Proposal

PROPOSAL STRUCTURE
 Introduction
 Current Situation
 Suggestions
 Final Recommendations
 
►INTRODUCTION
The aims of this proposal are to...
This proposal evaluates....
This proposal is intended to present the...

►Main Paragraphs:
►start each paragraph with one of the following:
One idea put forward is to organise/hold.....
Another suggestion is to organise/hold......
A third idea is to organise/hold.....
►Then give a brief description of the event; highlight its strengths then its
weaknesses.
This has certain advantages/strengths such as.........
However, one possible drawback/disadvantage could be..........

►Making recommendations:
 I strongly recommend/suggest buying new chairs so that students are more comfortable.
 I recommend/suggest that we buy new chairs so that students are more comfortable.
 It would (not) be advisable / practical to…
 Perhaps the most effective way to.....
 With regard to…, the general view seems to be…

►Use a gerund
 Buying new chairs would be a great way to increase students’ comfort.
 Investing in new chairs would lead to an increase in student comfort.

►Use a passive
 New chairs should be bought so that students are more comfortable.
 It is believed/obvious that investing in new chairs would lead to an increase in student
comfort.

►Use an advanced conditional

 If we were to invest in new chairs, students would be more comfortable.
 Were we to invest in new chairs, students would be more comfortable.
 ►It would be + adjective
 It would be advisable/practical to invest in new chairs in order to increase student
comfort.

►Effect of changes
 Installing new chairs would lead to/give rise to…
 Building a new common room would provide students with a place to unwind.
 Improving the metro service would enable more residents to use public transport.
 Investing in… would undoubtedly have a positive effect on…
 Refurbishing the library would be extremely beneficial for the whole school.
 Having more… would do wonders for the school’s reputation in the local area.

►Conclusion: In the conclusion you need to offer your recommendation:

To sum up,…To conclude,…
I strongly recommend .............. due to..........
My recommendations are as follows:…
It is recommended that…
►Finish with: Should these recommendations be carried out, the event is bound to be a
resounding success.

A report: A proposal:

Written to someone with authority (e.g.
manager, boss, director, public official, etc.) or
peer (e.g. colleague, associate, classmate, etc.)
Formal in register : impersonal, objective,
avoids personal opinion and emotion. Uses the
passive form.
Writer uses language related with expressing
opinion, listing reasons, making
recommendations
Written to people who can take action or affect
outcome
Has headings
The general purpose of a report is to identify a
specific problem, explain it objectively and
recommend action that will lead to a solution.
Written to someone who needs to make a
decision usually which involves spending or
investing money (e.g. a client or customer, a
committee, someone responsible for finances
within company or organization, etc.)
Usually formal in register, but could also be
semi-formal when addressed to a committee of
peers
Writer uses language in such a way that he is
persuasive, besides listing reasons and making
suggestions
Written to someone whose decision will
directly benefit the writer in some way (e.g.
writer is a salesperson)or a group writer
belongs to (e.g. a local amateur athletic team
that needs support)
Has headings.
The general purpose of a proposal is to 
indentify a particular need, explain it and
recommend how this need can best be met.