Project 3: Proposal Writing (Group)

Syllabus Section 001 Groups Section 002 Groups

Project 3 is a GROUP effort as is the Group component of Project 5. It is essential that each group organize ALL group activities and assign specific roles. I suggest that you review the Collaboration readings for week 1 on the Course Calendar, as well as the description of Project 5. Here is a list of possible roles for project 3:


Very early in the term, you must meet (either electronically or in person) to assign these roles, select a proposal topic, and develop of schedule based on the groups you have been assigned to by your instructor. Once that occurs, the group leader(s) should send a copy of all of this information to your instructor.

Part of your scheduling effort should include submitting two (2) progress reports: one about a third of the way through the term, the second, two-thirds through the term. See the Class Calendar for more information. To organize your reports, as well as your activities, you should go to the Class Calendar, at the end of that document click on Click Here for Organizing Help! You can use this format to create a PERT Chart.

Although I understand that you are taking this class via distance education, I believe, from my own experience, that your work life will have some facet of "distance" to it as well; I have many friends who do not work in an "office." At least a handful have never worked in any office. So, from my perspective, you ought to be able to complete at least one major assignment by collaborating with other class members electronically. I am certain that you understand that the discussion sessions (Project 5) are also electronic.

I am not, however, foolish enough to believe that you will not want to have the option of meeting in the real-world at some point during the term. Therefore, I'll make every effort to create groups that are within commuting distance.

It seems to me that the proposal offers you a unique opportunity to combine a fair number of the techniques we will consider during this term. Proposals generally address specific, or unknown, audiences; they possess a specific style and tone; they attempt to persuade; and they can incorporate the visual and verbal in interesting ways. The challenge here is to persuade someone to your way of thinking without being there; the text must carry the entire weight and force of your argument.

To help you understand both planning and structuring proposals, I've included some linked documents. But, I encourage you to explore other sources listed on this page.
 
 

  Project 3: Description

  1. In collaboration with the members of your group select a proposal topic that has something to do with your community (defined as either the ECU academic community or your local community). See the list of previous topics below.
  2. Apportion effort among all group members: planning, interviewing, researching, writing, editing, graphics, production, etc.
  3. Create a calendar to monitor your effort.
  4. Submit:

  Project 3: Resources

Websites
 
The Foundation Center at http://fdncenter.org/ is an excellent resource, especially for non-profits. From the "Learning Lab" link at the top of the home page, you can access resources such as an updated short course in proposal writing. A word to the wise: the information in this updated short course provides an excellent basis for the proposal you collaboratively prepare in this class. See the site map for a listing of all the resources contained on this website.

Good Sources Here


Use the following resources to help you select a topic and to review both previous submissions and the kinds of comments provided by the instructor.
 
Previous Topics ECU Security Proposal No-smoking Policy at Mall Proposal Church Security Proposal Community Center Proposal Community Center Evaluation
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Last Modified: 01/19/02