sign your name. Sometimes employees will write their own recommendation letter for you to adjust as you want and sign your name to.
Be timely. It’s important to make sure you turn in the letter on time, as the person’s job application might rely on it. Ask for a deadline if you aren’t given one, and then make sure you’ll be able to meet it. If you can’t, give them as much notice as possible so that they have a chance to find someone else to write it for them.
Follow submission instructions. Make sure you follow any formatting and submission requirements as closely as possible. If they aren’t given to you, ask. It will reflect poorly on the person you’re recommending if you don’t follow the instructions they were given.
Proofread thoroughly. Make sure you check and recheck your letter before you submit it. Not only is being grammatically correct a reflection on you as an individual, but also on your reliability as a recommender.
What is a professional reference letter?
A professional reference letter is a document that a job candidate can use to support the claims made in other job application materials, like their resume and cover letter. These types of reference letters are different than personal or character references .
You can only write a professional reference letter for someone who you’ve worked with closely in a professional setting. Before you even begin planning what you’re going to put in a reference letter, take a minute to remind yourself who your audience is and why you’re writing it. This letter isn’t a heartfelt note for a birthday card or a biography of the person.
It’s a one-page, professional document intended to fill in the gaps for the person’s potential employer. You are their ticket to truly understanding what it’s like to work with the individual you’re recommending.
Who can write a professional reference letter?
Before you agree to write a professional reference letter for someone, take some time to consider whether you can provide a compelling and personalized account of your relationship and experiences with the applicant. You should only write a professional reference letter for someone if one or more of the following situations applies:
You’ve worked closely alongside or supervised the applicant, or the applicant supervised you
You have plenty of experience (and therefore examples) of the applicant’s work style and impact on results
You’re aware of the applicant’s relevant strengths and qualifications that they hope to highlight
You can speak positively about the applicant without lying
At the end of the day, if you can’t provide a reference letter that helps the candidate land the job, it’s in everyone’s best interest to decline the applicant’s request. Just be sure to tell this individual right away once you decide that you can or cannot write the letter, because drafting a list of professional references is sometimes a time-sensitive matter.
How many references will most employers look for?
You should provide at least three references for your potential employer. When selecting your references make sure you talk to the ahead of time and that they are okay with providing a reference.
Your references should be someone who can confirm your work performance so it’s important to keep them up to date.
How long should a reference letter be?
A reference letter should be about one page. It should consist of an opening, body, and closing paragraph. Your opening should explain who you are and your relationship with the person. Your body will identify their strengths while providing examples. Your closing paragraph should reiterate your complete support and that you can recommend them with no reservations.
OSWEGO State University of New York – Writing Reference Letters
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating / 5. Vote count:
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Abby is a writer who is passionate about the power of story. Whether it’s communicating complicated topics in a clear way or helping readers connect with another person or place from the comfort of their couch. Abby attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she earned a degree in writing with concentrations in journalism and business.
Related posts
Employment Contract: What It Is And Examples
Questions To Ask Before Accepting A Job Offer
Professional References: Everything You Need To Know
How To Ask A Friend For A Reference
Sat / act prep online guides and tips, getting college essay help: important do's and don’ts.
College Essays
If you grow up to be a professional writer, everything you write will first go through an editor before being published. This is because the process of writing is really a process of re-writing —of rethinking and reexamining your work, usually with the help of someone else. So what does this mean for your student writing? And in particular, what does it mean for very important, but nonprofessional writing like your college essay? Should you ask your parents to look at your essay? Pay for an essay service?
If you are wondering what kind of help you can, and should, get with your personal statement, you've come to the right place! In this article, I'll talk about what kind of writing help is useful, ethical, and even expected for your college admission essay . I'll also point out who would make a good editor, what the differences between editing and proofreading are, what to expect from a good editor, and how to spot and stay away from a bad one.
What Kind of Help for Your Essay Can You Get?
What should an editor do for you, what kind of editing should you avoid, proofreading, what's good proofreading, what kind of proofreading should you avoid.
