May 2004 — Features
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How to Write GRANTS: The Best Kept Secret in the School Business
Vocabulary Highlight Page
The leader of the grant writing team needs to construct a vocabulary highlight page. The leader must also review the RFP for all terms and phrases that characterize the goals and expectations of the funding. This page should be taped next to any computer being used to write the grant application. Make sure to use the same vocabulary for the grant RFP that you use for the grant application, because this vocabulary will appear in any evaluation form used to review the application. Terms and phrases like the ones below should make up a vocabulary highlight page:
- Enhance student learning
- Real-world examples
- Hands-on student activities
- Integrating technology into teaching and learning
- Technologically literate
- Student access to information technology in classrooms, schools, communities and homes
- Achieve high academic standards
- Multimedia and digital content
- Networked applications
Writing Tips
All grant applications are evaluated by an individual or a team of readers. The people doing this evaluation have preferred learning styles, but they all appreciate clarity since a clear application invites enthusiasm in the evaluation process. The following are some writing tips to help improve clarity:
Name the project. For instance, a grant that sought funding for digitally supported lesson development was named "Project Lesson Builder." This project name should be used to begin many of the sentences in the application.
Take the position of the grant reader. Put yourself in the role of the grant reader, not the writer. Too many grant writers choose to tell their story instead of considering what the reader is looking for.
Write the abstract last from copied text. Cut and paste appropriate sentences from the text to build the abstract. This will help ensure that the abstract actually reflects sections of the manuscript.
Avoid personal pronouns. Use the project's name instead of using "we."
Use semicolons and numbers for clarity. Rather than use commas to separate lists, use semicolons and numbers to help part lists for easier reading.
Use short sentences to clarify. Edit out long sentences and construct shorter, more high-impact sentences.
Use white space and graphics in the text for clarity. A common mistake is to use as much space on the page as possible for content; instead, indent for emphasis. Also, something as simple as placing a reduced graphic in the text often helps a visual reviewer better understand the vision of the project.
Connect goals with objectives, actions, tools, the budget and the evaluation. Each goal has objectives; objectives have actions; and these actions require tools. The budget pays for the actions and tools, while the evaluation is organized around the objectives. Be sure to make these connections clear in the text.
Create action teams, as well as phases or stages to implement the grant. Any team in a grant is more impressive to a reader if it is called an "action team." Proposals that are constructed to reflect phases or stages make implementation seem more thoughtful and likely to succeed.
