Write an Application

Eliminate overly complex language

Avoid:

• Complicated words and long sentences
• Insider or overly technical language
• Long parenthetical insertions
• Filler or vague words like for a long time (how long?), to a reasonable extent (how much?), as far as possible (according to whom?), many, several, a large number (how many?).

Make your text engaging

The reviewer is the person who will decide whether to fund your project. It’s therefore important that they can relate to it. Use language that creates connection rather than distance.
Passive or overly formal language creates distance, while active language makes the text more direct and engaging.

Examples:

• Passive language:
  “The samples are then analyzed…” – distant and impersonal; there’s no clear subject.
• Active language:
  “I/we then analyze the samples…” – draws the reader in and makes it clear who is acting.

Keep the text flowing

Reviewers are busy and want to move quickly through your text. Avoid words or expressions that slow down reading.

Examples:

• Pointing words:
  Words such as this, these, and those are often unnecessary and force the reader to look backward in the text rather than forward.
• Abbreviations:
  When reviewers encounter abbreviations, they must pause to decode them before continuing. You might save a few characters, but you risk slowing down your reader — and possibly losing their goodwill.

Additional tips

• Avoid long blocks of text without line breaks or paragraph divisions.
• Divide longer sections into subsections with clear and descriptive headings.
• Remember that reviewers read many applications — your text should therefore be clear, concise, and easy to navigate.
• Always ask someone else to proofread your application before submitting it.