What Do Colleges Think Of You Getting Help With Your Essay?
Advice for editors.
Should You Pay Money For Essay Editing?
What's next, what kind of help with your essay can you get.
Rather than talking in general terms about "help," let's first clarify the two different ways that someone else can improve your writing . There is editing, which is the more intensive kind of assistance that you can use throughout the whole process. And then there's proofreading, which is the last step of really polishing your final product.
Let me go into some more detail about editing and proofreading, and then explain how good editors and proofreaders can help you."
Editing is helping the author (in this case, you) go from a rough draft to a finished work . Editing is the process of asking questions about what you're saying, how you're saying it, and how you're organizing your ideas. But not all editing is good editing . In fact, it's very easy for an editor to cross the line from supportive to overbearing and over-involved.
Ability to clarify assignments. A good editor is usually a good writer, and certainly has to be a good reader. For example, in this case, a good editor should make sure you understand the actual essay prompt you're supposed to be answering.
Open-endedness. Good editing is all about asking questions about your ideas and work, but without providing answers. It's about letting you stick to your story and message, and doesn't alter your point of view.
Think of an editor as a great travel guide. It can show you the many different places your trip could take you. It should explain any parts of the trip that could derail your trip or confuse the traveler. But it never dictates your path, never forces you to go somewhere you don't want to go, and never ignores your interests so that the trip no longer seems like it's your own. So what should good editors do?
Sometimes it's easier to bounce thoughts off of someone else. This doesn't mean that your editor gets to come up with ideas, but they can certainly respond to the various topic options you've come up with. This way, you're less likely to write about the most boring of your ideas, or to write about something that isn't actually important to you.
If you're wondering how to come up with options for your editor to consider, check out our guide to brainstorming topics for your college essay .
Here, your editor can't upset the delicate balance of not intervening too much or too little. It's tricky, but a great way to think about it is to remember: editing is about asking questions, not giving answers .
Revision questions should point out:
But pointing to potential problems is not the same as actually rewriting—editors let authors fix the problems themselves.
Bad editing is usually very heavy-handed editing. Instead of helping you find your best voice and ideas, a bad editor changes your writing into their own vision.
You may be dealing with a bad editor if they:
Colleges can tell the difference between a 17-year-old's writing and a 50-year-old's writing. Not only that, they have access to your SAT or ACT Writing section, so they can compare your essay to something else you wrote. Writing that's a little more polished is great and expected. But a totally different voice and style will raise questions.
Sometimes it's hard to tell whether your college essay editor is doing the right thing. Here are some guidelines for staying on the ethical side of the line.
Proofreading (also called copy-editing) is checking for errors in the last draft of a written work. It happens at the end of the process and is meant as the final polishing touch. Proofreading is meticulous and detail-oriented, focusing on small corrections. It sands off all the surface rough spots that could alienate the reader.
Because proofreading is usually concerned with making fixes on the word or sentence level, this is the only process where someone else can actually add to or take away things from your essay . This is because what they are adding or taking away tends to be one or two misplaced letters.
Laser focus. Proofreading is all about the tiny details, so the ability to really concentrate on finding small slip-ups is a must.
Excellent grammar and spelling skills. Proofreaders need to dot every "i" and cross every "t." Good proofreaders should correct spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. They should put foreign words in italics and surround quotations with quotation marks. They should check that you used the correct college's name, and that you adhered to any formatting requirements (name and date at the top of the page, uniform font and size, uniform spacing).
Limited interference. A proofreader needs to make sure that you followed any word limits. But if cuts need to be made to shorten the essay, that's your job and not the proofreader's.
A bad proofreader either tries to turn into an editor, or just lacks the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job.
Some signs that you're working with a bad proofreader are:
Admissions officers agree: light editing and proofreading are good—even required ! But they also want to make sure you're the one doing the work on your essay. They want essays with stories, voice, and themes that come from you. They want to see work that reflects your actual writing ability, and that focuses on what you find important.
