Focus On: Grants

9. Overblown, florid language. Adjectives and adverbs are effective communicators, but work best when used sparingly. Proposals littered with too many superlatives can plant doubt in the reader’s mind about the agency’s credibility.

Also, stating that your agency’s work is “unique” and/or “innovative” does not make it so. As with “fit,” proposals must demonstrate their program’s “uniqueness” and “innovation.” Therefore, be selective and choose only the best words to present your case.