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Proposal Structure Handout

The document provides a structured template for writing a proposal thesis, emphasizing the identification of a problem and proposing a single solution with supporting reasons. It outlines a step-by-step approach for crafting the proposal, including an introduction, detailed solution plan, reasons for the solution's effectiveness, and a concise conclusion with a call to action. The template encourages the use of research and personal stories to strengthen the argument and engage the reader.

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12 views3 pages

Proposal Structure Handout

The document provides a structured template for writing a proposal thesis, emphasizing the identification of a problem and proposing a single solution with supporting reasons. It outlines a step-by-step approach for crafting the proposal, including an introduction, detailed solution plan, reasons for the solution's effectiveness, and a concise conclusion with a call to action. The template encourages the use of research and personal stories to strengthen the argument and engage the reader.

Uploaded by

ewok612
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Proposal Thesis Template

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE: “If there was a problem, yo, I’ll solve it.”
THESIS TEMPLATE: “In order to address the problem of _______________________,
[someone] should [do something] because…[1-3 reasons why].”
 Propose only 1 solution idea.
 OPTIONAL IN THESIS: 1 to 3 reasons (or benefits) to explain why the solution will be
effective, easy, beneficial, have positive outcomes, or how negative outcomes can be
avoided.
 Reasons will become “body paragraphs” later in the essay.

Thesis Example: Because tennis balls are lightly used and then discarded, the HTC should
coordinate a local ball-repurposing program to give used tennis balls to charities in order to keep
them out of landfills and to avoid the cost of shipping them to national recycling programs.

Proposal Structure
STEP ONE: Introduction
Paragraph(s) - Identify the
Problem
Use any combination of the following
prompts in any order in any number of
paragraphs:

 *State exactly what the problem is.


Define key terms, laws, or current
controversies. Give the full background
of the current problem.

 *Argue the seriousness of the problem and how it affects people. Provide statistics and
data. Quote experts with credentials.

 Explain what causes the problem.

 Give a history of the problem (notable dates or people; reasons why the issue hasn’t been
solved).

 Explain who is most impacted: use a personal experience/story with “I,” news stories,
interviews, or statistics.

 Tell the story of other individuals or communities who tried to solve the problem and
explain why they failed.
 List the long-term effects or negative consequences if the problem isn’t solved.

 Hint: refer to your answers from the Explore-Your-Topic Activity and/or parts of
Reading Responses #3 and #4.

 Then, state your proposal plan as a response to this problem, which is your thesis
statement (in bold).

STEP TWO: the Solution Idea, or Proposal Plan


Use strong transitions and topic sentences; or consider using bold, ALL CAPS, or
numbered “headings” to navigate the reader through the essay. Use as many of the
following prompts as needed:

 *Provide a step-by-step detailed Proposal Plan for how to implement your solution.
Explain how the solution will be put into place or how to introduce these proposed changes
or “new rules.”

 Give all the details that make your plan unique. Give examples of the logistics, policies,
or procedures.

Include a timeline of events, or explain how quickly the solution can be put into effect.
Consider the long-term–how will this solution be continued into the future?

 Be honest about the scope of your solution. Many solutions cannot solve the problems
completely, so explain what portion of the problem you can solve and what portion of the
problem you can’t do anything about. Use percentages or local data to illustrate how much
of the problem will be taken care of.

 Tell a story about another individual or community who tried a similar solution and
how/why it worked for them (from news stories or a personal interview).

 *How much will the solution cost? How do you propose to pay for it? Why is the
solution worth the cost? How will the long-term costs be covered? What can be done to
make it more affordable? Use research to support the cost analysis.

 Hint: refer to your answers from the Proposal Plan Exercise that you already did for
homework.

STEP THREE: the Reasons (or the Benefits) for the Solution Idea
Choose 1-3 reasons or benefits to show why the solution is a good idea, why it will be
effective, why it will be simple, how it will be easy to implement, or how it will avoid
negative consequences (with research citations).
 Similar to traditional body paragraphs, this section should be concise (and might be
shorter than a normal paper). Refer back to the reasons from the thesis and/or explain
further benefits.

 Use topic sentences & transitions.

 Research could include similar solutions that have been tried elsewhere and how it
worked there.

STEP FOUR: Conclusion


 Keep it short. Quickly summarize your thesis.

 Summarize the main details of your solution (or the Proposal Plan).

 Call to action: call on a specific individual, group, organization, or particular leaders to


get up and actually do something to get the ball rolling, to get your solution started in the
real world.

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