Student Name Teacher Name Class Name Date Proposal Structure – Basic Outline I.
Student Name
Teacher Name
Class Name
Date
Proposal Structure – Basic Outline
I. Introduction
a. Summarize the details of the problem.
i. What is the problem?
ii. Who does it affect/ what are the effects?
b. End with a thesis that presents your proposal.
II. Provide a detailed history of the problem. Give your audience background on the
issue.
a. What is the root cause of the problem?
b. What happens if we don’t fix this problem?
c. What have others tried (previous solutions)? Why don’t they work? Or why isn’t
that enough to fix the problem?
III. Present your proposal in detail (your solution). Explain how it would address the
problem, and exactly how your proposal would work.
a. You need to think about the logistics – money, manpower, workability.
b. Identify and discuss what research, facts, data support your solution.
IV. Address the opposing views. What problems might others see in your proposal?
Address those and explain why your solution is the best solution to the problem.
a. For example: Some may suggest that this solution will not work because
__________; however, __________.. Conclusion: summarize the main points of your proposal/argument. This is a good
place to give your audience something to do to make your proposal a reality (you can
have the audience take a survey, hand out a flyer, give them a place to contact, etc. –
their call to action)
*Think about your audience – what kind of information do they need? What will be convincing to
them? Think about your audience as you work to use ethos, pathos, and logos (establish your
credibility-authority, appealing to your audiences’ emotions-get them to feel/care about your
issue, and reasoning with the audience-valid argument).
*Cite evidence/references using proper MLA formatting (Works Cited page).
Works Cited
Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article or Webpage.” Name of Magazine or Website, Date
Published. URL Link. Accessed Date.
Next source author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of Article or Webpage.” Name of Magazine
or Website, Date Published. URL Link. Accessed Date.