introduction of proposal essay

📕 Studying HQ

Ultimate Guide to Writing a Proposal Essay

Carla johnson.

• June 14, 2023
• How to Guides

If you’re a student, it’s likely that you’ve been asked to write a proposal essay at some point. A proposal essay is an academic piece of writing that tries to persuade the reader to do something or take a certain point of view. In this article, we’ll show you the best way to write a proposal essay that gets accepted.

What You'll Learn

What is a proposal essay?

A proposal essay is a type of academic writing in which the writer suggests an idea or solution to a problem and then backs up that suggestion with evidence. The proposal can take many different shapes, but it usually involves pointing out a problem or issue , suggesting a solution or course of action, and giving evidence to back up that solution or action.

Why are proposal essays important?

Proposal essays are important because they give students a chance to look into tough problems and come up with solutions that could change the world. By writing a proposal essay, students learn how to find and analyze information, think critically , and explain their ideas clearly. These skills are useful not only in school, but also in a lot of professional settings.

Thesis statement

In this article , we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to writing a proposal essay that will help you win over your audience and get your proposal accepted. We’ll cover everything from choosing a topic to formatting your essay , so you can be sure that you’re presenting your ideas in the most persuasive and effective way possible.

Choosing a Topic

Before you can start writing your proposal essay, you need to choose a topic. There are several factors to consider when choosing a topic, including your personal interests, the scope of the project, and the needs of your audience. Here are some tips to help you choose a great proposal essay topic:

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Topic

1. Your Interests: Choose a topic that you are passionate about or interested in. This will make the research and writing process more enjoyable and engaging.

2. Relevance: Choose a topic that is relevant to your audience or community. This will make your proposal more compelling and increase the likelihood of it being accepted.

3. Feasibility: Choose a topic that is feasible within the scope of your project . Make sure you have access to the resources and information needed to effectively research and support your proposal.

Brainstorming Techniques

Once you have considered these factors, it’s time to start brainstorming potential topics. Here are some techniques to help you generate ideas:

1. Mind Mapping: Create a visual map of your ideas, starting with a central topic and branching out into related subtopics.

2. Freewriting: Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write down everything that comes to mind about a particular topic. Don’t worry about grammar or structure – just let your ideas flow.

3. Listing: Make a list of potential topics and then narrow it down based on the factors mentioned above.

Examples of Proposal Essay Topics

Here are some examples of proposal essay topics to help inspire your brainstorming:

1. Should college athletes be paid?

2. How can we reduce plastic waste in our community?

3. Should schools require students to wear uniforms?

4. How can we improve mental health resources for college students?

5. Should the minimum wage be increased?

6. How can we reduce the gender pay gap ?

7. Should the government provide free healthcare to all citizens?

8. How can we reduce the carbon footprint of our city?

9. Should there be stricter gun control laws?

10. How can we improve public transportation in our city?

Researching Your Topic

Once you have chosen a topic for your proposal essay, it’s time to conduct thorough research . This will involve gathering information from a variety of sources, evaluating their credibility, and organizing your findings in a way that supports your proposal.

Conducting Thorough Research

The first step in researching your topic is to identify credible sources of information. These may include academic journals, books, government reports, and reputable news sources. Use a variety of sources to ensure that you are getting a balanced and well-rounded perspective on your topic.

Evaluating Sources

Not all sources are created equal, so it’s important to evaluate each source for its credibility and relevance to your topic. Consider the following factors when evaluating sources:

1. Authorship: Who wrote the source, and what are their credentials?

2. Currency: How recent isthe information in the source? Is it still relevant?

3. Accuracy: Is the information in the source accurate and supported by evidence?

4. Bias: Does the source have a particular bias or agenda that may affect its credibility?

Taking Notes and Organizing Information

As you conduct your research, it’s important to take detailed notes and organize your information in a way that supports your proposal essay. Some effective note-taking strategies include:

1. Summarizing: Write a brief summary of key points and information from each source.

2. Quoting: Use direct quotes from sources to support your argument.

3. Paraphrasing: Restate information from sources in your own words, making sure to cite the source.

Once you have taken notes, organize them into an outline or mind map to help you structure your essay and ensure that your proposal is well-supported by evidence.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your proposal essay is well-researched, well-supported, and persuasive. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to effectively outline and structure your essay for maximum impact.

Outlining Your Proposal

Once you’ve chosen a topic and conducted thorough research , it’s time to create an outline for your proposal essay. An outline will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your proposal is well-structured and easy to follow. Here are some tips for creating an effective proposal essay outline:

Creating a Proposal Essay Outline

1. Introduction: Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that provides context for your proposal and sets the stage for your argument.

2. Background Information: Provide background information on your topic, including any relevant statistics, research, or historical context.

3. Problem Statement: Clearly state the problem or issue that your proposal addresses.

4. Proposed Solution: Present your proposed solution or course of action, providing evidence to support its effectiveness.

5. Implementation: Discuss how your proposed solution would be implemented and what steps would need to be taken to make it a reality.

6. Conclusion: Summarize your proposal and reiterate its importance, urging your audience to take action.

Tips for Effective Outlining

– Use bullet points or numbered lists to clearly organize your ideas.

– Make sure each section of your outline relates back to your thesis statement .

– Keep your outline concise and to the point.

Example Proposal Essay Outline

Here is an example proposal essay outline for a topic on reducing plastic waste in a community:

I. Introduction

– Attention-grabbing opening sentence

– Background information on plastic waste

– Thesis statement

II. Problem Statement

-Description of the problem of plastic waste in the community

– Statistics on the amount of plastic waste generated in the community

– Impact of plastic waste on the environment and health

III. Proposed Solution

– Proposal to ban single-use plastics in the community

– Alternatives to single-use plastics

– Benefits of reducing plastic waste

IV. Implementation

– Steps to implement the proposed ban on single-use plastics

– Timeline for implementation

– Strategies for community education and outreach

V. Conclusion

– Recap of the problem and proposed solution

– Call to action for community members to support the ban on single-use plastics

V. Writing Your Proposal

Now that you have a solid outline for your proposal essay, it’s time to begin writing. Here are some tips for crafting a strong proposal essay:

Crafting a Strong Introduction

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide context for your proposal. Here are some tips for crafting a strong introduction:

– Start with a hook, such as a surprising statistic, quote, or anecdote.

– Provide background information on your topic to help the reader understand the context of your proposal.

– Clearly state the problem or issue that your proposal addresses.

Writing the Body of Your Proposal

The body of your proposal essay should provide evidence to support your proposed solution. Here are some tips for writing the body of your proposal:

– Use research and statistics to support your proposal.

– Provide examples and case studies to illustrate the effectiveness of your proposed solution.

– Address Potential counterarguments and provide rebuttals to strengthen your argument.

Tips for Persuasive Writing

To make your proposal essay as persuasive as possible, here are some tips to keep in mind:

– Use strong, clear language that conveys your confidence in your proposal.

– Make sure your argument is logical and well-supported by evidence .

– Use emotional appeals sparingly and only when appropriate.

– Use transitional phrases to connect your ideas and ensure a smooth flow of information.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing your proposal essay:

– Failing to clearly state the problem or issue you are addressing.

– Presenting a solution that is not feasible or practical .

– Failing to address potential counterarguments or objections to your proposal.

– Overusing emotional appeals or providing insufficient evidence to support your argument.

By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can craft a persuasive and effective proposal essay that will convince your audience to take action.

Refining Your Proposal

Once you’ve written a draft of your proposal essay, it’s important to refine it through careful editing and revision. Here are some tips to help you refine your proposal essay:

Editing and Revising Your Proposal

– Review your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

– Make sure your writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

– Check that your proposal is well-supported by evidence and that your arguments are logical.

– Look for areas where you can improve the flow and organization of your essay .

Peer Review and Feedback

It’s also a good idea to get feedback from others to help you refine your proposal essay. Here are some tips for getting feedback:

– Ask a peer or mentor to review your essay and provide feedback on areas that need improvement.

– Consider joining a writing group or seeking feedback from an online community.

– Take the feedback you receive seriously and use it to improve your essay .

Finalizing Your Proposal

Once you’ve made revisions based on feedback and edited your essay for clarity and accuracy, it’s time to finalize your proposal. Here are some final steps to take:

– Review your essay one last time to ensure it is error-free and well-organized.

– Make sure your essay is formatted correctly, with appropriate headings, margins, and font size.

– Create a bibliography or works cited page to provide proper credit to your sources.

Proposal Essay Examples

To help you understand what makes a successful proposal essay,here are some examples of effective proposal essays:

1. “Implementing a School-Wide Recycling Program” – This proposal essay outlines a plan to implement a recycling program in a high school. It provides a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and implementation plan, as well as statistics and research to support the proposal. The essay also addresses potential objections and provides rebuttals.

2. “Increasing Access to Healthy Food in Low-Income Communities” – This proposal essay proposes a solution to the problem of food insecurity in low-income communities. It provides a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and implementation plan, as well as research to support the proposal. The essay also addresses potential objections and provides rebuttals.

3. “Reducing Gun Violence in the United States” – This proposal essay proposes a solution to the problem of gun violence in the United States. It provides a clear problem statement, proposed solution, and implementation plan, as well as statistics and research to support the proposal. The essay also addresses potential objections and provides rebuttals.

Analysis of What Makes These Proposals Effective

These proposal essays are effective because they:

– Clearly state the problem or issue they are addressing.

– Provide a well-supported proposal or solution.

– Address potential objections and provide rebuttals.

– Use research and statistics to support their proposals.

– Provide a clear implementation plan.

– Use clear and persuasive language.

By analyzing successful proposal essays, you can gain insight into what makes a proposal effective and use thoseinsights to improve your own proposal essay. Remember to carefully research your topic , create a clear and well-supported proposal, and address potential objections to make your proposal as persuasive as possible. With these tips and examples in mind, you’ll be well on your way to writing a winning proposal essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the elements of a proposal essay.

A proposal essay typically includes an introduction, background information, a problem statement, a proposed solution, an implementation plan, and a conclusion. It should also be well-supported by evidence and address potential objections.

2. How do I choose a topic for a proposal essay?

When choosing a topic for a proposal essay, consider your personal interests, the relevance of the topic to your audience or community, and the feasibility of the proposal within the scope of your project.

3. What is a proposal essay structure?

A proposal essay typically follows a structure that includes an introduction, background information, a problem statement, a proposed solution, an implementation plan, and a conclusion. Each section should be well-supported by evidence.

Writing a winning proposal essay requires careful research, persuasive writing, and effective organization. By choosing a relevant and feasible topic, conducting thorough research, creating a well-supported proposal, and refining your essay through editing and revision, you can create a persuasive and effective proposal essay that inspires action.

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow. 

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS. 

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You​

Have a subject expert write for you now, have a subject expert finish your paper for you, edit my paper for me, have an expert write your dissertation's chapter, popular topics.

Business Analysis Examples Essay Topics and Ideas How to Guides Literature Analysis Nursing

• Nursing Solutions
• Study Guides
• Cookie Policy
• Free College Essay Examples
• Privacy Policy
• Research Paper Writing Service
• Research Proposal Writing Services
• Writing Service 
• Discounts / Offers 

Study Hub: 

• Studying Blog
• Topic Ideas 
• Business Studying 
• Nursing Studying 
• Literature and English Studying

Writing Tools  

• Citation Generator
• Topic Generator
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Conclusion Maker
• Research Title Generator
• Thesis Statement Generator
• Summarizing Tool
• Terms and Conditions
• Confidentiality Policy
• Cookies Policy
• Refund and Revision Policy

Our samples and other types of content are meant for research and reference purposes only. We are strongly against plagiarism and academic dishonesty. 

Contact Us:

📧 [email protected]

📞 +1 (315)-961-6813

2012-2024 © studyinghq.com. All rights reserved

Typically replies within minutes

Hey! 👋 Need help with an assignment?

🟢 Online | Privacy policy

WhatsApp us

• [email protected]

Full Guide: How to Write a Proposal Essay

Writing a well-structured essay for the first time is no walk in the park. You need enough time to research thoroughly and present your thoughts convincingly. But what if you have limited time for research or are unfamiliar with the topic? Read through this comprehensive guide on how to write a proposal essay properly.

What is a Proposal Essay?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to write a proposal essay, it is important to understand what this assignment is all about.

A proposal essay is an academic paper that identifies a problem and proposes a solution. It is a common assignment for students of social sciences, business, and management.

What is the Purpose of a Proposal Essay?

The main purpose of a proposal essay is to suggest a solution to an existing problem. Instructors use these essays to evaluate your research and persuasive writing skills. Thus, failing a proposal essay can lower your course grade.

If you value your grade point average, you should work with a reliable proposal essay writing service to improve your grades. Our online proposal essay help provides you with a platform where you can pay someone to help you with your “ write my proposal essay ” request.

What are Various Types of Proposal Essays?

Proposal essays differ according to their purpose and target audience. For example, a business proposal essay aims to convince investors of a business idea.

Other types of proposal essays that our cheap essay writer can help with are:

• Political proposal essays
• Essays on educational projects
• Scientific proposal essays
• Essays on environmental issues
• Essays on social issues

What is the Format of a Proposal Essay?

A proposal essay consists of 7 main parts. It consists of an introduction, background, significance, research questions, study design, conclusion, and bibliography.

Each section plays an important role in conveying your message:

• Introduction. The introduction provides a brief overview of the topic you plan to address in your essay.
• Background. The background sheds more light on the problem you are trying to solve. It provides facts about why a problem requires a solution.
• Significance. You explain why the topic you have chosen is important. Back up your claims with statistics from the relevant literature.
• Research questions. This section contains questions that provide a framework for developing the proposal essay.
• Study Design. The study design section contains information about how the research will be conducted.
• Conclusion . The conclusion summarizes the above sections: Background, significance, and research questions.
• Bibliography. The bibliography contains a list of all sources used in your essay.

How to Write a Proposal Essay: The Writing Process

Writing a well-scored proposal essay involves several steps. Some of the steps that our essay writers often use are:

• Find a problem. Look for a problem that you think needs to be solved. You can get ideas from recent news stories, research reports, or journals in your field of interest.
• Do extensive research. Once you have found a practical problem, do more research to make sure it’s a problem you can tackle. Consider whether it is realistic, helpful, and feasible.
• Define a solution. Identify multiple solutions and narrow it down to one that is clear, specific, and actionable.
• Know your audience . Knowing the audience you are writing for will help you communicate your message effectively and persuade your readers. The audience could be a group of experts, a general audience or a special interest group.
• Write the essay. Write the essay about the proposal in clear language. Provide evidence to support your proposed solution. Use headings to organize the essay and make it easier to read. Lastly, revise your proposal to make sure it is error-free.

How to Write a Proposal Essay: How to Format

You can format your proposal essay in a variety of styles. The choice depends on the instructions and the course. Some common formatting styles you can use when writing this academic paper include:

• AMA (American Medical Association)
• APA (American Psychological Association)
• Harvard/ Turabian
• IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers)
• MLA (Modern Language Association)

How to Write a Proposal Essay: Importance of Writing

A proposal essay not only helps instructors assess your knowledge in a particular course, but also strengthens your problem-solving skills. The essay encourages you to brainstorm ideas, identify gaps and propose innovative solutions.

Aside from problem-solving, learning how to write my proposal essay has many benefits, such as:

• Improved critical thinking. Writing a proposal essay can improve your critical thinking skills in many ways. First, the essay encourages you to evaluate sources and select the most relevant ones. Second, the proposal exercises your ability to evaluate many solutions and select the best one based on logic.
• Enhanced research skills. Writing a proposal essay takes your research skills to the next level. The assignment trains you to gather different sources of information and evaluate their relevance. You will also learn different formatting and citation styles.
• Improved persuasive skills. Writing a proposal essay will help you develop strong persuasive skills. After writing a series of essays, you will learn how to present your ideas logically. You will also learn how to respond to counterarguments with evidence.
• Enhanced writing skills. When you learn how to write a proposal essay , you learn several things. First, the essay teaches you to present ideas logically. Also, writing a proposal essay teaches you how to use grammar, punctuation, and citations correctly.
• Preparation for the real world of proposals. Learning how to write a proposal essay can prepare you for writing real proposals. For example, if you are taking a research-related course, the essay will prepare you for writing grant proposals. If you are a business major, the knowledge you gain from the essay will help you with business proposal writing.

How to Write a Proposal Essay: Top Writing Tips

To write a successful essay on a proposal, you should choose a topic that you are familiar with. Such a topic will make your writing easier.

If you ask us, “ write me a proposal essay” we will use the following tips:

• Identify an impactful problem . There are many problems that you can choose as a topic for your proposal essay. However, if you want to choose a topic that you are comfortable with, you should choose one that has an impact on society; it should probably be a problem that people want to know more about.
• Propose the solution. Once you have identified a problem, research the topic thoroughly. Then brainstorm possible solutions, including strategies and initiatives. Once you have a list of possible solutions, evaluate them for feasibility. Select the most effective and feasible solution.
• Support your assertions with evidence. Evidence quantifies the problem and lends credibility to your proposal. It shows your instructor that you have done sufficient research. So use it liberally to back up your claims. Evidence can include statistical data and case studies.
• Address possible objections. A good proposal essay does not just propose a solution to a problem. It also anticipates possible objections and addresses them. Our professional proposal essay writers claim that addressing these objections shows that you have considered all sides of the problem before proposing a solution.
• Edit and revise. Mistakes can cause you to lose some points. Therefore, revise your essay several times before submitting it. Check your essay for grammatical and spelling errors. Also check the coherence and consistency of the ideas in your essay.

How to Write a Proposal Essay: Common Mistakes Students Make When Writing

When it comes to learning how to write a proposal essay , it is important to know the most common mistakes students make. This way, you will know what to look for before you submit the essay.

When you ask us, “ do my proposal essay,” we’ll avoid five of the most common mistakes you should watch out for:

• Insufficient evidence to back the proposed solution . Your proposed solution is not an opinion, but a logical choice . Without evidence, your instructor will grade your contribution as weak. You will receive an unsatisfactory grade for the essay.
• Focusing too much on the problem rather than the proposed solution . Although it is important to define the problem your essay solves, do not focus too much on it. That would distract you from presenting a clear solution to your instructor. As a result, your essay will not do well.
• Not tailoring the proposal to the intended audience . A good business proposal essay should be tailored to a specific audience. For example, you should tailor a business proposal to investors. If you do not, the essay may be less convincing, and you probably will not get the best grade.
• Failing to follow the instructor’s guidelines . In many cases, your instructors will provide you with a guide to walk you through the writing process. The guide will include information about format, citation style, and general structure. If you do not use the guide, do not pay attention to the details. Your professor will penalize you if you do not follow the instructions.
• Including unnecessary information . A proposal essay with unnecessary information distracts the lecturer from the main topic of the essay. So, in any case, try to stay on topic. Avoid unnecessary details such as personal anecdotes and excessive background information.

How to Choose Topics for Your Proposal Essay

Choosing a topic is another important task when you are learning how to write a proposal essay . According to our proposal essay editing service, the topic you choose will determine the grade you receive.

