Do you indent in a letter of recommendation?

Asked by: Dr. Zoey Weimann  |  Last update: July 19, 2023
Score: 4.4/5 (31 votes)

Most recommendation letters are lined up against the left margin. You might indent each paragraph, but it's more common not to indent. As discussed above, introductory and concluding paragraphs are usually two to three sentences. Body paragraphs might be a little longer at four to six.

What is the format for a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation generally follow the following format:
  • A formal salutation.
  • An introduction (which includes a recommendation statement and your professional title)
  • An overview of some of the applicant's skills, strengths, or qualifications, which you can tailor to the application.

What are the margins for a letter of recommendation?

Format: A letter of recommendation should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use about 1" margins for the top, bottom, left, and right of the page, and align your text to the left (the alignment for most documents).

What font and spacing should a letter of recommendation be?

Use an A4-size page. Ensure line and paragraph spaces are aligned properly. Set the font size to 11 or 12. Make sure you keep a 1-inch margin on the page.

Where do you indent in a letter?

Normally in a friendly letter, the beginning of paragraphs is indented. If not indented, be sure to skip a space between paragraphs. Skip a line after the greeting and before the close.

What should I write about in my personal statement? (Get Accepted to Your Dream University Part #9)

35 related questions found

Are all paragraphs indented in a letter?

As remarked above, the first paragraph after a title or section heading is not indented. Every succeeding paragraph should be indented; the tab key on any keyboard will do this for you. For certain kinds of writing, such as technical reports and business letters, there is another format which is sometimes preferred.

What is the indented format of writing a formal letter?

In the indent style the sender's address, if not given in the letterhead, appears at the top right-hand corner with the date below it. The complimentary close and signature block are at the bottom right. The first line of each paragraph in the body of the letter is indented.

How long should a letter of recommendation be?

Preferably, the person writing the letter of recommendation has been in a supervisory or mentor relationship with the applicant. The letter should be about one page in length, and generally consist of three parts: the opening, the body, and the closing.

What is the closing line of a recommendation letter?

In the final paragraph, reaffirm why you're vouching for the applicant by highlighting the reason for your recommendation. Add their full name and the position you're recommending them for. Conclude the letter by adding a sign-off, your full name, job title, and signature.

Do letters of recommendation need to be on letterhead?

In general, recommendation letters should be submitted on letterhead if possible.

How many pages should a recommendation be?

Preferably, the person writing the letter of recommendation has been in a working or academic relationship with the applicant. The letter should be about one page in length and generally consist of three parts: opening, body, and closing.

Do letters of recommendation matter a lot?

What role do letters of recommendation play during the college admissions process? They help round out your applicant profile, provide insights into what you are like as a student and person, and put the rest of your application in context.

What are the margins for word references?

Margins for your Works Cited or References page should be 1-inch all around. Sometimes, when a hanging indent is created the citations move to the left making the left hand margin smaller. See the two images below.

What is the best wording for a recommendation?

They do this by invoking the linguistic terms mentioned above: standout terms or phrases, such as “unparalleled,” “one of the best I have worked with,” “incredible,” “fantastic,” “prodigy,” “unrivaled,” “outstanding,” “rising star,” “as good or better than” (a well-known person), “amazing,” and others.

What does a good college recommendation letter look like?

A recommendation letter should fill an entire page (usually 400 – 500 words) and contain an introduction, two (2) body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The student should be described in a way that highlights both their academic skills and personal qualities.

What are 3 examples of a good reference?

Here are a few examples of people who make great character references:
  • Coworker.
  • Co-volunteer or volunteer leader.
  • Coach.
  • Client or customer.
  • Vendor or business acquaintance.
  • Professor or academic advisor.
  • Personal or professional mentor.
  • Fellow student or graduate from an educational program.

How do you end a college recommendation letter?

Using the student's full name again, encourage the college to contact you with any further questions. Close with “Best regards,” and include your title and school after your typed name and signature. A memorable letter of recommendation can go a long way toward helping students reach their academic and life goals.

How do you format the closing of a letter?

Letter Closing Examples
  1. Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Regards, Yours truly, and Yours sincerely.
  2. Best regards, Cordially, and Yours respectfully.
  3. Warm regards, Best wishes, and With appreciation.
  4. Hard-Copy Letter Signature.
  5. Email Message Signature Example.

How do you conclude a recommendation?

The conclusion to a recommendation report should re-emphasize the final recommendation and offer suggestions about how the audience/reader could move toward implementation.

What makes a strong recommendation letter?

A great letter of recommendation includes specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate the applicant's skills and qualifications. It backs up descriptions of your qualifications with examples. You want your letters of recommendation to demonstrate that you not only possess good qualities but also apply them.

Is 2 months enough time to ask for a letter of recommendation?

The first step in requesting a letter of recommendation involves timing. Even for seasoned teachers and counselors, each individual letter takes time and thought to do well. I recommend asking your recommenders at least a month before your application deadlines. In some cases, even earlier is better.

Do letters of recommendation need a signature?

Personally, I always sign my recommendation letters, including the ones submitted electronically. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever submitted a physical recommendation letter. I do this for two reasons: In the United States, at least, it is still quite strongly the custom for such letters to be signed.

Do you indent in formal writing?

The number of indentation spaces varies depending on the style of writing. Formal presentations should include only a few spaces of indentation, while casual content can use more indentation spaces.

Do formal letters have indents?

These days most business letters follow the full-block style, with nothing indented. In this style, everything (the date, inside address, salutation, body, close, and signature block) begins at the left margin. The only content that might be indented in the full-block style is bullet points or long quotes.

What does it mean when a letter is indented?

Other forms: indented; indenting; indents. To indent is to begin text with a blank space between it and the margin. When you're writing an essay, you can indent the first sentence of each paragraph.