ENG 204-001

1. For our proposal, we will adhere to the most basic format: Intro, body, conclusion. According to the chart, a proposal's body covers four parts - current situation, project plan, qualifications, and costs/benefits. For the purposes of the class, I don't believe that the "qualifications" and "costs and benefits" sections will be covered. Instead, we will give the intro and then talk about our project plans. We may analyze the current situation, however the applicability of this section is questionable.

2. When the commuter lounge on campus closed, I wrote a very long letter to the dean responsible questioning why the commuter lounge was shut down. It turned out that she (the dean) was using it as an office, although I never saw her in there. I came up with a proposal that would allow commuters to use the room during a small number of class hours. I had over 25 signatures from commuters on the proposal who wanted to see the lounge come back. However, the dean decided that she needed it as an office 24/7 and essentially ignored my proposal, or any further attempts to compromise.

1. The basic purpose of our task is to increase awareness of and attendance to the English in Action showcase. I think the best way to address this proposal is to highlight the problem and propose our potential solution. The primary problem in particular with the English in Action showcase is low attendance. A secondary, more general problem is that the administration ignores the English department and does not give it appropriate funding and access to technology. Our proposal might subtly touch on these issues, persuading the client by reaching out a helping hand. The type of structure that would best fit these goals would include mostly notes on the current situation and our project plan, since the qualifications and costs/benefits sections do not really apply to us.

2. I am currently thinking about writing a proposal to the City of Wilmington concerning the Cross-City Trail. This 10-mile paved path will connect various parks and recreation areas to the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge via Eastwood Rd. The proposed path cuts through a section of UNCW property—sand and pine straw trails that I run on almost daily with the track team. A few days ago, they cleared out a quarter mile stretch of trees and shrubbery to make room for a drainage system and to widen the path for paving. The city of Wilmington is trying to please its residents and offer better access to safe alternative transportation, but this section of the cross-city trail was already a beautiful soft trail. Paving it will take away the soft surface, which is better on runner’s knees and shins, while also hurting the ecosystem of the trails. I haven’t done anything yet because I just saw the destruction they did to my favorite running spot on campus, but I plan on writing a letter, starting a petition at the very least. I need to reach the person in charge and let he or she know that the real runners, the ones that would use this trail, are not happy at all with the project.

For our proposal for the service learning project, we definitely need to include a description of the current situation, just like the basic pattern says. We need to review the techniques that were used for the event in previous years and talk about how we can expand or add to those ideas. We also need a thorough description of what we plan to do. This will mainly be an outline of the marketing strategies we will use to get people to come to the event. I think we can leave out the qualifications section because everyone involved in the project is already qualified to take part in it. A cost and benefits section might be important in deciding which kind of media to use to market the event (for example, flyers instead of a huge poster).

The most recent kind of proposal that I have done is write an essay for a scholarship. The essay is probably the most important part of a scholarship application because it tells the reader who you actually are apart from your GPA. In most essays, I try to tell the reader what I intend to do with the money from the scholarship, what goals it will help me achieve, and why I am the most suitable candidate. Basically, a scholarship essay is like a proposal because it is trying to convince someone why they should do something that you want them to do.

For our group's service learning proposal it would benefit the client most to hear an introduction, the project ideas, and a project plan of action. Theintroduction will breif the assignment and how we intend to meet the expectations. When we discuss the project ideas, we can inform her of the different strategies we have come up with. And finally, we will tell her how we intend to put the ideas into action and what she can expect from them. The qualifications and cost and benefits sections desbcribed in the text aren't needed for our proposal because they do not apply to this project.

I made a formal proposal at my first long term job in high school. I proposed to my manager that I should get a raise. I listed out all the reasons why I deserved on and why it would benefit him to give me the pay I believed I deserved. My proposal work and I was given a 25 cent raise. woopie.

The obvious goal of our group's proposal will be to present our ideas for the project to the client in an informative and appealing manner. To do this we will probably use a format that will allow us to convey our ideas completely, covering every detail, advantage, and disadvantage. Obviously an intro stating our purpose and goals will be used to help the client get a general idea of how we plan to address this situation. Project plans will also be included, providing a detailed overview for each individual strategy. These project plans may also include a cost benefit analysis depending on relevance. A conclusion will finally tie everything together to solidify our plan as a whole and restate our goal.

