Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Making a plan for your proposal
• Part 2 of 2: Writing your own proposal
• Tips

Writing a good proposal is an essential skill in many professions and industries, from school to business administration to geology. The purpose of a proposal is to gain support for your plan by informing the right people. If you describe your ideas or suggestions in a clear, concise and engaging way, they are more likely to be approved. Knowing how to write a compelling and compelling proposal is essential in many fields to be successful. There are different types of proposals, such as proposals for scientific research and book proposals, but you use the same standard guidelines for all.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Making a plan for your proposal

1. Determine who your audience is. Before you start writing, you should make sure that you think about your audience and ask yourself what they might already know or don't know about your topic. This helps to delineate your ideas and describe them as effectively as possible. It's a good idea to assume that your readers are busy, read through the text quickly (or even skim it), and aren't inclined to give special consideration to your ideas. It is important to write efficiently and convincingly.
   • Who will read your proposal? How much do they already know about the subject? Which things will you have to explain or provide with extra background information?
   • What do you want your audience to get out of your proposal? What do you need to give your readers so they can make the decision you have in mind?
   • Adjust your tone to meet the expectations and wishes of your audience. What do they want to hear? What would be the most effective way to get through to them? How can you help them understand what you are trying to say?
2. Define the issue you will be writing about. It is clear to you what the issue is, but is that also the case for your readers? Do your readers also believe that you really know what you are talking about? You can ethos, or reinforce your writing persona by running through your text with evidence and explanations to support your claims. By describing the issue thoroughly from the outset, you will convince readers that you are the best person to handle the problem. When planning this section, consider the following:
   • What situation does this matter apply to?
   • What are the reasons for coming up with this proposal?
   • Are you sure those are the real reasons and there are no other reasons? How can you be sure of that?
   • Has anyone ever tried to address this issue before?
   • If so: did this work? Why?
   • If not: why not?
3. Define your solution. It should be simple and easy to understand. After you describe the issue you are dealing with, you need to come up with solutions. Be as precise as possible and make sure that what you write is executable.
   • Your proposal must describe a problem and come up with a solution that will convince disinterested, skeptical readers to support it. Your audience may not be easy to convince. Is the solution you propose logical and feasible? What is the timeline for the implementation?
   • Try to see your solution as a number of objectives to be achieved. Your main objective is what you absolutely want to achieve with your project. Secondary objectives are other goals that you also hope to achieve with your project.
   • Another useful way of thinking is to see the solution in terms of "outcomes" and "end results." Outcomes are the measurable results of your goals. For example, if your proposal is for a business project and your goal is to increase profits, then "increase profits by $ 100,000" may be one of the outcomes. End results are the concrete products or services that you project yields. For example, a proposal for a scientific project could "yield" a vaccine or a new drug. Readers of proposals look at outcomes and end results, as this is an easy way to determine what the "value" of the project will be.
4. Keep the writing style and the associated elements in mind. Depending on the subject of your proposal and your audience, you have to stick to a certain style when writing your text. What does your audience expect from your proposal? Are they interested in the problem you are raising?
   • Consider how many specialist terms (specialist technical terms) you can use. An effectively written text does not require technical terms unless you simply cannot explain a particular concept without using those terms. Consider the difference between "rectifying a workforce imbalance" and "firing employees." The second is not only clearer and more concise, it uses fewer words, so you have more room to discuss your ideas.
   • How are you going to convince your audience? A convincing proposal can appeal to the emotions of the readers, but facts should always be the basis of the reasoning. In a proposal to start a panda protection program, you might notice how sad it would be if children of next generations could never see a panda, but you shouldn't stop at that point. The reasoning must be based on facts and solutions to make the proposal convincing.
5. Make a writing schedule. This will not be part of your final proposal, but it will help you organize your thoughts. Make sure you know all the relevant details before you start.
   • In your writing schedule you should include your problem and your solution. You have to explain how you are going to solve the problem and why your solution is the best. In addition, it must also contain a conclusion. When writing a business proposal, you should also include things like a budget analysis and organizational details in your text.

