Next Steps Program: Getting Started in Proposal Writing

1. Next Steps Program Getting Started in Proposal Writing (Subtitle: “You can do it!”) Facilitated by Christopher Hayden Penny Hirsch Galya Ruffer Bernard Streitwieser Undergraduate Research Grant Program The Writing Program International Studies Searle Center for Teaching Excellence International Studies & the Center for Global Engagement January 27, 2009

2. Writing a research proposal may not be your favorite activity . . . But you’re eager to return to London, Paris, . . . www.freefoto.com

3. www.google.images.com . . .Istanbul or Seoul There are so many things you still want to learn!

4. The way to do this, the Next Step: FUNDING!

5. Today’s focus: how to get started with proposal writing • We want to help you get started I) Take the ideas you wrote about and turn them into proposal notes • Understand what constitutes “good writing”? • See where you are in the writing process • Recognize what readers want II) Help you start thinking about how to find a mentor and identify a methodology III) Answer your questions • After that: you’ll have time to explore these ideas in smaller groups with grad students, faculty, and peers

6. . . . to this: www.flickr.com/search/?q=writer&w=all www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=writer+at+work&m=text We want to help you go from this: Frustrated NU student with writer’s block

7. Procrastination is common: “I’ll do my research first and then later just ‘write it up’” You’ve already started writing – which is great! Bad idea! Writing is a process that requires planning, feedback, & iteration; this takes time Writing is a way of thinking that leads to better research

8. The first step: to figure out what constitutes “good writing” “Good writing” means different things to different people

9. Writing is “socially constructed” -- that is, shaped by people in different discourse communities • Discourse community: People who share the same discipline, background, professional goals • Result: A good writer in history may or may not be a good writer in journalism, science, law, etc. • “Good writing” fulfills the expectations of people in a specific discourse community • “Good” is also defined by genre • Genre = type of writing • A proposal is a specific genre • Proposals in different fields have similar elements but subtle differences • Readers in a specific field come to a document type (genre) with definite expectations

10. Use a “communication framework” to start your planning GENRE = PROPOSAL audience content or message persona or tone purpose

11. Who is your audience: what will your readers want? • Substantive content -- showing that you have: • a clear purpose – well stated research questions • knowledge of the field • sufficient background to undertake the project • well thought out methods, budget, preparation • evidence to back up assertions • worthwhile long-term goals • Organization that makes key information easy to find • A professional finish (good grammar, correct punctuation, neat appearance, correct citations)

12. For funding, you need an A+ proposal, so consider what constitutes an A paper at NU Excerpt from Good Writing Standards handout used by WP faculty (J. Herrick)  12 

13. planning/ getting / drafting material writing & organizing getting feedback rewriting revising for style & final editing Writing is a process: start with rough ideas, let ideas evolve as you get material & feedback You’re here

14. Jot down notes: what is your purpose? Who will be your audience? • Purpose • Audience (list all readers & consider their backgrounds)

15. Consider winning proposals submitted by others • What are the parts of a proposal? • Introduction that gives background: the problem and its significance • For a general audience • Literature review • Purpose of proposed research; research question(s) • Proposed methodology • Budget and rationale for funding • Your preparation and goals the committee perspective

16. Figure out what writing decisions you can make now • Preparation sections: list courses you’ve taken, study abroad experiences, previous research, questions you have • Formatting: • Headings or not? • Good for 1st draft • Later, replace with strong topic sentences? • Font style and size • Using the right style and size for your draft will help you judge length • Ideas about writing style • How to start paragraphs with strong topic sentences that announce the subject • How to revise for conciseness • Example: cut out “hyperbolic” & unnecessary adjectives ( “incredibly,” “really,” “truly”) • Citations: what style should you use?

17. Get help from others • People in the field – for significance and methodologies • Librarians and professors – for literature review and research questions • Staff in Office of Fellowships • Writing tutors in the Writing Place

18. You can do this! • Think positively! • Very high success rate from students who get started early and get feedback from others • Every draft -- even notes -- will take you forward • A proposal is short • Get help • Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from peers and faculty • Don’t feel stupid asking questions • Collaborate with friends • Provide critical feedback • But also give encouragement and be nice!

19. How to start building faculty relationships Defining your research interests Identifying potential mentors Meeting with your potential mentors Be professional Bring a paragraph describing your research interests Bring a CV Questions you should ask faculty and grad students

20. What’s ahead at “Next Steps”? • Reception • Approach faculty • Talk to other students • Consider the writing you did for today • After faculty leave, continue to network with your peers • other students with similar interests • potential grad student mentors • And have fun!