5.3 Crafting a Compelling Narrative

As mentioned in Chapter 1, rhetoric makes all the difference when it comes to grant writing. Writers must take the audience into account. Preparing to write the narrative means getting to know the funder and project partners, if relevant. To build a compelling narrative, the writer should tell a story that makes the reader empathize with the problem from the beginning. This can be accomplished with rhetorical language, using voices from the community (ethos) combined with current data (logos). The language should align with the values of the funder, but jargon is best left out. The narrative should be organized, easy to read, and easy to understand.

Each section should build on the previous one, guiding the reader through the narrative with formatting, such as headers and bullets, that makes it easy to follow. The use of concrete details such as numbers, timelines, staff responsibilities, and resources helps the reader visualize the project. Breaking up the narrative with tables and bullets gives the reader’s eyes a slight break, as well.

Finally, it is challenging but critical to find a balance between facts and emotion in a proposal. When writing the narrative, be specific and authentic. Be professional but human, confident but humble. Writers can be passionate, but they need to also be grounded. Be ambitious but make plans that can actually work.