1. For: English 304 Colleagues By: Dr. Elizabeth Juckett On: April 7, 2016

2.  Today we will focus on the body of the grant, the PROJECT NARRATIVE. It includes:  Brief summary of the project outlining its purpose, expected results and how the results may be measured and evaluated:  Project description  Project outcomes  Budget table  Task schedule  In particular, we will look at “project description” and “project outcomes.”

3.  Dr. Dana Cihelkova offers insights  Rhetorical strategizing is crucial: write with your readers in mind  Incorporate logos, ethos, pathos  Problem – solution logic in the project description section  Problem – solution logic in the project outcome section

4.  Dana earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 2014 and got a job at Northern Arizona University (NAU)  She writes academic grants for the NAU Institute for Human Development, does project evaluations, and develops research plans for other grant writers  She has helped NAU win over 3.75 million dollars of grant money  She will function as our “expert witness” for today’s PowerPoint

5. You must know your readers well and persuade them to accept your project.

6.  Juckett: Do you ever think about grant readers? Does that affect how you present your grant proposal?  Dana: Absolutely! And if possible I even look up who these people are and read their publications. If you do not know who your readers are, then you need to write for somebody who may or may not know your service area or field of study. Be careful with jargon. (I would even avoid it.) Introduce each term. Cut down on adjectives. I would say write like for Scientific American – be brief; go directly to the point while remaining pleasant and dignified.

7.  Instructions represent what the granting foundation wants from you. Therefore:  “Instructions are your Bible. You cannot deviate from them or not read them.  For instance, the NIH general instruction book has about 500 pages, but you have to know them really well!  If you are not ready to follow the instructions EXACTLY, do NOT write grants.”

8.  In your project narrative, argue strategically:  Logos: Use arguments your readers will perceive as logical as you describe the project: facts, statistics, details, figures  Know all the details (financials, schedule) of your project and outline these in the budget and timeline, TBD  Make sure your timeline begins after the grant is awarded  Ethos: Demonstrate your credibility as you write about this project  Pathos: Make your audience feel certain emotions connected to your project

9. PROBLEM-SOLUTION LOGIC Establish there is a serious problem using logos (facts, statistics, observations, details) Use pathos to accentuate the problem Establish the urgent need for a solution. Again use logos and pathos Describe your project as a solution Ask for money so the solution can be implemented

10.  Start with the problem/need you want to solve by acquiring grant funds  The majority of your project description should be dedicated to defining your organization’s needs  The statement of need (BWH 251) is an important component of the project description  Describe the problem/need clearly, using logos and pathos as relevant  Show how funding will enable the non-profit to create a solution to the problem: the project you need funding for  Be sure you are answering all the who?, what?, when?, where? and how? questions that relate to your project

11.  Understand the difference between goals, objectives, and outcomes  A goal gives a general statement of your program’s purpose  Objectives (a.k.a “outputs”) are more concrete and specific in describing how the goal will be achieved  Outcomes should reflect what is the expected result at the end of your proposal’s timeline.  Write measurable objectives and be as specific as possible  Consider putting a face on your facts and figures  “When Kayla joined the volleyball team, she was embarrassed by her raggedy mismatched t- shirt and shorts…”

12.  You may have to submit a report to the grantor on the success of your project when it is completed  Having measurable objectives and outcomes will be important as you plan to solve the problem through funding  These will help you define how well the problem has been resolved by your proposed solution  For example: Goal = parity of generally underprivileged middle school athletes with those from prosperous homes  Objective (output) = 30 middle school volleyball players will have new attractive high-quality uniforms  Outcome = increased team spirit, self-esteem and success among middle school volleyball players due to new uniforms; these outcomes measured by before- and after surveys

13.  “Probably one of the biggest challenges that grant writers face is trying to effectively express meaningful, exciting goals and objectives and the intended outcomes in their applications.  Successful grant writers understand that... all grant funders really want is to understand how a proposed program will help solve the problem they’re trying to address.”  ~ Grantprofessionals.org Stress benefits to grant funders’ constituencies in the “Project Outcomes” section.

14. Juckett: Could you please share any wisdom or insight you have learned from grant-writing seminars or the like that my students could benefit from as professional writers? Dana:  Start by making a time plan  Careful organization of the grant-writing project is crucial  Read, know and religiously follow the instructions --- it is all there  In your “Project Narrative,” tell an interesting short story  Watch your writing carefully  Avoid personalization—writing should be formal, impersonal  Use standard English, no slang or colloquialisms  Make sure there are no spelling or other grammar problems  When you insert graphs or visuals, make your text and figures visually appealing

15.  Grant-writers must be rhetorically strategic in order to be successful  Know their readers  Keep it interesting; tell a story  Incorporate logos, project ethos, use pathos appropriately  The “project description” section should rely on a problem/solution logic, where a grant funding the proposed project is the solution  The “project outcomes” section should incorporate measurable solutions (outcomes)

16.  Remain laser-focused on your readers  Write the project description using a problem-solution logical structure  Incorporate logos—facts, details, observation, expert testimony  Incorporate ethos--your knowledge of the situation should be crystal clear; you should incorporate expert testimony as possible  Incorporate pathos—include a story, construct legitimate appeals to emotions, show the dire consequences of inaction  In the project outcomes section, differentiate between goals, objectives (output), and outcomes  Include mechanisms for measuring outcomes

17. That’s all folks! (More on “Budget” and “Schedule” next Tuesday)