2. Define your issue. It is clear to you what the issue
is, but is that also clear to your reader? Also, does your reader
believe you really know what you are talking about? You can support your
ethos, or writing persona, by using evidence and explanations throughout the proposal to back up your assertions.
[3]
By setting your issue properly, you start convincing the reader that
you are the right person to take care of it. Think about the following
when you plan this part:
- What is the situation this issue applies to?
- What are the reasons behind this?
- Are we sure that those, and not others, are the real reasons? How are we sure of it?
- Has anyone ever tried to deal with this issue before?
- If yes: has it worked? Why?
- If no: why not?
3.
Define your solution. This should be straightforward
and easy to understand. Once you set the issue you're addressing, how
would you like to solve it? Get it as narrow (and doable) as possible.
[4]
- Your proposal needs to define a problem and offer a solution that will convince uninterested, skeptical readers to support it.[5]
Your audience may not be the easiest crowd to win over. Is the solution
you're offering logical and feasible? What's the timeline for your
implementation?
- Consider thinking about your solution in terms of objectives. Your
primary objective is the goal that you absolutely must achieve with your
project. Secondary objectives are other goals that you hope your
project achieves.
- Another helpful way of thinking about your solution is in terms of
"outcomes" and "deliverables." Outcomes are the quantifiable results of
your objectives. For example, if your proposal is for a business project
and your objective is "increase profit," an outcome might be "increase
profit by $100,000." Deliverables are products or services that you will
deliver with your project. For example, a proposal for a science
project could "deliver" a vaccine or a new drug. Readers of proposals
look for outcomes and deliverables, because they are easy ways of
determining what the "worth" of the project will be.
4. Keep elements of style in mind. Depending on your
proposal and who'll be reading it, you need to cater your paper to fit a
certain style. What do they expect? Are they interested in your
problem?
- Think about the level of jargon (specialized technical language) you
should employ. Effective writing steers clear of jargon unless you
simply can't explain a concept without it. Consider the difference
between "rectification of a workforce imbalance" and "letting employees
go." Not only is the second clearer and more to the point, it uses fewer
words, giving you more space to discuss your ideas.[7]
- How are you going to be persuasive? Convincing proposals can use
emotional appeals, but should always rely on facts as the bedrock of the
argument. For example, a proposal to start a panda conservation program
could mention how sad it would be for the children of future
generations to never see a panda again, but it shouldn't stop there. It would need to base its argument on facts and solutions for the proposal to be convincing.
5.
-
1
Start with a firm introduction. This should start out
with a hook. Ideally, you want your readers enraptured from point one.
Make your proposal as purposeful and useful as possible. Use some
background information to get your readers in the zone. Then state the
purpose of your proposal.
[9]
- If you have any stark facts that shed some light on why the issue
needs to be addressed and addressed immediately, it's a safe bet that's
something you can start with. Whatever it is, make sure what you start
out with is a fact and not an opinion.
-
2
State the problem. After the introduction, you'll get
into the body, the meat of your work. Here's where you should state
your problem. If your readers don't know much about the circumstance,
fill them in. Think of this as the "state of affairs" section of your
proposal. What is the problem? What is causing the problem? What effects
does this problem have?
[10]
- Emphasize why your problem needs to be solved and needs to be solved
now. How will it affect your audience if left alone? Make sure to
answer all questions and cover them with research and facts. Use
credible sources liberally.
- Don't hedge or muddle your proposal with qualifiers or beating
around the bush. This section needs to convince your readers that there
is a problem and that it's important. Writing something like "I believe
that my proposed plan may have an effect on poverty rates in the
district" isn't going to convince readers of anything. Be direct and
concise. "The proposed plan will significantly reduce poverty rates in
the district" is much more convincing.
-
3
Propose solutions. This is arguably the most important part of your proposal. The solutions section is where you get into
how you will address the problem,
why you will do it in this way, and
what the outcomes will be. To make sure you've got a persuasive proposal, think about the following:
[11][12]
- Discuss the larger impact of your ideas. Ideas that seem of limited
applicability aren't as likely to spark enthusiasm in readers as ideas
that could have widespread effects. Example: "Greater knowledge of tuna
behavior can allow us to create a more comprehensive management strategy
and ensure canned tuna for future generations."
- Addressing why you will do something is as important as
stating what you will do. Presume that your readers are skeptical and
will not accept your ideas at face value. If you're proposing to do a
catch-and-release study of 2,000 wild tuna, why? Why is that better than
something else? If it's more expensive than another option, why can't
you use the cheaper option? Anticipating and addressing these questions
will show that you've considered your idea from all angles.
- Your readers should leave your paper assured that you can solve the
problem effectively. Literally everything you write should either
address the problem or how to solve it.
