Communications Question

As the chapter on proposals describes, there are two kinds of proposals: solicited and unsolicited. Sometimes you are invited to propose a solution to a problem or fill a need. You get to study the request for proposals (RFPs) and write your proposal in response to it. Other times, you see an opportunity to improve a situation or tap on an under-utilized opportunity and write a proposal without being asked to submit it. In either of the situation, your goal is to win money, business opportunity, or something like that from your target audience. The two most important issues in any proposal, therefore, are audience and purpose. You should identify the audience need first: who is going to read and evaluate the proposal? What are their assumptions and expectations? If you are writing in response to an RFP, it is easier to identify their goals and expectations by reading the RFP carefully. Next, consider what do you want to achieve with this proposal? What is the best way to achieve it?

Proposals also fall into two broad categories in terms of their nature: business (or sales) proposals and charity proposals. Smart use of rhetorical appeals (ethos, pathos, logos), appropriate design, and precise language are a must in any good proposal. Businesses and organizations need to write and update their plans as they allocate and/or prioritize resources for various activities to meet their goals.

Major Components of a Proposal:

Cover Page

;

Table of Contents

; Executive Summary; Purpose (why you are writing the proposal); Current Situation/Problem; Specific Objectives (what you want to achieve with this proposal or program); Solutions and Deliverables overview (describing the items and services that will be provided); Timeline (how long and when the program will be implemented); Budget (breakdown of how much it will cost; how much of the total budget are you requesting?)

You may organize these components in the following ways (but you can further customize the headings as appropriate):

Cover PageTable of Contents

Project Summary

Introduction

Discussion (of Issue/Problem and why it needs to be addressed)

Solutions and description of project (for grant proposal) or product (business/sales proposal)

Justification for your proposal (why this proposal deserves support)

Cost analysis

Schedule of work to be completed (and responsibilities–who does what–if applicable)

Conclusion and Recommendations

References

Assignment Description:

For this assignment, you will write either a business proposal or a grant proposal for a needy charity of your choosing. You can begin with the topics from your reading, news-of-the-week posts, or business/professional experience and even prospective career choices for further research to see if you want to develop a proposal on some aspects of related issues before settling on a problem or topic. You will first share your proposal plan on the discussion forum, read your peer’s plans and comment on at least two, develop your proposal and submit the final draft here.

Proposal Requirements: Approximately 1,200 words, excluding front matter (cover page, executive summary); standard font (Times New Roman, 12 point font-size); concise, edited prose; four credible sources two of which must be scholarly (properly cited and documented using APA or MLA). Use sources strategically (to highlight the gravity/scope of the problem/solution, justification of the solution proposed, analysis of the issue, current situation and/or needs, etc. as appropriate).

Note also that proposals and reports are preceded by a transmittal document (memo, cover letter, or email to which the major document may be attached). It is addressed to the target audience (in your case, it could be the head of the agency/foundation/business) and briefly outlines what you are supplying and why. It can be short, and for a brief proposal that you are writing, you can begin the entire document with it. That is, no separate transmittal needed. Here are some samples for your inspiration to do better