proposals and definitions discussions

Proposals DESIGNED TO PERSUADE

Parts of the proposal

 Introduction  Procedure  Timeline  Your qualifications  Budget  References and sometimes appendices

Introduction

 Problem or need  Why you’re going to write the report

 Computers not functioning at peak capability

 Method of service not best practice

 Save money

 Increase sales

Proposal - introduction

 Context, background, research  Causes  Other solutions tried  Were they successful? Why, why not?

Proposal introduction plan of action

 Propose a course of action  Here’s what I’m suggesting: new product, new

method, new policy. What does it offer them?

 Be specific about what you will offer – scope of your project

Proposal procedure

 How you go about collecting data, researching the information  Do you plan to survey? Interview? Research

through secondary sources?

 How will you analyze the data? Compare?

Proposal timeline

 Can be general or specific  Should include a beginning and end

date with something in between

Proposal qualifications

 why you are qualified to do the project you are proposing  Qualifications – Academic degree, knowledge,

experience  Experience – Customer service for 10 years, etc.  Other projects you’ve completed  Describe your expertise on the topic

Proposal budget

 May be broad or specific, depending on type of project  Direct and indirect costs

 Direct are for equipment, products, etc.

 Indirect could be clerical support, hours taken from other duties, office space,etc.

Proposal appendices

 Descriptions of similar projects  Previous projects  Testimonial letters  People you intend to interview  Materials you have cited in writing your

proposal  Materials you have consulted in preparing

your proposal

Things to include

 Describe your project to your reader  Proposed plan of action and evidence to convince

reader worthy of pursuing  Goals  Audience analysis – knowledge, interest,

importance to  Nature of the problem  Procedure/policy you wish to replace  People/ organizations who might be affected  Potential benefits

Writing

 Free of grammatical and spelling errors.

 Written in clear, concise, and accurate language.

 Format must be well organized with sections labeled

 2-4 pages double spaced

Convincing your reader (me)

 Good argument techniques  Logic  Evidence

Remember…

 For this proposal, your are telling the reader (your instructor in this case) about your idea for your final project report.

 You are essentially selling both your idea and yourself as the author.

 Explain in enough detail to make the need clear, but don’t go in too much history, etc.