INSTRUCTIONS: With the skills you learned in our class, you will write a letter (in business letter format not a memo format) asking for a personal recommendation from a former employer, me, another instructor, or any professional reference you choose.  You may be applying to graduate school, for a scholarship, for an internship, or for a full-time job. You select the scenario that is most applicable to your current situation.  Make sure your name, address, and phone number, and e-mail address are at the top your letter. The person you are writing to depends on who you have chosen as a reference; you can decide and use their address for this letter in the opening. If you do not have a person to request a reference from, you may use my name and the FIU address.
 IMPORTANT NOTES: Remember that this assignment counts for your grade must make it look and read correctly! The format of your letter tells the reader a lot about you and your professionalism.  Pay attention to your letter’s margins, line spacing, font type and size, and placement of letter parts such as the return address, date, inside address, salutation, complimentary close, and signature block.  Remember that this should be in the same format (block format) as the business letters  .

  
Introduction/Opening: Begin your letter with an introductory paragraph that states your purpose and makes the request.  Assume the reader will want to comply with your request. 
Body/Discussion: In the first paragraph of the body include information that refreshes the reader’s memory about your relationship with him/her. 
In the second paragraph refer to your resume (you do not need to include your resume) and elaborate on experience that distinguishes you from other applicants or candidates.  Also provide the name and title of the person you would like the letter to be mailed to and provide a reasonable deadline for sending the letter. Mention the preaddressed stamped envelope to encourage a timely response; however, you do not need to include a preaddressed stamped envelope for this assignment. 
Conclusion/Closing: Begin your closing paragraph with a courteous transition and thank the reader in advance if they have any questions.  Good luck!  I think this assignment is one you will really use sooner rather than later so, make it good because it represents you!