Proposal WritingProposal Writing

GradWRITE! InitiativeGradWRITE! Initiative

Writing Support CentreWriting Support Centre

Student Development ServicesStudent Development Services

OutlineOutline

Proposals in GeneralProposals in General

FormatFormat

ContentContent

LanguageLanguage

Grant/Scholarship ProposalsGrant/Scholarship Proposals

Thesis/Dissertation ProposalsThesis/Dissertation Proposals

Proposals in GeneralProposals in General

Thesis/Dissertation and Grant/Scholarship Thesis/Dissertation and Grant/Scholarship proposal formats, lengths and content may be proposal formats, lengths and content may be different, but the general purpose remains the different, but the general purpose remains the samesame

Some disciplines use standard Grant proposal Some disciplines use standard Grant proposal formats for Thesis/Dissertation proposalsformats for Thesis/Dissertation proposals

FormattingFormatting

Shapes the content and delivery of your Shapes the content and delivery of your proposalproposal

Different for every agency / council / Different for every agency / council / departmentdepartment

Follow the guidelinesFollow the guidelines

ContentContent

Research PlanResearch Plan

Biographical SketchBiographical Sketch

Reference LettersReference Letters

BudgetBudget

Research PlanResearch Plan

AbstractsAbstracts

Purpose, Rationale, Specific QuestionsPurpose, Rationale, Specific Questions

BackgroundBackground

Procedures and MethodsProcedures and Methods

Time FrameTime Frame

AbstractsAbstracts

Aside from title, read by the most peopleAside from title, read by the most people

Summary of your applicationSummary of your application

Include all aspects of your applicationInclude all aspects of your application

Use plain languageUse plain language

Purpose and RationalePurpose and Rationale

Need a clear ideaNeed a clear idea

Purpose: Purpose:

General statement introducing topicGeneral statement introducing topic

Understanding or improving somethingUnderstanding or improving something

Rationale: Rationale:

So what?So what?

Questions and Questions and HypothesesHypotheses

Specific questions to be answered, hypotheses Specific questions to be answered, hypotheses to be tested, objectives to be metto be tested, objectives to be met

BackgroundBackground

What is known about the subject?What is known about the subject?

What lines of thought led to your study?What lines of thought led to your study?

Keep it briefKeep it brief

Procedures and MethodsProcedures and Methods

How are you going to answer your questions?How are you going to answer your questions?

Be as detailed as space allowsBe as detailed as space allows

Start with a general description then give Start with a general description then give detailsdetails

Include in MethodsInclude in Methods

Overall research design (e.g. controlled study, Overall research design (e.g. controlled study, observation, library research etc.)observation, library research etc.)

Tests, Measurements, and ProceduresTests, Measurements, and Procedures

Types of data and analysisTypes of data and analysis

How will results be reportedHow will results be reported

Time FrameTime Frame

When and where will you accomplish these When and where will you accomplish these goals?goals?

May use charts and tablesMay use charts and tables

The Language of The Language of ProposalsProposals

Know your audienceKnow your audience

Conciseness is extra importantConciseness is extra important

Forceful, authoritativeForceful, authoritative

Signpost LanguageSignpost Language

Tense is importantTense is important

Authoritative LanguageAuthoritative Language

Weak:Weak:

It is hoped that this research may be used to It is hoped that this research may be used to help ...help ...

Strong:Strong:

This research will ...This research will ...

Signpost LanguageSignpost Language

Examples:Examples:

The objectives of this research are to...The objectives of this research are to...

This project has three phases. (1) We will...This project has three phases. (1) We will...

First,.... Second,.... Last,....First,.... Second,.... Last,....

Helps with clarityHelps with clarity

Bullets and numbering are helpful and Bullets and numbering are helpful and importantimportant

The Tenses of ProposalsThe Tenses of Proposals

Literature Review:Literature Review:

PresentPresent

For example, direct observation of foraging behaviour can be For example, direct observation of foraging behaviour can be difficult and may yield biased data (Kelly 2000). difficult and may yield biased data (Kelly 2000).

Past (when integrating specific studies)Past (when integrating specific studies)

DeNiro and Epstein (1981) showed that animal tissues are DeNiro and Epstein (1981) showed that animal tissues are consistently enriched in 15N by 3 to 5 permille relative to diet. consistently enriched in 15N by 3 to 5 permille relative to diet.

The Tenses of ProposalsThe Tenses of Proposals

Statement of Purpose:Statement of Purpose:

Mix of Present and FutureMix of Present and Future

If lactation has an additive effect on δIf lactation has an additive effect on δ1515N values, then dependent N values, then dependent offspring will have higher δoffspring will have higher δ1515N values than neonates.N values than neonates.

Present when describing phenomenaPresent when describing phenomena

Past when describing predictions or future resultsPast when describing predictions or future results

The Tenses of ProposalsThe Tenses of Proposals

Methods:Methods:

Future Future

Ten lactating females will be live trapped, and milk, blood and Ten lactating females will be live trapped, and milk, blood and

hair samples will be collected. hair samples will be collected.

Grant/Scholarship Grant/Scholarship ProposalsProposals

Two Purposes:Two Purposes:

Sell Your ProjectSell Your Project

Sell YourselfSell Yourself

The Written ProposalThe Written Proposal

Good writing ≠ Guaranteed GrantGood writing ≠ Guaranteed Grant

Bad writing = No GrantBad writing = No Grant

Thesis/Dissertation Thesis/Dissertation ProposalsProposals

CommunicationCommunication

PlanPlan

ContractContract

CommunicationCommunication

Informs your supervisor, committee, Informs your supervisor, committee, department, funding agencies etc. about your department, funding agencies etc. about your proposed researchproposed research

PlanPlan

A roadmap for you to follow throughout your A roadmap for you to follow throughout your degreedegree

ContractContract

Communicating your plan makes a contract Communicating your plan makes a contract stating that fulfilling your proposal will result in stating that fulfilling your proposal will result in a degreea degree

FormatFormat

There is no generally accepted format for There is no generally accepted format for proposalsproposals

Advice from supervisors, committees and Advice from supervisors, committees and departments ranges from a few suggestions to departments ranges from a few suggestions to rigid guidelinesrigid guidelines

In some ways, it defines the format of your In some ways, it defines the format of your thesis/dissertationthesis/dissertation

ContentContent

Similar content to grant proposalsSimilar content to grant proposals

Generally, longer and more detailed than grant Generally, longer and more detailed than grant proposalsproposals

Still, clear and concise sections are essentialStill, clear and concise sections are essential

ResourceResource