A thought-provoking topic will show your instructor that you have put effort into your research. A broad topic can result in a poor grade because it does not allow for meaningful analysis.

So how do you avoid the latter type of topic? Our essay writing help has compiled tips for choosing the right topic:

• Choose a topic that you love. Choose a topic from an area that you understand and like. Start by choosing many topics that you are passionate about. Then, evaluate each topic to determine the one with the most potential for a successful proposal essay.
• Look for uniqueness. Having a unique topic sets your proposal apart from other students’. It shows your professor that you have put thought into choosing your topic.
• Research the problem. Researching your problem will help you better understand the problem, its causes and its effects. Also, research will help you gather the data and statistics you need to know if the problem is easy to describe.

Examples of Proposal Essay Topics

Good essay proposal topics focus on issues relating to society, the environment, education, or the economy. These may include topics such as income inequality, access to healthcare, and climate change.

Examples of topics our essay writer help has covered include:

• Immigration policy
• Technology and its impact on society
• Gun control and gun violence prevention
• Income inequality
• Mental health awareness

How Long Should a Proposal Essay Be?

Length is another important point that you should not disregard when learning how to write a proposal essay . An essay that meets expectations should be long enough to thoroughly analyze the problem and the proposed solution. However, it should not be so long that it loses the reader’s interest.

Below are the recommended lengths for proposal essays at different academic levels:

• High school: 600-1,000 words
• College: 750-1,000 words
• University: 1,100-1,500 words
• Masters: 1,100-2,000 words
• Doctoral thesis: 1,100-2,000 words

Learn More on How to Write a Proposal Essay

Writing an essay on a proposal can be a daunting task. It requires a considerable amount of time and effort. Even for experienced writers, there is a possibility of making mistakes that can lead to a lower grade.

However, you can avoid these challenges by asking us, “write me my essay.” We have worked on many essay proposals before and will create a proposal that meets your expectations.

Buy proposal essay today.

FAQs on Our Proposal Essay Writing Service

Here you will find short answers to frequently asked questions about proposal essay writing help.

How do I write a thesis for my proposal essay?

State the problem that your proposal addresses. Then state the solution or approach you propose. Your thesis should be specific, clear, and debatable.

How is a proposal essay structured?

Students who pay for essays are given an essay with 11 main components: Title Page, Introduction, Problem Statement, Proposal, and Plan of Action. In addition, our team of essay writers also include the desired outcomes, an evaluation, a timeline, a conclusion, and references.

How do I write an introduction for my proposal essay?

The introduction of a proposal essay begins with a hook, such as a relevant statistic. After the hook, the introduction provides a context for the problem. It ends with a thesis statement.

Full Guide: How to Write a Response essay

Full guide: how to write a reflection paper, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Privacy Policy

Home » How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write A Proposal

Writing a Proposal involves several key steps to effectively communicate your ideas and intentions to a target audience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:

Identify the Purpose and Audience

• Clearly define the purpose of your proposal: What problem are you addressing, what solution are you proposing, or what goal are you aiming to achieve?
• Identify your target audience: Who will be reading your proposal? Consider their background, interests, and any specific requirements they may have.

Conduct Research

• Gather relevant information: Conduct thorough research to support your proposal. This may involve studying existing literature, analyzing data, or conducting surveys/interviews to gather necessary facts and evidence.
• Understand the context: Familiarize yourself with the current situation or problem you’re addressing. Identify any relevant trends, challenges, or opportunities that may impact your proposal.

Develop an Outline

• Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content.
• Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution.
• Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers understand the situation.
• Objectives/Goals: Clearly state the objectives or goals of your proposal.
• Methodology/Approach: Describe the approach or methodology you will use to address the problem.
• Timeline/Schedule: Present a detailed timeline or schedule outlining the key milestones or activities.
• Budget/Resources: Specify the financial and other resources required to implement your proposal.
• Evaluation/Success Metrics: Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the benefits of your proposal.

Write the Proposal

• Grab attention: Start with a compelling opening statement or a brief story that hooks the reader.
• Clearly state the problem: Clearly define the problem or issue you are addressing and explain its significance.
• Present your proposal: Introduce your proposed solution, project, or idea and explain why it is the best approach.
• State the objectives/goals: Clearly articulate the specific objectives or goals your proposal aims to achieve.
• Provide supporting information: Present evidence, data, or examples to support your claims and justify your proposal.
• Explain the methodology: Describe in detail the approach, methods, or strategies you will use to implement your proposal.
• Address potential concerns: Anticipate and address any potential objections or challenges the readers may have and provide counterarguments or mitigation strategies.
• Recap the main points: Summarize the key points you’ve discussed in the proposal.
• Reinforce the benefits: Emphasize the positive outcomes, benefits, or impact your proposal will have.
• Call to action: Clearly state what action you want the readers to take, such as approving the proposal, providing funding, or collaborating with you.

Review and Revise

• Proofread for clarity and coherence: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Ensure a logical flow: Read through your proposal to ensure the ideas are presented in a logical order and are easy to follow.
• Revise and refine: Fine-tune your proposal to make it concise, persuasive, and compelling.

Add Supplementary Materials

• Attach relevant documents: Include any supporting materials that strengthen your proposal, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
• Appendices: Add any additional information that might be useful but not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Formatting and Presentation

• Follow the guidelines: Adhere to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.
• Use a professional tone and language: Ensure that your proposal is written in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Use headings and subheadings: Organize your proposal with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability.
• Pay attention to design: Use appropriate fonts, font sizes, and formatting styles to make your proposal visually appealing.
• Include a cover page: Create a cover page that includes the title of your proposal, your name or organization, the date, and any other required information.

Seek Feedback

• Share your proposal with trusted colleagues or mentors and ask for their feedback. Consider their suggestions for improvement and incorporate them into your proposal if necessary.

Finalize and Submit

• Make any final revisions based on the feedback received.
• Ensure that all required sections, attachments, and documentation are included.
• Double-check for any formatting, grammar, or spelling errors.
• Submit your proposal within the designated deadline and according to the submission guidelines provided.

Proposal Format

The format of a proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements of the organization or institution you are submitting it to. However, here is a general proposal format that you can follow:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your proposal, your name or organization’s name, the date, and any other relevant information specified by the guidelines.

2. Executive Summary:

•  Provide a concise overview of your proposal, highlighting the key points and objectives.
• Summarize the problem, proposed solution, and anticipated benefits.
• Keep it brief and engaging, as this section is often read first and should capture the reader’s attention.

3. Introduction:

• State the problem or issue you are addressing and its significance.
• Provide background information to help the reader understand the context and importance of the problem.
• Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your proposal.

4. Problem Statement:

• Describe the problem in detail, highlighting its impact and consequences.
• Use data, statistics, or examples to support your claims and demonstrate the need for a solution.

5. Proposed Solution or Project Description:

• Explain your proposed solution or project in a clear and detailed manner.
• Describe how your solution addresses the problem and why it is the most effective approach.
• Include information on the methods, strategies, or activities you will undertake to implement your solution.
• Highlight any unique features, innovations, or advantages of your proposal.

6. Methodology:

• Provide a step-by-step explanation of the methodology or approach you will use to implement your proposal.
• Include a timeline or schedule that outlines the key milestones, tasks, and deliverables.
• Clearly describe the resources, personnel, or expertise required for each phase of the project.

7. Evaluation and Success Metrics:

• Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Identify specific metrics, indicators, or evaluation methods that will be used.
• Describe how you will track progress, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed.
• Present a detailed budget that outlines the financial resources required for your proposal.
• Include all relevant costs, such as personnel, materials, equipment, and any other expenses.
• Provide a justification for each item in the budget.

9. Conclusion:

•  Summarize the main points of your proposal.
•  Reiterate the benefits and positive outcomes of implementing your proposal.
• Emphasize the value and impact it will have on the organization or community.

10. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
•  Attach any relevant documents that provide further information but are not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Proposal Template

Here’s a basic proposal template that you can use as a starting point for creating your own proposal:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to submit a proposal for [briefly state the purpose of the proposal and its significance]. This proposal outlines a comprehensive solution to address [describe the problem or issue] and presents an actionable plan to achieve the desired objectives.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I believe that implementing this solution will significantly contribute to [organization’s or community’s goals]. I am available to discuss the proposal in more detail at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

Yours sincerely,

Note: This template is a starting point and should be customized to meet the specific requirements and guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.

Proposal Sample

Here’s a sample proposal to give you an idea of how it could be structured and written:

Subject : Proposal for Implementation of Environmental Education Program

I am pleased to submit this proposal for your consideration, outlining a comprehensive plan for the implementation of an Environmental Education Program. This program aims to address the critical need for environmental awareness and education among the community, with the objective of fostering a sense of responsibility and sustainability.

Executive Summary: Our proposed Environmental Education Program is designed to provide engaging and interactive educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. By combining classroom learning, hands-on activities, and community engagement, we aim to create a long-lasting impact on environmental conservation practices and attitudes.

Introduction: The state of our environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. It is essential to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand these issues and take action. This proposal seeks to bridge the gap in environmental education and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship among the community.

Problem Statement: The lack of environmental education programs has resulted in limited awareness and understanding of environmental issues. As a result, individuals are less likely to adopt sustainable practices or actively contribute to conservation efforts. Our program aims to address this gap and empower individuals to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens.

Proposed Solution or Project Description: Our Environmental Education Program will comprise a range of activities, including workshops, field trips, and community initiatives. We will collaborate with local schools, community centers, and environmental organizations to ensure broad participation and maximum impact. By incorporating interactive learning experiences, such as nature walks, recycling drives, and eco-craft sessions, we aim to make environmental education engaging and enjoyable.

Methodology: Our program will be structured into modules that cover key environmental themes, such as biodiversity, climate change, waste management, and sustainable living. Each module will include a mix of classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and practical field experiences. We will also leverage technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance learning outcomes.

Evaluation and Success Metrics: We will employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Pre- and post-assessments will gauge knowledge gain, while surveys and feedback forms will assess participant satisfaction and behavior change. We will also track the number of community engagement activities and the adoption of sustainable practices as indicators of success.

Budget: Please find attached a detailed budget breakdown for the implementation of the Environmental Education Program. The budget covers personnel costs, materials and supplies, transportation, and outreach expenses. We have ensured cost-effectiveness while maintaining the quality and impact of the program.

Conclusion: By implementing this Environmental Education Program, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in our community’s environmental consciousness and practices. We are confident that this program will foster a generation of individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and taking sustainable actions. We look forward to discussing the proposal further and working together to make a positive impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

You may also like

Grant Proposal – Example, Template and Guide

How To Write A Research Proposal – Step-by-Step...

Research Proposal – Types, Template and Example

Proposal – Types, Examples, and Writing Guide

How To Write A Business Proposal – Step-by-Step...

How To Write A Grant Proposal – Step-by-Step...

Top Proposal Essay Examples: Academic & Professional Success Guide

Crafting a compelling proposal essay can be a game-changer in persuading your audience to see things from your perspective. Whether you’re tackling a social issue, suggesting a new policy, or pitching an innovative idea, a well-structured proposal essay lays the groundwork for impactful communication.

By exploring various proposal essay examples, writers can gain insights into effective strategies and techniques. These examples not only demonstrate how to present a problem and propose a solution but also highlight the importance of clear, concise, and persuasive language. Dive into these examples to enhance your writing skills and elevate your arguments to the next level.

Understanding Proposal Essays

What is a proposal essay.

A proposal essay presents an idea through a written document, aiming to persuade the reader about its merit. By explaining the issue, outlining a solution, and presenting supporting arguments, it helps the reader understand and accept the proposal. Proposal essays are essential in academic, business, and social contexts for suggesting new policies or solutions to problems.

Key Elements of a Successful Proposal Essay

Clear Problem Statement : The essay must define the issue. It should concisely outline what the problem is and why it matters.

Proposed Solution : The solution must be practical and feasible. It should directly address the problem and be detailed enough for the reader to understand.

Evidence and Support : Data, real-life examples, and authoritative sources should back up the proposal. This lends credibility and convinces the reader of the solution’s viability.

Anticipation of Objections : Addressing potential counterarguments strengthens the proposal. It shows preparation and enhances the argument by pre-emptively resolving concerns.

Specific Language and Tone : The essay should be formal yet persuasive. Clear and precise language enhances understanding and keeps the reader engaged. Avoiding ambiguity ensures the reader grasps the proposal’s intent and details on the first read.

These elements collectively create a compelling and persuasive proposal essay.

Analyzing Top Proposal Essay Examples

Education Proposal Essays

Education proposal essays tackle issues within the education system, offering solutions. These examples focus on topics like reducing student loan debt, improving teacher retention rates, or integrating technology in classrooms. For instance, an essay proposing a loan forgiveness program might include statistics on student debt, the economic impact of loan forgiveness, and case studies from countries with successful programs. Using data from authoritative sources like the Department of Education, these essays aim to persuade policymakers or educational institutions.

Environmental Proposal Essays

Environmental proposal essays address ecological concerns by suggesting practical actions. Examples include advocating for renewable energy incentives, proposing plastic bans, or promoting urban green spaces. An essay on renewable energy incentives might discuss the environmental benefits of solar and wind energy, the economic advantages of green jobs, and evidence from regions successfully using renewable resources. Citing authoritative sources like the Environmental Protection Agency, these essays aim to influence government regulations or public behavior.

Social Issues Proposal Essays

Social issues proposal essays present solutions to societal problems like homelessness, inequality, or mental health. Examples include proposals for affordable housing programs, initiatives for workplace diversity, or mental health awareness campaigns. An essay advocating for affordable housing might highlight the social and economic benefits of housing stability, include success stories from other cities, and present data on housing affordability. Drawing on reputable sources like the Department of Housing and Urban Development, these essays aim to persuade community leaders and policymakers.

Writing Your Own Proposal Essay

Choosing the right topic.

Selecting a suitable topic lays the foundation for a compelling proposal essay. Choose issues that are current and relevant to your audience. For instance, topics like climate change, education reform, or mental health resonate widely. Ensure the problem has a clear scope and is feasible to address. Use authoritative sources to validate the significance of the issue.

Structuring Your Proposal Essay

A well-structured essay ensures clarity and persuasiveness. Start with an engaging introduction that presents the problem briefly. Follow with a detailed Problem Statement section explaining the issue’s context and impact. The next section, Proposed Solution, outlines a logical, step-by-step approach to resolving the problem, supported by data and examples. Conclude with a Call to Action, urging the audience to support the proposed solution.

Tips for Effective Writing

Clarity and precision enhance the impact of your essay. Use simple language and avoid jargon. Ensure each paragraph conveys one main idea supported by evidence. Proofread to eliminate grammatical errors and improve readability. Align your proposal with the interests and values of your audience to make it more convincing. Use data and quotes from reputable sources to substantiate your arguments effectively.

Reviewing Real-World Applications

How Proposal Essays Influence Decision-Making

Proposal essays shape decision-making by presenting structured arguments that highlight specific issues and suggest actionable solutions. Policymakers, educators, and business leaders use these essays to identify gaps, evaluate potential benefits, and make informed choices. Data-driven content enhances credibility, encouraging stakeholders to consider proposed changes. For example, a proposal essay suggesting new energy policies might include statistics from environmental agencies and case studies of successful renewable energy implementations. By delivering clear, evidence-based recommendations, proposal essays drive progress across various sectors.

Proposal Essays in Academic vs. Professional Settings

Proposal essays serve distinct purposes in academic and professional settings. In academia, they aim to explore theoretical concepts, present research findings, and propose new studies. Academic essays often include detailed literature reviews, methodologies, and hypotheses. For instance, a proposal essay in education might outline a new teaching method supported by scholarly articles and preliminary research results.

In professional environments, proposal essays focus on practical applications, addressing specific organizational challenges and delivering measurable outcomes. Business proposals might include market analysis, financial projections, and strategic plans. For example, a marketing firm might propose a new campaign strategy supported by market trends and competitor analysis. Academic essays prioritize intellectual exploration, whereas professional proposals emphasize solution implementation and tangible benefits.

Proposal essays play a crucial role in shaping decisions across various fields. By presenting well-structured arguments and actionable solutions, they effectively influence academic research and professional practices. Whether addressing educational challenges, environmental concerns, or social issues, these essays leverage data-driven content to build credibility and persuade stakeholders. Understanding the nuances of crafting compelling proposal essays can significantly enhance one’s ability to advocate for meaningful change and drive impactful outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a proposal essay.

A proposal essay is a type of writing that presents a problem, offers a practical solution, and supports the proposal with evidence. It aims to persuade the audience of the viability and importance of the proposed solution.

Why are proposal essays important in academia and business?

Proposal essays are crucial in both academia and business because they help to outline clear, actionable plans to address specific issues. They use structured arguments and credible evidence to persuade decision-makers to adopt proposed solutions.

What key elements should be included in a persuasive proposal essay?

A persuasive proposal essay should include a clear problem statement, a detailed practical solution, supporting evidence, a rebuttal of potential objections, and appropriate, persuasive language.

Can you give an example of a proposal essay topic in education?

An example of a proposal essay topic in education could be “Solutions for Reducing Student Loan Debt.” This essay would outline the issue of high student loan debt and propose actionable solutions such as policy changes or alternative financing options.

How do proposal essays influence decision-making?

Proposal essays influence decision-making by presenting well-structured arguments, clearly defining issues, and offering actionable solutions. The use of credible, data-driven content enhances the essay’s persuasive power, making it more likely to sway decision-makers.

What’s the difference between academic and professional proposal essays?

Academic proposal essays focus on theoretical exploration and research findings, while professional proposal essays emphasize practical applications and measurable outcomes. Professional proposals are often aimed at solving real-world problems with direct, actionable solutions.

How do you address objections in a proposal essay?

To address objections in a proposal essay, acknowledge possible counterarguments and provide evidence or reasoning to refute them. This demonstrates thorough consideration of the topic and strengthens the persuasiveness of your proposal.

What are some environmental proposal essay topics?

Environmental proposal essay topics might include advocating for renewable energy adoption or proposing bans on single-use plastics. These essays would outline the environmental problems and propose practical, actionable solutions.

How do you enhance the credibility of a proposal essay?

Enhance the credibility of a proposal essay by using data from authoritative sources, presenting logical arguments, and providing concrete evidence. Cite reputable studies, statistics, and expert opinions to back up your claims.

Can proposal essays be used to address social issues?

Yes, proposal essays can effectively address social issues. For example, essays might propose solutions for homelessness or mental health challenges, using data and evidence to argue for specific interventions or policy changes.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Jun 21, 2023

Proposal Essay Examples: Convincing Ideas for Your Research Paper or Essay

Dive into the power of persuasive writing through captivating proposal essay examples. Explore ideas that inspire, enrich your work, and unlock impactful proposal crafting. Prepare to elevate your writing and leave a lasting impression!

Writing a compelling proposal essay often presents a challenge for many students. A large proportion can't distinguish a research paper proposal from a proposal essay, and even more find difficulty in creating persuasive ideas for their essays. If this situation resonates with you, rest assured you're not alone.

