BASIC PROPOSAL OUTLINE                                                               Phil Druker

This proposal will prepare you to write the final essay and other related assignments for this class.

In your proposal, you need to define the problem your final essay will solve for your readers (their lack of information about some specific topic).  In the proposal, you will tell the who, what , when, where, why, how of the situation your final essay will deal with.  So, you will want to give all the necessary historical background, define important terms, and explain the theory behind the situation.  Then, you will give a plan for addressing your readers’ lack of information.  This plan will be the outline of the final essay plus a list of sources you will use to develop your essay.

I. Introduction

A. Background==use the place assignment (revise and add to do the following)
                    --explain the situation
                    --show what created the problem
                    --show why the problem is important
                    --explain the general theory
                    --define basic terms
                    --use creative non-fiction techniques

B. State the problem
                    --ask a question your final essay will answer
                    --define the audience for your final essay (who needs the information?)

II. Solution

A. Objectives
                    --state the main point of your final essay (as you see it now) (thesis)
            **    --give an outline of your final essay   
                    --explain what you will create to solve the problem
                    --show how your essay will solve the problem    

(B. Scope--explain the limits of your project)

C. Methods
                    --explain what you will do to create your final essay
                    --what places will you visit, whom will you interview,
                        what kind of library research will you complete?
                    --list your sources  (at least four sophisticated sources)
                    --summarize each source briefly <see information on this summary>
                    --explain how each source will help you produce one of your objectives

III. Credentials
                    --explain what expertise you have that enables you to write well
                         about the topic of your final essay

IV. Conclusion
                    --show the potential value of your project
                    --emphasize your project’s feasibility
                    --explain the benefit of the project
                    --urge your reader to action
                    --persuade your reader to accept your proposal

V. References

--cite your sources

After the proposal is done, you will base your final paper and the other assignment that comprise it on the ideas you present in your proposal.  This proposal should be about 5 to 6 pages.

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