WRITING THE PROPOSAL

1. Defining the Problem

State your proposal’s purpose.

Narrow you topic and purpose.

Narrow your topic and purpose.- Is it too big to handle?- Can you take a local angle?- Can you talk about it in terms of recent events?

Define the rhetorical situation.

Define the rhetorical situation.- Why is this situation a problem that needs a solution now?- Who is talking about this issue? What are they saying?-Who is the audience for this proposal? Why? What values, concerns, and interests of the audience should you pay attention to?- What can your audience do about the issue?- Will your audience automatically agree with your understanding of the problem?

Identify the major and minor causes of the problem.

Research the problem.

Research the problem.- Online sources.- Library databases (Academic Search Premier)- Primary sources (interviews, surveys).

Research the problem.- What do you need to know?- What evidence do you need to support your claims about the problem?

2. Planning to Solve the Problem

Think about your solution rhetorically.

Think about your solution rhetorically.- Does it actually address the problem?- Is it workable?- Does it create more problems than it solves?

Figure out the costs and benefits.

Believing:- What are the benefits of the proposal?- Which benefit would be most persuasive?- What evidence/support can you give to convince readers?Doubting:- Why might some oppose this proposal?- Would it have any negative costs or consequences?- What would be the biggest obstacle to convincing people to agree to the proposal?

Researching: Find similar projects. Find how others might view the problem differently.

Researching Summary: - Find background information.- Find evidence to support claims.- Find similar projects. - Find how others might view the problem differently.

3. Drafting the Proposal

Decide whether to emphasize the problem or the solution.- How familiar is the audience with the issue?- Can you expect the audience to agree with you about the problem?

Remember the three parts.1. Problem2. Solution3. Justification

Write for the web.- Use headings.- Use short paragraphs.- Avoid long sentences.