Topic: The purpose of this assignment is to write a proposal to do your final paper for this class, or to do the project that will lead to that paper, if thatís more sensible for your scenario.

Audience: Choose an audience (not me, please) who would be appropriate for the scenario that you and I discussed in conference. For example, if your final paper will be a journal article, the audience for the proposal would be the editor of that journal. Even if your situation is hypothetical, make up a specific name and title for the audience. Assume that your proposal is unsolicited, unless your scenario specifically dictates otherwise.

Length: Write as necessary to cover the point below, probably 2-3 typed, double-spaced pages, including the figure.

General Suggestions: Use the format guide that begins after this section. Before you begin to write, be sure to read Chapter 15 of Markel; thatís an excellent chapter on proposals, and parts of the outline below correspond directly to it.

Beginning with the introduction, use numbered heading for each section begin even a section thatís essentially an outline (2.2) or a figure (3.3) with an introductory sentence, because even though itís clearly divided, your document should also cohere as a whole.

Format Guide

Page 1: Cover Sheet. Arranged in some appealing way on the page, the following information should appear:

A Proposal Submitted to

_______[name and title of audience]________

[Title of Proposal]

Starting date: [of proposed project]
Completion date:

Principal Investigator
Name:
Signature:
Telephone:
E-mail:
Fax:

Page 2: Abstract or Project Summary. Beneath the heading, write a concise statement summarizing your proposal. Remember that sometimes reviewers make first cuts on proposals based on this section, which cannot double as the introduction. Include

• What you're proposing
• Hhow you'll go about doing the job
• Wwhat the benefits will be

Page 3 and following, as necessary: Text of the proposal.

1. Introduction. A classic formula for introducing a technical document is a problem statement, or a CPO plan: Context, Problem, and Objectives.

• Context: into what larger subject does your topic fall?
• Problem: Is some group or person in the context you've mentioned above having a problem that you can help solve? Is there a dearth of information on your subject? Has some work been done that needs to be reported? Do people need to learn how to do something?
• Objectives: How will what you're proposing to do help remedy the problem?

2. Technical plan

2.1 Description. How will you accomplish the objectives noted in the
Introduction?

2.2 Proposed outline. Include here a tentative but fairly thorough
outline for the final paper.

3. Management plan

3.1 Personnel. Cite the qualifications that you, as principal
investigator, have for this project.

3.2 Organizational Support and Resources. These may include
library, labs, faculty members, other students, and any other
resources available to you. If youíre using library materials,
please give bibliographic entries for a few specific ones. If you
plan to use the final paper in another class, specify which one.

3.3 Schedule. Display this information in a task-by-time graph
shows real time on one axis and at least the following tasks on the
other: collect information, organize material, write rough draft,
edit, prepare final copy, prepare figures, proofread. Markel
shows one such graph on p. 486; you're free to design others.