A proposal is a suggested approach, or a statement of intent and a request for agreement from another party.

A proposal is a suggested approach, or a statement of intent and a request for agreement from another party. Proposals help us think through some of the initial questions we’ll need to answer to get started on a project. A proposal isn’t a plan, exactly, but it\’s the start of one; in this case it\’s a request for feedback and ideas so that you can move forward with plans. By writing your ideas down and presenting them to someone else beforeyou begin major work on a project, you can anticipate potential problems by getting feedback and setting up for success. Like a blueprint to a building, it sets the plan before the building begins.

For this project, your proposal should be as detailed as you can make it while not investing too much time in any of the possible communities quite yet. Your project will likely change over the course of the next few weeks, so don’t view this document as a \”set in stone\” plan but rather as a potential plan. We’ll be completing a few project planning exercises that will help your plan develop from this initial stage.

The proposal gives you space to explore a few communities and consider, with the help of your instructor, which one might be best for this project.

READING

The proposal sample below is from a different writing class, for a research topic, so it\’s a bit different than your writing situation, but also somewhat similar. This sample proposal suggests an approach to a research topic, just as your proposal will suggest for another purpose. Use this sample to help you develop a structure, tone, and content for your own proposal.

Writing Sample: Writing a Proposal

Assignment

This \”Proposal\” should run approximately 250 to 500 words.

1) Choose 3 possible communities.

To begin this second project, select three potential communities you might like to study and write about. These can be communities you\’re already a part of, or they can be communities you\’re simply interested in studying. You’ll provide the information below for each of your three possibilities.

Communities are made up of people, so think about the places they interact. Be specific – print publications (like newspapers and magazines) is too broad, but perhaps a specific publication aimed at a community is specific enough. Entire online platforms (like Twitter, Twitch, Reddit) are also too broad — try to think of smaller, more focused communities.

Here is a list of communities students have selected in the past (you are welcome to choose one of these, but there are countless others that you may consider):

Owners of particular pets or pet breeds (reptiles, Labradoodles, cats, etc.)
Pre-Med students discussing applications to med schools
The people (dancers, teachers, students) who work in professional ballet
People who train/show horses professionally
Fans of author Ta-Nehisi Coates
The micro-skiff community (small boats)
Small-game hunters
Comic book fans (organized around specific publishers, franchises, or characters)
Car enthusiasts (fans of vintage cars, for example, or muscle cars, or electric vehicles)
Spouses and dependents of active or retired military members
Fans of particular sports teams (college or professional, international or domestic)
People discussing particular television shows (The Bachelor, Gilmore Girls, etc.) or particular kinds of shows (shows created by Shonda Rhimes, BBC murder mysteries, anime, etc.)
Foodies (people who write about food and share recipes)
Cancer survivor\’s community
Clubs and organizations here at USF

2) Where do these communities interact?

For each of your three possible communities, provide a link or brief summary of the spaces and genres in which members interact to help you and your instructor determine which community might make the best fit for this project.

Remember: Members of each community should be interacting with each other. An interactive community provides the opportunity for extensive analysis in this project.

3) How are you involved with these communities?

For each of these three communities, write a little about your own involvement. Is this a group you\’ve been a part of, a group you\’ve recently joined, or a group you have no history with and simply want to understand better?

4) Who do you think typically joins these communities?

Many communities may be open to any new members, but because communities form around common activities, values, circumstances, or interests, their members usually have a few things in common that help define that group. Explain those. Besides the main topic or interest of your community, what else might members have in common? What values is the community based on?

5) What kinds of writing do you expect to find in these communities?

For each of these communities, describe two or three of the typical kinds of communications or interactions you’ve seen (or imagine you’ll see) in that community? Do members answer questions, make jokes, debate issues, make lists, provide tips, or just talk about their days? What are the purposes for writing and communication?

If you have any trouble locating communities online, or if you\’re still unclear about what community you should study, the process of writing this proposal should help clarify your thinking. But also let your instructor know you if need help.

Requirements: 250-500 words.