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PROPOSAL

What is a proposal?• A document written to convince readers to adopt

an idea, a product or a service.

• Can be directed to colleagues inside the organization (internal proposal), to clients outside the organization (sales proposal), or to organizations that fund research or other activities (grant proposals)

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ProposalsProposals can be presented in either a short, simple format (informal proposal) or a longer, more complicated format (formal proposals).

Proposals can either requested by the reader (solicited) or submitted without a request (unsolicited).

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WRITING THE PROPOSALPlanning the Proposal

Consider the audienceWho are the decision makers?How involved is the audience?How knowledgeable is the audience?

Decide on the format

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WRITING THE PROPOSALPlanning the Proposal

Organize the proposalWhat is the problem?What is the solution?Can the solution be implemented (cost, effect on personnel, schedule)?

Design the proposal

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WRITING THE PROPOSALWriting the Proposal

Use the introduction to orient the readerWhy is the writer writing (purpose)?Is the proposal assigned or unsolicited?Why is the writer credible?What is the problem?What is the background of the problem?What is the significance of the problem?What is the solution?What are the parts of the report?

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WRITING THE PROPOSAL

Writing the ProposalUse the discussion to convince your audience

The problem – explanation of the problem - causes of the problem The solution – details of the solution - benefits of the solution - ways in which the solution satisfies criteria

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WRITING THE PROPOSAL

Writing the ProposalUse the discussion to convince your audienceGive the details about exactly what you are proposing to do

The context – schedule for implementing the solution - personnel involved - solution rejected

WRITING THE PROPOSALConclusion

Emphasize the main benefit or feature of your proposalRestate your interest in doing the workIndicate what should happen next – to follow up

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THE END

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Writing exercise (3 – 4 in a group)

Write an unsolicited proposal to the managementof UTP to solve a problem that the students face.Be sure you address the following:

Details of the problem facedProposed solutionImplementation of the solution.

Use the memo format.