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Writing more informative letters of reference
Scott M Wright1, Roy C Ziegelstein
1Department of Medicine, John Hopkins Bayview Medical Ccenter, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. smwright@jhmi.edu
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|April 28, 2004
Summary
Crafting effective letters of reference requires careful consideration of the writer's familiarity with the candidate, their comparative experience, and writing proficiency. Physicians can improve reference letters by including specific examples and assessing intangible qualities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Professional Development
Background:
- Letters of reference are crucial components of physician applications.
- The quality of these letters significantly impacts candidate evaluation.
- Effective reference letters require more than general praise.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide guidance for physicians on writing more informative and impactful letters of reference.
- To highlight key factors that contribute to a high-quality letter of reference.
Main Methods:
- The report synthesizes best practices for writing reference letters.
- It emphasizes the importance of specific examples and comparative assessments.
- It addresses the assessment of non-quantifiable attributes.
Main Results:
- Letter quality is influenced by writer's familiarity with the candidate.
- The writer's peer comparison group affects the letter's context.
- Strong writing skills are essential for clear and persuasive communication.
- Inclusion of specific behavioral examples enhances the letter's value.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should strive to provide detailed, comparative, and insightful assessments in reference letters.
- Addressing "intangibles" offers a more comprehensive view of the candidate.
- Improved reference letters better support physician applications and evaluations.