Writing Proposal Arguments

Tutorial on writing proposal arguments for Freshman Composition college course.

1. Writing Proposal
Arguments
Dr. Alisa Cooper
Freshman Composition
South Mountain Community College

2. Proposal Claims
ask the audience to act in a
certain way - to do something
based on the information you
provide and the argument you
make, and the claims are often
stated as "should/should not"
statements.

3. Reasons
The reasons in the argument
justify why the action is to be
taken.

4. Presence
An argument is said to have
"presence" when the reader or
listener senses the immediacy
of the speaker/ writer’s words.

5. Appeal to Emotion
Should you choose to use an
appeal to emotion, consider
limiting it to your introduction
or conclusion.

6. Proponent of Change
•the current method of operation
isn’t working.
•even though it appears as though
the current method of operation is
working, it isn’t, or there is a better
way.

7. Predict Future
Consequences
You will need to try to predict
future consequences as
reasonably as possible.

8. Developing a
Proposal Argument
•Convince your reader that a problem
exists.
Establish Presence
•Show the specifics of your proposal.
•The justification: convincing your
reader that your proposal should be
enacted
•Touching the right pressure points

9. Special Problems of
Proposal Arguments
•Establish your authority through
ethos, pathos, and logos
Overcome the cautious or skeptical
nature of your audience.
•Predict future consequences.
Evaluate the consequences.

10. Taking Stock of
What you Have
•Will your Topic Work?
Does a real problem exist?
•Will my proposal really solve the existing problem
without causing bigger problems?
•Is there another, simpler means of solving the problem?
Is my solution really practical?
•What are the consequences and undetermined problems
associated with my proposal?

11. Writing Your
Proposal Argument
•Ask yourself the following questions:
Why is the problem a problem?
•For whom is the problem a
problem?
How will these people suffer if the
problem is not solved? (details)

12. More Questions
•Who has the power to solve the
problem?
Why hasn’t the problem been solved
up to this point?
•How can the problem be solved?
What are the possible benefits of
acting on your proposal?

13. Final Questions
•What costs are associated with your
proposal?
Who will bear these costs?
•Why should this proposal be
implemented?
Why is it better than alternative
proposals?

14. Organizing a
Proposal Argument
(Sample Outline)
I. Present the problem that needs to be
solve.
A. Describe the problemB. Provide a
history for the problemC. Argue that
the problem can be solved, but don't
solve it yet

15. Organizing a
Proposal Argument
(Sample Outline)
II. Present the proposal.A. Present your
claim (thesis)
B. Explain the specifics of the
proposal
B. Explain the specifics of the
proposal

16. Organizing a
Proposal Argument
(Sample Outline)
III. Provide a summary of the
opposing viewpoints. A. Counter
Argue: (this section can summarize
opposing solutions and discus why
they aren't valid)

17. Organizing a
Proposal Argument
(Sample Outline)
IV. Justification: Convince the reader that
the proposal should be adopted. A.
Solution is Feasible: Reason 1, presented
and developed B. Solution Solves the
Problem: Reason 2, presented and
developed C. Solution is the Best
Solution: Reason 3, presented and
developed etc.

18. Organizing a
Proposal Argument
(Sample Outline)
V. Conclusion
A. Restate Your Proposed Solution
B. Summarize main arguments C.
Entice your readers to act

19. Paper 3 Guidelines
•Write a 2-3 page paper that defines the problem for
your proposal paper. Use the information in this
presentation to help establish your "presence."
Use sources as much as needed, and be sure to cite
your sources using parenthetical notation. Use your
book as a guide.
•Include a works cited page with a list of the sources
used in this section of your paper.
If you're following the outline presented in this
presentation, you will only do section I.