Making a Proposal
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES
• A precise description of the problem
• A clear and compelling solution to the problem
CONSIDER YOUR RHETORICAL SITUATION
Thinking about your rhetorical situation will help you determine how best to present
your proposal.
Think about your audience. Who do you want your proposal to reach, and why? If
you’re proposing changes to a campus policy, you would do so differently if you’re
• What do you know about your audience? In what ways are they like or unlike
you—and one another?
• What sorts of evidence will they find most convincing?
• How likely are they to agree with what you propose?
Be clear about your purpose. Odds are that you’ll have multiple purposes—everything
from getting a good grade to demonstrating your understanding of a situation to
Be aware of your stance. What is your attitude about your topic, and how do you want
to come across to your audience? How can your choice of words help convey that
stance?
Examine the larger context. What do you know about the problem you’re tackling?
Think about media. If the choice is yours, what medium will best reach your audience
and suit your purpose? If you’re assigned to use a particular medium, how can you
Think about design. If you have the option of designing your proposal, think about
what it needs. If it’s lengthy or complex, should you use headings? Is there anything in
your proposal that would be hard to follow in a paragraph—and easier to read in a
chart or a graph?