The last big proposal made to my parents was asking for permission to get a motorcycle. During the end of last year I had a bike lined up and had been secretly saving money to buy it. I knew my parents were strongly against my getting a bike but i figured i would sit down and talk with them about it a see where i got. I told them about the bike i was looking at and how i had money saved. I told them how safe and responsible i would be and how i would take the motorcycle safety course at cape fear before i laid a finger on it. I even promised that i would not ride at night or in town often and would only use the bike for cruising around at the beach or out in the country far away from wilmington traffic. In the end my mom seemed accepting, barely. My dad on the other hand replied "Go for it! Get the bike... and I get to sell your car..." This was obviously a trade I could never make. In the end my proposal failed. I cant get a bike until i graduate college.

On page 592 of the Technical Communication Today, the basic pattern for a proposal consists of front matter, introduction, body-current situation, project plan, qualifications, cost and benefits-conclusion, and back matter. Throughout the body, graphics, such as pictures, tables, and graphs, can be used. The last two segments in the body-qualifications and cost and benefits-most likely will not be necessary for my group's proposal but this structure can be used as a sort of template. Simply proposing our ideas after introducing the event and situation should be sufficient, as long as it follows the introduction, body, and conclusion format.

This past summer, I made a formal proposal to a Wilmington Star News sports reporter for a job at the newspaper. I was familiar with her, being an area high school basketball player, so I sent her a Facebook message inquiring about possible job openings and opportunities. My message/proposal included why I was interested in working at the Star News and beneficiary skills and qualities I possess. She responded soon after that there was indeed an opening as a sports clerk, and mentioned that this would be a good way to "get my foot in the door" and possibly start a career in sports writing and reporting. Within a couple weeks, I completed an interview with the sports editor and was given the job.

1. I believe that the Service Learning Project proposal structure should be relatively simple and concise. An introduction should be present to shortly discuss what the proposal will be going over. We then need to discuss the current situation and the goals that we are trying to reach: bring the public's attention to the English in Action showcase, get the public interested in the showcase and the good that the English department has done and is doing, and get people to attend. A description of the project plan should be included and be specific. It should be explicitly stated what we as a group plan to do to achieve the goals of this project. At the end of the proposal, there should be a conclusion. This structure will help show exactly what our group intends to do, and by explicitly listing the steps we will take to achieve our goals, Ms. Manning will see that we have really put effort into thinking of the best ways to promote the English in Action showcase.

2. When I decided that I wanted to go to Nicaragua over spring break, I had to informally propose the idea to my parents. I had to show them that I was really serious about it, and that it wasn't impulsive. I told them that I would be willing to put money towards it, and explained to them how great of an experience it would actually be. I had to present them with explicit details and information about the trip, such as the group that was running it, the expenses, and who else would be going. After a while of talking, my parents finally realized that I was very serious about going, and they helped me with it.

From the workable model in TCT, I first don't think that the current situation section will be extremely detailed and developed. From year to year, students change that much in terms of deciding to attend an English showcase or not. Moreover, it is not the economic or political context that plays a key role in this decision-making process. Regarding the qualifications, I would think the same thing because what our client expects is a good product (outcome), which does not need to be a constant follow-up. Once the outcome is reached, there is no need to have talented people to take care of the maintenance. However, costs and benefits matter because we will not use our money and we need to convince our client using the famous triangle used in project management: cost, time, and performance.

As a child, I was constantly trying to negotiate with my parents and grandparents for gifts or nice games. I really loved to play and dreamed of having a PC instead of a Mac in order to play video games. I kept arguing for years but they refused for different reasons, some of them were not even related to me. However, I found a way to have influence on them: making them feel important or good. If I was making our lives looking like stories in which they could play the good role, they would reconsider their opinion. For example, advancing the fact that having a PC would make me more willing to help them for house cleaning or cooking made them smile and I am pretty sure this whole process was being effective. At the end, I never had a PC for personal reasons, but I was getting closer.

