Day 2 November 13, 2009 Bren School of Environmental Science and Management Kate Kokosinski
Proposal construction Writing strategies Review exercises Confidentiality Editing tips
Title Executive Summary Problem Statement
Objective ◦ Ex. “to determine the impacts of breaching on ocean water quality as measured by indicator bacteria concentrations”
Background ◦ What is known? ◦ What is not known? ◦ Why knowledge needs to be gained (societal importance)?
Approach/Methods ◦ What are you going to do? ◦ How are you going to do it? ◦ How can you provide evidence that you are prepared to do this?
Qualifications ◦ Make specific to self or organization ◦ Use evidence to support claims ◦ Include innovative aspects of technology or methodology
Schedule Budget Budget Justification
Benefits Statement ◦ Why is the work important? ◦ To whom will it be important? ◦ Is there significance beyond the immediate project?
Organization Coherence Clarity Conciseness ***Read good writing before you write!
Take some time to read the first example Discuss in groups of 4-5 Answer questions: 1. What did this author do well? 2. What suggestions do you have to improve this proposal? 3. Do you think this proposal was successful or unsuccessful?
Organization Background Focus Argument
Take some time to read the proposal Discuss in groups of 4-5 Answer questions: 1. Do you think this proposal was successful or unsuccessful? 2. How does this example differ from the first? 3. What does the author do effectively?
Detailed methods Clear descriptions Interesting argument
Break
RFP Funding proposal Audience
Read draft proposal Discuss in groups of 4-5 Answer questions: 1. What is effective about this proposal? 2. What could be strengthened before submission?
Effective Background Clear direction Numbers Ineffective Undefined acronyms Project schedule Conclusion missing
Ideas Product/technology Partnerships
Edit later Read your writing out loud Print your paper when reviewing Peer edit Visit the Communications Center
Kate Kokosinski