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English 317 Dr. Tremblay

Project 3 Assignment Sheet

This project allows you to choose between two types of proposals. Select one of the following as your

assigned proposal:

● You are part of a consulting hired to identify a problem within a company and recommend at least one specific solution. You must pick the specific individual(s) at the company who will be

your audience and write the proposal for them.

Or

● You are the director of external affairs at your current business, looking for a company to buy or invest in a particular product, idea, or service you’ve developed. You must pick the specific

individuals at the company (or investment/VC group) who will be your audience and write the

proposal for them.

I encourage you to make this straightforward and fun for yourself. Here are some suggestions, but not a

complete list of possible topics. These are merely examples.

Consultant Director of External Affairs

Persuade the leaders of a company to adopt a

new strategy to increase sales of a product that

is currently undervalued by consumers or

perhaps by the company itself.

Solicit investment in a new mobile app that you

see as having great financial opportunities

because of the idea or the market it serves.

Identify an unrealized opportunity for an

existing business to take advantage of a new

product, consumer demographic, or technology.

Propose how to take advantage of this

opportunity.

Solicit a company to utilize your exclusive

arrangement with suppliers or customers which

would be otherwise hard for the company to

access because of language, culture, or

experience.

Persuade the leaders of a company that their

bottom line would be improved by making

specific changes in their customer and/or

employee operations.

Propose a partnership or project between a

non-profit organization and a for-profit

company. Keep in mind that the public sector

(nonprofits and governments) and the private

sector (for-profit companies) often have

different needs or goals, but they can

collaborate to achieve something powerful.

English 317 Dr. Tremblay

Some things to keep in mind:

Don’t try to do too much.

● Avoid introducing highly complex technology (i.e., something so complicated that it will overshadow the point of the proposal, which is to sell or recommend a business opportunity.)

For example, be careful in creating a new/fictitious social media platform or other complex

system. Touting its new features, benefits, or customer base would be great, but don’t get

bogged down in trying to do too much (explaining all the features, connecting each to a benefit,

designing a marketing campaign for each user group, and so on.)

● Do not tackle multiple problems, each with multiple solutions. Keep it simple: problem/solution. However, your single problem/solution may involve multiple departments of a company or

multiple facets of a service or app. It’s also acceptable to have one solution that addresses many

problems, or one problem for which you have a multi-stage or multi-pronged solution.

Some examples I’ve seen in the past:

● A proposal to add an “Edit” button to Twitter. You might think this is insignificant, but think of all the problems associated with only being able to post and delete.

● A digital human resources portal that includes online timesheets and contracts for an old school furniture business.

● A handless door for public restrooms to maintain better sanitary conditions. ● A scantron printer for students and instructors.

Content and Organization

Although you need not use the specific terminology or titles listed below, please use the following

structure for your proposal:

1. Gain attention (how can you get others excited about this problem?).

2. Define a need (what’s the problem you’re addressing?).

3. Deliver a solution (how will your product/consultation help?).

4. Provide a rationale (why is this a smart way to handle the problem?).

5. Give counterpoints (if it makes sense, you can address potential concerns about your solution).

6. Call to action (CTA) (what next step do you want your audience to take?)

What I’m looking for:

● A written component. You’ll find lots of models of business proposals online. This type of proposal is typically 2–3 pages and outlines the above pieces of content. I will also share an

effective model.

● A visual component such as a slide deck or video. ○ The presentation needs to identify any research you’ve conducted.

● Sometimes people are confused about the difference between these two items or why you would need both. Think of it this way: The written proposal is what you’d send ahead of time to

give your audience a chance to get a very general idea of what you’d like to do for them/get from

English 317 Dr. Tremblay

them. The visual component is what you’d bring with you or share virtually if they contacted you

and said, “We read your proposal. Tell us more about what you want from us/what you can do

for us.”

Due date: 5/9/21.

Points possible: 200.

English 317 Dr. Tremblay

Grading Criteria Strong

Work demonstrates unquestionable understanding of assignment, rhetorical conventions (where appropriate), and subject. Author uses these conventions in creative, sophisticated ways.

Satisfactory Work demonstrates some understanding of assignment, rhetorical conventions (where appropriate), and subject, but provides this information in less sophisticated or interesting ways.

Weak Work displays little or no understanding of the assignment, rhetorical conventions (where appropriate), or subject. The goal of the writing is often unclear, and/or the author’s text is unreadable.

Essentials: Does author present a proposal and a visual element? 70 50 25

Tone and Author’s Rhetorical Stance: Does the author present an appropriate tone for the rhetorical situation?

50 25 15

Structure: Does author present information in a logical, communicative, inviting order? Does author transition from one idea to the next?

15 10 5

Use of Research: Does author present relevant, credible research? Does author analyze, explain, or counter the research they present?

25 15 5

Professionalism: Was the paper sloppily assembled or was time taken to make it presentable?

25 15 5

Mechanics: In spite of any mechanical or typographical errors, does author communicate their intent? Is author’s subject and position clear?

15 10 5