How can you create grant communications that are easy to understand?

1 Know your purpose and audience

Before you start writing, you need to define the purpose and the audience of your grant communication. What do you want to achieve with your message? Who are you writing for? What do they need to know? How do they prefer to receive information? These questions will help you tailor your content, tone, and format to suit your communication goals and your readers' expectations. For example, if you are writing a grant proposal, your purpose is to persuade the funder that your project is worth supporting, and your audience is the grant reviewer who will evaluate your proposal based on specific criteria. Therefore, you need to focus on the benefits and impacts of your project, use clear and convincing language, and follow the funder's instructions and format.

2 Use plain language and avoid jargon

One of the most common pitfalls of grant communications is using overly complex or technical language that confuses or alienates your readers. To avoid this, you should use plain language that is simple, direct, and accurate. Plain language does not mean dumbing down your message, but rather making it more accessible and understandable for your readers. To use plain language, you should avoid jargon, acronyms, and abbreviations that your readers may not be familiar with, or explain them if you have to use them. You should also use short and active sentences, avoid passive voice and nominalizations, and choose words that are specific and concrete rather than vague and abstract.

4 Proofread and edit your draft

The final step to create grant communications that are easy to understand is to proofread and edit your draft. This is important to ensure that your message is clear, consistent, and error-free. Proofreading and editing can help you identify and correct any mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or formatting that may distract or confuse your readers. It can also help you improve your style, tone, and word choice to make your message more engaging and persuasive. You can use tools such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, or readability checkers to assist you in this process, but you should also read your draft aloud, ask for feedback, or use a checklist to review your grant communication.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?