EAS 360 Writing Proposals

After reading the summary, readers should a) want to read more of your proposal. b) know everything they need to know to make a decision. c) be convinced by your argument. d) flip through to the conclusion.

a) want to read more of your proposal

Proposal writers might ask themselves whether they should even start writing a proposal based on the scope and challenges of research and analysis involved because a. writing a proposal requires a sizable investment in resources. b. they don't think they can make money from proposals. c. proposals can be a legal liability for non-profit if they start making money. d. government grants come with too many strings attached.

a) writing a proposal requires a sizable investment in resources

Which of the following does the proposed program section of a proposal NOT customarily include? a) an explanation of the work intended b) references to appropriate research or scholarship c) a justification of your claims d) a budget

d) a budget

Which of these is an example of an indirect cost associated with a proposal? a) travel costs for personnel going to a remote work site. b) cost of insurance benefits for personnel going to a remote work site c) cost of supplies used at a remote work site d) cost of operating a company's telephone system

d) cost of operating a company's telephone system

Three categories of proposals are ____________________ , ___________________ , and ______________________.

research, planning, sales

Convincing your readers that you fully understand the project and their needs is critical in establishing your a) credibility. b) honesty. c) finances. d) sympathy

a) credibility

RFP is short for ______________________________.

Request For Proposal

As a proposal writer, which of the following should you NOT do? a. propose actions outside the organization's capabilities. b. use every sentence to support the merits of your plan. c. explain accurately and specifically what work can be done. d. be acutely sensitive to what readers are looking for.

a) propose actions outside the organization's capabilities.

To be persuasive, proposal writers must demonstrate that they understand readers' needs. What two other qualities must they demonstrate? (Select both answers.) a) that they are able to do what they plan to do. b) that they understand how the proposal/procurement process operates within a particular field or profession. c) that they are committed to fulfilling their promises. d) that they are well financed.

a) that they are able to do what they plan to do c) that they are committed to fulfilling their promises

What are the two kinds of deliverables that typically result from proposal? (Select both answers.) a) a progress report. b) a tangible product, a service, or some combination of the two. c) transfer of real property. d) a research report. e) None of the response are correct.

b) a tangible product, a service, or some combination of the two. d) a research report

Which of the following is NOT a standard part of a proposal? a. personnel b. appraisal of progress c. budget d. scope of the work

b) appraisal of progress

The personnel section of a proposal for a research proposal would differ from a project proposal by an organization because it would a. emphasize management procedures. b. focus on published research. c. outline a management philosophy. d. indicate qualifications of team members and management.

b) focus on published research

Which of the following questions best provides the writer of a proposal information about the economic issues of the proposal and work involved? a) What approaches to the solution will be viewed most favorably? b) How much will our proposed approach cost? c) Can we show that we can do this work, based on what we have already done? d) Can we sell our idea without compromising the accuracy of what we can actually do?

b) how much will our proposed approach cost?

. In the proposal, the purpose and problem are addressed in the a) preface. b) introduction. c) conclusion. d) discussion.

b) introduction

Which of these is NOT a common deliverable for the end of a research project? a) completion report b) progress report c) recommendation report d) project report

b) progress report

What must you demonstrate to show that your organization can complete the work described in a proposal? a) efficiency b) qualifications and experience c) program information d) certification and authorization

b) qualifications and experience

Which of the following statements about proposal is NOT true? a. Proposal sections may be written by individuals in different areas of the organization. b. Proposals that do not contain information requested will probably not be considered. c. Request for Proposals (RFPs) do not require submission by a deadline. d. Many proposals have to conform to strict length requirements.

c) Request for Proposals (RFPs) do not require submission by a deadline.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a quality-control measure? a) a formative evaluation conducted by members of the project team b) a performance test conducted by a third party c) a list of all the heavy equipment used in a construction project d) an on-site evaluation conducted by the customer

c) a list of all the heavy equipment used in a construction project

Which of these is NOT a subject of a good and services proposal? a) offering to provide 150 computers to a state agency b) offering to install new landscaping around a government building c) asking for resources to study how a new pesticide affects lettuce and cabbage crops d) asking for a contract to provide cleaning and janitorial services to a government building for a year

c) asking for resources to study how a new pesticide affects lettuce and cabbage crops

What is of greatest importance in a research proposal? a. explaining the background of the problem. b. explaining why the work you propose needs to be done. c. describing what results can be expected from your research. d. demonstrating an understanding of the problem.

c) describing what results can be expected from your research

Which of these is NOT a useful guideline for creating a proposal for an audience in a different culture? a) Budget time for translation. b) Understand that what makes an argument persuasive can differ from one culture to another. c) Focus on costs. d) Ask if the prospective customer will do a read-through.

c) focus on costs

The conclusion of a proposal should a) include the resumes of the project managers or researchers. b) be limited to data and facts that will support the central argument. c) restate the central argument of the proposal d) clarify the rationale behind the budget.

c) restate the central argument of the proposal

The main body of a proposal generally focuses on all but ONE of the following a) the objectives (technical proposal) b) methods for achieving objectives (management proposal) c) substantiality (ability to complete proposal) d) project cost (cost proposal)

c) substantiality (ability to complete proposal)

The facilities section of a proposal should convince the reader that you have? a. personnel with experience. b. anecdotal assignation c. the right equipment d. insurance and workman's compensation

c) the right equipment

Which of the following questions best provides the writer of a proposal information about his or her ethical responsibilities as a writer? a) What approaches to the solution will be viewed most favorably? b) How much will our proposed approach cost? c) Can we show that we can do this work, based on what we have already done? d) Can we sell our idea without compromising the accuracy of what we can actually do?

d) Can we sell our idea without compromising the accuracy of what we can actually do?

A proposal report and a progress report have similarities and differences, for instance a) a proposal is submitted before a project begins, while a progress report is submitted after a project is completed. b) a proposal and a progress reports might be submitted throughout the life of a project. c) progress reports and proposals are terms for the same document and only vary in length. d) a progress report explains the work done on a project so far, while a proposal describes a future project and what is needed to complete that project.

d) a progress report explains the work done on a project so far, while a proposal describes a future project and what is needed to complete that project.

Sandra is writing the progress report for repair to country highways. The repairs are being paid for by a federal grant. Due to usually high rainfall, the project has fallen behind schedule. When writing the progress report, she should a) emphasize the project budget and the fact that they haven't spent as much money at this point in the project as they expected. b) include the dates and work completed, but make no comments, hoping the progress report is a formality, and no one will actually read it. c) revise the due dates on the original proposal to match what has been completed. d) explain progress to date, the problem encountered, and expected progress toward completion.

d) explain progress to date, the problem encountered, and expected progress toward completion.

Which of the following is an important part of persuading the reader of a proposal that you can complete the proposed work successfully? a) You must show readers that you understand how to submit the proposal. b) You must show readers that you sympathize with their frustrations. c) You must show readers that you are enthusiastic. d) You must show readers that they can trust you to do a good job.

d) you must show readers that they can trust you to do a good job

___________________ proposals are written in response to a request from a manager or customer, whereas ____________________ proposals are written without having been requested.

solicited, unsolicited