This week, the main reading assignment was “Proposals” from Pearson Education. The first section of this reading, The Rhetoric of Proposals, describes how a proposal is a document that is pretty much asking for something, which is usually money. In order for the proposal to seem credible and needed, you must convince the audience that there is a problem and that your idea will add value, is significant and is worth doing. When addressing the audience you should consider them to be skeptical. Usually, they know that something needs to be done, but they need to be convinced that the project is worthwhile. Also, the first section addresses the fact that the proposal needs to make you look credible. When creating a proposal, you cannot afford to look sloppy or unprepared. If a person views your proposal as either one of these, they are more than likely to think that you work will be the same way and are less likely to approve your proposal.

The second section, Types and Contexts, addresses whether a proposal is solicited or unsolicited and formal or informal. A solicited proposal comes about when client has a need and publishes a request for proposal. They then collect various proposals from people and decide which one best fits their needs. In an unsolicited proposal, the client needs to be convinced that there is a need and then they receive a proposal for how to fix it. Then, these proposals can be formal of informal. An informal proposal could even include verbal exchanges such as an employee verbally asking their boss for money to attend a conference.

The final section, not including the example proposal, describes what should be included in a proposal. Depending on the nature of the proposal, the sections that need to be included can very greatly. Also, the length of a proposal can have a wide range depending on its nature. Something very formal could require a whole section addressing a budget.