1) I think our groups structure will be most effective using much of the same as given by the book. We should explain the current situation, the English department needing to get the word out. Then we will explain how we plan on doing so and what makes us qualified to take on the certain project we will have chosen. The costs and benefits section doesn't necessarily apply, though the cost benefit is good since we are doing this for free.

2) The last time I proposed something was last year when I informally proposed my summer plans to my dad. I had propose my plans since I was short of funds. I proposed that I fly to Germany to hang out with family and friends and then most importantly go to the Alps in Italy/Switzerland to climb a few mountains. It helped that the proposal included him meeting me in the mountains to climb with me. The proposal was a success.

1) Our proposal for this project will be a solicited proposal that is close in structure to the sample on page 592. Obviously, the proposal for our project should have an introduction as well as a conclusion. There will be a slight difference in the information in the body compared to the sample. The Current Situation and Project Plan aspects will be used as a majority of the body with no relevance for any Qualifications. There will be a need for a Cost and Benefit section to cover how the our plan is going to benefit the client and their effort. The biggest difference is that there is no need for any qualifications to be listed because Ms. Manning knows that we are students and that no matter the level of qualification, all will try their best. Otherwise, you get a bad grade!

2) Being on a volunteer fire department for almost 4 years, I needed to invest in my formal uniform and badge wear soon. Several on the department had mentioned about changing the department standard of colors. I didn't want to buy a several hundred dollar uniform to current department specs if some where planning on changing it so I decided to make it a sure thing. I proposed to the Fire Chief that the department should discuss the topic in the next business meeting and vote on a standard, the current or a new one. At the meeting, members spoke up about the current standard and the uniform specs where changed to the majority's favor. I'm glad I didn't buy the old one!

For our group proposals, I feel that we can stick to the classic structure for the most part. Since the English in Action Showcase is a school related function, the Costs element can probably be left out unless we come up with something so major it requires some form of cost analysis or outside funding. A Qualifications section may also be unnecessary unless otherwise requested. For the group proposal, the best structure would begin with an Introduction, move into a brief mention of the Current Situation, breakdown the individual elements of the Project Plan (which for our group will include a description of the video we plan to shoot), a possible mention of our Qualifications to tackle the video (but not necessarily), and wrap things up with a Conclusion.

For my Eagle project as a Boy Scout, I had to perform some sort of service project. When the time came, I decided to build several picnic tables for the local Salvation Army. As part of the project I had to write up a proposal to present to the Eagle Review Board explaining what I was planning and why I thought it was a valid service project. The proposal was accepted and my troop helped me build two full-sized picnic tables for the Salvation Army. As far as I know, they are still in use by the facility.

1. The model on TCT page 592 gives a pretty good structure to follow in our own projects. In the English in Action project, I think it would be beneficial to include an introduction, a brief description of the current situation, project plan and conclusion. Cost and budget are not issues that really need to be covered because it is a class assignment. I'm not sure how graphics could be incorporated into this document, but I feel they could be an important visual tool. There are no other elements I can think to add other than maybe briefly looking at past advertising techniques that did not work very well. I think this proposal should be kept neat and to the point in regards to structure. The client is going to be looking at multiple proposals and they want to be able to find the information they need quickly.

2. I wanted a set of make-up, so I researched how the make-up worked and what it looked like. I gathered textual information and videos from YouTube of people using the make-up and showed it to my parents. They were hesitant at first, but after seeing all the information they were more comfortable in the investment and so they bought the make-up.

The goal of the service project is to increase the low attendance rates of the English in Action showcase. To do this we will need to use a format that allows us to show our ideas completely by covering all of the detail along with the advantages and disadvantages alike. The proposal should contain introduction, body, project plan, qualifications, cost and benefits, and the conclusion; but for this project we will not need the cost and benefits conclusion section because that does not apply to us for this project.

The last big proposal that I made was for a raise at the job that I am at now. I sat down with the General Manager and I explained why I deserve a raise. In the end she agreed and I got a 50 cent raise.

