Composing Your Proposal Points to Consider

Identify and Define the Problem

Problem: Parking at ASU There are not a sufficient number of parking spaces for students, faculty, or staff Students, faculty and staff are often late because they cannot locate an open space in their defined parking area Spaces are over-sold based on a formula that is no longer reasonable for a campus this size

Make a strong and Clear Proposal Claim

Proposal Claim: In an effort to maximize the available parking at ASU, ASU Parking Services should ban full-size trucks from all campus parking structures

Note the reasons why your proposal ought to be implemented

Reason: because full-size trucks present a safety hazard for pedestrians and drivers in the various parking structures on campus, and

Note the effects of instituting your proposal

Effects: because instituting such a ban would reduce the number of injuries and accidents and would also help “free- up” parking spaces since many such trucks occupy more than 1 parking space.

Explore Implications of the Claim Having established a claim, you can then explore its implications by drawing out the reasons and evidence that can support your claim most effectively

Relate the Claim to a Need or Problem Parking on the Campus of ASU is a serious problem; There are not enough parking spaces for a large urban campus to which most students, faculty and staff commute; Parking lots and structures are often full to overflowing. Full-size trucks too often take up more than one parking space

Relate the Claim to a Need or Problem Full-size trucks also obstruct the view of drivers and pedestrians in ASU parking structures; they present a safety concern and pose a serious danger; and Since they often occupy more than one space, they compound the problem of insufficient parking spaces.

Demonstrate that your Proposal is Feasible

Demonstrate that your Proposal is Feasible— Convince your readers with Good Reasons why your proposal is fair and will work: Banning full-size trucks from parking structures will not pose additional costs, nor will it necessarily infringe on the rights of those who drive such vehicles.

Offer a Solution if you have one

In order to facilitate this proposal, I suggest that ASU parking officials establish space for full-size trucks in all lots while banning them from all parking structures.

To Review: –Compose a claim that proposes a practice or policy that –addresses a problem or a need, –is action-oriented, –directed at the future, and –is appropriate to your audience.

Be Sure to: Incorporate statements that clearly relate the proposal to the need or problem.

Be Sure to: Provide evidence that the proposal will effectively address the need or solve the problem, and that it is feasible

Always Remember Your Audience Who are they? What do they know about the problem? What are their concerns? How best can you persuade them to follow your proposed course? What kinds of evidence will persuade them?

Additional Considerations: You may want to begin with some discussion that defines/describes the problem and does so in such a way as to draw-in or “hook” your readers You may also decide to open with your proposal and the various support you have for it and then demonstrate how it addresses a particular need or solves a particular problem

Essential Elements: –statement and discussion of the problem (includes background and purpose statement) –list of long-term and short-term objectives –statement and discussion of the proposed solution, including (as warranted): –an explanation of how the solution can solve the problem; –methods to be used and procedures to be followed; –personnel involved; –material equipment and facilities to be used; –amount of time required to implement the solution; –cost of solution.