---
name: reference-letter
description: "Write a credible, specific letter of recommendation or reference. Use when asked to write a reference letter, a letter of recommendation, a character reference, or to recommend someone for a job, school, or tenancy. Produces a structured reference — your relationship, specific evidence of their strengths, a comparative endorsement, and a clear recommendation — tailored to what the reader is deciding."
---

# Reference Letter Skill

A reference is believed when it's specific: concrete examples beat adjectives, and the reader can tell you
actually know the person. This skill writes a letter that establishes your credibility to comment, gives real
evidence of the person's strengths, and makes a clear, tailored recommendation for the decision at hand.

## Working from a brief

Given "write a reference for my report applying for a senior role", **write the full letter anyway** — infer
plausible, concrete examples from the relationship described, clearly marking invented specifics as
*(example — replace with a real instance)* so the writer swaps in true details. Never hand back a hollow
template of adjectives.

## Required Inputs

Ask for these only if they aren't already provided (else infer and label for replacement):

- **Who & what for** — the person, and what they're applying for (job/role, school/program, tenancy).
- **Your relationship** — how you know them, in what capacity, and for how long.
- **Their strengths** — the qualities/skills to highlight, ideally with real examples.
- **The reader's priorities** — what the recipient is deciding and what matters to them.
- **Tone & format** — formal letter vs. email; and any length limit.

## Output Format

### Reference Letter

- **Opening** — who you are, your relationship to the candidate, how long and in what capacity (establishes credibility).
- **Endorsement** — a clear statement of your recommendation up front.
- **Evidence** — 2–3 specific examples that demonstrate the strengths that matter for *this* decision (a result, a behaviour, a moment) — not a list of traits.
- **Comparative context** — where appropriate, how they stand out ("one of the most … I've worked with"), kept honest.
- **Fit for the role** — tie their strengths directly to what the reader is deciding.
- **Close** — a confident final recommendation and an offer to discuss, with contact details.

Mark any invented specifics as *(example — replace with a real instance)*. Provide a **shorter version** if useful.

## Quality Checks

- [ ] Your credibility to comment is established (relationship, capacity, duration)
- [ ] Strengths are shown with specific examples, not just adjectives
- [ ] The endorsement is tailored to what the reader is actually deciding
- [ ] Comparative praise is concrete and honest, not inflated to meaninglessness
- [ ] Invented specifics are clearly marked for the writer to replace with real ones
- [ ] The recommendation is unambiguous — the reader knows exactly where you stand

## Anti-Patterns

- [ ] Do not rely on generic adjectives ("hardworking, dedicated") with no evidence — they signal nothing
- [ ] Do not present invented examples as real — mark them for replacement
- [ ] Do not write a one-size-fits-all letter — tailor the evidence to the decision
- [ ] Do not overpraise to the point of incredibility — calibrated specifics are more persuasive
- [ ] Do not bury the recommendation — make your endorsement explicit and early

## Based On

Recommendation-writing practice — establishing credibility, evidence over adjectives, comparative endorsement, and tailoring to the reader's decision.

## Example Trigger Phrases

- "Write a reference letter."
- "Write a letter of recommendation."
- "Write a character reference."
- "Recommend someone for a job."