getting started in proposal writing (subtitle: “you can do it!”) facilitated by christopher...

Getting Started in Proposal Writing(Subtitle: “You can do it!”)

Facilitated by

Christopher Hayden Penny Hirsch Galya Ruffer Bernard Streitwieser

Undergraduate Research Grant Program

The Writing Program

International Studies

Searle Center for Teaching Excellence

International Studies & the Center for Global EngagementJanuary 27, 2009

Next Steps Program

International Studies Workshop1/27/09

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Writing a research proposal may not be your favorite activity . . .

But you’re eager to return to London, Paris, . . .

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. . . Istanbul or Seoul

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There are so many things youstill want to learn!


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The way to do this, the Next Step:


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Today’s focus: how to get started with proposal writing

• We want to help you get started

I) Take the ideas you wrote about and turn them into proposal notes Understand what constitutes “good writing”?

See where you are in the writing process

Recognize what readers want

II) Help you start thinking about how to find a mentor and identify a methodology

III) Answer your questions

• After that: you’ll have time to explore these ideas in smaller groups with grad students, faculty, and peers


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We want to help you go from this:

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. . . to this:

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Frustrated NU student with writer’s block


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You’ve already started writing – which is great!

Bad idea!

Writing is a process that requires planning, feedback, & iteration; this takes time

Writing is a way of thinking that leads to better research

Procrastination is common:

“I’ll do my research first and then later just ‘write it up’”


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The first step: to figure out what constitutes “good writing”

“Good writing” means different things

to different people


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Writing is “socially constructed” -- that is, shaped by people in different discourse communities

• Discourse community: People who share the same discipline, background, professional goals

– Result: A good writer in history may or may not be a good writer in journalism, science, law, etc.

– “Good writing” fulfills the expectations of people in a specific discourse community

• “Good” is also defined by genre

– Genre = type of writing A proposal is a specific genre Proposals in different fields have similar elements but subtle differences

Readers in a specific field come to a document type (genre) with definite expectations


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Use a “communication framework” to start your planning

audience

purpose

contentor message

persona or tone

GENRE = PROPOSAL


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Who is your audience: what will your readers want?

• Substantive content -- showing that you have:– a clear purpose – well stated research questions– knowledge of the field– sufficient background to undertake the project– well thought out methods, budget, preparation– evidence to back up assertions– worthwhile long-term goals

• Organization that makes key information easy to find

• A professional finish (good grammar, correct punctuation, neat appearance, correct citations)


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For funding, you need an A+ proposal, so consider what constitutes an A paper at NU

“A” paper “B” paper “C” paperPurpose(thesis)

Has a clear purpose (strongthesis) that is⇒ consisten t fr om beginning

t o end⇒ very well suite d t o the

assignment

Ha s a clea r purpos e tha t is⇒ consisten t from

beginnin g t o end⇒ well suited to the

assignment⇒ ma y be alittle

“mechanical” orschoolish

⇒ Ha s athesis thatfocuse s on a centralidea, althoug h paperma y occasionally trailo ff into anotherdirection.

⇒ Although th e topic mayb e unoriginal, the paperfollows the assignmen .t

Content ⇒ Develo ps it s conten t withimpressive supportingdetail s o r evidence

⇒ Explores th e implicationso f ideas

⇒ Demonstrate s insight intot he complexitie s of theissue

⇒ Reasons logically &persuasively

⇒ Include s well chosenoutside source s tha t aresynthesized, no t justsummarized

⇒ Develo ps it s contentwit h supporting detailso r evidence

⇒ Explores theimplication s o f ideas

⇒ Us es logica l reasoning;is persuasive

⇒ Include s well chosenoutside source s tha t aresynthesized, no t justsummarized

⇒ Develo ps it s contentwit h supporting detailso r evidence

⇒ Ma y sometime s confusedevelopment withrepetition.

⇒ Ma y lack sufficientsource s or ma y fail tosynthesize sourcessufficiently

⇒ Reasonin g mayb e weakin spot s o r paper maynot b e sufficientlypersuasive

Excerpt from Good Writing Standards handout used by WP faculty (J. Herrick)


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Writing is a process: start with rough ideas, let ideas evolve as you get material & feedback

You’re hereplanning/

getting / draftingmaterial

writing &organizing

getting feedback

rewriting

revising for style & final editing


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Jot down notes: what is your purpose? Who will be your audience?

• Purpose

• Audience (list all readers & consider their backgrounds)


Consider winning proposals submitted by others

• What are the parts of a proposal?– Introduction that gives background: the problem and its significance

For a general audience

– Literature review– Purpose of proposed research; research question(s)– Proposed methodology– Budget and rationale for funding– Your preparation and goals

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the committeeperspective


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Figure out what writing decisions you can make now

• Preparation sections: list courses you’ve taken, study abroad experiences, previous research, questions you have

• Formatting: – Headings or not?

Good for 1st draft Later, replace with strong topic sentences?

– Font style and size Using the right style and size for your draft will help you judge length

• Ideas about writing style– How to start paragraphs with strong topic sentences that announce

the subject– How to revise for conciseness

Example: cut out “hyperbolic” & unnecessary adjectives ( “incredibly,” “really,” “truly”)

• Citations: what style should you use?


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Get help from others

• People in the field – for significance and methodologies

• Librarians and professors – for literature review and research questions

• Staff in Office of Fellowships

• Writing tutors in the Writing Place


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You can do this!

• Think positively!– Very high success rate from students who get started early and get

feedback from others

– Every draft -- even notes -- will take you forward

– A proposal is short

• Get help

– Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from peers and faculty

– Don’t feel stupid asking questions

• Collaborate with friends

– Provide critical feedback

– But also give encouragement and be nice!


How to start building faculty relationships

• Defining your research interests

• Identifying potential mentors

• Meeting with your potential mentors– Be professional– Bring a paragraph describing your research interests– Bring a CV

• Questions you should ask faculty and grad students


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What’s ahead at “Next Steps”?

• Reception– Approach faculty– Talk to other students– Consider the writing you did for today

• After faculty leave, continue to network with your peers– other students with similar interests– potential grad student mentors

• And have fun!

getting started in proposal writing (subtitle: “you can do it!”) facilitated by christopher...

Documents

good writinggood writing

writing processrecognize

good writing standards

research proposal

good writer

proposal notesunderstand

proposal writingwe

proposal writingsubtitle