Proposal

The structure of a proposal:

● Introduction:
Your introduction explains the overall topic that you’re about to
discuss, with your thesis statement and any need-to-know background
information before you get into your own findings.
● Define the issue:
- subject
- purpose
- main argument
- background information
- importance
● Define the solution:
- step-by-step solution
- benefits
- potential obstacles
- personnel and qualifications
● Conclusion:
The conclusion is where you bring together all the information in
your report and come to a definitive interpretation or judgment. This is
usually where the author inputs their own personal opinions or inferences.

Types of proposals:
● Solicited proposals
● Unsolicited proposals
● Preproposals
● Continuation or non-competing proposals
● Renewal or competing proposals

Key language for reports:

❖ Making suggestions:
- I suggest/propose/recommend (that)
- It would be advisable to …
- one idea/suggestion/possibility would be to
- It's worth considering one option might be to …
❖ Justifying/explaining:
 - the reason/rationale/justification for this is, for this reason, on the grounds
that, with the purpose of due to ...
❖ Discussing consequences:
- as a result
- this would allow us to the benefit of this would be
- This will/would result in …
- If we do not the consequences will/could/may be the problem with this is
❖ Concluding/summarising:
- in summary/conclusion
- to sum up
- overall
❖ To begin:
- The purpose/aim/intention of this proposal is to outline/present/discuss the
future plan/ the intended course of action…
- This proposal is submitted in support of our request for approval of.../for
permission to..
- This purposal contains the (relevant) information/details of/ concerning…
which you requested/asked for
- This report contains details of/ outlines our plans/ intentions concerning…
❖ To end:
- I feel certain/ believe that the course of action proposed above will
achieve…/meet with success/ answer the needs of the company.
- I hope/trust that the plan/ scheme outlined/ presented in this report meets
with your approval/ will receive your serious consideration

Steps for writing a report:

1. Define the problem
2. Present your solution
3. Define your deliverables and success criteria
4. State your plan or approach
5. Outline your project schedule
6. Tie it all together
7. Edit/proofread your proposal

Example:
Introduction

The purpose of this proposal is intended to outline common issues

students have when studying abroad, and suggest ways that a course could help
them to deal with these. The final section makes recommendations about what
should be included in the course curriculum.

Problems when studying abroad

 Interviews were conducted with 20 students who have recently completed
a student exchange program . The majority of students were of the opinion that
overcoming the language barrier in their new country was the biggest challenge
and nearly half also said that they experienced culture shock. Other problems
cited included unrealistic expectations, loneliness and packing the wrong things
- particularly being unprepared for a different climate.

Ways a course could address these

A course could prepare students for culture shock by raising awareness of

the phenomenon and describing cultural differences that students may encounter
in their host country. To aid participants with language, a course could include
some useful phrases for the first days after arrival, in addition to some resources
for language learning. The course could also include a discussion about
combating isolation and adjusting expectations.

Recommendations

I would like to make the following recommendations: Invite students who

have previously studied abroad to share aspects of the culture they found
surprising and give advice on what to take. Provide a list of useful phrases,
together with suggestions of useful resources for language learning such as
websites, blogs or e-books. Facilitate a discussion about engaging with people
to avoid loneliness and isolation. If these recommendations are implemented,
young people are bound to feel more prepared for their experience.