Chapter Introduction
292
FOCUS ON PROCESS: Writing Proposals
The Logistics of Proposals
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PROPOSALS
SOLICITED AND UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS
The “Deliverables” of Proposals
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
GOODS AND SERVICES PROPOSALS
Persuasion and Proposals
UNDERSTANDING READERS’ NEEDS
DESCRIBING WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO
DEMONSTRATING YOUR PROFESSIONALISM
GUIDELINES: Demonstrating Your Professionalism in a Proposal
ETHICS NOTE: Writing Honest Proposals
The Structure of the Proposal
SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
GUIDELINES: Introducing a Proposal
PROPOSED PROGRAM
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS ACTIVITY: Writing the Proposed Program
DOCUMENT ANALYSIS ACTIVITY: Proposal Delivered as a Prezi Presentation and 
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
BUDGET
APPENDIXES
TECH TIP: How To Create a Gantt Chart
Sample Internal Proposal
WRITER’S CHECKLIST
EXERCISES
CASE 11: Revising a Brief Proposal and
293
A PROPOSAL IS an offer to carry out research or to provide a product or service. For instance, a physical therapist might write a proposal to her supervisor for funding to attend a convention to learn about current rehabilitation practices. A defense contractor might submit a proposal to design and build a fleet of drones for the Air Force. A homeless shelter might submit a proposal to a philanthropic organization for funding to provide more services to the homeless community. Whether a project is small or big, within your own company or outside it, it is likely to call for a proposal.
| FOCUS ON PROCESS: Writing Proposals | |
|
When writing a proposal, pay special attention to these steps in the writing process. |
|
| PLANNING | Consider your readers’ knowledge about and attitudes toward what you are proposing. Use the techniques discussed in Chapters 4 and 5 to learn as much as you can about your readers’ needs and about the subject. Also consider whether you have the personnel, facilities, and equipment to do what you propose. |
| DRAFTING | Collaboration is critical in large proposals because no one person has the time and expertise to do all the work. See Chapter 3 for more about collaboration. In writing the proposal, follow the instructions in any request for proposal (RFP) or information for bid (IFB) from the prospective customer. If there are no instructions, follow the structure for proposals outlined in this chapter. |
| REVISING | External proposals usually have a firm deadline. Build in time to revise, edit, and proofread the proposal thoroughly and still get it to readers on time. See the Writer’s Checklist. |
| EDITING | |
| PROOFREADING | |