Question on how to address something in an update letter

[tatabox80]

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Hi there,
I was a research assistant for a professor at my school. It dealt with how people recovered after Total knee replacement surgery. I basically visited the patients in the hospital and distributed questionnaires, answered questions. My question is, how indepth should I go into the goals of the study. Should I just mention my role, or should I go into depth about what the study in about?
Oh yeah, does anyone have a sample update letter? I'm not sure on how I should go about writing one. Thanks

 

[loyen]

I'd talk mostly about the goals of the project - "paperpusher" doesn't sounds too glamourus. How about "data-distributer and data-collecter"? That sounds fancy enough.

And I think update letters should be short, and to the point - less then one page, address it to a specific person if at all possible. Usually starting with a "I interviewd in ---- and was waitlisted on ----" ... "still remain interested in your WONDERFUL program" blah blah usually suffices. And through in a little sentenance like "your reputation as a great (research, primary care, hard core drinking) school meets my goals as well." Or other such blather.

Can you tell I used to do this for a living? Anyone need me to write a resume?

 

[relatively prime]

Yo! Update letters need to be as short as possible. When I wrote my most recent update letter it was only a few sentences... and I bulleted the main points. They are not going to take the time to read a multi-paragraphed letter... they will skim it for the important parts... if they can't find the important part within a few seconds they will just throw it in your file and forget about it.

I learned this when I wrote a letter to my #1 choice. I called them to make sure they got the letter. I asked "did you get the letter in which I say you're my number one choice?" The lady said "we got a letter... but I don't remember anything about you saying this is your number one choice." See took out the letter and said "let me find that point and highlight it so people read it." The lesson learned is this... don't make any letter longer than it has to be! and BOLD the main message of the letter.