Get feedback. Have a fresh pair of eyes give you some feedback. Don't allow someone else to rewrite your essay, but do take advantage of others' edits and opinions when they seem helpful. ( Bates College )
Read your essay aloud to someone. Reading the essay out loud offers a chance to hear how your essay sounds outside your head. This exercise reveals flaws in the essay's flow, highlights grammatical errors and helps you ensure that you are communicating the exact message you intended. ( Dickinson College )
Share your essays with at least one or two people who know you well—such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or friend—and ask for feedback. Remember that you ultimately have control over your essays, and your essays should retain your own voice, but others may be able to catch mistakes that you missed and help suggest areas to cut if you are over the word limit. ( Yale University )
Proofread and then ask someone else to proofread for you. Although we want substance, we also want to be able to see that you can write a paper for our professors and avoid careless mistakes that would drive them crazy. ( Oberlin College )
Limit the number of people who review your essay. Too much input usually means your voice is lost in the writing style. ( Carleton College )
Ask for input (but not too much). Your parents, friends, guidance counselors, coaches, and teachers are great people to bounce ideas off of for your essay. They know how unique and spectacular you are, and they can help you decide how to articulate it. Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. ( Vanderbilt University )
Now let's talk about some potential people to approach for your college essay editing and proofreading needs. It's best to start close to home and slowly expand outward. Not only are your family and friends more invested in your success than strangers, but they also have a better handle on your interests and personality. This knowledge is key for judging whether your essay is expressing your true self.
Your family may be full of potentially excellent editors! Parents are deeply committed to your well-being, and family members know you and your life well enough to offer details or incidents that can be included in your essay. On the other hand, the rewriting process necessarily involves criticism, which is sometimes hard to hear from someone very close to you.
A parent or close family member is a great choice for an editor if you can answer "yes" to the following questions. Is your parent or close relative a good writer or reader? Do you have a relationship where editing your essay won't create conflict? Are you able to constructively listen to criticism and suggestion from the parent?
One suggestion for defusing face-to-face discussions is to try working on the essay over email. Send your parent a draft, have them write you back some comments, and then you can pick which of their suggestions you want to use and which to discard.
A humanities teacher that you have a good relationship with is a great choice. I am purposefully saying humanities, and not just English, because teachers of Philosophy, History, Anthropology, and any other classes where you do a lot of writing, are all used to reviewing student work.
Moreover, any teacher or tutor that has been working with you for some time, knows you very well and can vet the essay to make sure it "sounds like you."
If your teacher or tutor has some experience with what college essays are supposed to be like, ask them to be your editor. If not, then ask whether they have time to proofread your final draft.
The best thing about asking your counselor to edit your work is that this is their job. This means that they have a very good sense of what colleges are looking for in an application essay.
At the same time, school counselors tend to have relationships with admissions officers in many colleges, which again gives them insight into what works and which college is focused on what aspect of the application.
Unfortunately, in many schools the guidance counselor tends to be way overextended. If your ratio is 300 students to 1 college counselor, you're unlikely to get that person's undivided attention and focus. It is still useful to ask them for general advice about your potential topics, but don't expect them to be able to stay with your essay from first draft to final version.
Although they most likely don't have much experience with what colleges are hoping to see, your peers are excellent sources for checking that your essay is you .
Friends and siblings are perfect for the read-aloud edit. Read your essay to them so they can listen for words and phrases that are stilted, pompous, or phrases that just don't sound like you.
You can even trade essays and give helpful advice on each other's work.
If your editor hasn't worked with college admissions essays very much, no worries! Any astute and attentive reader can still greatly help with your process. But, as in all things, beginners do better with some preparation.
First, your editor should read our advice about how to write a college essay introduction , how to spot and fix a bad college essay , and get a sense of what other students have written by going through some admissions essays that worked .
Then, as they read your essay, they can work through the following series of questions that will help them to guide you.
One alternative to asking someone you know to help you with your college essay is the paid editor route. There are two different ways to pay for essay help: a private essay coach or a less personal editing service , like the many proliferating on the internet.
