Writing a Formal Internal Proposal
Proposal for Dress Code
The context:
You are the manager of Sports Solutions in Phoenix. You have noticed that several of your sales associates and assistant managers are not professionally dressed.
Instead of monitoring each sales associate’s apparel, you find it advantageous to implement a uniform dress code for all store personnel.
The assignment: Write a proposal (memo format) addressed to headquarters of Sports Solutions asking for funding for uniform professional apparel for your 30 sales
associates and 5 assistant managers.
Your proposal has the following components:
1. An executive summary (Establish common ground with your reader and briefly summarize the content of the entire proposal [see sections 2-6].)
2. Presentation of at least three reasons outlining the problems with your unprofessional clothing styles you have observed in your store. Be tactful and avoid
negative language.
3. Information about the positive experiences that other stores have made with the implementation of a dress code. Include research and use APA format for source
documentation. At least three sources are required.
4. Details about the professional attire you are envisioning. Include images showing the apparel as well as a link to the website that sells those clothing items.
5. A cost breakdown including a table that shows the details of the expenditure.
6. A conclusion persuasively restating your request.
7. A list of References.
You want to pay special attention to creating a “you attitude” so that your reader will be motivated to provide funding for the dress code. It is also of vital
importance to create a visually appealing document that allows the reader to easily skim the document for essential information. Do not hesitate to experiment with
different fonts, type sizes, columns, bulleted lists, etc.
Please follow the hints for formatting effective memos that we discussed in class. See the syllabus for the in-class workshop (bring hard copy of your draft, with a
number, not your name) and the due date of the final assignment.
ENG 302
Writing a FormalInternal Proposal
Format:
The Executive Summary (150-250 words) should
• Start with a buffer
• Define the problem (1 or 2 sentences)
• Describe the proposed program
• Briefly describe your credentials
• State the completion date
• Contain the final budget figure
• End on a persuasive note
The Problem Section should
• Discuss the problem (including background)
• Include your research on the problem
The Solution Section of your proposal should
• Start with a buffer
• Show your qualifications and credentials
• Explain the solution in detail
• Mention disadvantages of your solution (if any exist)
• Describe cost (material, personnel, facilities) in detail and include estimate of final budget figure
• Indicate amount of time needed
Your conclusion should
• Emphasize advantages of your solution and restate the value of your solution.
• Restate your recommendation