In this extensive guide, we aim to simplify the process of writing a proposal essay. We provide a host of resources such as examples of proposal essays, a carefully constructed outline template, and proven writing techniques. Our guide, honed through years of experience in academic writing, is specifically designed to help you achieve high grades in your proposal essay assignment.

Embark on this journey with us to uncover the nuances of crafting an excellent proposal essay. Armed with the correct resources and guidance, you will transition from uncertainty to confidence, ready to produce an impressive proposal essay. Let's start delving into the craft of writing an engaging proposal essay.

What is a Proposal Essay?

An essay proposal is a document that outlines the content and purpose of your proposed essay. Whereas a thesis conveys the central concept of your study, an essay proposal summarizes the intent and substance of a specific essay.

A proposal essay also serves as a detailed plan of action addressing a particular problem. The writer identifies a problem, suggests a solution, and provides evidence to persuade the reader to agree with the proposed solution or idea. In essence, your role as a writer is to convince the reader that your concept is exceptional and that they should support its execution.

These essays function as a strategic tool, enabling you to sell an idea, belief, or yourself in a manner that not only piques the reader's interest but also convinces them of your capability to bring the proposed plan to fruition. Although proposal essays are frequently associated with business and economics disciplines, they extend beyond these fields.

Proposal essays fundamentally promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students. They allow you to venture beyond the structured academic syllabus and engage with real-world issues that require innovative solutions. Writing a proposal essay, therefore, is an opportunity to demonstrate your analytical acumen and your capacity to think creatively.

How to Write a Proposal Essay

Writing a compelling proposal essay requires careful planning, thorough research, and meticulous execution. Here are the steps to ensure your proposal essay stands out:

1. Understand Your Audience: Begin by identifying your target audience. Who are they, and what is their role in the context of your proposal? What are their needs, concerns, or interests? Understanding your audience's perspectives helps in tailoring your message, increasing the chances of your proposal being accepted.

2. Research Thoroughly: Deep and broad research is crucial. Even if you're well-versed with the topic, there is always more to learn. Look at what experts in the field have said and how your proposal aligns or diverges from their views. This research will not only fortify your arguments but also make your essay more credible and authoritative.

3. Create a Detailed Plan: Once you've completed your research, start to structure your essay. Begin with an introduction where you present the problem or issue. Then, propose your solution in the body paragraphs, where each paragraph should focus on a single point or argument, supported by evidence. Finally, wrap up your proposal in the conclusion by summarizing your key points and reinforcing the significance of your solution.

4. Write Your First Draft: Start writing your essay based on the plan you have created. Be clear and concise, avoid jargon, and make sure your arguments are logically constructed and easy to follow.

5. Revise and Edit: After completing your first draft, it's important to revisit it with a critical eye. Look for areas where your argument can be strengthened, check for coherence and flow, correct grammatical errors, and ensure your language is clear and precise. It may be helpful to have others review your work for a fresh perspective.

6. Proofread: Once you're satisfied with the content of your essay, proofread it one final time to catch any minor mistakes or inconsistencies. Remember, a polished essay demonstrates your diligence and commitment to quality.

By following these steps, you can create a persuasive, well-structured proposal essay that effectively communicates your idea and its value.

Structure of a Proposal Essay

Writing a proposal essay requires a specific structure that enables you to present your idea clearly and persuasively. Here's an overview of the necessary elements:

1. Introduction: Your introduction sets the stage for your proposal. It should include a captivating hook that draws readers in, and a clear thesis statement that summarizes your proposal. For Example: A feasible approach to decreasing the alarming mortality rate among young mothers is by equipping parents with necessary skills to support their teenage daughters who become pregnant.

2. Problem Statement: After the introduction, delve deeper into the problem your proposal aims to solve. Describe its nature, roots, and implications. Clarify why it's critical to address this problem, how it affects your readers, and what benefits solving it would bring.

3. Proposal Statement: In this section, elucidate your proposal in detail. Describe the solution you've come up with, highlighting both its benefits and potential drawbacks. Ensure you present your idea as the optimal solution to the problem at hand.

4. Implementation Plan: Next, explain how you plan to execute your proposal. This should be a clear and comprehensive guide demonstrating the practicability of your solution. Identify potential obstacles that might arise during implementation and include steps to overcome them. Discuss why your approach is unique and why previous attempts to solve the problem have failed.

5. Expected Outcome: Here, discuss the positive results you expect from the implementation of your proposal. Provide a clear, concise picture of the improvements and advantages your solution will bring. 6. Evaluation: In this section, provide an estimate of the resources, including time, money, and expertise, necessary to implement your proposal. Discuss its feasibility within the current situation and address possible objections or criticisms from those who might disagree with your proposal.

7. Timeline and Required Resources: Clearly specify the resources required to implement your proposal, such as manpower, funds, and equipment. Include a timeline if possible, giving a chronological order of the steps to be taken.

8. Conclusion: Summarize the key points of your essay and reaffirm the significance of your proposal. This is your final opportunity to convince your readers, so end with a powerful call to action.

Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion, as it can confuse readers and may unnecessarily elongate your essay. Stick to wrapping up what you've already presented and reemphasizing its importance.

Proposal Essay Examples 

In the following section, we present a collection of Proposal Essay Examples. These essays serve as excellent references for those looking to understand the structure and content of a compelling proposal.

 Each one addresses a unique and important topic, provides an insightful problem statement, proposes thoughtful solutions, and concludes by summarizing the main points. These examples illustrate the effective strategies used in proposal writing to engage readers and convincingly present an argument. 

Let's delve into these intriguing examples to inspire and enhance your proposal writing skills.

1. Reducing Plastic Waste: A Proposal for Action

Introduction:

With the escalating global environmental crisis, the specter of plastic waste looms large. Forecasts from the United Nations indicate that, failing to reduce plastic waste, we'll have more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050. This proposal aims to present tangible solutions to this predicament.

Problem Statement:

The unchecked production and disposal of plastic products significantly contribute to plastic waste, endangering the environment and marine life. Given the lifespan of plastic waste—lasting centuries—it's crucial to devise an effective solution to curb plastic production.

Suggested measures to combat plastic waste include:

Government-imposed ban on single-use plastic items, such as straws, cups, and cutlery.

Government incentives encouraging the use of reusable products.

Awareness campaigns conducted by the government and NGOs about the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Investments in improved waste management systems for the proper handling of plastic waste.

Conclusion:

Reducing plastic waste is an urgent priority. By implementing the proposed measures, we can alleviate the issue, protect our environment and marine life, and build a more sustainable future.

2. Dangers of Texting While Driving

Despite countless warnings and campaigns, texting while driving remains a widespread, dangerous habit. This essay investigates the perils of this behavior and proposes measures to mitigate it.

Texting while driving constitutes a severe distraction, often leading to road accidents. Studies even rank it as more dangerous than drunk driving, as it considerably delays a driver's reaction time.

To address this peril, the following steps are suggested:

Launching educational programs and campaigns to inform drivers about the risks of texting while driving.

Implementing stricter penalties for drivers caught in the act.

Promoting technologies that restrict texting while driving.

Texting while driving is a lethal habit that warrants immediate attention. By raising awareness, enforcing stricter rules, and employing technology, we can significantly cut down road accidents due to distracted driving.

3. The Causes of Homelessness

Homelessness, affecting millions worldwide, is a complex and pressing social issue. This essay explores the causes behind homelessness and suggests viable solutions.

Causes of Homelessness:

Poverty, mental illness, addiction, and family breakdowns constitute the four primary triggers of homelessness.

To alleviate homelessness, the following steps are suggested:

Stimulate the supply of affordable housing by offering financial incentives to developers and reducing zoning restrictions.

Facilitate access to mental health services, addiction treatment, and support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Alleviate poverty by raising the minimum wage, providing job training, and enhancing access to education and healthcare.

Addressing homelessness calls for a comprehensive and coordinated effort. By implementing the proposed measures, we can significantly reduce homelessness, emphasizing our collective responsibility to extend support to those grappling with this issue.

Final Words

In conclusion, crafting a persuasive proposal essay involves thoughtful planning, in-depth research, and adept writing techniques. With Jenni.ai's cutting-edge AI tools at your disposal, this process becomes simpler, enabling you to create standout proposal essays. Take this opportunity to enhance your writing skills and leave an enduring impression on your audience. Experience the transformative capabilities of Jenni.ai today!

Try Jenni for free today

Create your first piece of content with Jenni today and never look back

Reference management. Clean and simple.

How to write a research proposal

What is a research proposal?

What is the purpose of a research proposal , how long should a research proposal be, what should be included in a research proposal, 1. the title page, 2. introduction, 3. literature review, 4. research design, 5. implications, 6. reference list, frequently asked questions about writing a research proposal, related articles.

If you’re in higher education, the term “research proposal” is something you’re likely to be familiar with. But what is it, exactly? You’ll normally come across the need to prepare a research proposal when you’re looking to secure Ph.D. funding.

When you’re trying to find someone to fund your Ph.D. research, a research proposal is essentially your “pitch.”

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research.

You’ll need to set out the issues that are central to the topic area and how you intend to address them with your research. To do this, you’ll need to give the following:

• an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls
• an overview of how much is currently known about the topic
• a literature review that covers the recent scholarly debate or conversation around the topic

➡️  What is a literature review? Learn more in our guide.

Essentially, you are trying to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into.

It is the opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have the aptitude for this level of research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas:

It also helps you to find the right supervisor to oversee your research. When you’re writing your research proposal, you should always have this in the back of your mind.

This is the document that potential supervisors will use in determining the legitimacy of your research and, consequently, whether they will invest in you or not. It is therefore incredibly important that you spend some time on getting it right.

Tip: While there may not always be length requirements for research proposals, you should strive to cover everything you need to in a concise way.

If your research proposal is for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, it may only be a few pages long. For a Ph.D., a proposal could be a pretty long document that spans a few dozen pages.

➡️ Research proposals are similar to grant proposals. Learn how to write a grant proposal in our guide.

When you’re writing your proposal, keep in mind its purpose and why you’re writing it. It, therefore, needs to clearly explain the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. You need to then explain what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

Generally, your structure should look something like this:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Research Design
• Implications

If you follow this structure, you’ll have a comprehensive and coherent proposal that looks and feels professional, without missing out on anything important. We’ll take a deep dive into each of these areas one by one next.

The title page might vary slightly per your area of study but, as a general point, your title page should contain the following:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• The name of your institution and your particular department

Tip: Keep in mind any departmental or institutional guidelines for a research proposal title page. Also, your supervisor may ask for specific details to be added to the page.

The introduction is crucial   to your research proposal as it is your first opportunity to hook the reader in. A good introduction section will introduce your project and its relevance to the field of study.

You’ll want to use this space to demonstrate that you have carefully thought about how to present your project as interesting, original, and important research. A good place to start is by introducing the context of your research problem.

Think about answering these questions:

• What is it you want to research and why?
• How does this research relate to the respective field?
• How much is already known about this area?
• Who might find this research interesting?
• What are the key questions you aim to answer with your research?
• What will the findings of this project add to the topic area?

Your introduction aims to set yourself off on a great footing and illustrate to the reader that you are an expert in your field and that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge and theory.

The literature review section answers the question who else is talking about your proposed research topic.

You want to demonstrate that your research will contribute to conversations around the topic and that it will sit happily amongst experts in the field.

➡️ Read more about how to write a literature review .

There are lots of ways you can find relevant information for your literature review, including:

• Research relevant academic sources such as books and journals to find similar conversations around the topic.
• Read through abstracts and bibliographies of your academic sources to look for relevance and further additional resources without delving too deep into articles that are possibly not relevant to you.
• Watch out for heavily-cited works . This should help you to identify authoritative work that you need to read and document.
• Look for any research gaps , trends and patterns, common themes, debates, and contradictions.
• Consider any seminal studies on the topic area as it is likely anticipated that you will address these in your research proposal.

This is where you get down to the real meat of your research proposal. It should be a discussion about the overall approach you plan on taking, and the practical steps you’ll follow in answering the research questions you’ve posed.

So what should you discuss here? Some of the key things you will need to discuss at this point are:

• What form will your research take? Is it qualitative/quantitative/mixed? Will your research be primary or secondary?
• What sources will you use? Who or what will you be studying as part of your research.
• Document your research method. How are you practically going to carry out your research? What tools will you need? What procedures will you use?
• Any practicality issues you foresee. Do you think there will be any obstacles to your anticipated timescale? What resources will you require in carrying out your research?

Your research design should also discuss the potential implications of your research. For example, are you looking to confirm an existing theory or develop a new one?

If you intend to create a basis for further research, you should describe this here.

It is important to explain fully what you want the outcome of your research to look like and what you want to achieve by it. This will help those reading your research proposal to decide if it’s something the field  needs  and  wants,  and ultimately whether they will support you with it.

When you reach the end of your research proposal, you’ll have to compile a list of references for everything you’ve cited above. Ideally, you should keep track of everything from the beginning. Otherwise, this could be a mammoth and pretty laborious task to do.

Consider using a reference manager like Paperpile to format and organize your citations. Paperpile allows you to organize and save your citations for later use and cite them in thousands of citation styles directly in Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or LaTeX.

Your project may also require you to have a timeline, depending on the budget you are requesting. If you need one, you should include it here and explain both the timeline and the budget you need, documenting what should be done at each stage of the research and how much of the budget this will use.

This is the final step, but not one to be missed. You should make sure that you edit and proofread your document so that you can be sure there are no mistakes.

A good idea is to have another person proofread the document for you so that you get a fresh pair of eyes on it. You can even have a professional proofreader do this for you.

This is an important document and you don’t want spelling or grammatical mistakes to get in the way of you and your reader.

➡️ Working on a research proposal for a thesis? Take a look at our guide on how to come up with a topic for your thesis .

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. Generally, your research proposal will have a title page, introduction, literature review section, a section about research design and explaining the implications of your research, and a reference list.

A good research proposal is concise and coherent. It has a clear purpose, clearly explains the relevance of your research and its context with other discussions on the topic. A good research proposal explains what approach you will take and why it is feasible.

You need a research proposal to persuade your institution that you and your project are worth investing their time and money into. It is your opportunity to demonstrate your aptitude for this level or research by showing that you can articulate complex ideas clearly, concisely, and critically.

A research proposal is essentially your "pitch" when you're trying to find someone to fund your PhD. It is a clear and concise summary of your proposed research. It gives an outline of the general area of study within which your research falls, it elaborates how much is currently known about the topic, and it highlights any recent debate or conversation around the topic by other academics.

The general answer is: as long as it needs to be to cover everything. The length of your research proposal depends on the requirements from the institution that you are applying to. Make sure to carefully read all the instructions given, and if this specific information is not provided, you can always ask.

6.5 Writing Process: Creating a Proposal

Learning outcomes.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Describe the elements of the rhetorical situation for your proposal.
• Apply prewriting strategies to discover a problem to write about.
• Gather and synthesize information from appropriate sources.
• Draft a thesis statement and create an organizational plan.
• Compose a proposal that develops your ideas and integrates evidence from sources.
• Implement strategies for drafting, peer reviewing, and revising.

Sometimes writing a paper comes easily, but more often writers work hard to generate ideas and evidence, organize their thoughts, draft, and revise. Experienced writers do their work in multiple steps, and most engage in a recursive process that involves thinking and rethinking, writing and rewriting, and repeating steps multiple times as their ideas develop and sharpen. In broad strokes, most writers go through the following steps to achieve a polished piece of writing:

• Planning and Organization . Your proposal will come together more easily if you spend time at the start considering the rhetorical situation, understanding your assignment, gathering ideas and evidence, drafting a thesis statement, and creating an organizational plan.
• Drafting . When you have a good grasp of the problem and solution you are going to write about and how you will organize your proposal, you are ready to draft.
• Review . With a first draft in hand, make time to get feedback from others. Depending on the structure of your class, you may receive feedback from your instructor or your classmates. You can also work with a tutor in the writing center on your campus, or you can ask someone else you trust, such as a friend, roommate, or family member, to read your writing critically and give honest feedback.
• Revising . After reviewing feedback from your readers, plan to revise. Focus on their comments: Is your thesis clear? Do you need to make organizational changes to the proposal? Do you need to explain or connect your ideas more clearly?

Considering the Rhetorical Situation

Like other kinds of writing projects, a proposal starts with assessing the rhetorical situation —the circumstance in which a writer communicates with an audience of readers about a subject. As a proposal writer, you make choices based on the purpose for your writing, the audience who will read it, the genre , and the expectations of the community and culture in which you are working. The brainstorming questions in Table 6.1 can help you begin:

Summary of Assignment

Write a proposal that discusses a problem you want to learn more about and that recommends a solution. The problem you choose must be a current problem, even though it may have been a problem for many years. The problem must also affect many people, and it must have an actual solution or solutions that you can learn about through research. In other words, the problem cannot be unique to you, and the solution you recommend cannot be one you only imagine; both the problem and the solution must be grounded in reality.

One way to get ideas about a problem to write about is to read a high-quality newspaper, website, or social media account for a week. Read widely on whatever platform you choose so that you learn what people are saying, what a newspaper’s editorial board is taking a stand on, what opinion writers are making cases for in op-eds, and what community members are commenting on. You’ll begin to get a handle on problems in your community or state that people care about. If you read a paper or website with a national or international audience, you’ll learn about problems that affect people in other places.

You will need to consult and cite at least five reliable sources. They can be scholarly, but they do not have to be. They must be credible, trustworthy, and unbiased. Possible sources include articles from reputable newspapers, magazines, and academic and professional journals; reputable websites; government sources; and visual sources. Depending on your topic, you may want to conduct a survey, an interview, or an experiment. See Research Process: Accessing and Recording Information and Annotated Bibliography: Gathering, Evaluating, and Documenting Sources for information about creating and finding sources. Your proposal can include a visual or media source if it provides appropriate, relevant evidence.

Another Lens. Another way to approach a proposal assignment is to consider problems that affect you directly and affect others. Perhaps you are concerned about running up student loan debt. Or perhaps you worry about how to pay your rent while earning minimum wage. These concerns are valid and affect many college students around the United States. Another way is to think about problems that affect others. Perhaps students in your class or on your campus have backgrounds and experiences that differ from yours— what problems or challenges might they have encountered during their time in college that you don’t know about?

As you think about the purpose and audience for your proposal, think again about the rhetorical situation, specifically about the audience you want to reach and the mode of presentation best suited to them and your purpose. For example, say you’re dissatisfied with the process for electing student leaders on your campus. If your purpose is to identify the problems in the process and propose a change, then your audience would include other students, the group or committee that oversees student elections, and perhaps others. To reach other students who might also be dissatisfied, you might write an article, editorial, or letter for the campus newspaper, social media page, or website, depending on how students on your campus get news. In addition, you might organize a meeting of other students to get their input on the problem. To reach the decision makers, which may include elected students, faculty, and administrators, you might need to prepare an oral presentation and a slide deck.

Below in Figure 6.7 are three slides from Shawn Krukowski’s proposal that he adapted for a presentation: the title slide, a slide on one aspect of the problem, and a slide introducing one of the proposed solutions.

