For this unit, you will write a Formal Proposal to a client/customer (executive audience). You will consult a minimum of 6 sources to create your
draft (you will cite 4 using in-text citations MLA style [see Desire to Learn site and OCC
Library website]) and will include a cover letter. You should write as if you were already
an employee of your organization.
Draft an External Formal Proposal for a client/customer. You have a choice
and should choose based on what your company/ organization needs.
• You must include an expanded definition of a key term, a minimum of 2 graphics, a
theme, examples of persuasion suitable for your audience, a budget and a timeline.
• Your Formal Proposal must be typed and ~4-5 pages in length, not including the title
page or cover letter. Include a cover page with a 2-part title, the recipient’s name and
organization, your name and organization, the due date and a 2-3 line abstract. Use a
header/footer to lend a professional look to your document. Samples are available in
your text, in class and on D2L.
• Consult the sections of a proposal as they are listed in your text.
• Option A: Write a proposal selling one of your company’s products to a client or a
customer. You may write as if you were responding to a client or customer’s Invitation
to Bid or Request for Proposal. (Or be a supplier selling a product to your
company/organization.)
Develop and write a Rhetorical Strategy (audience analysis, purpose/
background of document, writing techniques to be used), and a purposeful thesis
statement [who should do what and why]).
Create a Works Cited list that includes 6 sources (you must quote from 4) in
drafting your document (use correct MLA style for in-text citations). You may cite text
and/or graphics:
• information from or about a competitor
• Information from or about your customer/client
• An article from a reputable publication about the product/service you are selling or the
problem/issue that your proposal is solving
• Your textbook for directions on how to write a Formal Proposal
• a credible website (.edu, .org, .net)
• A source of your own choosing (suggestion: your own company)
Write a brief Cover Letter to your client/customer (see MS Word templates
for proper letter formats) “handing off” the proposal.
