Before beginning a proposal, consider the problem addressed in the paper. Drafting a working title helps clarify the problem for the writer. Gather all guidelines and deadlines for the committee to which you are submitting the proposal. Read these thoroughly and keep them nearby while working to be sure you follow all regulations. Investigate preliminary materials and conduct research on the topic to build a firm background for understanding the problem.
Create a draft of the proposal. Start with an outline that includes an introduction and a brief history of previous projects or studies conducted in the field. State the problem now being investigated, and state objectives for the paper including how the problem will be solved. Also, include an evaluation system to measure project success. Prepare a preliminary budget and cite all research used in an appendices to the proposal. At the end, include a summary of the problem and objectives for solving it. Some committees may want to know where the project will be submitted for publication and if future funding will be needed. Check all guidelines to see if this is required.
Edit and revise your proposal thoroughly. When editing, look for grammar and style mistakes in the writing. Revision is the act of correcting these mistakes. Read the draft out loud to make sure it is clear and simple and can be understood in one reading. Eliminate wordiness and long sentences. Also, consider the structure of the proposal and whether it has coherence and flows clearly between sections. Revise the title as well by finding the heart of the study and conveying it in five words or less. Use a descriptive subtitle if necessary. Have a peer read and edit the proposal as well.
Begin with an outline to get basic ideas on paper and craft a full body around it. The use of bold headings for sections makes the text easy to skim. Transition from one part of the proposal to the next smoothly so that it appears to flow into the next logical step in the project. Use simple sentence constructions, easy vocabulary and active verbs to add emphasis to statements. Pertinent diagrams and pictures also lend support to the proposal. Be sure that your language conveys your enthusiasm and commitment to the topic.