The references should follow a consistent format such as that used in geoscience journals. Use the referencing style from a journal in your specialty, for example, Journal of Geophysical Research, Geological Society of America, Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, etc. A picture is worth a thousand words. Figures serve to illustrate important aspects of the background material, sample data, and analysis techniques. A well chosen and well labelled figure can reduce text length, and improve proposal clarity.
Proposals often contain figures from other articles.
These can be appropriate, but you should consider modifying them if the modifications will improve your point. Modern computer technology such as scanners and drafting programs are available in the department to help you do this. Grammar and Spelling. Poor grammar and spelling detract from the content of the proposal. The reader focuses on the grammar and spelling problems and misses keys points made in the text.