Peper View

PROPOSAL TIPS & HINTS

This document is divided into five sections:

SECTION I: PROPOSAL OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................ 1

SECTION II: GOALS vs OBJECTIVES vs TASKS ................................................................................................................................. 4

SECTION III: CLARIFYING THE PROJECT PLAN .................................................................................................................................. 5

SECTION IV: EXAMPLES OF TIMELINES .......................................................................................................................................... 7

SECTION V: REFINING YOUR PROPOSAL: A TROUBLE-SHOOTING CHECKLIST ....................................................................................... 8

SECTION I: PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

Important note about writing a proposal: Proposals are informative and persuasive writing because they attempt to

educate the reader and to convince that reader to do something (give you money). The goal of the writer is not only to

persuade the reader to do what is being requested, but also to make the reader believe that the solution (how you are

going to answer your question) is practical and appropriate. The effectiveness of your proposal will depend on your

ability to explain the nature, context and scope of your project and how you will achieve your goals.

As you are writing, ask yourself:

1) Is this information needed to understand how I will answer my question? If no – take it out!

2) Will this plan ACTUALLY answer my question (as it is written)? If no – rethink your plan or the wording of

your question!

Proposals are required to have the following sections. It is recommended but not required that you follow the listed

order. Sometimes a proposal flows better with sections in a different order; this is fine,...