Writing the Proposal Introduction

What is a proposal? A description of the work you will complete on a project Primary document for obtaining money or new clients

Types of Proposals In the industry: primary document for securing new work New client bids In academia: primary document for securing research grants Government agencies University money Non-profit organizations

The Introduction What is in an introduction? Your question / problem The advantages in solving that problem Information that persuades your reader that you’ve considered an interesting problem Always consider your audience

How to start Write about your preliminary proposal research question. What problem are you trying to pursue in your research proposal? Write about your preliminary proposal research question. A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex, and arguable question around which you center your research.

How to start Next… Write about the advantages associated with focusing on this problem. How many can you list?

How to start Finally, choose your audience A university? A client? The government? What kind of audience will be most interested in your problem and proposed solution?

The Four Rhetorical Moves Move #1: Find Common Ground What do most people already know about your problem? Summarize current opinions Current debates in the field What can you add to existing arguments?

The Four Rhetorical Moves Move #2: The Problem A problem has two parts: Destabilize “Yet” – “However” – “In contrast” NOT your main point “So what?”

The Four Rhetorical Moves Move #3: The Problem A problem has two parts: Costs/Benefits Explains the “So what?” Names the consequences Costs are negative Benefits are positive

The Four Rhetorical Moves Move #4: The Main Point Your main point or promise of a main point Your response to the problem New way of thinking Major themes in your proposal

References http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=8 1 http://www.projectengineer.net/how-to-write-an- engineering-proposal/