Proposals: Stating the Solution

After You Have Described the Problem. . . In many classes more than half the students have open laptops on their desks or are openly text-messaging on cell phones. Inevitably, laptop users multitask between taking notes and checking email, perusing Facebook, surfing the Web, looking at YouTube videos, playing a game, or working on an assignment for another class.

Make A Clear Statement of the Proposed Solution To address this problem, I propose a campus-wide ban on laptops and cell phones during class.

Point out the Benefits A campus-wide ban would be easy to enforce, and students would easily establish new habits. The banning of laptops and cell phones would improve the learning atmosphere of a classroom. A ban might directly improve academic performance of current users of laptops and cell phones.

Provide Evidence for Claims You Make Survey: 70% of students welcomed laptop ban in Georgetown classroom Study at U of Winona found that laptop use in classroom had a significant negative effect on class performance. Stamford researchers found that persons who self-reported being heavy multi-taskers were more easily distracted from a primary task than those who reported themselves light multi-taskers.

Show Flaws in Other Alternatives I believe a campus-wide ban would be more effective than more limited measures some institutions have adopted, such as blocking wireless access from classrooms or allowing each professor to choose whether or not to ban laptops in his or her classroom.

This policy argument uses a different method than you will use: The expanded use of mercenaries in American warfare has given rise to numerous problems that must be addressed immediately. Among the obvious, their use hides the true cost of war from the American people; contractors’ backgrounds and loyalties are questionable; and they have been given a great reason to hope for war in the world. These problems must be addressed swiftly and immediately, particularly by congress. This method focuses on showing there is a problem and claiming something must be done, rather than stating a particular solution to a problem.

Your Solution Should Be Specific Discuss where, when, how, and who will be involved in implementing this plan. Remember you are writing to an executive audience. Stay focused on the key details. What is the bottom line for this audience? Focus on reasons why your solution is the best plan.