This section explains the need for the proposal.
For example, the fact that the company has been losing money might be
included in the background to a proposal recommending the closure of a store.
The background would also include details of the current situation.
For example, information that a new subway station has just opened would be
included in the background of a proposal to open a new store in the same area.
The background section can also include what has already happened.
For example, include the fact that a decision was made at last
month's meeting to close one store and relocate to another area
in a proposal to open the new store next to the train station.
If a proposal includes a recommendation based on some research,
there should also be a section to include the findings or results of that research.
For example, if we want to open a new store, we might want to do some
research on the number of people passing the proposed location.
For a simple proposal, with one recommendation,
we then make the recommendation after any research findings.
Then, after making the recommendation, explain what the positive
outcomes would be, or the negative outcomes if the recommendation is
not accepted Sometimes you might have more than one option available.
In this case, the organization of the proposal would be to explain
the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and
then make any recommendation for the best option.
If you're writing the proposal as an email or in a letter,
you would need to include a short closing paragraph that invites the reader to
contact you if they have any questions or discuss the proposal in more detail.
However, a proposal in a more formal report, usually doesn't have a closing.
Now that you know the organization, you'll be able to write a clear proposal.
But first, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
First you need to know who are you writing to.
As you maybe learned in our lessons on e-mail in our networking course,
who you're writing to determines how formal you will be.
If you're writing to a colleague or a co-worker, you might be more informal.
If you're writing a proposal to the board of directors of your company,
you'd probably be more formal.