Application 4.2 – Terminology Exercise
Application 4.2
Terminology Exercise
List of Action Verbs
Overview: Writing Style
Follow grant guidelines – details matter
- Use active voice, first person, and action verbs
- Write with a positive tone to convey energy and a positive attitude
- Write short and declarative sentences
- Use simple language instead of technical jargon
Explain why your project matters …
- Picture the reader—friendly, fair, and educated—yet ignorant of the needs of your community
- Use compelling facts and stories
- Write persuasive rhetoric
Grants are investments
- Boards want smart investments
- Speak the Funder’s language
Write to excite
- Use language from the RFP or foundation call
Assignment:
Select two terms from each of the eight categories (e.g., management) below. Next, write a sentence for each action verb that could be used in a grant proposal.
1. Management/ Leadership
| administered | enforced | organized |
| analyzed | enhanced | originated |
| appointed | established | overhauled |
| approved | executed | oversaw |
| assigned | generated | planned |
| attained | handled | presided |
| authorized | headed | prioritized |
| consolidated | hired | produced |
| contracted | hosted | recommended |
| controlled | improved | reorganized |
| converted | incorporated | replaced |
| coordinated | increased | restored |
| decided | initiated | reviewed |
| delegated | inspected | scheduled |
| developed | instituted | streamlined |
| directed | managed | strengthened |
| eliminated | merged | supervised |
| emphasized | motivated | terminated |
1.
2.
2. Communication/ People Skills
| addressed | discussed | observed |
| advertised | drafted | outlined |
| arbitrated | edited | participated |
| arranged | elicited | persuaded |
| articulated | enlisted | presented |
| authored | explained | promoted |
| clarified | expressed | proposed |
| collaborated | formulated | publicized |
| communicated | furnished | reconciled |
| composed | incorporated | recruited |
| condensed | influenced | referred |
| conferred | interacted | reinforced |
| consulted | interpreted | reported |
| contacted | interviewed | resolved |
| conveyed | involved | responded |
| convinced | lectured | solicited |
| corresponded | listened | specified |
| debated | marketed | suggested |
| defined | mediated | summarized |
| developed | moderated | synthesized |
| directed | negotiated | translated |
1.
2.
3. Research Skills
| analyzed | experimented | located |
| clarified | explored | measured |
| collected | extracted | organized |
| compared | formulated | researched |
| conducted | gathered | searched |
| critiqued | identified | solved |
| detected | inspected | summarized |
| determined | interpreted | surveyed |
| diagnosed | interviewed | systematized |
| evaluated | invented | tested |
| examined | investigated | inquired |
1.
2.
4. Teaching Skills
| adapted | encouraged | motivated |
| advised | evaluated | persuaded |
| clarified | explained | set goals |
| coached | facilitated | simulated |
| communicated | focused | stimulated |
| conducted | guided | taught |
| coordinated | individualized | tested |
| critiqued | informed | trained |
| developed | instilled | transmitted |
| enabled | instructed | tutored |
1.
2.
5. Helping skills
| adapted | counseled | insured |
| advocated | demonstrated | intervened |
| aided | diagnosed | motivated |
| answered | educated | provided |
| arranged | encouraged | referred |
| assessed | ensured | rehabilitated |
| assisted | expedited | presented |
| cared for | facilitated | resolved |
| clarified | familiarize | simplified |
| coached | furthered | supplied |
| collaborated | guided | supported |
| contributed | helped | volunteered |
1.
2.
6. Financial/ Data Skills
| administered | computed | marketed |
| adjusted | conserved | measured |
| allocated | corrected | planned |
| analyzed | determined | programmed |
| appraised | developed | projected |
| assessed | estimated | reconciled |
| audited | forecasted | reduced |
| balanced | managed | researched |
| calculated | invested | retrieved |
1.
2.
7. Creative Skills
| acted | drew | invented |
| adapted | entertained | modeled |
| began | established | modified |
| combined | fashioned | originated |
| conceptualized | formulated | performed |
| condensed | founded | photographed |
| created | illustrated | planned |
| customized | initiated | revised |
| designed | instituted | revitalized |
| developed | integrated | shaped |
| directed | introduced | solved |
1.
2.
8. More verbs for Accomplishments
| achieved | improved | restored |
| completed | pioneered | spearheaded |
| expanded | reduced (losses) | succeeded |
| exceeded | resolved (issues) | surpassed |
1.
2.
