How to write and publish a scientific paper - Barbara Gastel, Robert A. Day 2022

Gathering the information
How to write a recommendation letter—and how to ask for one
Other topics in scientific communication

In preparing a recommendation letter, as in writing a scientific paper, preliminaries include obtaining instructions, gathering materials, collecting data, and familiarizing yourself with examples.

As well as finding out when the recommendation is due and how to submit it, gather materials that are needed or would be useful. These may include a recommendation form to complete (if an electronic link to one has not been provided), a description of the opportunity or honor for which the candidate is being recommended, a résumé or curriculum vitae (CV) of the candidate, and examples of the candidate’s work. They may also include items from your files, such as grade lists from your courses and previous letters that you have written on the applicant’s behalf. If the candidate is to have filled out part of a recommendation form, check that that has been done completely.

Norms regarding content and length of recommendation letters can differ among fields and cultures. Therefore, if you have not seen recommendation letters of the type that you are to write, try to obtain some examples. Senior colleagues in your field may be able to show you some recommendation letters they have written or they may offer feedback on a draft. If you serve on selection committees, you may see many such letters and gain a sense of the norm.