国外写作课堂proposal的材料，希望对大家有用

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How to Write a Proposal (Problem-Solution) Essay

Adapted from:http://www.enotes.com/topics/how-write-problem-solution-essay

1) Plan your problem. Take these four steps to get the ball rolling:

Develop a rationale for your     selection: why it matters, why it’s a problem, and why it can be solved.

Define your initial     understanding: clarify what you know about the problem and what you think     you know about potential solutions.

Determine what you need to     learn: develop questions to help you begin your research or writing.

Design a research plan: poke     around your library and/or online databases, and figure out what     information is out there. Pick three people who could help your research     and arrange to talk to them about the issue.
2) Get early feedback. While most people can’t give advice on specialized problemslike combating internet hackers, everyone has an opinion about more general problems,no matter how small. Make it known to others what your plans are: talk to yourteacher, friends, parents—anyone—about your ideas. When you solicittheir opinions, ask for their response to both your take on the topic and yourplans for gathering information.

3)Don’t jump to conclusions—any. Let’s face it: we’re allknow-it-alls; we all think we have the answer to life’s problems.Unfortunately, in our rush to judgment, we often miss key details that wouldhelp us make better decisions. The same goes for a proposal paper: those whoestablish their solution first and remain steadfast to it tend to demonstrate alimited understanding of both the problem and logical solution; in other words,they don’t do well on the assignment. It’s okay to brainstorm some initialideas, but set them aside until later: the most informed decisions come whenyou’re well-informed. Wait until you’ve researched the topic and fully definedthe problem before finalizing your call for action.

4) Research, research, research. No matter how much you already knowabout your topic, there will likely be plenty out there that you don’t, andperhaps this source may even have helpful statistical information. Read as muchas you can about your topic, starting with broad discussions on your topic(i.e., articles about your problem at a national or state level rather thanspecific to your area) and then moving on to more local coverage. Some keysources are those materials that describe how your problem is/was dealt with inother communities like yours. You can use this information as a comparison toolor to inform your solution.

5) Research some more—but creatively. If you’re tackling a school or localcommunity issue, printed materials may be scant, but consider it an opportunityto collect your own data. The two best methods: construct a survey to be givento the audience affected by your problem or interview key people associatedwith the problem (or solution). Both methods can provide significantcredibility to your analysis and proposal.

6) Map, plan, or outline your essay first. Know where your paper needsto go before you begin. Proposal; papers have a lot of componentsand thus need to follow a tight structure: you address the problem, youestablish middle ground between all concerned parties, and you present yourvision for how to solve the problem. Review steps 7 through 9 before beginningto write, and then organize your notes and data around the components discussedbelow.  

7) When you’re ready to begin writing, start with theproblem section first. It’sthe easiest and most logical place to start, and it should be the component ofthe paper on which you have the most information. Take the following steps todefine the progression of your “problem” paragraph(s):

Hook the reader about the     problem in an interesting way.

Define the nature of the     problem. （type/kind of     problem）

Establish its existence by     explaining what has caused or led to the problem

Explain the extent of the     problem. ( amount of     influence, how much it affects)

Explain its effects and why it     is an issue that needs to be solved.

Finally, warn readers about     future effects if no solution is offered. Apply prior experiences from     other communities to this section.
8) Your middle section mustestablish common ground.You’ve addressed the problem, sure, but before anyone will accept yoursolution, you need to show you've taken the concerns of others to heart. To doso, you’ll need to explain how others view the topic and the concerns of thosepeople when it comes to trying to solve it. Address opposing arguments, andanticipate your audience’s questions and concerns. Establish criteria for agood solution that will be acceptable by most people.

9) Before you propose your solution, address other alternatives first.Show you’ve put some thought into your solution by acknowledging and critiquingother possible solutions to your topic. Explain your reasons for rejectingthem. Your goal: make your solution appear to be the best solution.

10) Propose a plan of action. Make sure it’s clear to your readers notonly what you’d do but how you would do it. Clearly describe yoursolution so that your audience can imagine what it will be like. Let youraudience know why they would be satisfied with your approach.

11) Conclude with a call to action. Encourage your audience to acceptyour views and join the cause. Use projection: show your audience what yourcommunity will be like if they do or do not adopt your solution. Or ask them totake simple steps to bring about the change you desire. Help them continue thefight.
12) Develop your thesis last. A strange idea, but theses for proposal papers are prettystraightforward; wait until you’ve clearly established your ideas beforeputting them into a single sentence. Your thesis statement, by the way, shouldidentify both problem and the solution. For example, “Schools should requireuniforms in order to minimize gang violence.” Unlike an opinionthesis, you do not need to have multiple “reasons” for your solution. Althoughdeveloped last, your thesis statement should be the last sentence of yourintroduction.
13) Revision advice #1: Use visualizationwhenever possible.Detailed descriptions evoke strong emotions and help your audience “see” theproblem. You can do so with examples from your area or another area with thesame problem, or you can create hypothetical scenarios that scare or encourageyour audience. Make the problem and solution comes alive.

14) Revision advice #2: Make your audience care about your ideas.As you read over your paper, ask yourself, “Am I connecting with those peopleaffected by the problem?” Address their needs and concerns. Show them why yourideas matter.