I Saw the Sign(posting)

Signposting is a writing technique that guides readers through your argument like a roadmap, navigating your content with ease. Without it, readers can get lost in complex material (“wait, did they mention this already?”), miss the structure (“what does this have to do with it?”), or fail to see how ideas connect (“why are they telling me this?”).

I’ll cover what signposting is, how to apply it in grant proposals, and share examples and practical ideas.

Signposting and Grant Proposals

Good signposting is subtle; readers often don’t notice the cues but are able to smoothly navigate the material without confusion or losing their place.

In a grant application, good signposting guides reviewers through what’s coming up next, what they’ve already read, where to find key information, and how sections connect. You want to include proposal elements and evaluation criteria in this signposting¹ (e.g., challenge, feasibility).

Signposting generally falls into four primary types: forward, backward, progress, and internal. We’ll explore each with examples to show you what they look like.

• Forward signal what’s ahead, letting readers anticipate and contextualize the information you’re about to share.
  • This section will …
  • In the following section …
  • The project targets four objectives: …
• Backward highlight what has already been stated. These remind readers of earlier information in the proposal and help link ideas.
  • As discussed / mentioned in …
  • To summarize / in conclusion …
  • Each activity maps to our objectives / outcomes (see subsection X)
• Progress guide readers through the larger structure. These help with longer material and may be less valuable in short proposals—but if cues will help the reviewer, include them!
  • The data presented demonstrate that …
  • So far, we have indicated that …
• Internal effectively organize content within a section.
  • First, we will … Second, we will …
  • On the one hand, X; on the other hand, Y
  • Our approach has three components: (1) … (2) … (3) …

Aside from these four types of signposting, others include transition words and short phrases (furthermore, in addition), headings, and pivoting (however, despite this).

Benefits of Signposting

“A reader who enjoys reading something is more likely to spread the news about it.”²

Signposting sharpens your content’s structure and direction. Deliberately using these cues drastically changes how a reviewer engages with your proposal. These committee members face intense pressure, with many applications to read and limited time.

The reviewer must quickly grasp the gap, proposed activities, outcomes/impact, and your capacity. Clear signposting boosts their ability to navigate competition criteria and swiftly confirm alignment between your work and goals.

A word of caution: more isn’t better. If every paragraph announces what it’s about to say, reviewers are more likely to skim through, and you’ll have spent words you may not have to spare—especially in tight page-limited applications. Use them where a reviewer might benefit from the assistance, such as at section openings, linking ideas, and when you refer back to earlier material.

Finding Signposts in the Wild

Here are two simple ways to see and use signposting in real-world contexts.

1. Reread this post. Highlight the following three elements: (1) every forward signpost that previews what’s next; (2) every internal signpost, like lists or enumerations; and (3) every backward signpost reminding the reader what they’ve read.
2. Highlight the same elements as above in a successful grant application (yours or a willing colleague’s). Can you see a pattern in how the cues act as guides for a reviewer?

You’ll quickly realize you already use signposting without thinking about it. Using it deliberately is what turns a proposal that’s well written into one that’s easy to score. A reviewer who never has to hunt through the material can spend their attention on the merit of your work.

Thanks for reading! If you’d like help strengthening the structure of a proposal, I offer editing and strategic review for academic and non-profit applicants. Leave a comment, use the Contact page, or email me directly. Until next time!

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[1] Lai, B. (2023). The grant writing guide: A road map for scholars. Princeton University Press.

[2] Cassuto, L. (2024). Academic writing as if readers matter. Princeton University Press. [p. 28]