.

2. Meaning
 A type of analytical report.
 A document written to persuade the reader to follow a plan or
course of action that you believe will solve a problem or fulfil a
need.
 Proposals are used to get products, plans or projects accepted by
others.
 A well written proposal
 analyses the audience’s needs or a problem,
 presents the solution to the problem,
 persuades the audience that the solution provided is the best.

3. Types of proposals
According to target
audience
According to their source
 Internal
 External
 Solicited
 unsolicited

4. According to target audience
INTERNAL EXTERNAL
 Submitted to internal
decision makers in the
organisation for
 Seeking approval for a
project or course of action.
 For requesting additional
resources.
 Submitted to decision makers
outside the organisation such
as potential clients and
government officials
soliciting approval for
projects or funds.
*External proposals are legally binding
*They compete for clients business.

5. According to source
SOLICITED PROPOSALS UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS
 Prepared at the request of
external parties who need
something done.(RFP:
Request For Proposal)
 Focuses on addressing each
item listed in the RFP.
 e.g. A proposal written in
response to RFP for designing
the website of an
organisation.
 Initiated by the organisations
attempting to obtain business
or funding without a specific
invitation from the client.
 Focuses on convincing the
reader about the problem
and the possible solution or
the possible benefit.
 e.g. An entrepreneur may
prepare a business plan for
seeking funds from investors.

6. Proposal structure
 Proposals may vary in length, formality and structure.
 Different structures for short and long proposals.
 SHORT PROPOSALS
 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion

7.  LONG PROPOSALS
Front matter
 Letter of transmittal or cover letter
 Title page
 Table of contents
 List of figures, tables and illustrations
 Executive summary
 Introduction
 Back ground or the problem
 Product description
 Detailed solutions
 Conclusion

8.  Back Matter
 Glossary
 Appendix
 Bibliography