My advice is to think of these options as a last resort rather than your go-to first choice. I'll first go through the reasons why. Then, if you do decide to go with a paid editor, I'll help you decide between a coach and a service.
In general, I think hiring someone to work on your essay makes a lot of sense if none of the people I discussed above are a possibility for you.
If you can't ask your parents. For example, if your parents aren't good writers, or if English isn't their first language. Or if you think getting your parents to help is going create unnecessary extra conflict in your relationship with them (applying to college is stressful as it is!)
If you can't ask your teacher or tutor. Maybe you don't have a trusted teacher or tutor that has time to look over your essay with focus. Or, for instance, your favorite humanities teacher has very limited experience with college essays and so won't know what admissions officers want to see.
If you can't ask your guidance counselor. This could be because your guidance counselor is way overwhelmed with other students.
If you can't share your essay with those who know you. It might be that your essay is on a very personal topic that you're unwilling to share with parents, teachers, or peers. Just make sure it doesn't fall into one of the bad-idea topics in our article on bad college essays .
If the cost isn't a consideration. Many of these services are quite expensive, and private coaches even more so. If you have finite resources, I'd say that hiring an SAT or ACT tutor (whether it's PrepScholar or someone else) is better way to spend your money . This is because there's no guarantee that a slightly better essay will sufficiently elevate the rest of your application, but a significantly higher SAT score will definitely raise your applicant profile much more.
On the plus side, essay coaches have read dozens or even hundreds of college essays, so they have experience with the format. Also, because you'll be working closely with a specific person, it's more personal than sending your essay to a service, which will know even less about you.
But, on the minus side, you'll still be bouncing ideas off of someone who doesn't know that much about you . In general, if you can adequately get the help from someone you know, there is no advantage to paying someone to help you.
If you do decide to hire a coach, ask your school counselor, or older students that have used the service for recommendations. If you can't afford the coach's fees, ask whether they can work on a sliding scale —many do. And finally, beware those who guarantee admission to your school of choice—essay coaches don't have any special magic that can back up those promises.
On the plus side, essay editing services provide a similar product to essay coaches, and they cost significantly less . If you have some assurance that you'll be working with a good editor, the lack of face-to-face interaction won't prevent great results.
On the minus side, however, it can be difficult to gauge the quality of the service before working with them . If they are churning through many application essays without getting to know the students they are helping, you could end up with an over-edited essay that sounds just like everyone else's. In the worst case scenario, an unscrupulous service could send you back a plagiarized essay.
Getting recommendations from friends or a school counselor for reputable services is key to avoiding heavy-handed editing that writes essays for you or does too much to change your essay. Including a badly-edited essay like this in your application could cause problems if there are inconsistencies. For example, in interviews it might be clear you didn't write the essay, or the skill of the essay might not be reflected in your schoolwork and test scores.
Let me elaborate. There are super sketchy places on the internet where you can simply buy a pre-written essay. Don't do this!
For one thing, you'll be lying on an official, signed document. All college applications make you sign a statement saying something like this:
I certify that all information submitted in the admission process—including the application, the personal essay, any supplements, and any other supporting materials—is my own work, factually true, and honestly presented... I understand that I may be subject to a range of possible disciplinary actions, including admission revocation, expulsion, or revocation of course credit, grades, and degree, should the information I have certified be false. (From the Common Application )
For another thing, if your academic record doesn't match the essay's quality, the admissions officer will start thinking your whole application is riddled with lies.
Admission officers have full access to your writing portion of the SAT or ACT so that they can compare work that was done in proctored conditions with that done at home. They can tell if these were written by different people. Not only that, but there are now a number of search engines that faculty and admission officers can use to see if an essay contains strings of words that have appeared in other essays—you have no guarantee that the essay you bought wasn't also bought by 50 other students.
Ready to start working on your essay? Check out our explanation of the point of the personal essay and the role it plays on your applications and then explore our step-by-step guide to writing a great college essay .
