WRA 453 Grant & Proposal Writing Fall 2005 Bill Hart-Davidson Session 9: Proposals - criteria for evalaution; P2 Guidelines

Evaluating proposals Talk about: 1.What makes a good proposal? Your criteria. 2.How did you apply these criteria in our exercise for session 8? 3.In what ways did you depart from your criteria?

Freed et. al’s list… 1.The proposers have established a foundation for a strong working relationship 2.The proposers understandn our situation 3.The proposers clearly understand the project’s objectives 4.The proposers have a logical methodology for achieving the objectives 5.The proposers have clearly communicated their qualifications needed to complete the project 6.The costs of the project are justified by the benefits

Project 1 Presentations R October 6th T October 11th 1.Name 2.Name 3.Name 4.Name 5.Name 1.Name 2.Name 3.Name 4.Name 5.Name

Project 2: Overview Engage in and document a proposing effort that fits one of the optional scenarios presented in class. Keep a comprehensive record of the interactions you undertake - oral and written - to make the proposal a success. When you finish, write a brief analysis of the rhetorical strategies you used, the genres you engaged, and the things you might have done differently.

Project 2: Scenarios 1.Suggest a change in policy or procedure that will require approval. 2.Request support for a new initiative. 3.Make an informal need shared by co- workers into a formal plan to be adopted by those involved. Choose an organization you are affiliated with, and:

Your deliverables… 1.A log consisting of all the contacts you make to ensure the proposal’s success. 2.Any proposal documents you create, and the drafts leading up to them. 3.Any other documents you produce along the way that do “proposing work” e.g. a presentation, a precis, a flyer calling a meeting, a handout at a meeting. 4.A self analysis of your proposing process, including discussion of the rhetorical moves you made, the genres you employed, the results of these, and what you would do differently

Choose something small The issue you choose to build your proposal around should not be a major one. You will have to wrap it up in a short amount of time. Examples: Option 1: Proposing a new review process for the WIDE center technical reports series. Option 2: Proposing a guest speaker series to A&L. Option 3: Proposing a cleaning schedule for fraternity house public rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms.

When is it due? The log – continuous updates (use a weblog?); I’ll check it regularly. All other stuff…including self-analysis, posted by 10/27. Note: this means that the proposing should be wrapped up in time for you to do the self- analysis.

Freed’s Caution: Proposals are not Reports Proposals argue “here is how we would go about answering your question.” Reports (e.g. recommendation reports) argue “this is our answer to the overriding question” The lesson: proposals explain how to answer a question…they don’t give the answer. A report gives the answer.

Choose something appropriate Option 1: Proposing a new review process for the WIDE center technical reports series. Not “here’s what the process should look like” but “here’s how we should go about determining the best process” Option 3: Proposing a cleaning schedule for fraternity house public rooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. Not “here’s the new cleaning schedule” but “here’s how we can create a cleaning schedule that everyone can live with”

You know your idea is good when… You are proposing methods to answer a question, not reporting results that come from performing those methods. You don’t know the answer already. You can’t get to the answer by yourself; you need the cooperation of the people you are proposing the idea to.