Your request to a faculty member for a graduate-school recommendation letter should include

• the recommendation forms provided by the graduate schools to which you are applying. Make sure you have completely filled out the part to be filled out by the applicant. The graduate school will take a recommendation more seriously if you waive your statutory right to examine it.
  
  
• a note detailing the recommendation deadlines.
  
  
• a stamped addressed envelope for each graduate school to which you are applying (not necessary for an application to UT, or to the few graduate schools that require recommendations to be submitted with your application).
  
  
• a copy of your UT transcript.
  
  
• a curriculum vitae (i.e., a resume).
  
  
• a Statement of Purpose, explaining briefly (not more than a page) why you want to pursue a graduate degree in computing science, which aspects of computing you find most interesting, and any plans you may have for a post-graduate-school career.

Look for ways to help the faculty members whom you will ask for recommendations get to know you as more than just a face in the audience. Come to office hours, chat in the hallways, exchange e-mail on topics of mutual interest, etc.