Informal proposals, because they are internal documents, typically written as memos, have a much less rigid structure. The outline below provides a useful starting point.

Note that the you do not necessarily need to use the subject headings as defined; you can modify or adapt them to the needs of each project, choosing only the essential information, and designing the document (including section and subsection titles) appropriately.

You may find, after outlining your rhetorical situation and defining your problem, that you only need to write a short memo. However, even in such cases, you probably still need to answer many (if not all) of the questions listed below.

Introduction

Key questions: What is the purpose? What problem needs solved? What are the limitations on the proposal and why?

The Introduction normally covers

• Purpose - In brief, what are you proposing and what are you requesting? What's the bottom line?
• Problem Statement - clearly define the problem you're trying to solve, focusing on your audience's needs and goals
  
• Background - Include any background information on the project that your audience needs.
• Scope - Define the scope of your project - how much material will you cover?

Discussion

Key questions: What is the proposed solution? How will the solution solve the problem? What tasks will be performed?

The Discussion normally covers

• Planned Approach - How are you going to solve the problem?
  
• Result - What is your final product, and how will it resolve the problem?
  
• Statement of Work - Outline the specific tasks involved in the project. What, exactly, are you going to do?

Resources

Key questions: (Who will do the work? What are their qualifications? What other resources will they need/use?

The Resources normally cover

• Personnel - How many people are involved? What are their qualifications?
  
• Facilities & Equipment - What other resources (equipment, internet access, etc.) are involved?
  

Costs

Key question: How much money and/or time will be required to solve the problem?

The Costs normally outline

• Budget - How much will it cost? The budget should provide a detailed breakdown of expenses for the reader.
• Project Timeline - How long will it take? The timeline should include all major tasks, as well as milestones and key deadlines, with time estimates for each item. Gantt charts are particularly helpful here.

Conclusion

Key question: What are the benefits/risks of the proposed solution?

The Conclusion normally provides a summary of the entire proposal, along with information on who to contact for mor details.

The Writing Process: Drafting your proposal-->