1. Necessary Narratives Why do you need them? Where do you find them?
They set the stage for each section of your dossier.
Where do you find them?
Profile page of RIV
Left side panel
What are the “rules”
Keep it brief – most should be under 750 words
Keep it on topic – if it is the teaching narrative, talk about teaching, if it is the research narrative, talk about research, etc.
No self evaluation – just write facts
Marilyn
If you have only done your Annual Extension Report, you may not be familiar with the Narratives that are very important part of the dossier report.
They set the background for the information you are sharing.
Be brief – you want to be very clear but don’t hide important facts under a lot of unnecessary words
Self Evaluation – this is the job of those who review your work.

2. Necessary Narratives Biographical (p.12)
Sets the stage for your document
Continuing Education, Extension… (p.14-15)
Be sure that the numbers in the narrative match the tables
Curriculum Development (p.17)
Follow the outline!
Approach and Goals to Teaching… (p.18)
Includes major accomplishments and plans for future in teaching
Evaluation of Teaching (p.18)
Describe how you will use the results of the evaluations you
have conducted.
Marilyn
Cont. Ed, EXT - be sure numbers in Narrative match number in tables –
Curriculum – follow required outline
Evaluation of Teaching – do not summarize EEET’s
Tell what you learned and how you’ll apply
Research Funding – be sure amounts match in narrative and document

3. Necessary Narratives Focus of Research (p.20)
Describe contributions to your programmatic themes
Quality Indicators (p.20)
Not required but a good opportunity to showcase
use of your work by others
Research Funding (p.21)
Be sure that the numbers in the narrative match
your listing of grants/contracts
Service Activities (p.23)
Opportunity to provide additional information about your service activities.
Marilyn
Cont. Ed, EXT - be sure numbers in Narrative match number in tables –
Curriculum – follow required outline
Evaluation of Teaching – do not summarize EEET’s
Tell what you learned and how you’ll apply
Research Funding – be sure amounts match in narrative and document

4. Creating a Professional Document
The most important piece of advice is to print your dossier document, proof read and then have others proof read it for you!
Repeat this process every time you make changes.
Things to be aware of:
Grammar
Spelling
Punctuation
No self-promoting language
Complete sentences
Consistency
Refer to yourself in the same way throughout the dossier:
“The Educator”, “Educator Smith” or “Smith”
Don’t use “I”
Marilyn
The best way to guarantee a good quality professional document is to print it out and have several people proofread it for you! Ask them to look for spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. Ask someone not from your program area, or possibly not from Extension, to read and let you know if they understand what you are writing about.
After it has been reviewed and you’ve made corrections, print again and have it reviewed again!
RIV occasionally inserts punctuation for you – look for double “.” and “,” etc.
Consistency – refer to yourself in the same manner throughout the document for ex: “The Educator”, “ Educator Smith” or “Smith”
Avoid using “I”