Quick Launch: Finding a Problem to Write About

A proposal must address a real-life problem and present one or more workable solutions. Usually, problems worth writing about are not easily solved; if they were, they would no longer be considered problems. Indeed, problems in proposals are often complex, and solutions are often complicated and involve trade-offs. Sometimes people disagree about whether the problem is a problem at all and whether any proposed solutions are viable solutions.

Exploring a Problem

One way to generate ideas about a problem is to brainstorm. To explore a topic for your proposal, use a graphic organizer like Table 6.2 to write responses to the following statements and questions:

For example, perhaps you’re considering a career in information technology, and you’re taking an IT class. You might be interested in exploring the problem of data breaches. A data breach is a real-world problem with possible solutions, so it passes the first test of being an actual problem with possible solutions. Your responses to the questions above might look something like those in Table 6.3 :

Narrowing and Focusing

Many problems for a proposal can be too broad to tackle in a single paper. For example, the sample above reveals that data breaches are indeed a problem but that several aspects can be explored. If you tried to cover all the aspects, you would be left writing general paragraphs with little specific information. The topic needs to be narrowed and focused.

The data breaches example above could be narrowed to the following problems—and possibly even more. Note that the questions start to zero in on possible solutions, too. In your own writing, as you brainstorm, try placing subtopics you discover into their own categories and asking more questions, as shown in Table 6.4 .

Sample Proposal Topics

The following broad topics are potentially suitable as a start for a proposal. Choose one of these or one of your own, and ask the exploring questions. Then look at your responses, and ask focusing questions. Continue to focus until you have a specific problem that you can discuss in sufficient depth and offer a concrete solution or solutions.

• Health fields: cost of medical and dental care for uninsured people, management of chronic conditions and diseases, infection control, vaccinations, access to mental health care, drug use and addiction, sports injuries, workplace safety
• Education: gaps in academic achievement, curriculum, recruitment and retention of staff and/or students, buildings and grounds, graduation rates, cocurricular activities
• Environment: forest management and fires, hurricanes and other extreme storms, water and air pollution, sustainable development, invasive species, waste management, recycling and composting, community gardening
• Engineering and computer science: robotics, vehicles and transportation, digital divide, online privacy, misinformation and misbehavior on social media, video games
• Business and manufacturing: quality improvement, process improvement, cost control, communication, social media, pay equity, fundraising, sourcing of materials, net-zero energy processes, workplace safety
• Policy and politics: public institutions, such as public schools, libraries, transportation systems, and parks; taxes, fees, and services; donations to political campaigns; healthcare, such as Medicare and Medicaid; social security; unemployment insurance; services for active military and veterans; immigration policy
• Society and culture: social media and free speech; inequality in housing, employment, education, and more; cancel culture; bullying; wealth and poverty; support for the arts; athletes and sports; disparities related to race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, and/or ability

Gathering Information

Proposals are rooted in information and evidence; therefore, most proposal assignments require you to conduct research. Depending on your assignment, you may need to do formal research, an activity that involves finding sources and evaluating them for reliability, reading them carefully and taking notes, and citing all words you quote and ideas you borrow. See Research Process: Accessing and Recording Information and Annotated Bibliography: Gathering, Evaluating, and Documenting Sources for detailed instruction on conducting research. If you are proposing a solution to a problem in your local community or on your campus, you may need to conduct primary research as well, such as a survey or interviews with people who live or work there.

Whether you conduct in-depth research or do background reading, keep track of the ideas that come to you and the information you learn. You can write or dictate notes using an app on your phone or computer, or you can jot notes in a journal if you prefer pen and paper. Then, when you are ready to begin to organize what you have learned, you will have a record of your thoughts and information. Always track the source of the information you gather, whether from your reading or a person you interviewed, so that you can return to that source if you need more information and can credit the source in your paper.

Kinds of Evidence

You will use evidence to demonstrate that the problem is real and worthy of being solved and that your recommended solution is workable. Choose evidence for your proposal that is rooted in facts. In addition, choose evidence that best supports the angle you take on your topic and meets your instructor’s requirements. Cite all evidence you use from a source. Consider the following kinds of evidence and examples of each:

Definition : an explanation of a key word, idea, or concept.

The Personal Data Notification & Protection Act of 2017 defines a security breach as “a compromise of the security, confidentiality, or integrity of, or the loss of, computerized data that results in… (i) the unauthorized acquisition of sensitive personally identifiable information; or (ii) access to sensitive personally identifiable information that is for an unauthorized purpose, or in excess of authorization.”

Example : an illustration of an idea or concept.

Every month, university staff members receive a fake phishing email from the IT department. The goal is to train employees of the university to be critical readers of every email they receive.

Expert opinion : a statement by a professional whose opinion is respected in the field.

In The Sixth Extinction , science writer Elizabeth Kolbert observes that humans are making the choice about “which evolutionary pathways will remain and open and which will be forever closed” (268).

Fact : information that is true and can be proven correct or accurate. Statements of fact are built on evidence and data.

In March and April of 2020, 43 states in the United States issued orders directing residents to stay home except for essential activities.

Interview : a person-to-person, phone, or remote conversation that involves an interviewer posing questions to another person or group of people.

During an interview, I asked about parents’ decisions to vaccinate their children. One pediatrician said, “The majority of parents see the benefits of immunizations for their children and for public health. For those who don’t, I talk to them and try to understand why they feel the way they do.”

Quotation : the exact words of an author or speaker.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, SpaceX was required to conduct a “comprehensive review of the company’s safety culture, operational decision-making, and process discipline,” in addition to investigating the crash of its prototype spacecraft (Chang).

Statistics : numerical fact or item of data.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 40 million tons of food waste were generated in 2017, comprising 15.2% of all trash sent to landfills (DeSilver).

Survey : a structured interview in which respondents are all asked the same questions and their answers are tabulated and interpreted. Surveys reveal attitudes, beliefs, or habits of the general public or segments of the population.

In a survey of adults conducted in July 2020, 64 percent of respondents said that social media have a mostly negative effect on American society (Auxier).

• Visuals and other media : graphs, figures, tables, photographs, diagrams, charts, maps, videos, audio recordings, etc.

Thesis and Organization

Drafting a thesis.

When you have a solid grasp of the problem and solution, try drafting a thesis . A thesis is the main idea that you will convey in your proposal and to which all the paragraphs in the paper should relate. In a proposal, you will likely express this main idea in a thesis statement of one or two sentences toward the end of the introduction.

For example, in the thesis statement Shawn Krukowski wrote for his proposal on climate change, he identifies the problem and previews the solutions he presents:

student sample text What is needed to slow climate change is unified action in two key areas—mitigation and adaptation—spurred by government leadership in the United States and a global commitment to addressing the problem immediately. end student sample text

Here is another example that identifies a problem and multiple solutions:

student sample text The number of women employed in the IT field is decreasing every year, a trend that can be changed with a multifaceted approach that includes initiatives in middle schools, high schools, and colleges; active recruitment; mentoring programs; and flexible work arrangements. end student sample text

After you draft a thesis statement, ask these questions and revise it as needed:

• Is it engaging? A thesis for a proposal should pique readers’ interest in the problem and possible solutions.
• Is it precise and specific? If you are interested in curbing the spread of invasive plant species, for example, your thesis should indicate which environment the plant or plants are invading and that you are proposing ways to stop the spread.

Organizing Your Ideas

A proposal has a recognizable shape, starting with an introduction, followed by discussions of the problem, possible solutions, potential objections to the solutions, and a conclusion with a recommendation. A graphic organizer like Table 6.5 can help you organize your ideas and evidence.

Drafting a Proposal

With a tentative thesis, an organization plan, and evidence, you are ready to begin drafting your proposal. For this assignment, you will discuss a problem, present possible solutions, address objections to the solutions, and conclude with a recommendation.

Introduction

You may choose to write the introduction first, last, or midway through the drafting process. Whenever you choose to write it, use it to draw readers in. Make the proposal topic clear, and be concise. End the introduction with your thesis statement.

Opening a proposal with an overview of your topic is a reliable strategy, as shown in the following student-written example on women working in IT. The thesis statement, which appeared earlier in this section, is underlined:

student sample text People who work in the information technology (IT) field often start their careers fixing computers and other electronic devices for others. Through experience and education, an IT worker’s career path can branch out to specialize in everything from programming new software to setting up and maintaining networks. The IT field is growing because of the constant development of technology, and the demand for employees also is growing. underline Yet the number of women employed in the IT field is decreasing every year, a trend that can be changed with a multifaceted approach that includes initiatives in middle schools, high schools, and colleges; active recruitment; mentoring programs; and flexible work arrangements end underline . end student sample text

Body Paragraphs: Problem, Solutions, Objections

The body paragraphs of your proposal should present the problem, the solution or solutions, and potential objections to the proposed solution(s). As you write these paragraphs, consider using the point , evidence , and analysis pattern:

• The point is the central idea of the paragraph, usually given in a topic sentence stated in your own words at or toward beginning of the paragraph.
• With the evidence you provide, you develop the paragraph and support the point given in the topic sentence. Include details, examples, quotations, paraphrases, and summaries from sources. In your sentences and paragraphs, synthesize the evidence you give by showing the connections between sources. See Position Argument: Practicing the Art of Rhetoric and Argumentative Research: Enhancing the Art of Rhetoric with Evidence for more information on quoting, summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing.
• The analysis comes at the end of the paragraph. In your own words, draw a conclusion about the evidence you have provided and relate it to the topic sentence.

The paragraphs that follow show the point-evidence-analysis pattern in practice.

Body Paragraphs: Problem

Follow the introduction with a discussion of the problem. Using paragraph structure, define the problem and discuss it, drawing on evidence from your sources. This paragraph (or paragraphs) should answer these questions: What is the problem? Why is this a problem? The following example, from the proposal on women working in IT, answers the first question:

student sample text The information technology (IT) field is continuously expanding, with many more positions available than workers to fill them. In fact, the pool of IT professionals was so small that in 2001, Congress raised the visa limit in an effort to fill the gap with employees from overseas (Varma, 2002). And yet the number of women represented in the occupation is decreasing. From 1990 to 2020, the percentage of women in IT declined from 31 percent to 25 percent, even though women make up 47 percent of all employed adults in the United States. According to White (2021), only 19 percent of women pursue a computer science major in college, compared to 27 percent in 1997. Of those women who graduated with a computer science degree, 38 percent are working in the field compared to 56 percent of men, a statistic that indicates women are not staying in the field. Although gender diversity supposedly is valued in the workplace, the underrepresentation of women in IT is clearly a problem. end student sample text

The writer then goes on to answer the second question: Why is this a problem? The writer discusses stereotypes, lack of encouragement and role models, workplace culture, pay, and prospects for advancement (not shown here).

Body Paragraphs: Solutions

After presenting and explaining the problem, use specific information from the sources you consulted to present the solution or solutions you have discovered through your research. If you are proposing more than one solution, present them one at a time, using headings as appropriate.

The solutions section will likely be the longest part of your proposal. Below are two paragraphs from the proposal about women working in IT. Note how the first paragraph introduces the solutions and how the second paragraph uses evidence to develop the first proposed solution. Also note the informative boldface headings.

student sample text The following suggestions are ways to encourage women to enter IT and build their careers, with the eventual goal of achieving gender balance in the field. The solutions discussed include encouraging interest in computer technology among girls in middle school and high school, actively recruiting college-age women to study IT, and within the field, mentoring women and expanding workplace flexibility to improve retention. end student sample text

student sample text The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is an organization that encourages girls in middle school and high school to explore their interest in IT. One program, the NCWIT’s Aspirations in Computing, supports women in high school by showing them that they can succeed in technology and introducing them to other students with similar interests. The same program matches middle-school girls with female high-school and college students and awards scholarships for computing and programming competitions. In addition, internships and IT courses in middle school and high school provide opportunities to learn what a career in IT entails, with or without a degree in IT. Opportunities like these give girls and women support and a sense of belonging. end student sample text

The paragraphs that follow (not shown here) continue the discussion of the possible solutions.

Body Paragraphs: Objections

Depending on the problem and solution, consider the objections readers may raise, and explain why your proposal is necessary and worthwhile. For example, the proposal on women in IT does not discuss objections because few people would object to the writer’s proposal. Shawn Krukowski, however, in his proposal on climate change, includes a section on objections to taking action. He focuses the discussion on people who deny that climate change is a problem. Would you do the same? Consider whether this section of Shawn’s proposal might have been stronger had he addressed objections to the solutions he proposed—mitigation and adaptation—instead of objections to the problem.

student sample text Despite scientific evidence, some people and groups deny that climate change is real or, if they admit it exists, insist it is not a valid concern. Those who think climate change is not a problem point to Earth’s millennia-long history of changing climate as evidence that life has always persisted. Most of the change, however, predates human civilization, which has benefited from thousands of years of stable climate. The rapid change since the Industrial Revolution is unprecedented in human history. end student sample text

student sample text Those who deny climate change or its dangers seek primarily to relax or remove pollution standards and regulations in order to protect, or maximize profit from, their industries. To date, their lobbying has been successful. For example, the world’s fossil-fuel industry received $5.3 trillion in 2015 alone, while the U.S. wind-energy industry received $12.3 billion in subsidies between 2000 and 2020 (Green America, 2020). end student sample text

Conclusion and Recommendation

The conclusion and recommendation section of your proposal is the part in which you interpret your findings and make a recommendation or give a call to action. At this point, focus on the solution that will best solve the problem, suggesting or summarizing specific actions.

Below is the recommendation section from the proposal about women in IT. In the full conclusion (not shown here), the writer summarizes the main points of the proposal. In the recommendation paragraph that follows, the writer calls for specific actions:

student sample text Many researchers have studied why few women choose IT as a career and why some decide to leave the field. Although the numbers cannot be improved immediately, the following changes in school and the workplace could recruit and retain more women in IT: end student sample text

• Include technology education courses and formal IT programs in middle- and high-school curricula to give girls and young women opportunities to develop an interest at an early age.
• Develop internship and mentor programs in high schools and colleges to combat stereotyping and encourage women to enter the field.
• Develop and encourage workplace mentor programs, flexible work options, and open communication for professional growth and retention.

student sample text With time and effort, these actions may result in more women seeing themselves in long-term IT careers. end student sample text

References or Works Cited Page

Including any data you gathered through primary research, such as a survey you created and administered, interviews you conducted, or observational notes you took, you must cite the sources you consulted. These sources appear in the text of your proposal and in a bibliography at the end. The paragraphs in the previous section, including Shawn Krukowski’s proposal, use APA documentation style. For more on documenting sources, see Index and Guide to Documentation , MLA Documentation and Format , and APA Documentation and Format .

Abstract or Executive Summary

An abstract (or executive summary) summarizes your proposal. The purpose is to present information briefly and economically so that readers can decide whether they want to read further. Include your main points, but not the evidence.

Although an abstract or executive summary comes first in a proposal, it is advisable to write it after you have completed your proposal and are certain of your main points. The example below is the abstract from the proposal about women in IT.

student sample text The purpose of this proposal is to raise awareness of the small number of women working in the information technology (IT) field, to examine the factors that contribute to discouraging women from entering IT, and to propose ways to draw women into the field and retain them. Although the IT field is growing, the number of women employed within it remains low. Women may be reluctant to pursue a career in IT because of stereotypes, few role models, and lack of encouragement. Women who have already established a career in IT report leaving the field for these reasons, as well as family responsibilities and lack of advancement. There are several potential ways to raise the number of women in IT. Encouraging interest in computer technology among girls in middle school and high school, recruiting college-age women to study IT, mentoring young professional women, and improving workplace flexibility will, over time, break down stereotypes and increase the number of women in the IT field. end student sample text

Peer Review: Getting Feedback from Readers

With a complete draft in hand, you may engage in peer review with your classmates, giving feedback to each other about the strengths and weaknesses of your drafts. For peer review within a class, your instructor may provide a list of questions or a form for you to complete as you work together.

Conferencing in Writing Groups

Other people can provide feedback on your writing beside your classmates. If you have an on-campus writing center, it is well worth your time to make an online or in-person appointment with a tutor at any point in your writing process. You will get valuable comments and improve your ability to review your own writing.

Another way to get fresh eyes on your writing is to ask a friend or family member to read your draft. To get useful feedback, provide a list of questions or a form such as the one shown in Table 6.6 for them to complete as they read.

Revising Your Proposal

A strong college paper is rarely written in a single draft, so build in time to revise your work. Take time with the comments you receive from your readers, and read your own work with a critical eye.

Responding to Reviewers’ Feedback

When you receive feedback from readers—whether from your instructor, your classmates, a writing tutor, or someone else—read each comment carefully to understand what the reader is communicating. Do your best not to become defensive, and be open to suggestions for improvement. Remind yourself that your readers are trying to help. As someone who hasn’t thought about your proposal as much as you have, a new reader can often see strengths and weaknesses that you cannot. Analyze each response, and decide whether acting on a suggestion will make your writing better. Remember that you remain the author, and you make the final call on your writing.

As you read, keep track of the comments your readers make. Pay special attention to strengths and weaknesses that more than one reader identifies. Use that information to improve later assignments as well as your proposal.

Revising on Your Own

The following revising strategies can help you read your draft critically and carefully:

• Read your draft aloud. Read the entire text from the beginning slowly and carefully, marking spots that need revision. Reading in this way allows you to see areas that need clarification, explanation, or development that you may have missed when you wrote the first draft. You can also have someone read your draft aloud to you.
• Make a paragraph outline. The most common unit of thought in writing is the paragraph, a group of sentences set off from other groups because they focus on a single idea. Writing a paragraph outline creates a map of your whole paper that can help you determine whether the organization is effective or needs changing. Number each paragraph and write a phrase describing its topic or focus. Check that each paragraph has a topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph.
• Test your evidence. Check whether each piece of evidence is factual and supports the main idea of the paragraph. Check that each piece of evidence is introduced, woven into your sentences, and cited.
• Listen for your voice. In most college papers, your language should sound like a real person. If your instructor requires a formal style for the assignment, the language should be objective and in third-person point of view .
• Let go if you need to. View change as good. Learn to let go of words, sentences, paragraphs, and maybe even your entire first draft. Sometimes the best way to revise is to start fresh. The knowledge you have built in writing a first draft will serve you well if you need to start over.
• Create a new file for each revision. Each time you revise a draft, save the new version with a new file name so that you don’t lose your previous work. That way, you can return to an earlier version of your draft if you are not happy with the revision.
• Edit and proofread. When you are satisfied with the overall shape of your paper, reread it once again to check for sentence-level errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and source citations.

