Proven Writing and Grant Writing Practices

California Student Sustainability Convergence April 27, 2013

Katherine Walsh, TGIF Coordinator UC Berkeley

Danielle Lauber, PowerSave Green Campus

• Proven writing approaches and resources

• Writing resources

• VERY brief intro to CBSM

• Grant application components

• Techniques to write a winning grant application Grant writing resources

• Questions & Discussion

•Writing is the primary basis upon which your work,

your learning and your intellect will be judged – in

college, in the workplace, and your larger community.

• SIGNIFICANCE of message to convey

•Writing is the EXPRESSION of your thinking

• IDENTIFICATION as an asset

•Many TYPES of writing

• Essential skill for professional development

• 5 Tips to improve your writing

1. Write everyday

2. Take your time

3. Quality is ALWAYS better than quantity

4. Ask for help

5. Practice proofreading

• Prewriting or graphic organizing

• PLAN -> REVISE -> EDIT

• Read -> Summarize text

• Collaborative writing (this is one is a doozy!)

• Set Goals

• Model writing

• Writing in college (or for your internship) is different

than writing in high school – academic writing

• By a scholar (YOU!) for other scholars

• Be informed

• Analytical Writing

• Summarize > Evaluate > Analyze > Synthesize

• Always consider your audience

• Structure

• Introduction > Thesis > Support Paragraphs > Conclusions

• Tone and style

• Grammar Resources

•Grammar Handbook

•Grammar and Style Notes

• Science & Technical Writing guides

• Technical report writing

•Writing for engineering and science students

• Guides for ‘English as a Second Language’ students

•On-line writing lab

• Commonly used phrases

• Use captivating information

• Know your audience

• Use credible sources

• Frame your message

• Clearly communicate for desired behavior

• Social diffusion

• For more information: Doug McKenzie-Mohr; www.cbsm.com

How do I win GRANT$ with these writing tips?

• A grant is an award given to a recipient for an

approved purpose.

• Abstract Submission Form

• Application Submission Form

• Do no get stuck on the summary and history of the

project.

• Avoid non-specific, cliché, gimmicky, and flowery language.

• PROVE what you can accomplish with the requested funding.

• Lay-out your project implementation steps.

• Provide a detailed and accurate budget.

• Talk qualitative and quantitative metrics.

• Show how you will measure and report success.

• Have a plan for education and outreach.

• Know the process- how to apply and when.

• Do not wait until the last minute to start the application.

• Read all the directions first. Follow all the directions.

• Stick to the required length and font size.

• Answer all the questions.

• Proofread. Have someone else also proofread.

• Submit by the deadline.

• To what funder are you applying? What is the

funder’s mission? What are its goals?

• Are there any buzzwords or stand-out language

the funder uses in its program that you could

incorporate into your application?

•What are some buzzwords?

• Know what a winning grant proposal contains.

• Read past examples of grant proposals that have

been selected by the funder.

• Know the funder’s expectations of selected

grant winners.

• Will you and your project be able to meet

those expectations?

• But wait- where IS the money?

• Start at your own school- administrative grants, department

grants or sponsorships, vendor sponsorships, career center

• Look locally- town/city government grants, local officials’

sponsorships, local centers’ grants, state government funding,

local non-profit, utilities, businesses

• Look nationally- faculty connections and networks, federal

government grants, educational awards, regional utilities

• Look globally- corporations, global governing agencies,

global non-profits

• Fellowships