Writing at Work

1. Writing at Work Proposing a Solution to a Problem

2. The Purpose • Identify a problem in your workplace and propose a solution.

3. The Scope • Requires you to argue persuasively in favor of your proposal. • Why is this a problem or issue in need of addressing? • How is your approach unique? • How will it serve the company’s goals and market direction? • Though the problem may be minor, it must be cast in the larger dynamic of the company.

4. The Parameters • How thorough is your plan? • What are its distinctive elements? • What are you requesting? • Resources? • Time? • Who approves these elements?

5. Recommended Reading • Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/ • Anderson text

6. Checklist and Hints • Study previous proposals, both in your field and outside. • Consider the visual elements – Remember, text layout is a visual design element as well. • What graphs, charts, diagrams will be needed? • Avoid clipart presentations, but do use visuals to enhance the meaning of your proposal.

7. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Identify a problem in your workplace. This can be an actual issue or a possible scenario. • Develop the Communication Context.

8. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Introduction: • Succinctly state what you propose to do. Problem: Make it clear to the reader how you will address the goal - Why is it important to your reader (which can be different from what it is important to you)?

9. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Objectives: • State the issues to be resolved for your solution to be successful. • Separate the objectives from the solutions. • State them in a succinct list.

10. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Solutions: • State your solution. • Describe the plan for achieving the objectives.

11. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Methodology: • What are your methods? • Provide a workable schedule, with milestones. (If you’re familiar with Project Management processes, this would the place for a Gantt chart. • Describe each phase. • What facilities, equipment, and resources are needed? • Make the steps clear - provide a chart for the schedule.

12. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Cost: • What are the costs? • Budget statement? • Costs of resources? • Estimate work-hours required and cost of additional staff, consultations, and salary. • Demonstrate a savings, if possible, resulting from the success of your project?

13. Checklist and Hints (Cont.) • Here is the bare minimum to include in your proposal: • Introduction • Problem • Solution • Costs • The minimum is not enough - this is the skeleton of the proposal. To do your topic justice, include all aspects of the proposal.

14. Persuasion – Strategies A proposal, to be successful, must be persuasive. Here are some steps outlined in the Anderson text and useful to your work.

15. Persuasion – Strategies (Cont.) • Understand the reader’s background: • Cultural - Academic fields - Previous research. • Evaluate bias your readers may have concerning your proposal.

16. Persuasion – Strategies (Cont.) • Learn: • Focus on the reader’s values. • Hone in on core beliefs as it relates to your proposal and the field.

17. Persuasion – Strategies (Cont.) • Address your reader’s concerns and prepare counter arguments. • Show that your reasoning is sound. • Organize to create a positive response. • Build a relationship with your reader.

18. Persuasion – Strategies (Cont.) • Ethics: • As emphasized throughout this course, apply an ethical approach to your proposal. Too often, ethics are ignored to the detriment of the field. • Have you presented your case truthfully and without embellishment?

19. Wrapping Up… • Read the assignment in Anderson. • What is your topic? • Complete the Communication Context. • As a supplement, I have added another list you might find useful as you work on the Communication Context. You’ll find it linked from the lecture page where you found this presentation. • Pay attention to the schedule (don’t let the deadlines sneak up on you).