1. NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
How to get started writing II
Dr. David W. Mazyck
Professor
Environmental Engineering Sciences

2. Opener
Write multiple versions of your opening paragraph with various themes
The overachiever
These are all the things I have done, and the trend will continue
The dreamer
I’ve wanted to do ‘whatever’ all my life because of ‘some event’
The struggle is real
 I’ve been through ‘some life changing event’ that gave you ‘some outlook’
Abstract
Here is an overview of all the highlights in this essay
The expert
I have some expertise that I will relate to engineering somehow
Pity party
I’ve had a hard time getting to this point, but I’ve still managed to kill it

3. Anatomy of the paper Intro 2nd paragraph – intro into something Body
Freeform writing style. Be yourself and let your passion show
2nd paragraph – intro into something
Could be research, or an expansion on some life experience
Body
BI and IM
Research experience
Mentorship
Internship
Conclusion
Freeform again, but try to reiterate your goals, and relate them to NSF’s ideals.

4. Anatomy of a Body paragraph
Type
Sentences
Class 1
Transition 2
Orientation to situation
1-2 3
Explanation
1-3 IM 4
Why is that important BI 5
Outcome - 4 P’s* or insight gained
*paper, presentation, poster, patent
IM/BI

5. How to Review Paragraph (1st half of sept)
Read the paragraph and write down the key points
Do this for all paragraphs then rank their impact
Transitions/ paragraph structure (3rd & 4th week of sept)
you have one chance to spice things up… good transitions.
After writing all the paragraphs you want, try to find common threads between them and rearrange for better flow.
Sentences (1st & 2nd week of October)
Highlight each sentence that contains evidence of IM/BI and rate the effectiveness of each individually.
Rewrite the low impact, and try to minimize white space.
Words (the remaining time)
Can I squeeze another line in somehow? Is this word impactful?

6. Example (Intro before)
My undergraduate research experience and background in tutoring student athletes and coaching youth sailboat racing has uniquely prepared me to excel in graduate school focusing on developing technology and techniques for solving serious issues affecting many people. The goals of these disciplines may differ, however the skills required are one and the same: mentorship, team work, perseverance, and effective communication. These qualities are fundamental to accomplishing any goal and will serve as the building blocks on which I will construct my career. Moreover, the collective accomplishments achieved with my sailing team and with my undergraduate student athletes that I tutored have provided rewarding experiences whereby I look forward to mentoring and helping others excel. For example, the windy, cold, and rainy conditions experienced by my sailors during the 2018 Club 420 North American Championship will serve as experiences that I can share to help students push through the struggles of research and life that are inevitable. Altogether, I look forward to collaborating with my research colleagues and mentees to disseminate our research findings and then set sail toward my goal of becoming a Professor at an R1 university where I plan to conduct research in medical technology and testing with the objective of advancing cancer treatments and medicines. Advancements in this field will have a global impact on society because the disease has affected people the world over.

7. Example (Intro after)
Sailing was my first experience in becoming an expert in something. Fifteen years of racing, six years of teaching more than 300 students, and multiple championship attendances to show for it; my career as an educator started early. There are no hand-outs on the race course, every improvement requires hard work, determination, and attention to detail. Every piece of information gathered is another data point to learn from and build upon. These values, engrained in me, pushed my students to success and will continue to propel me along my path toward earning a Ph.D. and becoming a professor at a research I university.