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.

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Write everyday Take your time Quality is ALWAYS better than quantity Ask for help Practice proofreading

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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

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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