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Richard.Jewell.net |
CollegeWriting.info
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CollegeWriting.info |
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Introduction to Writing a Proposal |
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Welcome! This introduction offers a simple, brief summary. For more, go to "The Basics." "Sample Papers" by students also is quite helpful.
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Definition of a Proposal |
A proposal is a professional paper that proposals a new activity or product. It is not a simple report that describes the activity, nor is it just a report summarizing what is wrong. Rather, a proposal describes (1) a problem or need (known or unknown), (2) the best way in which it may be solved or satisfied, and (3) specific details--a clear road map--of how to do so.
Examples of proposals abound: in the government sector, for example, where everything new must be documented, especially when money is involved, almost all new activities, new groups, new purchases, etc. must be accounted for by proposals that explain why they are needed. Most large arts organizations also depend largely or exclusively on the grant proposals they must write and rewrite every few years. Educational initiatives and endeavors also often are run on grants gained from proposals. In smaller measures, proposals are the day-to-day lifeblood of some businesses and professional organizations: when a new work project or product is made, a new brochure or speech is produced, or a new branch is opened, often the details and need for it first were developed in a proposal.
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Writer's Goal or Assignment |
The Problem
In professional work, businesses and people must make changes and try new methods. However, these changes cannot or should not happen without guided direction. For this reason, someone or some group must make a description of the need or background necessitating the change, and a description of how to go about making the change. Such a description is called a "proposal."
The Assignment
Propose something new--a real or imaginary project--that should be adopted by the audience. The audience for this proposal is a real or imaginary business, committee, or company head who has the power to accept the proposal.
Discuss (1) the need or background in the business, (2) your solution to the need, (3) the plan, schedule, or budget for solving the need, and (4) the expected outcome or results. Develop these parts with at least three body divisions of at least two paragraphs each. Also, include your credentials somewhere, either in a final short section or in the conclusion.
The proposal also should have an introduction and a conclusion that summarize, should be written in standard essay or business letter form, and may include brief quotations.
If you are writing a paper requiring research, at least one or two body sections should include quotations and/or paraphrases from your sources. These quotations and/or paraphrases should support your own points, should be substantial enough in quality and quantity to support what you are saying, and should come from authoritative sources. Also attach a bibliography appropriate to your field, discipline, or profession.
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Summary/Outline of the Visual Structure |
Here is a typical structure or organization for a proposal. More development of this structure is shown in the "Basics" section.
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Brief, Descriptive Title |
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TYPE
OF PAPER |
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RESTATEMENT
OF PURPOSE CONCLUDING IDEAS and/or |
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Focusing Methods |
A "focus" in writing helps you at any given moment to concentrate on writing. Here are several helpful, important focuses people use to develop a proposal.
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SUBJECT: If helpful, brainstorm a list of subjects, problems, or needs. If you already have a single subject and problem, try brainstorming a list of possible solutions. Choose one carefully. Will your choice stand up to rigorous inspection by others? Do you have enough details or examples to support what you are saying, or can you find them easily? Can you write about your subject fully and logically? What is the specific method of problem solving you propose? Will your audience find your problem and solution appropriate and interesting? |
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FIRST & SECOND DRAFTS: Start with one or two methods that work best for you, but develop the others in later drafts.
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STYLE, TONE, and WRITER'S ROLE: Develop (in early or late drafts) a professional style and tone of efficient, interested, reasoned, fair logic. In your role as a writer, you may present strongly, if appropriate, but you should not give the impression of arguing emotionally. |
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AUTHENTICITY: Be as real and meaningful as you can to your audience, your content, and yourself. First, respect your audience: try as fully as you can to answer its questions using a pattern and style it expects. Second, find the heart of the meaning in your content and write about it honestly and clearly with high-quality supporting details. Third, make the subject your own: develop it in a way as meaningful to you as possible. |
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