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The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing

SEVENTH EDITION

JOHN D. RAMAGE, JOHN C. BEAN, AND JUNE JOHNSON

Part 2: writing projects

Chapter 15

Proposing a solution

Chapter 15 Learning Objectives

In this chapter, you will learn how to:

15.1 Convince your audience that a problem exists and propose a solution to the problem

15.2 Use multimodal strategies to create effective proposal arguments

15.3 Persuade your audience by writing an effective proposal argument

This chapter addresses one of the most common sorts of arguments: proposals. The chapter can be applied to broad policy proposals about public matters or to more practical proposals about local changes. It incorporates multimodal strategies very explicitly, exploring the ways images and words can be tied together to create effective arguments. The opening activity invites students to list campus problems; it’s a very easy way to introduce the more formal study of constructing effective proposals. Here students will learn not just to label problems but also to determine effective solutions.

Convince your audience that a problem exists and propose a solution to the problem

Describe the problem

Sometimes, the audience needs to be convinced that a problem exists

In some cases, the audience will accept that a problem exists

Propose a solution

The solution must be feasible and achievable

Justify the solution

Demonstrate that the benefits outweigh any costs or associated problems

Demonstrate that your solution is better than other possible actions

The previous argument chapters have emphasized the utility of considering counterarguments. In proposal arguments, counterarguments can help frame the justification section.

Convince your audience that a problem exists and propose a solution to the problem

Considering audience as you develop proposals

Convince them that a problem exists by using details, surprising specifics, or emotionally-moving images

Appeal to their values

Give them a reason to change; it is often easier to do nothing, so you must demonstrate that action is worth it

Convince your audience that a problem exists and propose a solution to the problem

Justify your proposal with arguments

From principle: action is good, just, or fair, for example

From consequence: this action will lead to this consequence; failure to act will cause these other consequences. Action is preferable.

From precedent or analogy: this situation is like something that’s happened before, or like something else

Convince your audience that a problem exists and propose a solution to the problem

Outline of an organized proposal’s concepts

Claim

Principle

Consequence

Precedent or analogy

“For Writing and Discussion: Using Different Strategies to Develop Support” offers practice with this schema.

Use multimodal strategies to create effective proposal arguments

Proposal arguments are enhanced with

Photographs

Drawings

Graphs

Images

Proposal arguments are often presented

Online

As speeches

Chapter 19 also provides useful resources on composing multimodal texts.

Persuade your audience by writing an effective proposal argument

Build your proposal in stages

Identify a problem to address

Look locally for a problem you can connect with

Use questions to develop your thinking

Let your description of the problem give rise to the solution

Don’t rush! Remember, wallowing in complexity is always a good thing

Sometimes students want to jump right to a solution, or they go into the argument knowing what solution they seek. It is good to resist closure at the start, and apply the text’s earlier lessons regarding considering multiple perspectives and wallowing in complexity in order to assure that the best solution is identified.

These questions from the text—“stock questions” that can be applied to almost any project—will help students evaluate their own thinking. They can be adapted into peer review exercises and used, as the text notes, with the set of questions that appear in the “Engaging Proposal Writing” activity on page 385.

This framework illustrates a clear approach to the chapter’s writing assignment. Map your assignment requirements to the chart to help students see the relationship between the textbook and your expectations.

Review Questions

What are features of effective proposals?

What are the special challenges of proposal writing?

Why are multimodal proposal arguments effective?

Review Questions

What are features of effective proposals?

Effective proposals provide background on a problem; identify a solution; and justify that solution.

What are the special challenges of proposal writing?

Proposal writers sometimes have to persuade readers that the problem exists; they have to justify the solution; they have to build connections to the audience via principle, emotion, and/or consequences. Understanding the audience’s position is critical in creating a proposal

Why are multimodal proposal arguments effective?

Proposal arguments can use multimodal composing features to grab attention via striking images or graphics; they can quickly summarize a lot of information via charts, tables, or figures. Proposal arguments, especially outside of school settings, make good use of images to convey a lot of information quickly.