Proposal Arguments--Overview

Basics Regarding Proposal Arguments

— Proposal arguments are the most common type of argument, particularly, in the real-world environment of jobs.

— There are two types of proposal:

                                                            i.      Practical Proposal

                                                         ii.      Policy Proposal

1.    Practical Proposal

a.    • Practical proposals call for action to solve some specific local or immediate problem.

b.   • They are usually narrow and concrete.

2.  Policy Proposal

a.    • Policy proposals, in contrast, put forth broad plans of action to solve major social, economic, or political problems of general concern.

— A proposal is, by definition, a persuasive message.

— General purpose is to convince the reader that what you propose is viable—therefore, you must argue your point of view

·         Carefully and clearly, with specific steps to the proposal for changing the social issue…

·         Identify important, controversial problems that need solving in the various communities to which you belong OR

·         Research and learn about the assigned controversial issue

·         Consider who has the power to act on your proposal and what are the constraints preventing action

·         Consider what has been done in the past—and worked or not

·         Consider what others are proposing and how your proposal will be new and innovative compared to the typical proposal on the issue.

·         Generate ideas for your proposal argument by thinking about the issue from a personal, local, and global viewpoint

·         Choose an effective way to organize your proposal argument that

§  CONVINCES your audience of the problem

§  PROPOSES your solution

§  JUSTIFIES your proposal

§  CONFRONTS opposing views

To convince someone of your point of view, you have to prove that your suggestion is appropriate and adoptable.

— Therefore, arguments are used in proposals

There are six main Strategies to strengthen proposal argument

a.    — Demonstrate your Knowledge

b.   — Provide Concrete Information

c.     — Research the Competition

d.   — Prove its Feasibility

e.    — Make it Plausible and Practical

Everything you write should show the reader that you have

1.    Knowledge

2.   Experience [relating re-world principles and biblical-worldviews]

3.   Ability to Solve the problem

— Proposal should be:

o Appropriate

o Feasible

o Workable

— …according to the audience capabilities and resources

— Follow the three-part proposal structure:

o DESCRIPTION of the problem,

o Proposed SOLUTION

o JUSTIFICATION for the proposed solution

— Give your argument immediacy through

o Details

o Scenes

o Examples

— Consider [public opposition] and use strategies to overcome it

— Predict consequences and evaluate consequences of certain courses of action [or in-action]

Revise your proposal argument by:

—        Answering objections that

a.     Deny the problem

b.    Protest the effectiveness or cost of your solution

                                                            i.      Anticipating counter-proposals

NOTE:

1.     — Avoid vague unsupported generalization.

2.   — Provide quantifiable details.

3.   — Describe the problem by answering What Why Where When & How.

4.   — Provide step-by-step solutions to the problem.

5.    — Tell how much money the proposed solution will cost and what it can save [if not in $$$, in lives, health, family unity, etc.].

6.   — Give details on [WHO will be in charge of getting the] job done.

1.     • Know Products, Services & Prices [when known/possible—through experts]

2.   • Use scholarly publications & credible Internet

3.   • Find Possible Alternatives

4.   • Manage to emphasize the feasibility of your proposal.

© 2018 Jeanette L. H. Dick

For Educational Purposes Only

Always seek Clarification from your Instructor

Proposal Arguments

Created by NaomanSaeed

Published on Mar 8, 2012

Published in: Education, Technology by Educational Services Online