Course Description The course offers a systematic training in writing a Concept Note in English. As part of the course, students will work individually or in pairs in order to write a full Concept Note (a brief, formalised outline of a proposed project) of a project of their choice, acquiring necessary writing and argumentative skills. The course is taught in English. Aims Upon successful completion of the course, students will become familiar with strategies, tips and tricks of writing a Concept Note, a brief outline of a proposed project, in English, focusing both on continent and form (i.e. language). The secondary aim of the course is to acquire writing and argumentative skills and strategies associated with formal and/or professional writing (in English).

Students can receive credit for the course if they:

1) Meet course attendance requirements,

2) submit a complete Concept Note paper (including an oral presentation)

Assessment Details

Course Attendance

Students are obliged to attend the seminars either in person or, in case of university lockdown, online via MS Teams; active participation in course activities (including teamwork tasks and submitting homework assignments) in required. The decision whether or not to award the student with attendance for the particular class is at the discretion of the teacher. Students who miss more than three one-hundred-minute seminar sessions will not receive any credit for the course.

Concept Note Paper

As part of the course assessment, students will be asked to submit a full Concept Note paper of a project of their choice (approved by the course teacher) including all required sections. Students can work either individually or in a pair (this will be agreed on during at the beginning of the seminar). The Concept Note also includes a 5-minute presentation of the given project submitted either as a video-presentation or delivered in class. All course materials will be submitted via https://e-learning.vscht.cz/.

Primary Literature

Concept Note: Study materials and handouts

Secondary Literature

Gitlin, Laura N; Lyons, Kevin J.: Successful Grant Writing: Strategies for Health and Human Service Professionals (2013). Available in NTK.

Cambridge for AE C1 (selected chapters)

1. Defining a Concept Note: Purpose, Structure and Style

2. The role of language and style in professional writing

3. Project problems and problem trees

4. Preliminary project presentations/meditations

5. Project Rationale

6. Project Description

7. “Who’s the Donor”?

8. Link to the Donor

9. Beneficiaries & Target Groups

10. Expected Results & Sustainability

11. Implementing Organisation & Project Partners

12. Budgeting, Project Location & Time Frame

13. Don’t forget the Summary