Want to make sure I'm interpreting this correctly...

[moyru]

One of my letter writers sent me this message: "I was wondering if you could write some important language/terms you'd like me to include on LOR, it sure would help me speed up the writing"

 

Do they mean sentence frames, or actual phrases?

[iphi]

Probably more like buzzwords, but if there are certain experiences or whatever you want him/her to mention now's the time to speak up!

[fuzzylogician]

Give them a list of things you would like to be in your letter. Even if they know you really well, it's easier for you to remember all this stuff than it is for them. I'd give them all the relevant facts (courses you took with them, any papers you wrote for them, research you did under them, other accomplishments -- did you give a good presentation? develop one of the papers in to a conference presentation/poster, etc? did you do an independent study with them? work with them as an RA? TA for them?) Give specific examples, those are important for a detailed letter. Are there specific buzzwords you would like them to use -- in particular, are there things that the schools you are applying to put emphasis on: types of analyses, theories, etc? Can you tie them to your work -- explain how. 

[Loric]

May be too late for a reply..

 

But think of the overall narrative of your app. What punches need to be gotten in via your rec letters? Guide him toward hitting those punches and making them knockouts. Is your GPA weak? He can vouch that you can handle graduate level study as exemplified by XYZ..  Yadda yadda.. think of the big picture and what that letter needs to say other than that you're a "good student."

 

No one goes for the "good" amid more interesting choices.