Proposal Arguments: Chapter 14

Proposal arguments usually follow this general three-part structure:

1) description of a problem
2) proposed solution
3) justification of the proposed solution

Typical obstacles to overcome include:

The need for presence
1) use pathos to engage your audience's intellect and emotions
2) include vivid language, details, scenes, and compelling examples

The need to overcome people's natural conservatism or apathy (law of inertia)

The difficulty of predicting and evaluating future consequences

Developing the argument

1) convince your readers that a problem exists
2) show the specifics of your proposal
3) convince your readers that your proposal is better than others (more ethical, effective, efficient, etc.)

You may use a claim-type strategy, arguing from category, consequence, or resemblance (see p. 314).

You may use a "stock issues" strategy, considering common, usual ways arguments are conducted (317).

Ideas for organizing a proposal draft (322)

Ideas for revising (323)

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