How to Write a How to Write a ProposalProposal

A Seminar Created by the Wingate University Writing Center for UCAN

What is a proposal?What is a proposal?

A proposal is a persuasive document that puts forth your solutions to a particular problem or situation while convincing your audience that your solution is the best one available.

Before you start: gathering Before you start: gathering background informationbackground information

Before you start writing your proposal, you should gather background information about three areas:◦Concept◦Program◦Expense

Questions you should be able to Questions you should be able to answeranswer

◦What is the nature of the project and how will it will be conducted?

◦What is the anticipated timetable of the project?

◦What are the anticipated outcomes of the project and how will you evaluate the results?

◦What are the staffing and volunteer needs, accounting for new hires and recruitment?

Parts of a ProposalParts of a Proposal

The three main parts of a well-written proposal:◦Front matter◦Body◦End matter

Front MatterFront Matter

Title page◦Title◦Byline◦Date Submitted

Letter of Transmittal◦Context◦Summary◦Date of Action◦Gratitude

Executive Summary◦Synopsis of the entire proposal

Table of ContentsList of Visuals

BodyBody

Introduction◦Statement of Purpose◦Background/Statement of the Problem◦Scope◦Organization

BodyBody

Other parts of the body:◦Approach◦Requirements◦Plan of Action◦Qualifications/Experience◦Budget◦Proposed schedule◦Conclusions/recommendations

End matterEnd matter

◦Bibliography◦Glossary◦Appendixes

◦Surveys◦Maps◦Charts◦Spreadsheets◦Statistics◦Etc.