The Proposal project focuses on collaborating with your group to compose a proposal to write a recommendation report for improvements to a website.

Length

Write or compose as much as you need to, but be sure to include all of the required information. Generally proposals for this assignment are 4 to 6 pages in length. There is no specific length requirement. Just be sure to cover how to complete the task fully.

Project Criteria

My Group’s Proposal . . .

• Is written in standard memo format and document design, with appropriate spacing, headings, and page numbers, including the following:
  • Single space within section paragraphs.
  • Double space between sections and between paragraphs.
• Includes the following sections:
  • An Introduction section that
    • Draws the reader in by providing facts, telling a story, or another strategy.
    • Persuades the reader(s) to read the rest of the proposal and ultimately to approve the project.
    • Introduces the subject of your team management project, providing the name of the website and linking to it.
    • Ends the introduction with a purpose statement that indicates the following:
      • Why you are writing, touching on your overall evaluation of the original website’s usability.
      • What is included in the rest of the proposal as an Advance Organizer.
      • How accepting the proposal will effect the website’s rhetorical success and overall usability.
  • A Project Overview and Rationale (Justification) section that
    • Reintroduces and provides information about the intended subject of your Recommendation Report.
    • Explains the following details of your proposal (improving the website you’ve chosen):
      • Define the subject of your project.
      • Indicate what the project involves
      • Explain why the project is important.
    • If desired, use screenshots from the website to demonstrate places that need improvement.
    NOTE: This will be the longest section of the proposal.
  • A Project Methodology/Resources section that
    • Indicates the methods your group plans to use to conduct research into the projected subject (interviews, online research, questionnaires, surveys, traditional research methods).
    • Describes any key information (i.e., articles, books, videos) that you know you will be using and provide a brief summary of each.
  • A Project Audience section that
    • Identifies the specific audience(s) to whom the Recommendation Report will be addressed.
      Tip: The audience is not me (Traci). It is the person who can decide to implement the ideas in your Recommendation Report.
    • Indicates what considerations you must make for this audience (such as language, visuals, and so on).
  • A Project Personnel section that
    • Provides brief bios of your group members with their names.
    • Indicates the roles each team member will fulfill for the Recommendation Report.
    • Emphasizes how each of you is qualified to pursue this subject.
  • A Project Timetable section that
    • Introduces your schedule with some general details on the most significant dates.
    • Establishes a rough deadline for each major stage of the project.
    • Includes a Gantt chart.
      Tip: Be sure that your Gantt chart is large enough to be read easily. If necessary, include the chart on a separate page and turn that page only to Landscape Orientation.
  • A Conclusion section that
    • Reiterates your subject and the reasons it’s important.
    • Provides contact info for the team leader so that the reader can follow up with questions and let you know if your proposal is approved.
• Uses graphics and design elements that will make the subject and the document itself more visually enticing to the reader and hold their attention. These can include:
  • bullet lists
  • headings and subheadings
  • color
  • font type, weight, and size
  • horizontal rules
  • boxes
• Includes at least one illustration (e.g., a photo, a drawing), following these criteria:
  • Uses as many visuals as needed to make the subject compelling.
  • Does not add decorative illustrations.
  • Includes textual references to visuals.
  • Wraps text around visuals.
• Uses footnotes to cite any sources used in the proposal, using whatever style system your group is most comfortable with. Be consistent and use the same style throughout.