WRITING A PROPOSAL SIMILARITIES DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PROPOSAL

WRITING A PROPOSAL

SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PROPOSAL & A REPORT • Proposals are similar to reports in that they: – Are written in a formal/semi-formal style. – Are divided into sections with headings • Proposals differ, however, in that: – Their purpose is to outline a course of action IN THE FUTURE. – Many times, but not always, the proposal needs to be persuasive. • The target reader should be convinced by what is written and likely to agree to the suggestion. • It is often helpful to include the benefits of the request being granted/the suggestions being put into effect, etc.

MOST PROPOSALS CONTAIN: • A BEGINNING – Usually headed ‘Purpose’ or ‘Introduction’, in which the reason for writing is stated clearly. • The purpose of this proposal is to outline the changes to be made to Gordon Terrace offices, as discussed in the committee meeting on 4 th June. • A MAIN BODY – In which the different sections cover the instructions in the rubric. • AN ENDING – Usually headed ‘Conclusion’, in which you do one or more of the following: • • summarise the points in the main body make reference to further discussion reassure the target reader can also outline the benefits of the proposal being accepted (if this has not already been done in a separate section in the main body).

STYLE: Future & Hypothetical constructions • There are many ways to write about the future using both active and passive voices: – The future simple tense • e. g. We will employ new staff. – The future continuous tense • e. g. Our research team will be closely monitoring the situation. – The future perfect tense • e. g. The first stage of the project will have been completed by the end of the year.

STYLE: Future & Hypothetical constructions • Certain verbs also suggest the future. – These include propose, intend, expect, hope, predict, forecast, look forward to, anticipate, etc. • E. g. We predict a profit in the first year of over $2, 000. • E. g. As we do not anticipate any further problems, the society hopes to hold the first meeting next month. • Some adjectives can also be used with a future meaning. – These include imminent, potential, probable, possible, forthcoming, future, expected, proposed, etc. • E. g. the proposed change of use, the potential danger, future discussion, etc. • In addition to the above, hypothetical constructions can be used to write about things that are not certain. – E. g. This would mean that, if we could manage to, this should, etc.