The author withholds information from the reader to make them slow down.
<span><span>Understand the purposeBefore writing, think about the purpose of the letter. Consider how formal the letter should be, and establish a proper tone for the letter. These letters should almost never have a conversational tone, but there are certainly different levels of formality. Unless you know the person reading the letter, address the recipient as, "To whom it may concern" in the greeting.</span><span>Introduce the subjectTell the reader who you are recommending for which position or program. Then give a brief summation of the reasons you are recommending the person.</span><span>List accomplishments and character traitsProvide more details about what it is like to work or interact with the subject. List skills and other characteristics that pertain to the position. Avoid listing unrelated information, but remember that some personality traits or skills may be applicable, even if they are not explicitly related. Do not assume a non-nursing skill is not applicable to nursing; give it some thought.</span><span>Predict the futureBefore concluding, write a paragraph that tells how you anticipate the subject's performance if accepted to the target program or position. For example: "I am confident that XX will be a perfect fit and has the skills to succeed in the YY position (or program)."</span><span>Close and signEnd the letter with a formal closing such as "Sincerely," or "Sincere thanks." If possible, be sure to include an actual signature, generally placed above a typed version of your name.</span></span>
