Proposal Assignment

What is a Proposal? Quite simply, a proposal is a persuasive document that sells the idea or service you are proposing. Proposals may be unsolicited or requested (i.e., a RfP Request for Proposal), internal or external. A good technical writer knows the characteristics of a persuasive proposal: Summarize your proposal the abstract! briefly but completely" #e are a nation of $s%immers,& not readers" Organize your proposal clearly (use a 'able of (ontents), and if you)re using more than five visuals, include a *ist of +llustrations or ,igures. -nless instructed other#ise.include the follo#ing elements/ 1 !over letter " letter of transmittal #this is separate from the proposal$ 0. 1hy you are #riting 2. 1hat you are #riting about (sub3ect of the proposal) 4. 1hat exactly of importance is #ithin the proposal 5. 1hat you plan to do next as follo#6up 7. 1hen the action should occur 8. 1hy that date is important

In the proposal itself: % &itle page 0. 'itle of proposal 2. 9ame of company, #riter, #riters, submitting proposal 4. :ate on #hich the proposal #as completed ' &a(le of contents 0. Provide complete, clear listing of contents 2. ;ear your '<( to meet the needs of different audiences ) *ist of illustrations 0. +nclude belo# the '<( or on a separate page 2. Provide enough detail so that the reader can determine the content of each illustration or figure + A(stract #or summary$ 0. *imit your abstract to three to ten sentences 2. =riefly focus on the 0) problem necessitating the proposal, b) your suggested solution, and 4) the benefits derived #hen your proposal is implemented , -ntroduction #Purpose and Pro(lem$ 0. Purpose in one to three sentences, tell your readers the reason for your proposal (explain why you are #riting and what you hope to achieve)" 2. Problem 0. >ighlight the importance of your proposal. 2. (learly state the problem (and reveal your %no#ledge of the situation) 4. 9ote/ ?pend more time explaining the problem than on stating the proposal)s purpose. . /iscussion #the (ody of the proposal$ o ?ell your product, service, or suggested solution. o Provide any or all of the follo#ing components/ 0. @nalyses

Dr. Kristi Siegel

3 March 2014

'echnical descriptions of mechanisms, tools, facilities, or products 4. 'echnical instructions 5. <ptions 7. Aanagerial chains of command (organiBational charts) 8. =iographical s%etches of personnel C. (orporate andDor employee credentials E. ?chedules F. (ost charts 0 !onclusion1recommendation o ?um up your proposal and provide a sense of closure o +f appropriate restate the problem, your solution, and the probable benefits 2 3lossary o +n a proposal going to a multi6level audience, provide a glossary that explains any technical terms you)ve included o Aa%e sure your glossary is in alphabetical order and is easy to read 14 Works cited page #if you5re documenting research$ o +f you)ve used research materials, reference them here o Aa%e sure to use standard citation format consistently and accurately (e.g., A*@ citations) 11 Appendi6 o -sed to include additional information (e.g., surveys, previous report findings, etc.) o 'he information in an appendix should not be of primary importance (if it is, it should be in the body of the proposal). 'he appendix is designed for extra or supplementary information. +f you)re given a format to follo# (and you generally #ill) read and re7read the instructions" follo# the suggested format $to the letter&" Present the (enefits of your proposal or solution" Anticipate the pro(a(le o(8ections of your opponents.

2.

9our Assignment: 1rite a formal proposal arguing the benefits of a #ebsite (intranet or internet) for your company. Gour primary audience #ill be the company president, As. (ourtney =lair, #ho does not see the need for the #ebsite. <ther members of your audience #ill probably include the =oard of :irectors, and other administrators and managers #ithin the company. @lthough your cover letter and proposal #ill be directed solely to As. =lair %eep the attitudes and interests of your entire audience in mind. Hust #hat type of company you)re #or%ing for and #hat type of #ebsite you)re proposing #ill be your choice. +)d li%e you to have some freedom in your #ebsite pro3ect. 'he #ebsite proposal #ill be due on IIIIIIIIII (and #e #ill be #or%ing on the proposals at least part of the time during class during the prior t#o #ee%s). +nclude all the formal elements of the proposal outlined above #ith the exception of items you may not need, such as a *ist of +llustrations, ;lossary, or @ppendix. 1hile + do not expect (or #antJ) you to produce a 2K6page proposal, try to ma%e your proposal as persuasive, believable, complete, and professional as possible. Gour ability to demonstrate that you can #rite an effective proposal can only enhance your career options.

Dr. Kristi Siegel

3 March 2014

9our cover letter and proposal will (e evaluated (ased on the following criteria: 1 % ' ) + , . Persuasiveness !ontent /esign !ompleteness !larity Organization !reativity

!over letter and We(site Proposal due:

Dr. Kristi Siegel

3 March 2014