Assignment: Writing a persuasive proposal letter

Part 1: Draft Proposal Letter

This assignment has three parts: a draft proposal letter, an annotated bibliography, and a revised proposal letter.
1)Draft Proposal Letter (10%)
Write a persuasive letter asking a person, company, or organization to change a policy, program, or behaviour. Your topic can arise out of a personal experience (a negative encounter you have had, a problem in your workplace, an issue you are worried about in your community, etc). Your proposed solution must be realistic and achievable.


1. DRAFT LETTER/PROPOSAL (10%)

1.1  IDENTIFY YOUR AUDIENCE, PROBLEM, SOLUTION, AND POTENTIAL RESEARCH AREAS
Your letter must be addressed to a real person at a real place and deal with a real issue (you are submitting the letter to me for grading, but you may choose to send your revised version to the real person when this assignment is finished).

What problem are you identifying in this letter? How much does your reader know about this problem already? How much will you have to explain?

What do you want the reader to do about the problem? Why should the reader accept your proposal?

What research might be helpful in convincing the reader to consider your problem and proposed solution?

1.2  DECIDE ON THE APPROPRIATE STYLE/STRATEGIES
Based on your purpose, audience, and message, decide what style and tone will be most effective in appealing to your reader. How will you establish a relationship or common ground with the reader? How will you support your argument? How will you establish your credibility?

1.3  WRITE A DRAFT
First paragraph: Begin with your purpose; tell your reader why you are writing. Consider whether you need to introduce yourself to the reader and how to frame your message.

Remaining paragraphs: The following sections might be helpful for the rest of your message:
?Background. What situation led to the writing of this letter? What is your personal connection to the problem?
?Problem. How will you present the problem to your reader? Will it help to situate the problem in a larger social, economic, or political context? (Possible research area)
?Proposed solution. What are you requesting? Propose a specific, realistic solution. (Possible research area)
?Benefits. Who will benefit from the change? How will the reader (and his/her organization) benefit from the change? (Possible research area)
?Challenges or obstacles. What is standing in the way of your proposed solution? What objections will the reader have? Addressing these obstacles strengthens the persuasiveness of your message.
?Conclusion. Here you might want to summarize your key points. How do you want to end the proposal letter? How do you want the reader to respond?