Part 2 of 2: Writing your own proposal

1. Start with a powerful introduction. Your introduction should start with a sentence that catches your readers' attention. Ideally, you would like your readers to be interested from the first sentence. Make your proposal as targeted and useful as possible. Use some background information to engage your readers on the topic. In that case, state the purpose of your proposal.
   • If you have any bare facts that can clarify why the matter needs to be addressed immediately, then you can be confident that you can begin your text with that. Whatever you write about, make sure you start your text with a fact and not an opinion.
2. Indicate what the problem is. After the introduction you come to the middle part, the core of your text. In the middle section, you explain what the problem is and describe the issue from different angles. If your readers don't know much about the facts, tell them about it. Try to see this section as a description of the current state of affairs. What's the problem? What is causing the problem? What are the consequences of this problem?
   • Emphasize why your problem needs to be resolved and why it needs to be done now. What effect will it have on your audience if left unchecked? Make sure you answer all questions and substantiate them with research and facts. Make extensive use of reliable sources.
   • Don't turn your proposal into a confusing or unclear story by using qualifying words or by skipping around the real problem. With this section you have to convince your readers that there is a problem and that it is important. If you write something like "I believe the plan I propose could have an effect on the percentage of people living below the poverty line in this region," it will not convince your readers. Be direct and concise. A phrase like "The proposed plan will significantly reduce the percentage of people living below the poverty line in this region" is much more compelling.
3. Offer solutions. This is undoubtedly the most important part of your proposal. In this section you describe how you are going to tackle the problem, why you do it this way and what the consequences will be. To make sure you are convincing, keep the following in mind:
   • Discuss the bigger consequences of your ideas. Readers are less likely to get excited about ideas that have limited application than ideas that can have large-scale effects. An example: "A greater understanding of tuna behavior allows us to develop a deeper management strategy and ensure canned tuna for future generations."
   • To indicate why you are going to do something is just as important as indicating what you are going to do. Assume that your readers are skeptical and will not accept your ideas outright. If you are proposing a scientific study where 2,000 wild tunas are temporarily caught and then released, why is this so important? Why is that better than anything else? If it is more expensive than another option, why not choose the cheaper option? By responding to and addressing these questions, you show that you have considered your idea from all angles.
   • After reading your proposal, your audience should be confident that you can solve the problem effectively. Most everything you write down should refer to the problem or the solutions to it.
   • Do extensive research for your proposal. The more examples and facts you can show to your audience, the better - it will make your proposal even more compelling. Do not include your own opinion in the text and make use of the thorough research that others have done.
   • If your proposal does not prove that your solution works, then it is not an adequate solution. If your solution is not workable, remove it from your proposal. Also think about the results of your solution. Test your solution in advance if possible, and adjust your solution if necessary.
4. Add a schedule and a budget. Your proposal represents an investment. To convince your readership that investing in your proposal is a good idea, you need to provide as much detailed, concrete information about your time schedule and budget as possible.
   • When do you think the project can start? How quickly will the work be carried out? How does each step follow the last? Can certain activities be carried out at the same time? By being as accurate as possible, you will gain the trust of your readers and assure them that you have done your homework and will not waste their money.
   • Make sure your proposal is financially correct. When making a proposal to a company or individual you should consider their budget. If they cannot afford your proposal, then this is not suitable. If it does fit their budget, explain why it is worth their time and money.
5. Round off your text with a conclusion. Your conclusion should reflect your introduction and briefly recapitulate the overall message of your proposal. If not implementing your proposal will lead to certain consequences, please respond to this. Summarize the benefits of your proposal and convince your readers that the benefits outweigh the costs. Let your readers think ahead. As always, thank them for considering your proposal and the time they have taken to do so.
   • If you have additional information that doesn't really fit your proposal, you could include an appendix or summary of that information. Be aware that a too fat proposal could scare people off. So if you are not sure, leave the information out.
   • If your proposal has two or more attachments, give them the letters A, B, and so on. You can do this if you have included information sheets, copies of articles or letters of recommendation and similar documents.
6. Adjust your text. Be meticulous in writing, editing, and designing the proposal. If necessary, rewrite the proposal so that the text is clear and concise. Ask others to read, criticize, and update your proposal. In this way you ensure that your text is presented attractively and is engaging, well-structured and educational.
   • Have someone else (or two others) read your proposal. They will be able to point out things that you have read about. There may be issues that you have not yet fully described or questions that you have not answered.
   • Remove technical terms and clichés. There is a chance that you will come across as lazy and that your readership will not understand your text. Don't use a long word when you might as well use a short word.
   • Use as few passive (passive) sentences as possible. In passive sentences, a form of the auxiliary verb "to be" is used. As a result, the meaning may become unclear, because it is not possible to determine from the sentence who is doing something or who is responsible. For example, compare the following two sentences: "At the end of this month, the research proposal will be assessed" and "At the end of this month, the project leader will assess the research proposal." In the first sentence you do not know Who assess the research proposal. In the second sentence, you know exactly who is assessing the proposal and why this is important.
7. Correct your text. When editing your text, make sure that the content is as clear and concise as possible. Correcting your proposal ensures that the text does not contain any errors. Read your proposal carefully to identify any errors in the grammar, spelling, and punctuation of your text.
   • When you make mistakes, it will seem like you are less educated and less reliable. This reduces the chance that your proposal will be approved.
   • Make sure your proposal is formatted and structured according to the guidelines.

Tips

• Make sure your language is understandable for everyone. Write in short, clear, concise sentences.
• Financial or other sources should be discussed carefully.In addition, your text must provide a realistic picture of the required expenditure.