What is a sign of a well-written recommendation letter?

A sign of a well-written recommendation letter is the inclusion of specific anecdotes that showcase your abilities. This type of detail provides concrete examples of your skills, strengths, and accomplishments, making a more compelling case for your qualifications. Anecdotes allow the recommender to illustrate their points vividly, offering insight into your character and work ethic that generalized statements simply cannot convey.

In contrast, general statements about you as a student may lack the depth and specificity needed to stand out. Lengthy elaboration on grades only focuses narrowly on academic performance without highlighting personal attributes or extracurricular contributions, thereby limiting the scope of the recommendation. Comments on the professor's experience, while potentially relevant, do not directly pertain to the candidate's qualifications and can detract from the overall focus of the letter on the individual being recommended.