Taking It Public: Publishing or Presenting Your Proposal

Publishing is a final step in the writing process. You may want to consider publishing your full proposal in your campus newspaper (or rewriting it as a letter to the editor) if your topic is related to your school. Or you may want to present it to an organization or committee on campus that can help you make your solution a reality. If your topic is related to the community in which you live, consider submitting your proposal to the local newspaper or presenting it at a city council meeting. (Note that if you decide to present your proposal orally, you’ll need to figure out in advance the procedure for speaking or getting on a meeting agenda.) If your topic is more general and involves substantial research, consider submitting your proposal to one of these journals that publish undergraduate research work in all fields:

• American Journal of Undergraduate Research
• Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research
• PURSUE Undergraduate Research Journal

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction

• Authors: Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler
• Publisher/website: OpenStax
• Book title: Writing Guide with Handbook
• Publication date: Dec 21, 2021
• Location: Houston, Texas
• Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/1-unit-introduction
• Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/writing-guide/pages/6-5-writing-process-creating-a-proposal

© Dec 19, 2023 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Research paper

Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide

Published on September 24, 2022 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on March 27, 2023.

The introduction to a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:

• Present your topic and get the reader interested
• Provide background or summarize existing research
• Position your own approach
• Detail your specific research problem and problem statement
• Give an overview of the paper’s structure

The introduction looks slightly different depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or constructs an argument by engaging with a variety of sources.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

Step 1: introduce your topic, step 2: describe the background, step 3: establish your research problem, step 4: specify your objective(s), step 5: map out your paper, research paper introduction examples, frequently asked questions about the research paper introduction.

The first job of the introduction is to tell the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening hook.

The hook is a striking opening sentence that clearly conveys the relevance of your topic. Think of an interesting fact or statistic, a strong statement, a question, or a brief anecdote that will get the reader wondering about your topic.

For example, the following could be an effective hook for an argumentative paper about the environmental impact of cattle farming:

A more empirical paper investigating the relationship of Instagram use with body image issues in adolescent girls might use the following hook:

Don’t feel that your hook necessarily has to be deeply impressive or creative. Clarity and relevance are still more important than catchiness. The key thing is to guide the reader into your topic and situate your ideas.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

This part of the introduction differs depending on what approach your paper is taking.

In a more argumentative paper, you’ll explore some general background here. In a more empirical paper, this is the place to review previous research and establish how yours fits in.

Argumentative paper: Background information

After you’ve caught your reader’s attention, specify a bit more, providing context and narrowing down your topic.

Provide only the most relevant background information. The introduction isn’t the place to get too in-depth; if more background is essential to your paper, it can appear in the body .

Empirical paper: Describing previous research

For a paper describing original research, you’ll instead provide an overview of the most relevant research that has already been conducted. This is a sort of miniature literature review —a sketch of the current state of research into your topic, boiled down to a few sentences.

This should be informed by genuine engagement with the literature. Your search can be less extensive than in a full literature review, but a clear sense of the relevant research is crucial to inform your own work.

Begin by establishing the kinds of research that have been done, and end with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to respond to.

The next step is to clarify how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses.

Argumentative paper: Emphasize importance

In an argumentative research paper, you can simply state the problem you intend to discuss, and what is original or important about your argument.

Empirical paper: Relate to the literature

In an empirical research paper, try to lead into the problem on the basis of your discussion of the literature. Think in terms of these questions:

• What research gap is your work intended to fill?
• What limitations in previous work does it address?
• What contribution to knowledge does it make?

You can make the connection between your problem and the existing research using phrases like the following.

Now you’ll get into the specifics of what you intend to find out or express in your research paper.

The way you frame your research objectives varies. An argumentative paper presents a thesis statement, while an empirical paper generally poses a research question (sometimes with a hypothesis as to the answer).

Argumentative paper: Thesis statement

The thesis statement expresses the position that the rest of the paper will present evidence and arguments for. It can be presented in one or two sentences, and should state your position clearly and directly, without providing specific arguments for it at this point.

Empirical paper: Research question and hypothesis

The research question is the question you want to answer in an empirical research paper.

Present your research question clearly and directly, with a minimum of discussion at this point. The rest of the paper will be taken up with discussing and investigating this question; here you just need to express it.

A research question can be framed either directly or indirectly.

• This study set out to answer the following question: What effects does daily use of Instagram have on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls?
• We investigated the effects of daily Instagram use on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls.

If your research involved testing hypotheses , these should be stated along with your research question. They are usually presented in the past tense, since the hypothesis will already have been tested by the time you are writing up your paper.

For example, the following hypothesis might respond to the research question above:

The final part of the introduction is often dedicated to a brief overview of the rest of the paper.

In a paper structured using the standard scientific “introduction, methods, results, discussion” format, this isn’t always necessary. But if your paper is structured in a less predictable way, it’s important to describe the shape of it for the reader.

If included, the overview should be concise, direct, and written in the present tense.

• This paper will first discuss several examples of survey-based research into adolescent social media use, then will go on to …
• This paper first discusses several examples of survey-based research into adolescent social media use, then goes on to …

Full examples of research paper introductions are shown in the tabs below: one for an argumentative paper, the other for an empirical paper.

• Argumentative paper
• Empirical paper

Are cows responsible for climate change? A recent study (RIVM, 2019) shows that cattle farmers account for two thirds of agricultural nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. These emissions result from nitrogen in manure, which can degrade into ammonia and enter the atmosphere. The study’s calculations show that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen pollution, accounting for 46% of the country’s total emissions. By comparison, road traffic and households are responsible for 6.1% each, the industrial sector for 1%. While efforts are being made to mitigate these emissions, policymakers are reluctant to reckon with the scale of the problem. The approach presented here is a radical one, but commensurate with the issue. This paper argues that the Dutch government must stimulate and subsidize livestock farmers, especially cattle farmers, to transition to sustainable vegetable farming. It first establishes the inadequacy of current mitigation measures, then discusses the various advantages of the results proposed, and finally addresses potential objections to the plan on economic grounds.

The rise of social media has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the prevalence of body image issues among women and girls. This correlation has received significant academic attention: Various empirical studies have been conducted into Facebook usage among adolescent girls (Tiggermann & Slater, 2013; Meier & Gray, 2014). These studies have consistently found that the visual and interactive aspects of the platform have the greatest influence on body image issues. Despite this, highly visual social media (HVSM) such as Instagram have yet to be robustly researched. This paper sets out to address this research gap. We investigated the effects of daily Instagram use on the prevalence of body image issues among adolescent girls. It was hypothesized that daily Instagram use would be associated with an increase in body image concerns and a decrease in self-esteem ratings.

The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:

• A hook to catch the reader’s interest
• Relevant background on the topic
• Details of your research problem

and your problem statement

• A thesis statement or research question
• Sometimes an overview of the paper

Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.

This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .

The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .

A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, March 27). Writing a Research Paper Introduction | Step-by-Step Guide. Scribbr. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-paper/research-paper-introduction/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, writing strong research questions | criteria & examples, writing a research paper conclusion | step-by-step guide, research paper format | apa, mla, & chicago templates, what is your plagiarism score.

• Essay Editor

Proposal Essay Examples: Convincing Ideas for Your Research Paper or Essay

Struggling to craft a captivating and well-built proposal essay? Many students find it challenging to compose a proposal-based essay and struggle to generate convincing ideas. If this sounds familiar, read on. In this comprehensive guide, we streamline the process of brainstorming and composing work, offering resources like suggestions on how to write a proposal essay, suggested steps when writing, useful examples, and efficient essay-crafting tips.

Developed through several years of expertise in scholarly writing, our article is meticulously tailored to help you excel in your academic assignments. Join us as we explore crafting an exceptional proposal paper. With the right tools and assistance, you'll move from ambiguity to self-assurance, ready to write an impressive work. Let's master the art of creating an attention-grabbing essay.

What is a Proposal Essay?

A proposal essay succinctly outlines the key content and aim of your intended study, summarizing its primary points and overall intent. Unlike a thesis, which presents the main idea of your academic study, a proposal-focused assignment acts as a detailed plan addressing a specific problem. As a proposal writer, you identify an issue, suggest a possible solution, and then provide persuasive evidence for the audience to have them support your viewpoint. Your goal is to convince them that this view is exceptional and deserves implementation. When writing such an essay, consider it as a chance to immerse in practical issues and showcase analytical and creative thinking skills. These papers serve as strategic tools, allowing an author to present their ideas or beliefs compellingly. Beyond business or economics, they encourage solution-seeking and reasoning skills across a variety of disciplines.

In a nutshell, a proposal-driven assignment allows you to demonstrate your ability to think innovatively and critically, addressing real-life issues with practical solutions. Now that you understand what is a proposal essay, join us in exploring its specifics and revealing your writer’s potential.

How to Write a Proposal Essay

Creating a successful proposal-related paper necessitates thorough preparation and an understanding of your audience's needs. To write such an essay, observe these stages:

• Extensively investigate your assignment’s topic to identify a chosen problem.
• Develop a compelling thesis statement summarizing your suggested solution.
• Make a solid proposal essay outline to logically organize all your ideas and ensure unity and cohesion.
• Present solid proof to support your viewpoints and anticipate any objections.
• Refine your writing carefully to enhance content clarity and logic.

When you are occupied with thoughts on how to write a paper proposal, handy tools like the AI essay generator Aithor have become indispensable helpers. Aithor, our intuitive assistant, empowers writers by utilizing advanced technology to generate ideas, check accuracy, and offer alternative words, improving the piece of writing. Explore the innovative capabilities of our AI tool by visiting https://aithor.com/ai-essay-generator and let it assist you with your assignment.

Check out some additional tips to enhance your overall essay quality:

• Get to know your audience and tailor your planned proposal to its interests.
• Use convincing language to involve your audience to advocate for your notion.
• Incorporate relevant data, instances, and statistics to reinforce your position.
• Address possible counterarguments to demonstrate thorough consideration.
• Use a powerful summary to conclude and inspire to act, urging support for your concepts.

To wrap up, writing a decent proposal-based essay requires in-depth investigation, persuasive argumentation, and attention to detail. By following the mentioned guidelines and additional tips, you can smoothly write a solid solution-focused writing that inspires action.

Prewriting Stage

Setting for a journey of composing a proposal-related assignment can be overwhelming. How to start a proposal essay? To ease this process, academic writers advocate for a systematic approach to craft a captivating piece of writing.

Here's a full guide to guarantee your assignment paper stands out. Know Your Reader

Being sympathetic to your prospective listeners is paramount when writing a persuasive paper. Who will you write for? Identify their key roles, preferences, and concerns to efficiently customize your message. This ensures mutual resonance in your views and addresses their specific needs and expectations.

Research Academic investigation forms the foundation of a robust convincing paper. Even with a prior understanding of the material, delving deeper yields new insights and perspectives. Revising scholarly literature enhances arguments, lending authority and credibility to your message.

Set an Issue

State the topic and challenges precisely and clearly. Use evidence to accentuate its significance and establish your grasp of the matter. That step is pivotal in gaining the audience's sympathy and support.

Define a Solution

Offer a straightforward and practical way out to the identified problem. Ensure its clarity and usefulness, aligning with indicated requirements. Frame your resolution in terms of objectives, delineating primary goals and additional benefits your project will provide.

Write an Essay Proposal Outline

Crafting an outline for your persuasive paper is essential. This helps put your ideas in order and create a logical flow. When structuring your paper, begin with a catchy introduction that describes the problem. Outline your suggested resolution with strong evidence, facts, and illustrations. Finally, summarize the noteworthy aspects and emphasize the relevance of your proposal. This structured approach enhances coherence and persuasiveness.

Ø  For executive proposals, add organizational data and budget analysis, maintaining clear and direct language, devoid of unnecessary jargon.

Structure of a Proposal Essay

Generating a credible proposal-focused essay involves several main components, each serving a definite purpose to efficiently convey your key idea. Here's a full breakdown of how to write an essay proposal:

Introduction

• Captivating Intro

Capture the readers' attention with an eye-catching hook. Precisely state your essay’s thesis statement, conveying your message succinctly and convincingly.

•   Context and Background

Provide a solid background for your proposed idea, thus setting a stage for the topic matter and its validity.

• Research Relevance

State why your investigation is essential, drawing upon the background info provided.

• Problem Statement

Dive deeper into the presented issue, delineating its relevance and impact to deliver a captivating context for your written work.

• Proposal Statement

State your projected way out to the mentioned challenges. Emphasize its paybacks and mention potential shortcomings to showcase its viability.

•   Implementation Plan

Clarify in detail how you wish to put your words into effect, addressing practical considerations and potential obstacles.

• Expected Outcome

Talk about the positive effects that you expect from executing your solution proposal, conveying distinctly its probable impact.

• Evaluation of Feasibility

Consider the proposal’s practicability considering the essential resources and would-be objections.

• Resource Management and Timeline

Indicate the demanded resources and generate a timeline for implementation if applicable.

• Research Queries and Objectives

List the goals of your inquiry and say how will addressing the challenges impact your audience. Utilize credible sources and data to reinforce your arguments.

•   Study Design and Methodology

Explain your methodology for addressing the challenge, illustrating the rationale behind your selected approach, and predicting the anticipated outcomes.

• Key Points Summary 

Recap the main points from the intro, background, and topic relevance, along with the hypotheses/research questions sections.

• Importance and Potential Impact

Accentuate how your investigation can hypothetically contribute to addressing the mentioned issue and consider potential consequences if the proposal is not implemented.

• Call to Action and Close

Restate the proposal’s relevance, leaving the audience with a convincing call to action. Express gratitude for the committee's consideration and leave readers with a sense of anticipation for the proposed research.

•   Bibliography (Optional)

Include a literature list that references the materials used and displays the work’s contents to demonstrate the depth of the investigation. It is usually placed at the end of the whole text as a separate section.

Remember to refine your final draft for clarity and conciseness, testing if the paper proposal format is well-constructed. Consider seeking some feedback from others to enhance the presentation and proposal actuality. Additionally, ensure each paragraph flows smoothly and plausibly and supports your general argument. This ensures content clarity and cohesion throughout your text.

Academic Research Study Proposal Sample 2024

Here is a sample idea for an interesting proposal paper:

• The proposed research study will investigate the risks of sending messages while driving and explore measures to mitigate this hazardous behavior.
•  Texting when driving continues to be a widespread issue despite various awareness campaigns and legal restrictions.
• The study will focus on examining the mental and physical distractions caused by this activity. Also, the proposal will delve into the increased likelihood of mishaps and fatalities associated with such behavior.
• Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the investigation will gather data through surveys, interviews, and driving simulations from a diverse sample of drivers across different age groups and regions.
•  Data analysis will include statistical analysis of accident rates, qualitative coding of interview responses, and thematic analysis of driving simulation outcomes.
•  The essay's findings aim to raise awareness among policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and the public about the grave dangers of texting when driving.
• Additionally, the investigation will propose recommendations for interventions such as stricter enforcement of existing regulations, educational programs targeting drivers of all ages, and the creation of technological solutions to prevent distraction-related cases.
• Ultimately, this study seeks to add to the lessening of crashes and fatalities caused by texting in a car and encourage safer driving habits in society.

Final Remarks

In composing a robust proposal essay, the journey from beginning to culmination is marked by strategic planning and scrupulous work. If you embrace a methodical approach, a captivating paper will emerge. Such vital details as understanding the audience, conducting in-depth research, describing the challenges, proposing possible way-outs, and structuring your arguments are vital elements of a successfully written work. Each phase of this process contributes to the clarity and persuasiveness of the text, ensuring resonance with readers. Using illustrative examples adds depth and relatability to the proposal.

Ultimately, the proposal paper showcases not only analytical prowess and solution-seeking acumen but also adept communication of intricate concepts. With unwavering dedication and meticulous focus on details, the proposal essay becomes a testament to effective persuasion and insightful discourse.

Related articles

3 paragraph essay: structure and writing guide.

There is a wide range of challenging and interesting writings in academic assignments. A 3 paragraph essay is highly rated in this list. What is the purpose of this project? What parts should be there? How to organize material correctly? These questions will be discussed in the article. The purpose of the 3 paragraph essay is to show a student's ability to fit a topic interpretation in a limited amount of words. This format is usually used for summaries, argumentative essays, and other papers, ...

A Guide to Writing a Great Short Essay

As a student, you're no stranger to the countless writing assignments your teachers toss your way. When you see that your next assignment is a short essay, you might think, "Oh, this will be easy!" I mean, it's only a few hundred words, right? How hard could it be? But here's the thing: writing a short essay can sometimes be even harder than writing a longer paper. So, let's work together and figure out how to make your short essays really stand out! The Basics of a Short Essay Format A short ...

Effective Transition Words for Structured, Flowing Essays

Have you ever encountered an essay that flowed seamlessly, through a clear and logical path? That smooth flow is often achieved through the skillful use of connectors. Transition words, also identified as connectors, are the unrecognized heroes of succinct, cohesive writing, effortlessly leading attentive readers from one part to another. The correct usage of connectors also reflects the quality of your composition. In this instructional guide, let’s look at the importance of linking words, exam ...

How to Write About Yourself: Basic Tips & Examples

Writing about yourself isn't always easy, but it is definitely an important skill to have. You might need to do this for a school application, a job, or just to understand yourself better. When you think about how to start an essay about yourself, it's good to consider what makes you special. What has happened in your life that's important to you? What do you care about? These questions can help you find the main parts of your story to share. Why Writing About Yourself Matters Writing about w ...

How to Write a Good Conclusion: Outline and Examples

Writing a well-structured and insightful concluding paragraph is akin to putting the final cherry on top of a delicious cake – it completes the experience and leaves a lasting impression. Whether you are crafting a paper, a report, or research, creating a persuasive closing paragraph can significantly enhance your work’s influence. This guide delineates the specifics of how to write a conclusion, explores the essential elements of a closure, offers strategies for writing one that resonates, and ...

How to Write a Methodology in a Research Proposal

In academic research, crafting a solid methodology is crucial, acting as the foundation for a reliable study structure. It provides the framework that guides the investigation towards addressing research questions and achieving study objectives. Understanding ‘What is methodology in research?’, the components it entails, its efficient organization, and the essential steps required, is vital for aspiring academics. This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of accurately generating a meth ...

How to Start an Essay with a Quote

Starting an essay with a quote is more challenging than picking some excellent words from a famous person. It's about finding words that make people want to read more. You may have tried before and ended up with something that didn't sound very serious. Don't worry; lots of people have this issue. This article will help you choose and use the best quote to begin your essay. Helpful Tips for Starting Your Essay with a Quote Using a quote at the start of your essay can get your reader's attenti ...

Rhetorical Analysis: A Comprehensive Guide

A rhetorical analysis essay is a part of the AP English Language and Composition exam. Due to its unorthodox purpose, rhetorical analysis can be hard to master at first. This article will help you understand what a rhetorical analysis essay is, learn about main rhetorical analysis strategies, and find out how to write a rhetorical analysis. What is a rhetorical analysis? As you can probably guess, a rhetorical analysis is a type of analytical essay. Alongside a synthesis essay and argument es ...

Project Types We Cover

• Admissions Essay
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Research Paper
• Book Reviews
• Personal Statement
• Ph.D Dissertation
• Proofreading

Academic Fields & Subjects

• Programming
• Computer Science
• Other projects we help with
• Our Experts
• Plagiarism Checker
• Writing Tips
• Essay proposal

How to Write an Essay Proposal + Examples

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

For those who are interested in learning how to write an essay, the question "how to write a proposal for an essay" usually occurs first.