Using the Common Application for your college applications? We have an excellent guide to the Common App essay prompts and useful advice on how to pick the Common App prompt that's right for you . Wondering how other people tackled these prompts? Then work through our roundup of over 130 real college essay examples published by colleges .
Stressed about whether to take the SAT again before submitting your application? Let us help you decide how many times to take this test . If you choose to go for it, we have the ultimate guide to studying for the SAT to give you the ins and outs of the best ways to study.
Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.
Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points
How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer
Score 800 on SAT Math
Score 800 on SAT Reading
Score 800 on SAT Writing
Score 600 on SAT Math
Score 600 on SAT Reading
Score 600 on SAT Writing
Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests
What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?
15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay
The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points
How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer
36 on ACT English
36 on ACT Math
36 on ACT Reading
36 on ACT Science
24 on ACT English
24 on ACT Math
24 on ACT Reading
24 on ACT Science
What ACT target score should you be aiming for?
ACT Vocabulary You Must Know
ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score
How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League
How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA
How to Write an Amazing College Essay
What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?
Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide
Should you retake your SAT or ACT?
When should you take the SAT or ACT?
Get the latest articles and test prep tips!
Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:
GRE Online Prep Blog
GMAT Online Prep Blog
TOEFL Online Prep Blog
Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Summarize the student's qualities and accomplishments that you wish to emphasize. End with an emotional comment—that you will miss them, that you have learned from them, that you are sorry to see them go, that they are your favorite, etc. Final tips from Sara. Have someone edit/review your letter of recommendation.
Recommendations for future research should be: Concrete and specific. Supported with a clear rationale. Directly connected to your research. Overall, strive to highlight ways other researchers can reproduce or replicate your results to draw further conclusions, and suggest different directions that future research can take, if applicable.
Below are nine sample recommendation letters, each followed by an analysis of what it does well! Sample Recommendation Letter 1: Written by a Direct Manager for a Full-Time Employee. Sample Recommendation Letter 2: Written by a Principal for a Teacher. Sample Recommendation Letter 3: Written by a Direct Manager for a Part-Time Employee.
Here are some steps to consider when writing research recommendations: Understand the research question: Before writing research recommendations, it is important to have a clear understanding of the research question and the objectives of the study. This will help to ensure that the recommendations are relevant and appropriate.
use a sample to model how to write an explanation or recommendation. Use a framework to structure a recommendation with explanations. Ask students what the term 'recommendation' might mean and where they might have heard the term used before, e.g. recommendations by movie or food critics. Teachers might wish to show a sample of a recommendation ...
In general, a letter or recommendation can be broken down into the following sections: Date. Recipient Name. Recipient Title. Recipient Address. Greeting: Address the recipient by name if possible (Dear Ms/Mr). Personal introduction: Begin the body of your letter by introducing who you are and your relationship to the applicant.
Show them. Think About Tone. Finally, I would suggest considering tone and style. Your recommendation doesn't have to sound especially formal, like most teachers and counselors' letters would. As a peer, you can write more intimately and personally, as well as inject humor into your writing.
Here is a step-wise guide to build your understanding on the development of research recommendations. 1. Understand the Research Question: Understand the research question and objectives before writing recommendations. Also, ensure that your recommendations are relevant and directly address the goals of the study. 2.
Simply repeat resume points or quantitative data that are already listed on other parts of the application. Cast too wide a net and end up saying very little, because you tried to say too much. List adjectives without having examples to back them up. Use generic, bland, unenthusiastic language or cliche statements.
You can write a recommendation report with the following steps: 1. Choose a topic. Choose a topic for your recommendation report. If you are writing a recommendation report in the workplace, you may already have a problem to solve, which serves as your topic.
Ask that student to provide a list of their extracurricular activities and a copy of their transcript (if applicable). These will help you to reference specifics in your letter of recommendation. The Introduction. Begin with the standard "To Whom It May Concern." The first line should provide the name of the person you are recommending.
22 Writing the conclusion & recommendations General. There are probably some overlaps between the Conclusion and the Discussion section. Nevertheless, this section gives you the opportunity to highlight the most important points in your report, and is sometimes the only section read. Think about what your research/ study has achieved, and the ...
