Cohort 19 - Summer 2024

Learn the process for writing responsive, compelling, and technically rich proposals. 

Jordann El Dorry

Susanne Barsoum

Joanne Moore

Deborah Aker

Writing to Win: Technical Writing for Proposals

Taught by master proposal writers with dozens of winning bids under their belts, this class takes participants through each section of the technical volume to write compelling, winning proposals. Let us show you how to become a great technical writer!

Write winning proposals

Business development teams that want to win more proposals

Experienced writers who want to level-up their skills with proven best practices

Technical staff who want to meaningfully contribute to proposal development

Who is this course for

By the end of this course you will

Knowing what to do and when to do it is key. We'll teach you how to maximize your time during the capture phase and how to break down the proposal into manageable pieces once it is live.

Optimize your time

To put it simply, you'll learn what works in writing winning bids. Our course is grounded in tested methods for successfully writing proposals that have been honed over decades.

Understand proven best practices 

You'll learn how to outline for success, a foundational skill for any writer. Through instruction and hands-on exercises and activities, you'll sharpen your ability to outline responsively and be in complete compliance with solicitations.

Outline like a champ

You'll learn the secrets to making your writing more persuasive and compelling.

Level up your writing

We'll cover what exactly a technical writer should be doing during the capture phase and how to maximize your prep time.

The Role of the Tech Writer in Capture

Here we'll cover what milestones should be achieved in the critical first 48 hours of a live bid. Participants will also learn how to effectively read and analyze an RFP.

Reading an RFP and the first 48 hours

Participants will be immersed in the foundational skill of outlining - why we do it, when we do it, and how to construct general and detailed outlines.

Fundamentals of Outlining

We'll learn how to maximize these introductory sections to frame your problem statement and proposed technical solutions.

The Background & Context Section

Participants will gain an understanding of the components of a strong general approach and strategy, including project logic, win themes, methodologies, and more!

General Approach

We'll dive into the various types of detailed approach sections and best practices for crafting these complex sections.

Detailed Approach

Reviews can be intimidating! We'll cover what to expect and how to manage proposal reviews as a technical writer to get the feedback you need to succeed.

The Review Process

Our favorite session! Participants will have an unstructured Q&amp;A session with a USAID Contracting Officer.

Ask a Contracting Officer

What do you need to know about MEL as a technical writer? We've got the answers.

MEL for Tech Writers

Participants will hone their persuasive writing skills and learn tactics for concise and compelling writing.

Persuasive Writing

Course syllabus

Meet your instructors

We will meet twice a week for live classes over Zoom. The Winter cohort will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the Spring cohort will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Live Courses Twice a Week

We'll assign homework each week to put your new skills into practice! You'll get feedback from your instructors on your submissions and will have the opportunity to discuss in class.

Homework

Course Schedule

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This course focuses on live workshops and hands-on assignments

Active, not passive

You’ll be learning in public through breakout rooms and an engaged community

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