Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1989

The Nature, Classification, and Generic Structure of Proposals

Richard C. Freed Iowa State University ; David D. Roberts Iowa State University

Abstract

A study of forty current business/technical/professional writing textbooks suggests that little disciplinary agreement exists about what proposals are and how they differ from some kinds of reports; how the various types of proposals should be classified; and what structural features characterize the genre. Though many texts blur the distinction between proposals and internal recommendation reports, the two are never the same. The textbooks present a bewildering array of classification systems, often failing to distinguish between situation and function. A function-based system could divide all proposals into two categories-analytic (research proposals, R&D proposals, and consulting proposals) and service/product, with bids representing a special case. The lack of disciplinary agreement also makes it difficult for textbook users to internalize a generic structure that will serve for all proposal-writing tasks. Such a structure would include the following: situation, objectives, methods, qualifications, costs, and benefits. The major advantages of such a generic structure are its slots, which make it like a schema; its event sequence, which makes it like a script; and its ability to help writers and teachers understand the relationship among the macropropositions that exist explicitly or implicitly in all proposals.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1989-10-01
DOI
10.2190/1e3n-62hr-m3tm-lvw4
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory professional writing
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Axelrod (2025)
    Improving Proposal Writing by Looking to Information Operations
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Robles et al. (2019)
    Using Case-Method Pedagogy to Facilitate Audience Awareness
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Wolff (2009)
    Systems of Classification and the Cognitive Properties of Grant Proposal Formal…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Hamilton (1996)
    Broadening employment horizons: transferring proposal writing skills from for-p…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Mehlenbacher (1994)
    The rhetorical nature of academic research funding
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Baker (1993)
    Direct Mail Sales Letters: Form and Substance
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (37) · 3 in this index

  1. 10.1080/00335638409383686
     ↗
  2. Bowman J. P. (1987)
    Business Communication: From Process to Product
  3. Carosso R. B. (1986)
    Technical Communication
  4. Sherlock J. (1985)
    A Guide to Technical Communication
  5. Ruch W. V. (1988)
    Business Reports: Written and Oral
Show all 37 →
  1. Quible Z. K. (1988)
    Introduction to Business Communication
  2. Bielawski L. (1987)
    Organizational Writing
  3. Mills G. H. (1986)
    Technical Writing
  4. VanAlstyne J. S. (1986)
    Professional and Technical Writing Strategies
  5. Haselkorn M. P. (1985)
    Research in Technical Communication: A Bibliographical Sourcebook
  6. Anderson P. V. (1987)
    Technical Writing: A Reader-Centered Approach
  7. Kolin P. C. (1986)
    Successful Writing at Work
  8. Oliu W. E. (1988)
    Writing That Works
  9. Murphy H. A. (1988)
    Effective Business Communications
  10. Treece M. (1986)
    Communication for Business and the Professions
  11. Griffin C. W. (1988)
    Writing: A Guide for Business Professionals
  12. Lannon J. M. (1988)
    Technical Writing
  13. Trzyna T. N. (1987)
    Writing for the Technical Professions
  14. Wolf M. (1989)
    Effective Business Communication
  15. Bell A. H. (1987)
    Business Communication: Process and Practice
  16. Houp K. W. (1988)
    Reporting Technical Information
  17. Schank R. C. (1982)
    Reading and Understanding: Teaching from the Perspective of Artificial Intelligence
  18. Schank R. C. (1977)
    Scripts, Plans, Goals, and Understanding
  19. Huckin T. N. (1983)
    New Essays in Technical and Scientific Communication: Research, Theory, and Practice
  20. 10.1037/0033-295X.85.5.363
     ↗
  21. Hirsch E. D. (1988)
    Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know
  22. Scholes et al. (1988)
    Three Views of Education: Nostalgia, History, and Voodoo
    College English
  23. Broadhead G. J. (1986)
    The Variables of Composition: Process and Product in a Business Setting
  24. Freed R. C. (1987)
    Journal of Advanced Composition
  25. Freed (1987)
    A Meditation on Proposals and Their Backgrounds
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  26. 10.2307/357716
     ↗
  27. Roberts D. D. (1987)
    The Technical Writing Teacher
  28. Roberts D. D. (1984)
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  29. Roberts D. D. (1984)
    Freshman English News
  30. Roberts D. D. (1984)
    Teaching Tip Column of Technical Communication
  31. Roberts D. D. (1982)
    The Technical Writing Teacher
  32. Sullivan et al. (1981)
    A Case for Diagnosis in Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 11 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Mar 2026
    The National Security Strategy as an Object of Business Communication ↗
    Philip W. Hayek
    rhetorical criticism genre theory professional writing
  2. Prompt: A Journal of Academic Writing Assignments Jan 2026
    A Murder Most Technical: Gamification, AI, and Rhetorical Genre Studies in the Technical Writing Classroom ↗
    Justin Cook
    genre theory writing pedagogy service learning teacher development argument collaborative writing technical communication professional writing
  3. Pedagogy Oct 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy advanced composition creative writing writing across the curriculum graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions archival research multimodality artificial intelligence literacy studies race and writing gender and writing disability studies literary studies editorial matter
  4. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Sep 2025
    Corporate Disclosure During COVID-19: A Close Reading and Discourse Analysis ↗
    Tolulola Lawal
    rhetorical criticism genre theory discourse analysis assessment professional writing
  5. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2025
    Tracing Disruptions: Activity Systems in a Digital Services Microfirm ↗
    Enzo Cabrera; Omar Sabaj; Germán Varas; Clay Spinuzzi
    rhetorical criticism genre theory discourse analysis professional writing