The Assignment in Brief: A 2 – 3 page letter or brief report with a cover letter using a minimum of 2 sources. Purpose This assignment is designed to help you think critically about the information your primary reader (your employer) and secondary readers (managers or supervisors) need to make an important decision. You will learn to anticipate the questions your readers will have about the solution you propose. You will also learn to provide the evidence (in the form of specific detail) your readers will need to make a decision. Skills · understanding basic format of a formal letter · applying basic knowledge of audience, organization, and argument · analyzing and documenting relevant evidence · writing with clarity and focus Standard Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 5, and 6 Knowledge/Transfer Skills · Analyze audience, purpose, and genre · Understand how a main idea (the thesis or statement of purpose) provides focus and how a blueprint (forecasting statement) controls the content and establishes the expectations of the reader · Develop and organize paragraphs through the use of thoughtful logic, explanation, examples, and transitions · Integrate source information to support and develop the controlling idea. What is a Proposal? Quite simply, a proposal is a persuasive document that sells the idea or service you are proposing. Proposals may be unsolicited or requested (i.e., a RfP – Request for Proposal), internal or external. A good writer knows the characteristics of a persuasive proposal: 1. Introduction (Purpose and Problem) 1. Purpose – in one to three sentences, tell your readers the reason for your proposal (explain why you are writing and what you hope to achieve); 2. Problem/Benefits 1. Highlight the importance of your proposal. 2. Clearly state the problem or benefits (and reveal your knowledge of the situation) 3. Note: Spend more time explaining the problem or benefits than on stating the proposal’s purpose. 2. Discussion (the body of the proposal) · Sell your suggested solution. · Provide any or all of the following components: 1. Analyses A. Descriptions or definitions of types of flex schedules B. Importance of the proposal C. Options D. Schedules E. Employee Performance Evaluation 3. Conclusion/recommendation · Sum up your proposal and provide a sense of closure · If appropriate restate the problem, your solution, and the probable benefits Task: · Write a formal letter proposing a flex schedule and stating the benefits of a flex schedule for your company. Your primary audience will be the company president, Ms. Courtney Blair, who does not see the need for a flex schedule. Other members of your audience will probably include the Board of Directors, and other administrators and managers within the company. Although your cover letter and proposal will be directed solely to Ms. Blair, keep the attitudes and interests of your entire audience in mind. · Just what type of company you’re working for and w.

1. The Assignment in Brief:
A 2 – 3 page letter or brief report with a cover letter using a
minimum of 2 sources.
Purpose
This assignment is designed to help you think critically about
the information your primary reader (your employer) and
secondary readers (managers or supervisors) need to make an
important decision. You will learn to anticipate the questions
your readers will have about the solution you propose. You will
also learn to provide the evidence (in the form of specific
detail) your readers will need to make a decision.
Skills
· understanding basic format of a formal letter
· applying basic knowledge of audience, organization, and
argument
· analyzing and documenting relevant evidence
· writing with clarity and focus
Standard Learning Outcomes 2, 3, 5, and 6
Knowledge/Transfer Skills
· Analyze audience, purpose, and genre
· Understand how a main idea (the thesis or statement of
purpose) provides focus and how a blueprint (forecasting
statement) controls the content and establishes the expectations
of the reader
· Develop and organize paragraphs through the use of
thoughtful logic, explanation, examples, and transitions
· Integrate source information to support and develop the

2. controlling idea.
What is a Proposal? Quite simply, a proposal is a persuasive
document that sells the idea or service you are proposing.
Proposals may be unsolicited or requested (i.e., a RfP – Request
for Proposal), internal or external.
A good writer knows the characteristics of a persuasive
proposal:
1. Introduction (Purpose and Problem)
1. Purpose – in one to three sentences, tell your readers the
reason for your proposal (explain why you are writing and what
you hope to achieve);
2. Problem/Benefits
1. Highlight the importance of your proposal.
2. Clearly state the problem or benefits (and reveal your
knowledge of the situation)
3. Note: Spend more time explaining the problem or benefits
than on stating the proposal’s purpose.
2. Discussion (the body of the proposal)
· Sell your suggested solution.
· Provide any or all of the following components:
1. Analyses
A. Descriptions or definitions of types of flex schedules
B. Importance of the proposal

3. C. Options
D. Schedules
E. Employee Performance Evaluation
3. Conclusion/recommendation
· Sum up your proposal and provide a sense of closure
· If appropriate restate the problem, your solution, and the
probable benefits
Task:
· Write a formal letter proposing a flex schedule and stating the
benefits of a flex schedule for your company. Your primary
audience will be the company president, Ms. Courtney Blair,
who does not see the need for a flex schedule. Other members
of your audience will probably include the Board of Directors,
and other administrators and managers within the company.
Although your cover letter and proposal will be directed solely
to Ms. Blair, keep the attitudes and interests of your entire
audience in mind.
· Just what type of company you’re working for and what type
of flex schedule you’re proposing will be your choice. I’d like
you to have some freedom in your proposal.
· The letter/proposal will be due on July 31st (and we will be
working on the proposals at least part of the time during class
during the prior week).
· Write a 2 – 3 page formal letter or brief report with a cover
letter proposing a flex schedule, and be as persuasive,
believable, complete, and professional as possible. Your ability

4. to demonstrate that you can write an effective letter/proposal
can only enhance your employment options.
· Document your research to establish ethos.
Your cover letter and proposal will be evaluated based on the
following criteria:
1. Persuasiveness/Argument
2. Content
3. Layout
4. Completeness
5. Clarity (grammar and mechanics)
6. Organization (overall document and paragraph)
7. Documentation (in-text and works cited)