In this assignment you will create a formal written proposal and describe a real-world project. This exercise will help you revise your Formal Proposal Assignment.

In this Individual Project Proposal Assignment, you will create and present an informal oral presentation. It will include a specific, realistic, researchable problem that you think the class could use when working on the Formal Proposal Assignment.

You should do the following things in your presentation:

• Identify the real-world problem or need you want to address.
• Describe why the problem/need is a valid concern.
• Name the real people who would receive the full proposal.
• Describe the research/investigative methods the class will use to gather information.
• Explain why you think it's possible to write a 6–10 page proposal on this topic.

You should not include a single recommended solution in your presentation.

For example, if you say that there should be a recycling bin for plastic bottles next to the English/Philosophy Building main stairwell, the bin would cost $50, and the Ecology Club would pick up the contents every third Tuesday...where's the need for a formal proposal? Why doesn't the Ecology Club just do it?

Suggestions

...for Presenters

Keep in mind the following tips for creating a successful proposal.

• Pick a do-able project. Expanding the student seating at the Jones Stadium is too big; just writing the proposal would take months and cost thousands of dollars. Asking the City of Lubbock to paint a crosswalk on a residential street is too small; all it would require is a letter to City Hall.
   
• Show an understanding of the class' needs. What will your classmates want to know about the project in order to think it's a good idea?
   
• Do some basic research. Because your classmates don't want to reinvent the wheel, they won't authorize the project unless they know you have already done basic research.
   
• Justify your methods. Explain why you would use the investigative methods you suggest.
   
• Use some kind of visual material. (Hint: MS PowerPoint was created for this purpose.) People remember more of a combination of words and visuals than either one alone. Be careful, though; bad visuals can kill a good idea.
   
• Keep it short. Talk for no more than 4–5 minutes. We've got a lot of proposals to get through, so don't be "that guy" who bored everybody or made the class stay late.

...for Audience Members

Keep in mind the following tips for being a good audience member.

• Ask hard questions. It's your job to decide if the project is do-able and is worth your time. If you pick an enormous project just because it sounds interesting or pick a weak project because it wouldn't require much effort, you run the risk of getting a low grade.
   
• Ask relevant questions. Your questions should be geared to the presenter's problem, audience, or research methods, or the project's feasibility. (I suggest using these words to let the presenter know what your question is about).
   
• Be respectful of the speakers. Anyone who text-messages during another student's presentation will receive a zero on their own presentation.
   
• Take notes while the speaker is talking. Note any areas where you are confused or need more information. This is where you'll get good questions for the Q&A session.