For Spectrum's Service Learning Project, I don't see much need for variance from the basic pattern as described on page 592 of TCT. The section for Qualifications may be less than stellar based on the simple fact that we are students rather than professionals. Certainly, we have received a good amount of practice in designing projects throughout this semester, but we - at least I - do not have a long list of accomplishments on which to base our worthiness. Descriptions of the Current Situation, Project Plan, and Costs and Benefits seem to be crucial to every proposal, no matter the qualifications. As a matter of form, Introduction and Conclusion are sections that should not be neglected either.

In 2000, I made a formal proposal to a non-profit organization based in the mountains of North Carolina to expand its reach into the coastal region. Having had no formal training at the time, I winged the format, but tried to include as much relevant information as possible. I ended up with an amateur but polished presentation including text and graphics with which I was not unpleased. The proposal received careful consideration, but ultimately the organization chose what they believed to be in its best interest, keeping their work local.

1) I know you said we would not be following the structure on page 592 exactly, but I don’t think our proposal will be structured very differently. Our basic purpose is to try to get people to come out to the English in Action showcase and the best way to address the proposal is to look at how things have run In the past. A thorough description of what we plan to do is also necessary. We also want to present our ideas in a professional and appealing manner. The only section I noticed that may not apply is the section regarding qualifications…since we are students and were not hired for this job, that is not relevant. The proposal from our group will include detailed descriptions of each promotional item we are going to include.

2) Last semester I had to get in a certain class that was a prerequisite for a class that was only being offered this semester. I had to write a professional email to three teachers who were teaching the class at the time, and ask them to allow me to take their class. The outcome was positive because two of the three teachers said they would open up their class for me so I ended up getting in. I think my professional language and urgency helped with the proposal.

As Dr. Tirrell points out, the structure that TCT outlines in Chapter 21 is not entirely applicable to our class project. I think the guidelines should be followed in the introduction which should consist of a subject, purpose, main point, importance of the subject, background information, and map for the rest of the document. The current situation description is not needed unless we want to mention something about the old logo. A description of the project plan is the essential bit. Each group needs to figure out the W's - what they are doing, how they are doing it, and when they will have it ready - for themselves just as much as for Ms. Manning. The qualifications bit is unecessary because this is a (solicited?) proposal. Costs and benefits may be necessary (although I don't know if we will be able to provide exact numbers) because if a project is too elaborate and too expensive it might need to be modified. Benefits definitely need to be stressed. Graphics may be used as well.

In 6th grade I really wanted a hamster because my best friend down the street had one. So we plotted and schemed for days, walking around the neighborhood, discussing rhetoric strategies and what not. We finally decided the best way was to first do a lot of extra chores around the house, (she agreed to help) and when my confused parents asked me what I wanted I would just say: I wanted to help out more. We tried this for a day and I was always on my best behavior. Then we approached my step-dad (my mom was much more strict) and I explained to him essentially the costs and benefits of a pet hamster. He was impressed by my precocious use of strategy and granted my request. I soon had a tiny fluff ball of a hamster, Marshmallow, to call my own.

1. I think our structure will be similar to the one defined in the book, because we will likely be using graphics to reinforce our work and because our proposal will obviously contain an introduction and a conclusion. I am still not sure what project(s) our group is specifically going to take on, though, so we may not require an extensive body or even the aid of graphics to enhance our proposal. For example, if we were planning to create a brand for the event, our proposal would be heavily based on graphic presentation. However, if we were charged with creating the program for the event, our work would include some aesthetics but our main focus would be on communicating the necessary information effectively.

2. Believe it or not, my dad was extremely hesitant to let me take Driver's Education in high school. I had to wait until I was almost sixteen to take the class, even though you are eligible at fourteen and a half. It took me a long time to convince him that it would make his life easier to be able to send me to the grocery store or to pick up my younger siblings from school or sporting events. He finally saw the light when he realized that he could get a lot more done at work if he didn't have to worry about my brother and sister getting to where they needed to be. Unfortunately I did not get my license until my senior year of high school was more than half way over, but at least it happened eventually.