Chapter 11 Graphics

Again, this chapter emphasizes the importance of visual representation of proposal writing. As it says, "graphics not only enhance the story you are trying to relate in your proposal or grant, but they also tell a large part of the story itself." A good choice of graphics will help attracting, informing and convincing the readers. So we should try to convert some core content into graphics, and make sure to label and place them properly.

It mentions when photographing people, photographs taken outdoors are better than those taken in the office, because the former "tends to look dark, depressing, and dreary, and the latter "implies a personality of openness and free thinking." I think that is important for us to know especially when writing the qualification part. It work better to put the photos taken outdoors than indoors of the people you appointed to be the working on your project. However, we tend to use those photos taken in the workplace. For instance, most of the faculty's photos on website are taken their office, usually in front of their bookshelves or desks. Perhaps, they want to give the readers the impression that they are serious scholars?

The chapter also says the ethics of graphic use. Since readers are likely to believe what they see, the utilization of graphics can convince them more effectively. But it is very important not to fool the readers by manipulating data to support the hypotheses. Perhaps most of the readers won't bother to check the data, but once if they find out, there is no chance to make up the author's ethos for a long time.