What is a proposal essay?

What to include in an essay proposal, know your audience, set an issue, define a solution, write an essay proposal outline, writing an essay proposal, proposal for an academic research study 2022, what characteristics should good proposal essay examples have, introduction, how to start a proposal essay, how do you write a proposal for an essay example, what is a good topic for a proposal essay, what is an illustration of a proposal argument, how to write a paper proposal.

Proposal Essay

A proposal essay is a type of academic writing that presents a problem and suggests a solution or course of action. It outlines a plan, providing detailed arguments and evidence to convince the reader of its feasibility and effectiveness. The essay typically includes an introduction to the issue, a proposed solution, and a discussion of the benefits and potential challenges.

While a thesis represents the main idea of your research, an essay proposal encapsulates the purpose and content of a particular essay. The aim of a proposal is to convince the academic committee that your approach and topic are sound with the hope of you getting approval to go on with the actual research.

Apart from indicating your plan of action, a proposal should also contain your theoretical positioning and your relationship to previous work in that field. Your suggestions or ideas are more likely to be approved if you create an essay proposal in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.

Knowing how to write an essay proposal that is persuasive and captivating is essential for success in many fields. The various types of proposals include book proposals, thesis proposals , and other science proposals, but they use the same basic guidelines. Some of the elements of a proposal include:

• Outline of your intended approach or methodology: You should perform a comparison with the already existing work where you can also include resources needed, costs, and a timeline of when you will get the work done.

Various disciplines may have varying standard ways of writing an essay proposal.

But in any case, when organizing your material:

• Ensure you emphasize the specific focus of your research question
• Use lists, headings, and visuals which make cross reference and reading easy
• Ensure you use a precise and concrete style to show that your idea is feasible and that it can be put into action

This can be done by beginning with why your idea is worth doing or how it contributes to the field, providing enough details to establish feasibility, and showing your ability to handle possible changes or possible problems in focus.

Prewriting Stage

Making a plan is the first stage in drafting an essay proposal.

You must ensure that you think about your audience and what they could already have known or not know about your topic. This will enable you to focus your ideas and present them in a very effective way.

It is also good to assume that your readers will be busy and not predisposed to grant your ideas special consideration. So, persuasiveness and efficiency together with a refined tone that meets the audience’s desires and expectations is a key.

You need to research your project extensively. With a variety of facts and examples, you will be able to convince your audience easily. If your proposition lacks proof that your solution will work, then your solution is not an adequate solution.

Being meticulous as possible helps to make your readers feel confident that you have performed your research well and that you know how to write an essay proposal.

The third step in planning a proposal is to select your issue. You already know your issue. But do the readers know it? And do they believe that you properly understand what you are talking about? You need to set your issue properly by using explanations and evidence in order to convince your readers that you are the right person to do it.

The next step is defining your solution. It should be straightforward and easy to understand. You have to demonstrate how you will solve your issue while complying with the requirements in the request for the document. A proposal must define a problem and provide a practical solution that will convince skeptical or uninterested readers to support it. You can think of your solution in terms of objectives. Your main objective is the goal that you absolutely have to achieve with your project. The secondary objectives are other goals that you believe your project will achieve.

When planning your project, you need to keep the elements of style in mind. Take the time to get familiar with the specifics of writing a proposal for an essay before you dive in. You must tailor your paper to a specific style based on your idea and the people who will read it. Write in plain, direct English language and avoid overuse of obscure abbreviations, jargon, or unnecessarily complex language. You also need to prepare an outline.

An outline isn't part of the proposal but helps you organize it. An outline can comprise the problem, the solution, why the selected solution is the best, and a conclusion. In case you are writing an executive proposal, you will have to include things like organizational details and budget analysis.

Once you understand the basic guidelines on how to write an essay proposal, the next step is to write the actual proposal.

The structure and content of your proposal will help an academic committee understand the intent and seriousness of an applicant. A good essay proposal example is also useful in that it will help you organize your research and educate you about the subject you’re studying.

The format is determined by the institution, class, or school to whom you are submitting your proposal.

Here is a general essay proposal format that will help get you started:

• Introduction – This section will introduce the committee to the issue that you plan to address. The introduction should be firm. Ideally, you need the readers enraptured from the first point.
• Background – This section will provide information about the issue and set the stage by highlighting previous studies on the issue. If there are some stark facts that can shed some light on why your issue has to be addressed and should be addressed immediately, that is something you can start with. Whatever it could be, ensure you begin with a fact and not an opinion.
• Significance – In this section, you will explain why your study is important to be done. You will provide evidence from studies, reports, and other literature that supports your argument that there is a need for a study on the issue.
• Research questions /hypotheses – In this section, you will explain the goals of your study. These questions will guide your analysis. Emphasize why the problem needs to be solved and how it will affect the audience if not solved in time. Use credible sources and facts.
• Study Design – In this section, you will explain how you will conduct your study. You will address the methodology that you plan to use to address the issue. This is where you have to know how to address your problem, why you should do it in a certain way, and what the outcome will be.
• Conclusion – In this section, you will provide a summary of the information presented in the introduction, background, significance, and research questions/hypotheses. You will also explain how your study will help address the issue that your study focuses on. A conclusion should be only one or two paragraphs long. It should basically mirror your introduction and succinctly wrap up your overall message. In case there could be consequences to your proposal not being undertaken, you will have to address them in this section as well. Leave your readers thinking ahead and it is always good to thank them for their time and consideration.
• Bibliography – This is an optional section. The bibliography section provides a list of the literature you’ve read that supports the content of your proposal. If you choose not to include a bibliography, then just continue with your text. And if you have some extra content that does not fit in the proposal, you can add an appendix (best guide on how to write appendix in research papers). But bear in mind that if your proposal is too bulky, it might scare people off. So, if you are in doubt, just leave it out. Having written all sections of your text, you also need to edit your work. Revise your proposal to make it clear and concise. You can as well ask someone else to critique and edit it to make sure that the presentation is attractive and engaging as well as helpful and organized.

Essay Proposal Example

You can find an essay proposal template online. This template will help you to organize the information required to write a good proposal.

The following is a sample essay proposal :

The proposed research study will investigate the relationship between narcissism and personal accomplishment among college students.

College students are ideal subjects due to their young age, digital presence, and diverse ethnic backgrounds.

The study will focus on five key factors that contribute to personal accomplishment: ambition, career goals, leadership skills, volunteer work, and social media presence.

The study will utilize a survey design (quantitative) and will collect data from 250 college students (100 from each of three different college campuses).

Data will be analyzed via multiple regression analysis.

The results of the study will provide psychological professionals and educators with insight into the relationship between narcissism and personal accomplishment among college students.

The study will also provide college students with information that they can utilize to enhance their personal accomplishments and strengthen their college experience.

What is a Proposal Essay?

By definition, a proposal essay is a type of argumentative essay that explains, introduces, and justifies your position.

While there are many ways to write a proposal essay, the general format remains the same. The opening states the purpose and significance of your essay, the middle section provides supporting arguments, and the conclusion wraps everything up by restating your main points.

Proposal essays test students' ability to write a well-reasoned and convincing text. This is similar to a business proposition, where someone is trying to sell you something.

The good examples of proposal essay should

• Have a clear topic – this should be identical or similar to the essay question asked by the university/college
• Show the writer’s passion for the subject – when writing essays , the writer's zeal and excitement are always evident.
• Show a high level of analysis and comprehension – the writer understands the subject matter well enough to be able to explain it in simple terms for their assessors
• Show a confident, coherent, and structured argument – the writer understands the subject matter well enough to be able to present a well-argued and convincing position
• Show a high level of effectiveness in the use of language – the writing sample proposal essay should be informative and feature extensive and compelling use of vocabulary
• Show a professional presentation – the essay should be presented in a professional manner, i.e. consistently spaced paragraphs, heading, italicized literature, and a bibliography

Proposal Essay Outline

The following outline represents a basic proposal essay outline. Of course, every professor will have their own expectations, so be sure to check what they are before you start writing!

The introduction to an essay should briefly summarize the main points and establish the purpose of your paper. For example, if you're proposing a new way to approach a topic, your introduction might start with a brief description of the current approach and then present your argument for why your new approach is better. Regardless of what you're proposing, your essay should clearly state your thesis and provide a roadmap for your argument. Examples can help illustrate your points and provide readers with a concrete sense of what you're proposing.

The body of your essay will contain the argumentation that supports the main idea of your essay. In order to write a well-supported essay , you will need to include evidence to back up your claims. This evidence can come in the form of statistics, quotes from experts, or real-life examples. Be sure to include enough evidence to convincingly support your argument.

The conclusion of your essay proposal should wrap up the argument you made in the body of your paper. You should also motivate your readers to take action based on what you’ve discussed. Perhaps most importantly, you should remind your audience of the importance of your topic and the impact it could have.

You should begin writing your essay from the introduction.

First, summarize the background of your essay. This includes both the subject you’ll be discussing as well as the relevant literature. Place this summary at the beginning of the introduction.

Next, state the objectives of your essay. These objectives should be centered on addressing the knowledge gap presented by your topic.

Finally, introduce the argument you intend to present. This is the main idea of your essay.

Proofread your final text to ensure that the content is free of mistakes. Punctuation, grammar, spelling, or any other mistakes can make you look less educated and less credible, thus lowering your likelihood to be approved. Also, make sure that the essay formatting is in line with the guidelines required.

Even if this is your first time writing a proposal essay sample, these pointers will get you started in the correct direction. If you’re still feeling nervous, however, rest assured that you can approach us for help.

User ratings:

User ratings is 4.8 stars.

4.8 /5 ( 13 Votes)

Content Writer

I studied sociology and marketing at Europa-Universität Viadrina (Germany) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal). When I was a sophomore, back in 2018, I decided to put what I've learned into practice, so I got my first job in digital marketing. I currently work in the content marketing department at Studybay, building strong, effective, and respectful communication between the platform and our clients.

Add Your Comment

We are very interested to know your opinion

Upgrade your writing skills!

Try our AI essay writer from Studybay today!

Essay Papers Writing Online

Easy steps to create an effective essay proposal in minutes.

In today’s educational landscape, one of the most crucial skills that students need to possess is the ability to present a compelling argument through a well-written essay. However, crafting a convincing paper requires a solid foundation and careful planning. This article aims to guide you through the process of developing an impactful essay proposal – a blueprint for your future masterpiece. By following these steps, you will gain a deeper understanding of the proposed topic and increase your chances of delivering a persuasive and coherent paper.

To embark on this exciting journey, it is essential to first identify a topic that resonates with your personal interests and expertise. A thoughtful and engaging proposal distinguishes itself by selecting a subject that not only captivates your readers but also allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject matter. Once you have selected a topic, it is time to refine your focus and develop a clear thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument of your essay.

After determining your topic and thesis, it is crucial to conduct thorough research to support your proposed argument. Utilize reputable sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites, to gather evidence and develop a persuasive case. Remember to critically evaluate the sources you choose and consider multiple perspectives to provide a well-rounded analysis in your essay proposal. Utilize the power of paraphrasing and quoting to strengthen your arguments and provide credibility to your assertions. Additionally, compiling an annotated bibliography can help you track and organize the sources you plan to use in your final paper.

Understand the Purpose of an Essay Proposal

Before diving into the specifics of writing an essay proposal, it is essential to have a clear understanding of its purpose. An essay proposal serves as a preliminary outline of your intended essay, highlighting key ideas and arguments that will be explored in your writing. It acts as a roadmap, guiding both the writer and the reader through the main points that will be covered in the coming essay.

One of the primary objectives of an essay proposal is to present a compelling argument or thesis statement. This statement should clearly state the main point you will be making in your essay and provide a preview of the supporting evidence or arguments that will be presented. By doing so, the essay proposal sets the stage for the essay itself and helps the writer stay focused on the main ideas they want to convey.

Furthermore, an essay proposal allows the writer to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter and their ability to articulate their thoughts clearly. Through the proposal, the writer can showcase their research skills, knowledge of relevant literature, and critical thinking abilities. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate that the writer has a unique angle or perspective on the topic, which can add value to the overall discussion.

In addition, an essay proposal serves as a tool for receiving feedback and guidance from instructors or peers. By presenting a concise summary of your essay’s main points and arguments, others can provide valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. This feedback can help refine and strengthen the overall argument and ensure that the essay effectively addresses the intended audience.

Overall, understanding the purpose of an essay proposal is crucial for successful essay writing. It provides an opportunity to plan and organize your thoughts, present a persuasive argument, showcase your knowledge and skills, and seek guidance from others. By having a clear understanding of the purpose, you can approach the task of writing an essay proposal with confidence and effectiveness.

Research Your Topic Thoroughly

To create a compelling and well-informed essay, it is crucial to thoroughly research your chosen topic. By conducting in-depth research, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter, allowing you to craft an essay that is both insightful and engaging for your readers.

When researching your topic, it is important to explore a variety of reputable sources, such as academic journals, books, and credible websites. These sources will provide you with the necessary evidence and information to support your arguments and strengthen the overall credibility of your essay.

In addition to sourcing information, it is also essential to critically analyze and evaluate the material you gather during your research. Take note of any conflicting viewpoints or gaps in existing knowledge, as these can serve as potential areas for exploration and discussion in your essay. By conducting thorough research, you can offer a well-rounded and balanced perspective on your chosen topic.

Furthermore, conducting comprehensive research will also help you identify any potential biases or assumptions that may exist within the existing literature. By being aware of these biases, you can ensure that you present a fair and objective analysis in your essay.

Overall, thorough research is a vital step in the essay writing process. By delving deep into your topic and exploring a range of reliable sources, you will not only enhance your own understanding but also provide your readers with a well-researched and informative essay.

Clearly State Your Thesis Statement

One of the most crucial elements of an essay proposal is a clear and concise thesis statement. The thesis statement is the central point or argument that you will be making in your essay. It serves as a roadmap for the reader, giving them a clear understanding of the main idea you will be exploring. In order to effectively communicate your thesis statement, it is important to choose your words carefully and ensure that your message is strong and impactful.

When stating your thesis statement, it is important to use strong and definitive language. Avoid vague or uncertain phrases, and instead, opt for clear and concise statements that leave no room for confusion. Your thesis statement should be specific and focused, clearly indicating the direction your essay will take. This will help your reader understand exactly what you will be arguing and what evidence you will be presenting to support your claims.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your thesis statement is compelling and engaging. Use language that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them excited to delve into your essay. Consider using powerful verbs and vivid descriptions to make your thesis statement stand out. By clearly stating your thesis statement in a captivating manner, you will make an immediate impact on your reader and set the tone for the rest of your essay.

To summarize, clearly stating your thesis statement is essential in writing an effective essay proposal. It provides a clear direction for your essay and gives the reader a sense of what to expect. Use strong and definitive language, avoid vagueness, and make your thesis statement compelling and engaging. By doing so, you will captivate your reader and lay a strong foundation for the rest of your essay.

Outline Your Proposed Essay Structure

Organizing your essay in a clear and logical structure is crucial to effectively communicate your ideas to the reader. In this section, we will discuss how to outline your proposed essay structure.

To begin, it is important to decide on the main points or arguments that you will be addressing in your essay. These main points will serve as the core of your essay, and each one should be supported by evidence or examples.

• Introduction: Start by introducing your topic and providing some context for the reader. State your thesis statement, which is the main argument or point that you will be making in your essay.
• Main Body: Divide your essay into several paragraphs, each focusing on a different main point. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point, and then provide evidence or examples to support your argument.
• Counterarguments: Address any potential counterarguments or opposing viewpoints to strengthen your argument. Refute these counterarguments by providing evidence or logical reasoning.
• Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Leave the reader with a final thought or a call to action.

Remember to use logical transitions between paragraphs to ensure a smooth flow of ideas. Additionally, using headings and subheadings can help organize your essay and make it easier for the reader to navigate through your arguments.

By outlining your proposed essay structure, you will have a clear roadmap for your writing process. This will make it easier for you to develop your ideas and ensure that your essay is well-structured and coherent.

Provide a Convincing Argument for Your Proposal

In order to successfully persuade your audience to accept your proposal, you must present a compelling argument that not only clearly conveys your ideas, but also provides strong evidence and reasons to support your claims. A convincing argument will appeal to the logical and emotional side of your readers, making them more likely to be swayed by your proposal.

Emphasize the Benefits: One effective way to make your argument convincing is by highlighting the potential benefits that your proposal can bring. Explain how your proposal addresses a specific problem or need, and how it can lead to positive outcomes. Use specific examples and evidence to demonstrate the advantages and the potential impact your proposal can have.

Address Counterarguments: When making a persuasive argument, it is important to acknowledge any potential counterarguments or objections that might be raised by your audience. By addressing these counterarguments and offering well-reasoned responses, you can strengthen your argument and show that you have considered different perspectives. This demonstrates your credibility and ability to anticipate potential challenges or concerns.

Provide Evidence: To support your argument, it is crucial to provide solid evidence that illustrates the validity of your proposal. This can include statistics, research findings, expert opinions, or real-life examples that demonstrate the effectiveness or feasibility of your proposal. Make sure your evidence is reliable, up-to-date, and relevant to your argument.

Appeal to Emotions: While logic and evidence play a significant role in a convincing argument, appealing to your audience’s emotions can also be highly persuasive. Tap into their values, beliefs, and emotions by using persuasive language, personal anecdotes, or powerful imagery. When your readers can connect with your proposal on an emotional level, they are more likely to empathize and support your argument.

Conclusion: By providing a convincing argument for your proposal, you can increase your chances of gaining support and acceptance. Remember to emphasize the benefits, address counterarguments, provide evidence, and appeal to emotions. This will help you create a strong case for your proposal and make your essay more persuasive overall.

Related Post

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

How to Write a Proposal Essay/Argument

It is common for students to be assigned to a proposal essay assignment. Although many can write it based on the essay prompt, 4 out of 10 students find it hard to complete a proposal argument essay. Out of the ten requests we receive requiring our experts to help write proposal essays, four students appear to be confused between a proposal essay and a research proposal.

Not anymore because in this article, our senior research proposal writers put together their wits and insights to help you understand how to write a high-quality and effective proposal essay. We also provide a succinct sample and outline to help you do so quickly. This is a cheat sheet to scoring the best grades because we have tips and tricks that will make you ace your proposal essay.

What is a proposal essay?

As the name suggests, a proposal essay or paper is a type of academic paper that proposes an idea by providing evidence intended to convince the reader why an idea is good or bad.

It is sometimes referred to as a proposal argument essay, written if there is a problem to fix or a change to be made.

For instance, instead of just arguing that cigarette smoking affects health, it would be prudent to make a good argument on why there is a need to reduce the number of teenagers who are becoming cigarette addicts.

Even though proposals are written in business, economics, and management fields, they are also written by students, scientists, and other professional domains.

