1. Writing for Funding: How to Get your Application Noticed
Brought to you in partnership with Huron Writing Services, Huron Library and Information Services and the Centre for Undergraduate Research Learning
Content by Dr. Nick Van Allen and Patti Luedecke

2. This Presentation Will…
Consider the purpose and common rhetorical tactics of proposal writing
Review the steps necessary to completing a draft proposal
Provide strategies for starting early, maintaining momentum, and polishing your proposal
Involve exercises to help improve your proposal

3. Because, Because, Because, Because…

4. Before You Begin: What is the goal?
Rhetorical Argument
2. Rationale
3. Research
4. Not Reporting

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8. In Addition: Why did you become interested in the topic?
Is there a particular aspect that is compelling to you?
What aspect of the topic is particularly relevant today?
Have there been approaches overlooked that you wish to pursue?

9. The Power of WHY Why ask Questions?
That’s what your adjudication committee members are going to do automatically when they read your proposal. They can’t help it; they are trained to think critically and they can’t turn it off.
So you might as well beat them to the punch and learn to ask those questions yourself!

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13. If you need more help at this stage, ask a librarian.

14. Step Two: Research More to life than keywords
Check out Works Cited or Bibliography
Click on the Subject links and search for them
Click on the Author to find other works by them
Click on the Call Number to browse titles nearby

15. Getting Closer!
Summarize the significance of what you’ve found at the end of each research session
Can be done in small doses
Give your mind time to mull
Start drafting early

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18. Paragraph 1
The “What Paragraph”
Introduce your topic and say what
your topic is going to be
Paragraph 2
The “Why Paragraph”
Tell your reader why your topic is
worthy of study, in relation to course materials or scholarly opinion.
Paragraphs 3—4
The “How Paragraph(s)”
Tell your reader how you plan to go
about studying your topic.
 What sources will you use?
Which journal articles, books, etc.?
 Where do you think you might find more information?
 What avenues of research do you plan on using?

22. Format and Content
Like writing an essay, your research rationale or hypothesis is like a thesis statement
Can you explain in one sentence what your research is and why you want to do it?
I claim + my awesome thought +because +my reason + significance of my claim.
Separating into three paragraphs  WHAT, WHY AND HOW will let you tackle each issue
Foreground the relevance and interdisciplinary elements of your project
Keep your rhetorical goal in mind through each paragraph

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26. Watch Your Language
Often the difference between a dull description and a convincing argument is in your choice of words
Convincing words force you to go the extra mile in explaining
Because
Since
Although this/ not this
While this/ not this

27. Watch your Language Use dynamic verbs!
Use the active voice as much as possible.

29. Writing Services Same-day Half Hour Appointments: We help with:
Monday and Wednesday 11-5pm
Tuesday and Thursday 1-7pm
Friday 9-1pm
We help with:
Argumentation and Structure
Logic and Clarity
All kinds of writing!

30. Free-write for 2 minutes
I want to find out more about…

31. Read for 45 seconds Highlight/ Underline for 15 seconds
I want to know more about…

32. Free-write for 2 minutes
I think my project is important because…

33. Read for 45 seconds Highlight/ Underline for 15 seconds
I think your project is important because…

34. 2 Minute Word Hoard
Write down all the active verbs you can think of whether they are academic or not. Any verbs will do.

35. From La to Lively:
Select a sample of 7-10 sentences and underline all of the verbs.

36. Do you have any passive voice verbs?
How lively are they? Can you replace even one of the boring verbs in your selection with one from you like from your word hoard?

37. Who’s Doing Those Verbs?
Underline the grammatical subject in a selection of your writing and see if they are long or short, abstract or concrete.

38. To do at Home:
Keep a Weather Eye
As you research see if there is an article that sounds more alive than any others. Underline some of the verbs and see if you can use them in your own research essays.
Free-write for longer