FCSS 1210 Lecture 10: Writing & Communication Skills PDF

Writing & Communication Skills for family & community social services CSS 1210 Lecture 10  What we will talk about… 1. Writing in the Human Services a) Grant Writing b) Advocacy Letters Writing in the Human Services Grant Writing GRANTS – a “gift” to fund a project or...

Writing & Communication Skills for family & community social services CSS 1210 Lecture 10  What we will talk about… 1. Writing in the Human Services a) Grant Writing b) Advocacy Letters Writing in the Human Services Grant Writing GRANTS – a “gift” to fund a project or initiative  Grants It’s not what the funding agency can do for you, it’s what you can do for the funding agency Competitive process—grant writer needed? Examples of Sample Successful Grants  Key Components of Grant Proposals ➣Abstract: Write last, read first, most frequently used ➣Table of Contents: A roadmap for your proposal ➣Specific Aims: A summary of purpose, results, interventions, and structure of the proposed program—it may include Background and Significance, Needs and Problems Statement, such as “Why is the proposed program important and needed?” ➣Literature Review: What do we know? Present knowledge that informs our proposal. ➣Target Population: Who are the beneficiaries? ➣Approaches and Methods: Detailed plans of what the proposed activities are and how they will be achieved ➣Agency Capacities and Project Management: List the service providers and program management. ➣Budget and Budget Justifications: Provide the program plan in dollars and cents. ➣Evaluation Plan: Tell the stories—successes and challenges. Writing in the Human Services Advocacy (the political rhetoric of community services writing)  Examples of types Possible ways of Testimony advocating for social change Policy briefs Op-ed pieces Agency-based To whom am I writing? reports What are the Public debates assumptions at play? Letters  “Figurative Ground” Frames Mainstream Media Self-reflexion  Invoke shared frames early – build common ground “Re-Framing” to avoid outright rejection of a good proposal Key words/phrases (e.g. liberal vs. conservative rhetoric on pp. 180-181)  Advocacy Writing Not dryly academic—a good, solid argument isn’t good enough against prejudice/bias – you want to communicate the story of the issue (core values framing issue, heroes, villains, how to fix the problem) Educate and inspire (meaning rhetorically, not just factually, persuade) Use of evidence  Group Projects Get into your groups and take some time to plan out your presentations, which start next week.