Ms. Randall is clearly as much of a fan of Stacy as she is of Mileva Marić. How does she communicate her recommendation? The Breakdown. Ms. Randall plugs for Stacy right off the bat with a statement of outstanding ranking: Stacy is one of the most exceptional students she's had in 15 years of teaching. A statement like this is pretty extraordinary and will make an impact in the mind of its ...
Set aside ample time. A good recommendation letter, like a good paper, is well researched, requires planning and takes revision. If you can write a letter in less than an hour, it may not be your best work. If the letter is only two paragraphs double spaced, you may not be going into enough detail.
On the APA reference page, you list all the sources that you've cited in your paper. The list starts on a new page right after the body text. Follow these instructions to set up your APA reference page: Place the section label "References" in bold at the top of the page (centered). Order the references alphabetically. Double-space all text.
Structure the letter like an essay. This helps you effectively organize your thoughts. Your "thesis" is why the applicant is a strong candidate, the body consists of several supporting examples and your conclusion clearly states your recommendation. It also communicates the student's strengths in the style and format expected by most readers.
The format typically consists of 1) the letterhead and full contact information, 2) a salutation, 3) an introduction, 4) an overview, 5) a personal story, 6) a closing sentence and 7) your signature. The three types of recommendation letters are employment, academic, and character recommendation letters.
How to write recommendations in research papers: essential guidelines. Look at some tips to help you complete a flawless chapter for your papers. Be concise in your statements. Ensure that your suggestions are written in clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or technical terms difficult to understand.
When learning how to write an academic essay with references, you must identify reliable sources that support your argument. As you read, think critically and evaluate sources for: Accuracy. Objectivity. Currency. Authority. Keep detailed notes on the sources so that you can easily find them again, if needed.
Recommendations for future research should be: Concrete and specific. Supported with a clear rationale. Directly connected to your research. Overall, strive to highlight ways other researchers can reproduce or replicate your results to draw further conclusions, and suggest different directions that future research can take, if applicable.
9. Do one special edit especially for Referencing Style. The top students edit their essays three to five times spaced out over a week or more before submitting. One of those edits should be specifically for ensuring your reference list adheres to the referencing style that your teacher requires.
4. Format the page. Double-space your document, and title the references page "References" at the top-center of the page. Put the page number all the way to the right, and a shortened version of the title of your paper all the way to the left in all capital letters.
To quote a source, copy a short piece of text word for word and put it inside quotation marks. To paraphrase a source, put the text into your own words. It's important that the paraphrase is not too close to the original wording. You can use the paraphrasing tool if you don't want to do this manually.
The reference list must be double-spaced. You should include the author's first name and surname (unless the first name was not included in the original publication). Also, the first author's name should be inverted (surname, first name) but any subsequent names should not be inverted (first name, surname). Examples.
Mission. The Purdue On-Campus Writing Lab and Purdue Online Writing Lab assist clients in their development as writers—no matter what their skill level—with on-campus consultations, online participation, and community engagement. The Purdue Writing Lab serves the Purdue, West Lafayette, campus and coordinates with local literacy initiatives.
Send a Formal Request. Send a well-written request to each person who agreed to write you a letter by email. Your email subject line should read "Request for Letter of Recommendation" or ...
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [Applicant's Full Name] for the [job title] position at [company name]. My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [job title] at [your company name]. I've been working the [field/industry] industry for [number] of years. stands out as a cut above the rest.
Keep in mind, however, that a 45-year-old lawyer writes quite differently from an 18-year-old student, so if your dad ends up writing the bulk of your essay, we're probably going to notice. (Vanderbilt University) So, basically, a big old thumbs up on the whole "get someone to look at your essay" situation, as far as colleges are concerned.
Introduction. Open your letter with a formal introduction. Introduce yourself and note your credentials and affiliations. Then, introduce the prospective MBA candidate you're writing about and a bit about your relationship with them. You'll have the body of the letter to go into further detail, so keep this part brief.