Learning Goal: I’m working on a communications writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.
Part I: This is where you write the plan for your target audience. What will you communicate to them?
- Introduction:
- State your key message clearly in your introduction, so your audience understands the “so what” or thesis of your proposal. Make sure that your introduction is both direct and engaging. Label your introduction.
- Background Information and Supporting Arguments:
- Provide the necessary information and build credibility to build your case for your audience. This section of your proposal might include background information and include some of your five sources.
- The subject heading might be “Background Information.” Again, match your subject headings with the main point of your content. The length of this section will depend on how much background information your audience needs to understand what you are proposing.
- Key Message:
- Continue writing your proposal by presenting your key message with three or four supporting points or reasons. This is where you will bring in some of your sources, to back up your ideas and gain credibility with your audience. Subject headings will help guide your audience through reading your supporting sections of your proposal. Again, how many paragraphs you will need to write depends on what you have to provide for your audience to understand and what you are proposing.
- Call to Action:
- End your proposal with a clear call to action for your audience. Now that you have given enough information to your audience members to convince them that your proposal is a good one, tell them what to do with your information. Make sure that you are direct and passionate about your request for action and that it is clear and actionable.