A proposal essay:

• Convinces the reader to adopt a given or proposes idea/change
• Shows the mastery of the concepts in a given field
• It makes a case for the implementation of an idea or change process
• Confirms the feasibility, practicality, and applicability of a program, idea, or change

Things to do/know before beginning

The pre-writing stage is the most critical part as it defines how smooth the entire writing process would be. Before typing or penning down the first sentence or even sitting down to write your proposal, there are certain mandatory rituals that you need to observe.

Primarily referred to as the proposal essay planning stage, here are the five steps to take:

1. Profile your target audience

A proposal essay or proposal argument aims to convince your audience that an idea is feasible, relevant, and practical. It might also persuade the readers that an idea is not worth pursuing.

As such, you need to have a deep understanding of your target audience. Are they business people or academics? What is their level of knowledge of the issue? What do you want to inform them about and why? Will they buy your suggestion? What is the best approach?

Understanding and profiling your audience helps you set the scope and tone of the proposal essay. For instance, when writing for the management and business people, proposing an idea with financial benefits could win their trust and time. On the other hand, when writing for healthcare workers, presenting strategies to improve patient quality, healthcare workers� wellbeing, and access to care could be relevant.

When you understand the people, who will read your proposal, you can quickly structure it better to draw their attention right from the start.

You need to consider what you need the audience to understand from your proposal. As well, you have to provide them with some facts that will help in decision-making. It also helps to choose a preferred style that will impress the readers.

It is about knowing what you are writing for to make them acknowledge the gist of the proposal. In the academic contexts, the audience is a professor, teaching assistant, associate professor, or instructor/lecturer. In this case, stick to the proposal essay prompt.

2. Define your research problem

With the audience in mind, you need to show that you understand the problem. One way of doing so is to highlight or state your situation so that your audience know the idea in the proposal.

This stage helps you win the trust of the readers. It also enables you to create an impression that you are knowledgeable about the issues at hand. Support your arguments with facts, references, and credible views to establish your identity/ethos.

Where necessary, ensure that you clarify and offer enough proof. Make sure to state the problem and why you feel it needs to be solved. It is the same aspect that appears in the introduction of a problem-solution essay .

When writing your problem statement section, ask yourself:

• What is the main issue? Use statistics, facts, and examples
• Who is affected by the issue? Who are the stakeholders?
• What has been done before?
• Why are previous/conventional solutions not working?
• Why will your innovative idea/solution works?
• How urgent is the problem or solution required?
• What are other researchers saying about the problem?

In sum, you need to prove that you have thoroughly researched and assessed the issue. Your problem statement must display your knowledge about the topic.

3. Research and gather sources

After outlining the problem, you now need to research how to solve it. Use secondary and primary sources to support your claims/proposal. As you persuade your readers, ensure that you report on what has worked and what has failed.

As you do so, ensure that your proposed solution is well-backed with evidence from credible and relevant scholarly literature.

As a rule of thumb, stick to research articles written five years ago unless otherwise instructed by the professor/instructor to use older sources.

4. Write your proposal outline

With the problem statement and the sources backing your proposal in place, it is now time to explain your answer.

You now have the problem, and you should strive to solve it. Before writing the proposal essay outline , ensure that you have read the request for proposal (RFP) prompt or template.

An outline helps you structure your proposal, find means of convincing difficult readers and coherently lay the sections. It also helps brainstorm excellent ideas and approaches then organizing them into a comprehensive and structured proposal format. We will present a sample outline later in this article.

5. Proceed to write the essay

After having the skeleton of your proposal, it is now time to write your first draft by filling in the various parts. Once you are done, revise the draft as much as possible or enlist for proofreading and editing before turning in the final draft.

Sections of a Proposal Essay/Argument

We have summarized the main parts of a proposal essay in this section. Note that the sections might differ depending on the preferred elements by your university or college. In this regard, some parts might be added or omitted. When writing, you can alter the body of your proposal to meet your needs.

1. Title Page

This is for you if you are wondering how to title your proposal essay. Like the dissertation, theses, or research papers, the proposal essay has a title page that includes:

• The title of your proposal essay, e.g., Rethinking Recycling: Why Reusing Needs to Be User Friendly.
• Your full official names
• The name of your professor/instructor/lecturer
• Name of your school and department

Depending on your college or university, or department, the title page could differ. There are also institutions with pre-written/designed title pages sent alongside the instructions. The bottom line is that you need to read the assignment prompt or the RFP file carefully.

2. Introduction

Your introduction is the entry point to your essay. Like any other essay introduction , the proposal essay introduction gives a brief background of the proposal. It introduces the subject to your audience (s).

As it is the most crucial section, it needs to be well written. You can begin it using a hook, mostly facts, statistics, or statements. It should also have a topic sentence that introduces the readers to a topic. Ensure that it has a relevant topic that entices the audience on why they should care about the particular topic.

The introduction then has a thesis statement that contains the proposal you are making for solving a problem. In a proposal essay, the thesis should clearly state the proposition . An example of a good thesis statement when writing a proposal essay on teenage pregnancy could sound like:

Although teenage pregnancy is considered a taboo topic, educating parents on how to take care of the teenage girls with pregnancy could reduce the high mortality rate of teen mothers.

If you were to write a proposal essay on childhood obesity, a good thesis statement could read:

Childhood obesity is a menace affecting society, creating public health pressure and needs to be solved through proper school-based health promotion activities that involve the parents.

Another example of a good thesis statement for a proposal essay on depression is:

Depression has claimed the lives of many people and needs to be addressed through multi-professional collaboration among teachers, healthcare workers, media core, governments, and employers.

Again, your thesis statement should highlight the problem and the solutions that you are proposing. It narrows down to knowing your audience so that your introduction emphasizes the benefits of the proposal to this specific audience.

4. Problem statement

Even though you have already stated the problem in your introduction paragraph, you need to expound on the problem. Explain why there is a need to solve the issue. Here, your aim is to invite the readers to understand the core of your proposal. State the aims of your proposal and declare the importance of the topic in this section.

The section helps you to assert the issue. The section defines and expounds on the specific issue, the sources, and the consequences.

You also need to highlight why the issue needs to be solved and how solving it impacts the reader. Instead of using moral principles or universal pleas to feelings, think of what is important to your reader.

5. Proposal/Statement of purpose

After broadly defining your problem in the first paragraph of the body of your proposal essay, you now need to state the purpose of the essay. The section is exclusively meant to discuss the proposal that you are making.

Take your time to explore the advantages and disadvantages of your proposed solutions, change, or ideas. It can be a few sentences long if it is a shorter proposal or a few paragraphs if it is a long proposal.

6. Action Plan

After highlighting the proposed solutions, changes, or ideas, it is now time to write the plan of action. Here your focus is on the implementation of the ideas or solutions.

You need to show the audience that the solutions or changes are practical, feasible, relevant, and desirable.

When writing this section, you need to convince the readers that your proposal is a good idea over other available option. Furthermore, you must provide a detailed explanation about the implementation of the solutions or changes. Ensure that you anticipate the potential barriers or challenges during the implementation phase because every proposal must highlight the challenges and how to overcome them.

As you do so, also look at the viability, relevance, practicality, and desirability of your proposal. Will it work? What has prevented past solutions from working? What is different about your proposal?

7. Desired Outcomes

As the name suggests, this is the section of the essay that you anticipate the outcomes of your proposal. It is your chance to make everything you have been writing about clear.

8. Evaluation

When writing the evaluation phase, you need to consider the cost and resource implications of your proposed idea or change. Is the idea feasible compared to what is there currently? As well, you need to include the contrary opinions of the dissenting voices over the proposed solutions. Assure the audience that despite the challenges, the proposed solution will work.

9. Resources Required and timeline

Explain the resources such as skills, finances, time, and equipment that are required to implement your change, solutions, or ideas.

10. Conclusion

Your conclusion needs to emphasize your proposal and leave your audience with a call to action. State your proposal, call to action, and why the audience must consider your suggestions.

Never include new information in your conclusion, as that would extend the word count as you try to expound on the new topic and further confuse your already settled/convinced audience.

11. Works cited/references/bibliography

Any academic paper, white paper, or professional paper must have citations. We use citations to avoid plagiarism by mentioning those we read their work while writing our own. Depending on your chosen format: APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago format, the title can be references, bibliography, or works cited. Works cited is exclusively for MLA, while references can be used for both APA and Harvard. In Chicago format, you will title the consulted resources as Bibliography. In Harvard format, you can use either references or a reference list. Remember, a bibliography includes all the relevant sources you read, even those not cited in the paper.

Sample Proposal Essay Paper (in image format)

Below is a proposal argumentative essay on climate change, focusing on recycling courtesy of Excelsior Online Writing Lab .

Note that the sections are not titled. However, the paragraphs have been organized around our suggested parts.

Proposal Essay Structure: Video

Here is a video that explains the structure of a proposal argument

Final Words

Now that you have learned how to write a proposal essay, you can conquer this type of assignment without a doubt. However, if you are stuck, you can hire an essay writer to write one for you.

Related Reading: Good persuasive speech topics.

We are known as the best website for writing essays for any level . Our professional writers are experts and masters in writing any type of essay. So, if you just hate writing essays, we can take over the process from you. We can edit and proofread your essay, polish your essay, and write you an essay outline.

Now that you have read this, visit our blog for more college essay ideas . Be kind and share with friends as well.

Here are some commonly asked questions about the process of writing a quality proposal essay or proposal argument. You can send your questions, and we will answer them to enlighten our readers.

What is the format for a proposal essay?

Here are the main parts of a proposal essay:

• Introduction ( hook , background, thesis statement (proposal))
• Problem statement
• Statement of purpose/proposal declaration
• Plan of action
• Resources require
• References/works cited

What makes a good proposal essay?

A good proposal essay proposes an idea and offers evidence or arguments to convince the readers about the goodness or badness of the idea. A good one:

• Has all claims well-supported
• It is organized into paragraphs
• It does not have filler words
• Uses relevant and recent credible/scholarly sources
• Cites all the sources, especially quotes, to avoid plagiarism
• Uses formal language to present ideas
• Has well-balanced, coherent, clear, explained, and concise paragraphs
• Every paragraph stick to an idea
• Has a thesis statement that stands out
• Begins with a good hook

How do you write a proposal essay?

Here are the steps that are taken to write one:

• Read the proposal prompt
• Select a good topic or area that interests you
• Research on the issue you want to solve
• Write an outline for your proposal
• Write the first draft of your proposal
• Polish, edit, and re-read your proposal
• Submit the proposal essay through Canvas, Turnitin, SafeAssign, DropBox, or any platform as suggested by the instructor
• Enjoy your grades

Is the proposal essay similar to the research proposal paper?

No. while a proposal essay leaves the audience with a call to action, a research proposal paper highlights the strategies and steps a researcher will take to conduct research, just like a thesis and dissertation proposal. A proposal essay tackles an issue by suggesting change, ideas, or solutions based on the available information from scholarly literature.

It ends with the audience making the decision. On the other hand, a research proposal ends with the researcher conducting a study followed by writing a final research paper, term paper, dissertation, or thesis that details recommendations, suggestions, and conclusions.

What are the topics for proposal essays?

Suppose you need a good proposal essay topic; you need to think of areas such as healthcare, homelessness, world hunger, poverty, abortion, climate change, vaping, human and organ trafficking, and mental health.

You can also brainstorm topics relating to gun violence, gun control, election fraud, drink driving, teenage pregnancy, police brutality, pollution, COVID-19, cyberbullying, and cigarette smoking. The bottom line is to choose an exciting topic with credible scholarly articles and details.

Does a proposal essay need an annotated bibliography?

Unless otherwise stated on your essay prompt, including the reference as per the sample above is enough.

Does a proposal essay require research questions?

No, unlike the research proposal, a proposal argument or proposal essay does not require research questions since no research is being conducted. The purpose of such essays is to propose a solution, more like the problem solution essay.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

Verify originality of an essay

Get ideas for your paper

Find top study documents

How to write a proposal essay: step-by-step guidelines for students

Updated 25 Jul 2024

Writing academic papers might feel both exciting and daunting for students. Whether you are new to it or have done it before, writing good essays is a challenge that requires a blend of creativity, critical thinking, and meticulous planning. Thus, we’ve elaborated this guide to review all the details of crafting a proposal paper and give you effective tips and tricks to improve your skills. From basics like understanding this essay to getting good at persuading people, this article will explain how to write a proposal essay that impresses your readers. 

What is a proposal essay?

This term refers to a type of academic writing in which an author presents a problem, provides a solution, advocates for a change in policy or practice, and offers evidence to persuade the audience of this idea’s merit and ability to execute it.

Similar to a visual analysis essay, this assignment is commonly used in educational settings, especially in college or university courses. You may encounter this in subjects like English, business, sociology, and political science. It serves as a tool to sell an idea, sparking interest and demonstrating the student’s problem-solving skills and ability to research, analyze, and persuade.

Completing a proposal example essay fosters critical thinking and allows the writer to tackle real-world issues creatively beyond standard academic coursework. It’s a chance to show analytical skills and the ability to use innovative approaches.

How long should it be?

The length of such writing can vary depending on the assignment instructions, but it typically ranges from 500 to 2000 words. It’s important to follow any specific guidelines your instructor provides regarding length, formatting, proposal essay topics, and other requirements.

What to do before you start writing: preliminary strategies

Let’s consider the essential pre-writing strategies to ensure the success of your research. These steps lay the foundation for a compelling argument and well-structured writing. Let’s explore each of these strategies.

Understanding your audience.

One of the fundamental aspects of crafting academic papers is knowing your audience inside out. To understand how to start a proposal essay, consider who your readers are: business professionals, academics, government officials, or perhaps a broader audience. Tailoring your text to resonate with their interests and concerns is key. For instance, emphasizing potential financial gains can strengthen your proposal if your audience comprises business people. On the other hand, if addressing government officials, highlighting the public appeal of your idea might be more effective.

Conducting thorough research.

Any academic assignment, whether completing a dissertation or an interview essay example, should be backed by credible evidence and expert opinions. Before penning down your arguments, invest time in thorough research. Seek out reputable sources, consult experts in the field, and analyze existing literature related to your topic. This groundwork can strengthen your credibility and enhance your text’s persuasiveness.

Brainstorming.

This stage is where creativity flourishes, and ideas begin to form. Use brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas relevant to the issues your proposal essay examples tackle. Once you have several concepts, ponder how to organize them cohesively within your document structure. Mapping out the flow of your arguments and identifying key points ensures a smooth transition from brainstorming to drafting.

Revision and feedback.

Revising your notes is the linchpin of future effective writing. Never settle for a first draft; instead, embrace the iterative refinement process. Seek feedback from trusted peers, colleagues, or paper writers for hire who can offer valuable recommendations about your essay’s strengths and weaknesses. Constructive criticism helps identify areas for improvement, whether it’s strengthening arguments, clarifying points, or refining language. Using feedback for subsequent drafts enhances your document’s overall quality and effectiveness.

The essay structure and its essential parts

The organization of any writing plays a pivotal role in effectively conveying the writer’s idea and persuading the audience. Let’s delve deeper into each element of a proposal essay outline to understand how they make your paper clearer and more convincing.

Introduction.

The beginning paragraph serves as the gateway to any academic work. It should hook the reader’s attention with an engaging opening or epigraph and succinctly present your thesis statement. 

Problem statement.

Following the introduction, delve into the issue you seek to address. Outline its intricacies, origins, and implications, explaining why tackling this issue is important and how it impacts your audience. Highlighting the urgency of the problem sets the stage for the significance of your proposal.

Proposal statement.

Present your solution in detail, outlining its merits and potential drawbacks. Convince your audience that your suggestion is the most effective approach to solving the identified problem. Emphasize the uniqueness of your proposal and address any shortcomings of previous attempts to analyze the issue.

Implementation plan.

Lay out a comprehensive implementation plan detailing the practical steps to execute your solution. Anticipate potential challenges and offer suggestions to mitigate them. Justify the feasibility of your approach and explain why previous strategies have failed.

Expected outcome.

Paint a clear picture of the positive outcomes your proposal is expected to achieve. Highlight the improvements and benefits resulting from its implementation, reinforcing the value of your essay proposal example.

Evaluation.

Whether you learn how to write an expository essay or any other academic paper, assessing the resources required to implement your suggestion, including time, finances, and expertise, is crucial. Address concerns about feasibility and anticipate objections from skeptics. Provide a realistic evaluation of the practicality of your proposal within the current context.

Timeline and required resources.

Specify the necessary resources for implementation, such as funding, manpower, and equipment. If feasible, provide a timeline outlining the chronological sequence of activities.

Conclusion.

Summarize the key points of your essay proposal template and reiterate the importance of your solution. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion, focusing instead on reinforcing the significance of your proposal and finalizing with a compelling call to action.

Creating a proposal essay: essential steps

When you need to write my essay for me, you should understand it requires careful planning, thorough research, and meticulous execution. Discover the main steps to ensure your essay stands out:

• Plan: Structure your essay proposal outline with an introduction presenting the problem, body paragraphs proposing solutions supported by evidence, and a conclusion summarizing key points and emphasizing the significance of your solution.
• Draft: Write your essay clearly, avoiding jargon and ensuring logical arguments. Follow the required proposal paper format.
• Revision: Review your draft for coherence, strengthen arguments, correct errors, and ensure clarity.
• Proofreading: Finally, proofread your text for minor mistakes or inconsistencies. A polished essay demonstrates your commitment to quality.

Follow these steps to craft a convincing, well-structured text communicating your idea’s value.

How to make an essay stand out: dos and don‘ts

Crafting an outstanding text goes beyond mere words. Understanding the dos and don’ts is crucial. By following the guidelines from our essay planner and avoiding pitfalls, you can elevate your writing and engage your audience effectively.

• Clearly define your proposal and its significance: Distinctly explain your proposal’s purpose, highlighting why it's important. Make sure the reader understands the problem you’re addressing and why your solution is necessary.
• Provide solid evidence and support: Support your proposal with credible evidence, statistics, examples, and expert opinions. This strengthens your argument and convinces the reader of your idea's feasibility and effectiveness.
• Address potential counterarguments: Acknowledge and address potential objections to your proposal. Anticipating counterarguments shows that you’ve thoroughly considered your proposal and strengthens your credibility.
• Use clear and persuasive language: Communicate your thoughts effectively using clear, concise language. Be persuasive in your writing, using rhetorical strategies to engage and persuade your audience.
• Follow the guidelines and format: Adhere to the guidelines and formatting requirements provided by your instructor or institution. A well-structured and organized paper proposal example demonstrates professionalism and attention to detail.

Don’ts:

• Don’t ignore opposing viewpoints: Neglecting opposing viewpoints can weaken your argument and make your proposal seem one-sided. Acknowledge differing perspectives and address them thoughtfully to strengthen your argument.
• Don’t rely solely on emotional appeals: While emotional appeals can be effective, relying solely on them can undermine the credibility of your argument. Make sure to include logical reasoning and evidence to support your proposal.
• Don’t overlook the importance of research: When learning how to write a proposal essay, conduct thorough research to support your proposal with credible evidence. Failing to research adequately can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.
• Don’t use vague or ambiguous language: Avoid using vague or ambiguous language that can confuse or mislead your reader. Be clear and precise in your writing to communicate your ideas effectively.
• Don’t neglect revision and editing: Take the time to carefully revise and edit your proposal essay or get professional research proposal help . Spelling and grammar errors, as well as unclear or confusing language, can detract from the effectiveness of your text.