- Research your proposal extensively. The more examples and facts you
can give your audience, the better -- it'll be much more convincing.
Avoid your own opinions and rely on the hard research of others.
- If your proposal doesn't prove that your solution works, it's not an
adequate solution. If your solution isn't feasible, nix it. Think about
the results of your solution, too. Pre-test it if possible and revise
your solution if need be.
-
4
Include a schedule and budget. Your proposal
represents an investment. In order to convince your readers that you're a
good investment, provide as much detailed, concrete information about
your timeline and budget as possible..
[13][14]
- When do you envision the project starting? At what pace will it
progress? How does each step build on the other? Can certain things be
done simultaneously? Being as meticulous as possible will give your
readers confidence that you've done your homework and won't waste their
money.
- Make sure your proposal makes sense financially. If you're proposing
an idea to a company or a person, consider their budget. If they can't
afford your proposal, it's not an adequate one. If it does fit their
budget, be sure to include why it's worth their time and money.
-
5
Wrap up with a conclusion. This should mirror your
introduction, succinctly wrapping up your general message. If there are
consequences to your proposal not being undertaken, address them.
Summarize the benefits of your proposal and drive home that the benefits
outweigh the costs. Leave your audience thinking ahead. And, as always,
thank them for their consideration and time.
[15]
- If you have extra content that doesn't exactly fit into your
proposal, you may want to add an appendix. But know that if your paper
is too bulky, it may scare people off. If you're in doubt, leave it out.
- If you have two or more appendices attached to your proposal, letter
them A, B, etc. This can be used if you have data sheets, reprints of
articles, or letters of endorsement and the like.[13]
Make an outline. This will not be part of the final
proposal, but it will help you organize your thoughts. Make sure you
know all of the relevant details before you start.
[8]
- Your outline should consist of your problem, your solution, how
you'll solve it, why your solution is best, and a conclusion. If you're
writing an executive proposal, you'll need to include things like a
budget analysis and
-
6
Edit your work. Be meticulous in writing, editing,
and designing the proposal. Revise as necessary to make it clear and
concise, ask others to critique and edit it, and make sure the
presentation is attractive and engaging as well as well organized and
helpful.
[5]
- Have another set of eyes (or two) read over your work. They'll be
able to highlight issues your mind has grown blind to. There may be
issues that you haven't completely addressed or questions you've left
open-ended.
- Eliminate jargon and cliches! These make you look lazy and can get
in the way of understanding. Don't use a long word when a short word
will do just as well.[16]
- Avoid the passive voice whenever possible. Passive voice uses forms
of "to be" verbs and can make your meaning unclear. Compare these two
sentences: "The window was broken by the zombie" and "The zombie broke
the window." In the first, you don't know who broke the window:
was it the zombie? Or was the window by the zombie and just happened to
also be broken? In the second, you know exactly who did the breaking and
why it's important.
-
7
Proofread your work. Editing focuses on getting the
content as clear and concise as you can make it. Proofreading makes sure
that your content is free of mistakes. Go over your proposal carefully
to catch any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
- Any mistakes on your end will make you look less educated and less credible, reducing your likelihood of getting approved.
- Make sure that your formatting is in line with whatever the guidelines require.
- organizational details.
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2. Define your issue. It is clear to you what the issue is, but is that also clear to your reader? Also, does your reader believe you really know what you are talking about? You can support your ethos, or writing persona, by using evidence and explanations throughout the proposal to back up your assertions.[3] By setting your issue properly, you start convincing the reader that you are the right person to take care of it. Think about the following when you plan this part:
1Start with a firm introduction. This should start out with a hook. Ideally, you want your readers enraptured from point one. Make your proposal as purposeful and useful as possible. Use some background information to get your readers in the zone. Then state the purpose of your proposal.[9]
2State the problem. After the introduction, you'll get into the body, the meat of your work. Here's where you should state your problem. If your readers don't know much about the circumstance, fill them in. Think of this as the "state of affairs" section of your proposal. What is the problem? What is causing the problem? What effects does this problem have?[10]
3Propose solutions. This is arguably the most important part of your proposal. The solutions section is where you get into how you will address the problem, why you will do it in this way, and what the outcomes will be. To make sure you've got a persuasive proposal, think about the following:[11][12]
5Wrap up with a conclusion. This should mirror your introduction, succinctly wrapping up your general message. If there are consequences to your proposal not being undertaken, address them. Summarize the benefits of your proposal and drive home that the benefits outweigh the costs. Leave your audience thinking ahead. And, as always, thank them for their consideration and time.[15]
6Edit your work. Be meticulous in writing, editing, and designing the proposal. Revise as necessary to make it clear and concise, ask others to critique and edit it, and make sure the presentation is attractive and engaging as well as well organized and helpful.[5]
