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CHAPTER 18. Proposals
True/False Questions
1. Whether solicited or unsolicited, all research proposals are formal.
2. The logical flow of proposals, regardless of type, should move from
problem/situation to solution/resolution.
3. Formal proposals have the same format as formal reports.
4.
field.
5.
Research proposals can use technical language appropriate for experts in the
If the solutions you propose have limitations, be sure to acknowledge them in
the proposal.
6. A specific call to action is not necessary in a proposal, because it is implied.
7. Unlike in reports, it is not appropriate to include documentation of sources in
your proposal.
8. Proposals have one purpose: to convince your audience to agree to your plan.
9. Formal proposals rarely need front and/or end matter.
10. Informal proposals should be presented only in email or memo format.
Fill-in-the-blank Questions
11. Three categories of proposals are ,
, and .
12.
or customer, whereas
requested.
proposals are written in response to a request from a manager
proposals are written without having been
13. RFP is short for .
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Multiple-choice Questions
14. A proposal for improving your company’s morale, requested by the vice president in
charge of personnel, probably would be classified as
(a) a solicited, internal research proposal.
(b) an unsolicited, external planning proposal.
(c) a solicited, internal planning proposal.
(d) a sales proposal.
(e) None of these answers is correct.
15. Proposals differ from reports in that proposals
(a) need to accommodate a variety of audiences.
(b) answer the question “What should we do?”
(c) answer the question “How should we do it?”
(d) need to accommodate a variety of audiences, as well as answer the question “What
should we do?”
(e) answer the questions “What should we do?” and “How should we did it?”
16. Besides being clear, the proposal plan must be
(a) inexpensive.
(b) highly optimistic.
(c) creative.
(d) realistic.
(e) inexpensive and realistic.
17. When writing the proposal,
(a) adopt a confident tone.
(b) choose the most simplistic language possible.
(c) use active verbs.
(d) adopt a confident tone, choose the most simplistic language possible, and use active
verbs.
(e) adopt a confident tone and use active verbs.
18. Planning proposals
(a) offer solutions to problems or suggestions for improvement.
(b) present a plan to conduct a research project.
(c) detail services or products.
(d) All of these answers are correct.
(e) offer solutions to problems or suggestions for improvement, and present a plan to
conduct a research project.
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19. Which of the following is not a typical component of a formal proposal?
(a) background information
(b) RFP
(c) problem statement
(d) a specific title
(e) budget
20. Avoid all of the following in a proposal except
(a) an inducement for readers to act.
(b) excessive detail.
(c) passive language.
(d) exaggerated claims.
(e) a broad title.
21. Which of the following components may be included in a formal proposal?
(a) table of contents
(b) references list
(c) a letter of transmittal
(d) table of contents and references list
(e) table of contents, references list, and a letter of transmittal
22. Identify possible limitations to your proposed solution
(a) under no circumstances.
(b) in all situations.
(c) only when doing so will not hurt your chances for funding.
(d) only when you are sure competing proposals have more dire limitations.
(e) only when doing so will not hurt your chances for funding, and you are sure
competing proposals have more dire limitations.
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CHAPTER 18 ANSWER KEY