Proposal Arguments

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Proposal Arguments

• Ch 12 Everythings an Argument

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What are Proposals?

• A should do B because of C
• Action-oriented
• Focused on the future
• Audience-centered
• Notice that we are no longer using X Y
  terminology now there is a focus on the agent

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Issues in Writing Proposals

• They almost always present a challenge to the
  reader
• To write an effective proposal, you must
  emphasize your ethos
• Because these arguments seek to incite action,
  they must be very responsive to their audiences

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2 Kinds of Proposals

• Proposals about Practices
• Narrower, very local and concrete
• Proposals about Policies
• Broad plans of actions for major social,
  political and economic issues

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Sample Proposal

• A student dissatisfied with the noise level in a
  study lounge in a campus dorm proposed that a
  soundproofed wall and door be installed between
  the study lounge and an adjoining TV lounge. In
  preparing the proposal, which she submitted to
  the university housing office, the student
  interviewed dorm residents about their study
  habits and researched the cost of the proposed
  wall by taking measurements and visiting the
  local hardware store.

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The Claim

• Proposals need to be very strong clear to be
  persuasive
• They should consist of 3 parts
• Description of problem
• Proposed solution
• Justification of solution

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Establish a Need

• Proposals must address a clearly-defined need
• Establish the need as one of the first steps in
  your project
• Evoke the need in a particularly effective way
  (employ some form of pathos)
• Demonstrate that meeting this need is in the
  interests of the community at large

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Bolstering Your Claim

• Demonstrate that your proposal will address the
  problem, how
• Prove that your proposal is feasible. This WILL
  require research and creative thinking!
• Personal experience is persuasive in proposal
  arguments

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Challenges

• Readers are innately conservative
• Arguments must have presence to convince
• Proposals often deal with lost potential this
  is a hard sell
• Must evaluate all possible consequences, not just
  those pertaining to the problem

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Proposal Structures

• Traditional 5 paragraphs OR
• Open with a moving description of the problem
  (1-2 s) then introduce proposal thesis
  statement. Return to description in final .
• Begin with proposal and feasibility arguments,
  then demonstrate how it will meet certain needs
  do this with proposals that are intrinsically
  nifty, regardless of their practical value

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All Proposals Must Have

• A claim proposing an action aimed at practice or
  policy, directed towards the future, and
  appropriate to the audience
• Statements explaining how the proposal relates to
  the problem
• A demonstration of its feasibility and
  effectiveness

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Questions to Consider

• How much will it cost?
• Who will fund it?
• Who will implement it? Maintain it?
• Where will the supplies come from?
• Is there any special expertise required?
• How long will it take?
• Is any special permission required?
• Will it truly meet the needs of a majority of the
  people involved?

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Research Options

• Newspapers magazines (online print)
• Online databases
• Government reports documents
• Websites, newsgroups listservs
• Books
• Experts in the field
• Gather your own research via surveys, interviews,
  c.

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Scrutinize Your Claim

• Is it clearly a call for action?
• Is it too sweeping? Does it need to be qualified
• Is the proposal clearly connected to the need it
  purports to meet? If not, how can that
  connection be strengthened?
• Will it incite action?

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Possible Topics

• Problems at the university
• Problems in my city or town
• Problems at my place of work
• Problems related to hobbies, recreation, consumer
  life
• Problems related to place of residence

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Good Luck!