A good moral character letter is a vital document often required for various applications, including school admissions, job opportunities, and legal proceedings. It serves as a testament to an individual’s integrity, ethical behavior, and overall reputation within a community. These letters should be written by someone who knows the individual well and can confidently vouch for their positive attributes.
The most impactful letters of good moral character contain specific examples that highlight the individual’s positive qualities. Instead of making general statements like “John is a good person,” provide concrete instances where John demonstrated honesty, compassion, or responsibility. This adds credibility and makes the letter more persuasive. When writing a character reference letter, remember to focus on those qualities and support them with real stories and examples to solidify the letter.
When requesting a good moral character letter, provide the writer with sufficient information about the purpose of the letter and any specific requirements or guidelines. This will help them tailor the letter to the recipient’s needs and ensure it addresses the relevant criteria. Always express your gratitude for their time and effort in writing the letter on your behalf.
Remember to always be honest and only write a character reference if you are genuinely confident in the person’s good moral character. Exaggerations or misrepresentations can damage your own credibility and ultimately harm the applicant. Focus on verifiable actions and observable behavior that clearly demonstrate the individual’s positive qualities.
7 Good Moral Character Letter Samples
Sample 1: General Recommendation
[Your Name/Title]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Recipient Name/Title]
[Recipient Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
It is with great pleasure that I recommend [Applicant Name]. I have known [Applicant Name] for [Number] years as [Your Relationship to Applicant – e.g., neighbor, colleague, student]. During that time, I have been consistently impressed by their integrity and dedication.
[Applicant Name] is a responsible and trustworthy individual. For example, [Give a specific example of their positive character, e.g., “I witnessed them return a lost wallet to its owner even though no one was watching.”]. They are also [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “a compassionate and helpful member of our community.”]
I am confident that [Applicant Name] would be a valuable asset to [Organization/Program]. I highly recommend them without reservation.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 2: For School Admission
[Teacher/Counselor Name]
[School Name]
[School Address]
[Date]
[Admissions Committee Name]
[University Name]
[University Address]
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend [Student Name] for admission to [University Name]. I have been [Student Name]‘s [Your Role – e.g., English teacher, school counselor] for the past [Number] years.
[Student Name] consistently demonstrates a strong moral compass. They are honest, respectful, and considerate of others. I recall one instance when [Give a specific example related to academics or school activities, e.g., “they organized a study group for their classmates to help them succeed in a challenging subject.”]. They are also known for their [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “willingness to volunteer their time for school events.”]
I believe [Student Name] possesses the character traits necessary to succeed at your university and contribute positively to your community. I highly recommend them for admission.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 3: For Employment
[Employer Name/Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name (if different)]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend [Employee Name] for the position of [Job Title] at your company. I had the pleasure of working with [Employee Name] as their [Your Role – e.g., Supervisor, Manager] at [Company Name] for [Number] years.
[Employee Name] is a highly ethical and reliable employee. They consistently demonstrate a strong work ethic and a commitment to integrity. During their time here, [Give a specific example related to their work ethic, e.g., “they always went above and beyond to ensure projects were completed on time and to the highest standards.”]. They are also [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “a team player and always willing to help their colleagues.”].
I am confident that [Employee Name] would be a valuable asset to your team. I highly recommend them without hesitation.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 4: Neighbor or Community Member
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]
[Recipient Name/Organization]
[Recipient Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am writing to attest to the good moral character of [Person’s Name]. I have known [Person’s Name] as my neighbor for [Number] years.
[Person’s Name] is a kind, considerate, and responsible member of our community. I have personally witnessed them [Give a specific example of their positive character within the community, e.g., “organize neighborhood clean-up events and volunteer at the local food bank.”]. They are consistently [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “respectful and helpful to their neighbors.”]
I can confidently say that [Person’s Name] is a person of good character and would be a valuable asset to any organization or community they join.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 5: Religious Leader
[Your Name/Title]
[Church/Organization Name]
[Address]
[Date]
[Recipient Name/Organization]
[Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am writing to recommend [Person’s Name]. I have known [Person’s Name] for [Number] years as a member of our congregation at [Church/Organization Name]. I have observed them to be a person of high integrity and strong moral values.
[Person’s Name] is consistently [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “a compassionate and supportive member of our community.”] [Give a specific example of their positive character, e.g., “volunteer at the local homeless shelter weekly.”]. I have been consistently impressed by their integrity and dedication.
I can recommend [Person’s Name] without reservation to any organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 6: Mentor or Coach
[Your Name/Title]
[Organization Name]
[Address]
[Date]
[Recipient Name/Organization]
[Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am writing to you in the case of [Person’s Name]. I have had the pleasure of mentoring [Person’s Name] for [Number] years. I am impressed with their moral code.
[Person’s Name] is a strong and responsible person who cares about those around them. [Give a specific example of their positive character, e.g., “They helped lead our team to success, and were the only one of the players to attend all practices.”]. They are also a [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “very determined and helpful person.”]
With great confidence, I can say that [Person’s Name] is an excellent choice for any organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Sample 7: Volunteer Coordinator
[Your Name/Title]
[Organization Name]
[Address]
[Date]
[Recipient Name/Organization]
[Address]
Dear [Recipient Name],
I am happy to recommend [Person’s Name]. I have had the distinct honor of working with [Person’s Name] for the last [Number] years. They have continuously shown their kindness and good morals.
[Person’s Name] is an invaluable member of the team. [Give a specific example of their positive character, e.g., “When there was a need, they donated their time freely to helping those in need.”]. They are also [Mention another positive quality, e.g., “a caring and very giving individual.”]
I can thoroughly recommend [Person’s Name] to any organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Typed Name]
Conclusion
A well-written good moral character letter can significantly impact the outcome of an application. By providing specific examples, maintaining honesty, and tailoring the letter to the recipient’s needs, you can create a compelling testament to the individual’s positive character and increase their chances of success. These samples provide a starting point to personalize and create your own impactful letter of recommendation. Remember that sincerity and specific examples are key to making your letter stand out and be truly persuasive.
