Choose a problem that is important or interesting to you and propose a solution to it. Your proposal should include the following elements:
A claim that proposes a practice or policy to address a problem or need
A claim that is oriented toward action, directed at the future, and appropriate to the audience you are addressing.
An appropriate explanation of both the problem and the significance of your proposal.
Statements that clearly relate the proposal claim to the problem or need.
Evidence that the proposal will effectively address the need or solve the problem, and that it is feasible.
A consideration of alternative proposals and conditions for rebuttal.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FINDING A TOPIC
Consider practical problems at Kean University; your high school; your city or town; your place of work; your hobbies, etc. Although you are free to pick your own topic, you might find it useful to write a practical proposal related to your education or life here at Kean University. Possible practical proposals include:
A proposal to improve the quality of advising for students in your major.
A proposal to improve the ESL program
A proposal to improve the international student exchange program.
A proposal to improve safety conditions in a particular building or facility.
A proposal to change a rule at your dormitory.
No matter what type of proposal you decide to write, you must include a cover letter with the name and address of an individual who has the authority to enact your proposal. You can address this cover letter either directly to this individual or you can address it to your fellow students urging them to contact this authority to express support for your proposal. If you are writing a policy proposal based on a social issue, you may name your senator or representative as the individual capable of taking action, but it must be the correct senator or representative for your voting district.
Think small! Don't, for example, propose changes to the health care system; instead, consider, proposing a change to the appointment system at your local doctor's office. The smaller your issue, the more manageable it will be. Your goal is to persuade a specific audience (which you will need to research) that your proposal needs to be enacted to solve or improve a particular problem. You are hoping your proposal will at least be acknowledged by its audience, and at the very best be adopted. You need to write to someone who can do something about the solution or who can pass your proposal on to someone who can; otherwise, your effort will be wasted.
METHOD OF APPROACHING PROPOSAL
Brainstorm to find a narrow, local issue which is a problem for you.
Brainstorm and research who the right audience would be for your proposal. Find someone who can implement your proposal or pass it on to someone who can do something about the problem. Use your own research (interviews, surveys, graphs, polls) and library research. Document your sources accurately both in your text and in your Bibliography. Your research should show that other problems like yours exist in the world, that people are concerned about them, that they are serious, that there are counterarguments and criticisms to your solution, and that there are solutions that have been enacted to solve these problems.
WRITING YOUR PROPOSAL
General Comments
Use arguments from the heart and values.
Use details and vivid examples (if possible, of real incidents and your own personal experience).
Create credibility by looking at the problem objectively, not as a complainer.
Introduction
Describe the problem, its background/history, and its significance.
Convince your audience that it's a real problem and something needs to be done about it. Sometimes, a reader might initially respond by saying, "Oh that stuff again." So you need somehow to make it personal or show how it affects the reader.
Present your proposal (thesis statement) concisely.
Body
General comments: After showing a problem really exists in the introduction, you need to show your solution, one which is solvable, doable, & practical. If some people may be skeptical, this is a good place to first insert opposing viewpoints, before continuing on with your own proposal.
Solution proposal
Explain your proposal in detail (with step-by-step specifics) how your solution works: how much money it will cost, who will be responsible for implementing it, how easily it can be implemented, how much time it will take to set it up and make it work, what kinds of materials and labor are needed to make it work, how it addresses the problem, etc.
Use causal arguments: Show how 1 consequence will lead to another until the problem is solved.
Use analogy: Perhaps your solution or a similar one has been successful elsewhere.
Use precedent: Perhaps your solution or a similar has been successful in the past. If a similar solution was not successful, show how your situation is different so that the solution will now work in your situation.
Justification
Give reasons for enacting the proposal (other than those which relate to its being able to solve the problem by giving arguments from the heart and from values.
Convince your audience that the solution should be enacted and is worth enacting.
Show how the benefits of your solution outweigh the costs. If the costs are high, appeal to the values of the audience by showing that your proposal will lead to actions that leads to consequences that are valued by your audience.
You must address the audience who has the power to make changes. How can you influence them? Find pressure points. Writing Arguments (p. 314) gives the example of where an administration redecorated an office for $100,000, but couldn't find $25,000 to get disabled students access to the same building.
Summary and rebuttal of opposing views
(This section may go before the solution proposal & justification.)
Describe three counterarguments to your solution, including other proposals for this problem.
Write three rebuttals, one for each counterargument.
Conclusion
Sum up main points and state your case clearly and directly, so that your audience (who will always oppose or be neutral to your point of view) feels like he or she should really do something about the problem you have outlined, preferably adopt your proposal.
1. Describe the problem clearly and give your solution for the problem.
2. State why it is important.
3. Identify and describe your audience (who you would give your proposal to).
4. Briefly discuss the difficulties you foresee in persuading this audience to adopt your proposal (e.g., defending the need for change, demonstrating the feasibility of your solution).
5. List the kinds of research you intend to do.