writing proposals spring 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Writing the ProposalENGL 3355: Workplace Writing
Spring 2015- Martin
Putting it Together
In what follows is a suggested format for proposals. This should work to give you an idea of what can be included within a proposal. Not all proposals will require all of the following sections. You should always consider your purpose, audience, and the proposal guidelines when composing your proposal.
Seven Major Sections of a Proposal
Table of Contents
Mission Statement
Abstract
Statement of Need
Project Rationale Incorporating Literature Review
Project Narrative
Attachments
1. Table of Contents
Gives your audience an easy way to find the information they are looking for
Should be developed after you have completed the proposal
Should work to incorporate major sections as well as images and graphics found within the proposal
2. Mission Statement
Should answer the question: “What is the mission of your project?”
Helps you clarify the project’s primary goal and allows the reader to have an immediate understanding of what you are proposing
Should be 50 words or less
3. Abstract
Should be written early in the proposal preparation process and modified as needed as the proposal develops
Written in the third-person
Should include objectives, methods to be employed, and the potential impact of the project
4. Statement of Need
This is where you present the problem you are trying to solve
Stick to the main problem
Use logical progression for your ideas
Close with a discussion of what else is being done working towards how your idea is better or different
5. Project Rationale Incorporating Literature Review
Works to ground your ideas within an extensive discussion of the literature
Your project’s rationale should come from what the literature says works, does not work, and what needs to be looked at differently
This is how your proposal will demonstrate that it is incorporating the latest research
6. Project Narrative
A Project Narrative should incorporate six major sections
Goals and Objectives
Proposed Activities
Facilities, Resources, and Project Management
Evaluation
Outreach and Dissemination
Sustainability
Project Narrative - 1. Goals and Objectives
Should work to answer the following questions:
What are the major goals of the project?
What are the major objectives of the project?
What are the expected outcomes of the project?
How will success of the project be measured?
Project Narrative - B. Proposed Activities
Should work to answer the following questions:
What are the activities that are going to happen under the proposal?
What are you proposing to do?
What timeframe are you accomplishing this during the project?
Project Narrative - C. Facilities, Resources, and Project Management
Should work to answer the following questions:
What facilities and resources are available?
How is the project going to be managed?
Who will provide leadership and management for the project, and who are the people involved in implementing the project?
What credentials make this project team unbeatable?
Project Narrative - D. Evaluation
Should work to answer the following questions:
How will you evaluate the effectiveness of your project while it is being completed?
What is your performance evaluation plan and how will you evaluate your goals and objectives?
Information on data collection and analysis should be included
Project Narrative - E. Outreach and Dissemination
An outreach or dissemination plan is often required by program guidelines and will enhance your proposal
Should include a detailed description of activities that disseminate information on the success and content of the project to others
Some suggested mechanisms for dissemination include:
Websites
Publications
Presentations
Public Outreach
Project Narrative - F. Sustainability
It is important to those funding your project that the project continue after their funding has ended
Provide a plan that shows how the project will continue after the funding has ended
Should show that the project will not only continue, but grow
7. Attachments
This section works to include any documents that will provide more detail or background on what has already been built up in your proposal
Can include, but not limited to, the following:
Bibliography: All resources used to compose the proposal
Résumé: Credentials of the project management
Letters of Support/Endorsement: Support from tailored individuals that will lend credibility to your project
What Should Be Included in
Your Final Proposal
This section gives a specific outline and
description of the sections that should be included
within your Final Proposal
Section 1: Front Matter
Your first section should include the following:
A. Cover Letter
B. Title Page
C. Table of Contents
D. Executive Summary
A. Cover Letter
Should work to identify who you are and your affiliation
Should summarize the proposed project
Should be roughly 1-page, single-spaced
End the letter by expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to submit your proposal
See p. 466 in your Writing That Works textbook for an example of an effective cover letter
B. Title Page
Should be the cover page to your proposal
Include the title of the project, your name, date submitted, and recipient name
See p. 467 in your Writing That Works textbook for an example of an effective cover page
C. Table of Contents
Include a Table of Contents that shows specific sections and graphics/images for the project along with their correlating page numbers
D. Executive Summary
Should be roughly a 1/2-page, single-spaced section that includes:
An overview of the proposal
A summary of the size and scope of the project
A projected cost of the proposal
Section 2: Body
Your body section should include the following:
A. Introduction
B. Issue
C. Relevant Information
D. Available Options
A. Introduction
Gives a basic understanding of your proposal at a glance
Briefly describes the problem to be solved
Gives an idea of what the expected outcomes of your project are…What will you achieve?
B. Issue
Describes what the issue that the proposal is working to solve
What has led up to the need for your proposal
What would happen if your proposal is not allowed to come to fruition?
C. Relevant Information
This is your Literature Review section
Use current research to provide a basis for your proposal
Is what you are doing up-to-date with current research? Show this by using current research
You can use a number of sources from journals, magazine articles, websites, or books
All information should be cited correctly in APA both in-text and in the Bibliography section
D. Available Options
This is similar to the Facilities and Resources section of the previous proposal discussion
What options are available for this proposal to be carried out
What is already in place that can be built upon?
Section 3: Conclusion
Your conclusion should include the following:
A. Recommendations
B. Justification
A. Recommendations
Use this section to provide a more personal description of the project and how you see it coming together
Why are you certain that your proposal is an effective way to combat the issue?
B. Justification
Summarize the proposal and offer your reader a final justification for your proposal
Section 4: Back Matter
Your fourth section should include:
A. APA style reference page
B. Schedule
C. Budget
A. APA Style Reference Page
Provide APA style references for all sources used within your proposal
B. Schedule
Should your proposal be accepted, what timeline will your project follow?
Include all major milestones within your project
Should be as detailed as possible
C. Budget
How much will all of this cost?
Keep your current facilities and resources in mind
This can be largely fictionalized for your specific course of action