Chapter 3 blog

The Team Approach

Writing as a team can be challenging and rewarding. Having the expertise of multiple individuals in various disciplines is an advantage. Many funders are encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and it is becoming more and more common in proposal writing.

We all bring different expectations and goals to the table. It is important to consider those when forming a team approach. In this environment one must not only consider the funders motives, values, attitudes and emotions, but the other team members as well.

The Rhetorical Situation

As in chapter one, rhetorical situation is front and center. It is imperative the proposal writer take the time at the beginning of the process to research the funding agency and the individuals (if possible) that will be reviewing the proposal. A proposal that will be reviewed by 3 or 4 panel members will be written in a different format that one reviewed by a 50 member board. Taking time to investigate these areas is evident in a well written proposal.

"WORKING METHODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE RHETORICAL SITUATION THE WRITER CAN DISCOVER A GREAT AMOUNT ABOUT HIS/HER PURPOSE, THE READER AND THE CONTEXTUAL FACTORS THAT WILL INFLUENCE HIS/HER READERS." (page 48) This is valuable information that I feel is important to remember. Even when the writer starts writing it is important stay in check through out the process.

The time invested in defining the rhetorical situation will pay off at the end with a much more informed proposal(subject, purpose, readers and context).

The Reader

It is not uncommon to write a proposal to one reader when there are multiple individuals that will be reviewing your work. Factoring in the primary, secondary, tertiary, and gatekeepers is necessary to produce a rhetorically sound document.

As you look at each reader you should ask yourself what are their motives, values, attitudes and emotions regarding the subject. How will my proposal impact them? I like the idea of charting things out in order to get a better understanding of who my audience is.