Final thoughts

Acquiring essay-writing skills is an achievable goal for every student. Following the guidance in this article, you can hone your skills and produce compelling content that effectively conveys your proposal essay ideas. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to implement these strategies and refine your writing craft.

If you ever need further assistance or guidance, remember that professional writers at EduBirdie are always available to lend a helping hand. Whether you need expert advice, editing assistance, or even full-scale writing support, our team of experienced professionals is just a click away. With our help, you can develop your skills, confidently create proposal argument examples, and achieve academic success.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback.

Written by Meredith Anderson

Meredith, a dedicated editor at EduBirdie, specializes in academic writing. Her keen eye for grammar and structure ensures flawless papers, while her insightful feedback helps students improve their writing skills and achieve higher grades.

Related Blog Posts

Diversity essay: effective tips for expressing ideas.

In today's interconnected and rapidly evolving world, the importance of diversity in all its forms cannot be overstated. From classrooms to workpla...

Learn how to write a deductive essay that makes you proud!

Learning how to write a deductive essay may sound like a challenging task. Yet, things become much easier when you master the definition and the ob...

A Guide On How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay

This particular term refers to a type of essay written to discuss a specific idea, voice clip, written piece or a video, using purely one’s ideas, ...

Join our 150K of happy users

• Get original papers written according to your instructions
• Save time for what matters most

Put a stop to deadline pressure, and have your homework done by an expert.

How To Write An Essay Proposal: Helpful Guideline For Students

Many students want to learn how to write an essay proposal when joining college. Most learners can read and write a five-paragraph essay when completing secondary education. However, very few students have experience with writing an essay proposal. A proposal is a typical assignment; students can write it based on an essay prompt. This article explains what an essay proposal is and how to write it.

Table of Contents

What is a proposal essay.

• What Is The Goal Of An Essay Proposal?

Why You Might Need An Essay Proposal

How to write a proposal for an essay, essay proposal example, how to start a proposal essay, how to write proposal: a step-by-step guide, essay proposal format.

• Tips And Hints On How To Write A Proposal Essay

An essay proposal is a paper that describes or proposes an idea or thesis that you intend to write. It outlines the main points you will discuss in the body of the paper while providing supporting evidence for the proposed argument.

A thesis represents the research and its main idea. However, a proposal essay encapsulates the content and purpose of the paper. It aims to convince the educational committee that the topic and approach are sound, hoping to get you the approval to proceed to the actual research.

Some call it a proposal argument that presents a problem that needs fixing or a necessary change. While people mostly write proposals in economics, management, and businesses, scientists, students, and other professionals write them.

What Is The Goal Of An Essay Proposal?

An essay proposal aims to persuade the reader that your topic is worth investigating. It should include a brief overview of the main points you will discuss in the body of the paper and provide supporting evidence for the proposed argument. Here’s what an effective essay proposal does:

• It suggests a change or idea.
• It convinces your readers to adopt a change or view.
• It shows your mastery of a concept in your field
• It presents a case for a change process or idea’s implementation
• It confirms the practicality, applicability, and feasibility of an idea, a program, or a change

Learning how to write essay proposal requires understanding its points. Essentially, this paper should represent a well-explained problem or issue. It proposes a way to solve it and a discussion explaining why your solution is the best.

You need an essay proposal if your teacher or professor assigns you a research paper. This paper outlines the scope and purpose of your project. And this is helpful because it ensures that the involved parties agree about the project and its content. It states to the stakeholder or decision-maker that you understand your project and its scope.

Learning to write a proposal is essential if you want to score a higher grade for a school or college course you’re taking. Also, this skill is vital if you want to write proposals to get business or project funding. Once you acquire this skill, you can write persuasively on a specific topic without struggling to start.

You do most of the work in the pre-writing stages when writing a proposal essay. Here’s what you should do before starting.

Know your readers: This essay aims to convince the audience that you have a worth-pursuing idea. Therefore, know who will read the proposal before you write it. Are you writing for a business person, government officials, or academics? If your readers are business people, justify the proposal by highlighting its potential financial benefits. If it’s for government officials, emphasize the proposal’s popularity. Research: You will have a higher chance of persuading others of the proposal if you have secondary sources supporting your claim. Therefore, talk to experts or read their research before writing your proposal. Pre-write: Take your time to brainstorm ideas before writing the essay. Also, think about ways to organize the views once you have them. Revise: Have a colleague or peer read the paper and provide feedback. After that, incorporate the feedback into your second draft.

Perhaps, you can also read a good essay proposal sample to understand what the readers expect you to include in your paper.

Here’s a good essay proposal example to take a peak at to shape and inspire your ideas, before we get into the details:

Christianity has not often seen eye to eye with women’s issues, particularly reproductive rights. For many years, Christianity in several forms has suggested that abortion is immoral, considering it to be the termination or murder of an unborn child (Stensvold, 2015). Whilst this terminology is helpful for creating an atmosphere of tension between women seeking abortion and their religious views, it needs to be critically examined for the way that it influences women who are practicing Christians and their attitudes towards their own body. The topic of abortion is also important because it has been traditionally seen as immoral, but more and more women (including practicing Christians) are choosing to undergo the procedure. It needs to be reevaluated in terms of modern society and understood for its significance in Christianity. Historically, the Catholic Church has been one of the biggest influencers on abortion (Stensvold, 2015). Despite this, Pope Francis has suggested that priests have the authority to absolve the sin of abortion and that it may not necessarily be one of the biggest issues facing the church (Dias, 2015). The Catholic Church is a big player in the general Christian world, and it is important to critically analyse the effects that it has on other churches. The purpose of this research will be to examine the rules and regulations of a variety of different forms of Christianity and their views on abortion with reference to the Catholic Church as a baseline. Methodology The theoretical perspective of structural functionalism will be used as a basis for conducting a thorough literature review on the topic. By analyzing several different sources which explore different Churches and their views on abortion, structural functionalism will help to place the Catholic Church and others in the context of a changing society. As the structure, norms and morality of the outside world changes, so too do the attitudes of religious believers. The literature review will focus on changing attitudes and beliefs surrounding abortion and so-called reproductive rights to analyse them in context of the Church to understand how both society, and the Catholic Church, influence Christian believers of other Churches. The analysis will include the major denominations in the United Kingdom: Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Orthodox, and Presbyterian, as well as brief discussions of non-Trinitarian denominations the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Quakers. Significance This work is important for several reasons. It will highlight the influence of the Catholic Church on other areas of Christianity, which is important as Catholicism remains the largest denomination. It will also help to highlight the effects of non-religious society on the views of various churches towards sin and absolution, which is important in a rapidly paced, globalized world. It will also help to highlight some of the key differences between denominations of Christianity in the United Kingdom. These three elements will come together to give a full picture on the controversial topic of abortion and the reasoning that many Christians give for its morality or immorality. Understanding this will help guide the ministerial profession into giving good, moral guidance to followers within the Church and to highlight some of the issues that will likely arise in practice.

Besides indicating your action plan, the proposal should have a theoretical positioning and a relationship to past work in your field. The readers will be more likely to approve your ideas or suggestions if your essay proposal is concise, clear, and engaging.

In most fields, a captivating and persuasive proposal is essential for success. Several proposal types include thesis proposals, book proposals, and science proposals. However, they have similar basic guidelines. Here’s how you can start your proposal.

• Topic rationale: Demonstrate why the topic is essential in your discipline. Also, include the objective limitations without promising something you can’t deliver.
• Review past works: Review published works that relate to your topic. Also, explain how your essay builds on the previous studies while exploring new territory.
• Outline your methodology or approach: Compose an essay proposal outline with the necessary resources, costs, and time for the work.

Different disciplines have varying standards for essay proposals. However, most essay proposals emphasize a specific focus of the study question. Also, they include headings, lists, and visuals, that make reading and cross-referencing easy. Additionally, use a concrete and precise style showing the feasibility of your idea.

Once you have the basic guidelines for writing your essay proposal, the next step is learning the steps to follow when doing it. A good format will help the academic committee comprehend your application’s seriousness or intent. The school, class, or institution you’re submitting the proposal to will determine your proposal’s format. Here’s a general step-by-step guide for writing a proposal.

Introduction: Start by introducing the issue you want to address to the committee. Present a firm introduction to enrapture the readers from the beginning. Background: The background should provide details of the issue while setting the stage, highlighting past studies on the topic or subject. Address stark facts to show the reason to address the problem immediately. Ideally, start the background with facts instead of your opinion. Significance: Explain what makes your study significant. Provide evidence from reports, studies, and other literature supporting your argument and showing the need to investigate your chosen topic for a proposal essay. Research hypotheses or questions: This section should explain your study goals. The hypotheses or questions should guide your analysis. Emphasize the need to solve the problem and how it affects your readers if this doesn’t happen immediately. Use credible facts and sources to support your hypotheses. Study design: Explain how you plan to conduct your study. Also, address the methodology to use in addressing the issue. In this section, show the readers how you will address the problem, why you choose to do it in a specific way, and the possible outcome. Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the information you’ve provided in the other sections. Also, explain how the study will address the focus problem. You can conclude the proposal with one or two paragraphs describing how the study will address the issue. Essentially, the conclusion should morrow the introduction while wrapping up the overall message. This section should also address the consequences of the failure to undertake your proposal. Also, leave readers with something to think about and thank them for their consideration. Bibliography: This section is optional and lists the literature you read supporting your proposal’s content. Continue with the text if you don’t want to add a bibliography.

If some content doesn’t fit in your proposal, add an appendix. However, your proposal shouldn’t be too long because it can scare off some readers. Therefore, make it concise and clear by proofreading and editing. Also, ask somebody to proofread and critique your work to ensure an engaging and attractive presentation. Seeking help can also make your proposal more organized and helpful.

A basic format or outline will help you organize your proposal. College professors and teachers have expectations. Therefore, check your educator’s or supervisor’s requirements before writing your proposal. Here’s the basic format for an essay proposal.

• Introduction: The introduction summarizes the main points while establishing your paper’s purpose. For instance, when proposing a new approach to a topic, the opening can start with a brief description and then present an argument telling the audience why your method is the best.
• Body: The body of a proposal should present an argument supporting the main idea. Include evidence backing up the claim to compose a well-supported essay. And this evidence can be quotes, statistics, or real-life examples. Include sufficient evidence to support the argument.
• Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the argument you presented in the essay. Also, motivate the readers to take action based on your discussion. Most importantly, remind the readers why your topic is essential and its possible impact.

Ensure that each section comes out clearly in your paper. Also, ensure that your ideas flow logically from the introduction to the conclusion.

Tips And Hints On How To Write A Proposal Essay

Your proposal should be eye-catching and captivating. Here are tips to help improve your paper. They should be a great essay homework help and assistance to you!

• Please do your research: Before beginning to write your proposal essay, it is essential to do your research. And this will help you better understand the topic at hand and will allow you to formulate a more well-rounded argument. It is also essential to be familiar with the opposing side of the debate, as this will enable you to anticipate counterarguments and refute them accordingly.
• Keep it concise: When writing a proposal essay, it is vital to keep the paper brief and to the point. The goal is not to provide a complete overview of the topic but to present a clear and concise argument for the proposed solution. Be sure to edit the paper carefully before submitting it, as a well-written and well-argued proposal is more likely to be successful than a poorly written one.
• Make a clear argument: It’s essential to ensure that your view is clear and easy to follow. Remember that the goal is to persuade the reader of the viability of your proposed solution, so be sure to present your argument logically and straightforwardly.
• Write convincingly: Present evidence and facts to make your solution more convincing and efficient than what exists. Apart from making your plan awesome, ensure that readers see you as the person that can do it efficiently.
• Explain the plan: Your proposal should have a step-by-step plan with details to make the process easy to understand.
• Show your anticipation: Present an implementation plan, showing the complete process and how it will solve the problem.
• Present your desired results: Ensure that readers see and understand your desired results. Focus on defining everything in your proposal.
• Necessary resources: Explain what you need to complete the project. And this can include tangible resources, like computers, money, and paper. Also, you require intangible resources like time to complete the project.
• Preparation mode: Ensure that your readers see that you know what you plan to do. Looking more prepared will improve the approval chances for your proposal.

In addition to these tips, edit your proposal essay carefully before submitting it. Ensure it’s free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. Additionally, read a sample to know what to include in your proposal.

Get Homework Help Today!

Do you need help writing a custom proposal? If so, we can help you if you contact us saying, “Please write my essay proposal.” We have knowledgeable and trustworthy writers with a proven track record of helping any student that needs help with research, writing, editing, or wishes to buy homework online.

Whether in college, university, or high school, we can help you write a winning proposal. We will deliver an excellent piece regardless of your proposal’s structure, subject, or level. We offer secure and helpful online services that cater to the needs of learners at various academic levels and disciplines. Our services are perfect for any learner that wants to present a perfect and successful proposal. Contact us to get the correct proposal that will help you excel academically.

Get on top of your homework.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Sample Academic Proposals

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences, journals, and book chapters.

• EssayBasics.com
• Pay For Essay
• Write My Essay
• Homework Writing Help
• Essay Editing Service
• Thesis Writing Help
• Write My College Essay
• Do My Essay
• Term Paper Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Write My Research Paper
• Assignment Writing Help
• Essay Writing Help
• Call Now! (USA) Login Order now
• EssayBasics.com Call Now! (USA) Order now
• Writing Guides

How To Write A Proposal Essay In 2023?

Also Read: Best Cheap Essay Writing Service , Cheap Essays Online , Online Essay Service

Table of Contents

How To Write A Proposal Essay (Writing Guide)

• How to start a proposal essay
• How to write body for a proposal essay
• How to conclude a proposal essay
• Outline example

Briefly, a proposal essay is an essay which puts forward an original idea, and then defends it through the use of well-backed up research and personal opinion combined to try and persuade whoever is reading it of the advantages\disadvantages of the idea.

Proposals are mainly found in three fields: education (it is a good way to teach and learn critical thinking), business (as a way of showing why particular moves would be a bad idea, or a good one, respectively), and economics, for much the same reason. This of course does not mean that they are limited to these areas – proposal essay writing is something which can be useful for many fields.

How to Start a Proposal Essay

Much of the work which goes into a good proposal essay is done ahead of time; as the following paragraphs will show, being able to persuade others of your point of view is as much to do with the quality of the research being done, and the ways in which you pitch your argument as it does with the writing style.  Writing is (it should go without saying) important, but it can only do so much.

Knowing the audience for your work is incredibly important – the audience will determine the overall tone of the paper, as well as possibly influence the types of sources which can and should be used to back up the arguments made in the paper itself. For example, if the paper is aimed at business people, then arguments should revolve around the financial benefits or drawbacks of the situation being proposed. Alternatively, academics should be tackled by using strictly academic sources and previous academic theories , whether to agree with them or disagree.

Don’t skip over the research. This is the most important part of the process, even more so than having polished writing; less than stellar writing and good research will stand up to scrutiny far more easily than perfect writing and a lack of research will. Good research also makes it more likely that the essay will fulfill its purpose in persuading other people to the point of view it discusses.

Before writing the essay, start by creating a list of your ideas, and forming them into an outline . This outline does not need to be fixed, but it will you to organize your thoughts and the essay so that they both flow coherently in the writing.

An introduction in an essay is how you introduce the topic to whoever is reading. Not only is it the place to lay out the arguments which you will be relying on throughout the essay, but also gives space for any necessary history or important people to be mentioned and discussed before the actual essay begins. The introduction is possibly one of the most important parts of the essay, as it sets up what is to come, and begins the work of persuading people of a particular point of view by convincing them to read on. Outside of an educational setting, proposal essays are generally only written as a means of solving a problem or showing one potential way to solve a problem. Therefore, they highlight the problem which they are attempting to solve within the introduction itself, so as to ensure that the audience understands.

Related: Why Order Essay Writing Service

How to Write the Main Part of a Proposal Essay

An outline will be featured at the end of this article, which will show the relevant parts of a proposal essay – note that depending on the context, some parts may need to be taken out or rearranged to better suit what it is trying to convey.

The Proposal

The proposal should act as a statement of purpose, something which explains the purpose behind writing the essay.  It can be anything from a few lines long to an entire paragraph – it depends on the length of the essay itself – but it should contain the problem\opinion\topic which is under discussion, and an explanation of why it is worth debating.

Body Paragraph One – First Argument

This is the paragraph where you lay out your first argument for or against the proposal. Make sure that the writing is good, clear, and doesn’t go off into unnecessary tangents. Similarly, make sure that everything is referenced properly, and prepare to back up every argument (including any follow-up arguments) with well-checked facts.

Body Paragraph Two – Second Argument

This should be the same as above, except with an entirely new argument.

Body Paragraph Three – Third (Opposing) Argument

Again, this should be the same as above, although many people use it as a means of expressing an opposing opinion to the one they hold. It is entirely up to the writer as to how to use this paragraph, though it should be noted that devoting time to debunking the more common arguments or opposing opinions in the essay will tell the audience that the research into the problem has been thorough and well-done.

How to Conclude a Proposal Essay

The conclusion should not be a simple re-statement of the introduction, with all of the relevant history and essay points, but it should contain some elements of it all. You should include just enough to serve as a reminder of why the proposal was deemed appropriate in the first place, without any in-depth knowledge of the introduction. The main arguments being made in your proposal should also be reiterated. Once this is done, there are two ways in which a proposal essay can be ended, and it depends on what type of proposal essay was being written. If the proposal essay was written in an educational setting, then the conclusion should wrap up all the research done and deliver the final conclusion, along with any last pieces of information which might be appropriate at this stage. The other kind of proposal essay, the one did in a professional setting, should have several more strands to it.

For people who are giving a professional proposal essay : state the goal of the proposal, just to ensure that everybody who reads the essay knows what it is handling, and then focus on why the proposal will work, with reference to any previous moves in this direction, or any potential assets to the proposal which would particularly suit your audience.

Outline Example

• It should be banned because it goes against the family-friendly nature of the paper
• It should be banned because it is overall degrading, and outdated
• It should not be banned because the women gave their consent to be photographed that way.
• Proposal – page three is something that should be banned because it is an outdated feature of the newspaper which blatantly goes against the nature of the paper as stated by its publishers. It has no place in a society that claims to view men and women as equal.
• Body paragraph one – the Sun claims that it is family-friendly, so what message is the topless woman sending to the family, and specifically, to children? It teaches boys that women should be related to sex objects, it teaches girls that they should be okay with being related to a sex object.
• Body paragraph two – women are supposed to be seen as equals in our society, but there are no corresponding naked men features, so the topless women become one more part of our ‘sex-sells’ culture. This is degrading to women who want to be more than that.
• Body paragraph three – the women in question are presumably over the age of consent and therefore chose to be photographed like this. Is it not degrading to take their choice away from them?
• Reiterate the proposal
• Go over the main arguments
• Come to an overall conclusion.