C1 Advanced (CAE) Proposal: Structure

1. Title + Introduction
The aims of this proposal are to…
2. Main content
Subheading 1
Paragraph 1: Describe the current situation
Subheading 2
Paragraph 2: Describe the current situation
3. Final Recommendations
Make your recommendations /persuade the reader Write at least 2-3 sentences

SAMPLE
There are plans to demolish an old and unused building in the town where you are student.
You feel that the building should be saved. You decide to write a proposal for the town council
explaining why you think the building should be preserved, suggesting what could be done to
modernise it and saying how the building could benefit the local people.
Write your proposal (around 220 – 260 words)

Topic: old building that the city wants to demolish and you want to save it

Main key points:

1. why you think the building should be preserved,

2. what could be done to modernise
3. how the building could benefit the local people.

Target reader: town council

Title + Introduction

The title doesn’t have to be anything special but it is important that you
include one as this is a typical feature of a proposal and it could be something
like:

 Proposal to ……. and then you write the topic of what you’re
reporting.
 or you can write the topic and end it with phrase : a proposal

in this way, the title will have an appropriately formal connotation. See both
examples below:

Title: Proposal to modernise the old brewery

Title: Old brewery modernisation: a proposal

The introduction must contain three main things that you should include:

1. purpose of your proposal in which you should explain your purpose

for writing
The proposal is intended to…..
2. you should restate the topic of the task (see step 1)
3. The three main key points that you discovered (see step 1)

Note that a proposal is written in the future tense or with reference to the
future
The body paragraphs (main content)
Group your ideas under headings for each section of your proposal.
Remember to answer all the questions that you were asked (see step
1) You’re going to use some formal or semi-formal language and also
some passive structures such as “it is advisable that..” or “it is
recommended that….”

Main key points (see step 1):

1. why you think the building should be preserved,

2. what could be done to modernise
3. how the building could benefit the local people.
Final recommendations

In the last section/paragraph of your proposal, we need to conclude our

proposal and make our final suggestions (after all that’s the main reason for
writing the proposal). Make sure that you include your final suggestions in
this last paragraph as well as some persuasive language.

Title: Proposal to modernise the old brewery

Title: Old brewery modernisation: a proposal
This proposal is intended to (appropriate beginning) outline why the old
brewery on ABC Street should not be demolished (topic) and is worth
protecting, (point 1) how it could be turned into a valuable asset (point 2) for
the town and in what ways it could be of use (point 3) for the residents of the
town.
The brewery as an opportunity. – add headings/simple, informative, formal
The old brewery building with its central location at ABC Street and unique
architecture is still considered a focal point of the town centre by the vast
majority of people. While it has not been in use for some years, It has great
sentimental value as indicated in conversations with local
residents. Therefore, it would be an unrecoverable loss to demolish the
building when there are other possibilities for using the facility.

[describes first point – why the building should be preserved,]

Modernization – add headings/simple, informative, formal

According to city conservators, (rely on sources, stats and experts) the
modernisation of a building this old can be a challenge as everything from the
ground up needs renovation. However, some local architects would be
willing to work together and develop a design that takes into account the
financial constraints of the public budget as well as environmental factors. To
illustrate, the initial estimated costs for modernization are $300,000 and 6
months (add figures) of construction and design works.

It is strongly recommended (use passive voice) to turn the brewery into a co-
working space so the rent will offset 15-20% of the costs in order to give the
town a modern touch on a historic site.

[describes first point – what could be done to modernise]

Future benefits – add headings/simple, informative, formal
Considering all of the above, if the following suggestions were taken, (use
conditionals) there would be great benefits for
everybody involved. Moreover, the town would create another source of
income, the space would attract creative professionals and not only would it
benefit them, but local residents would also be able to keep their brewery in
the town centre.

[describes third point – how the building could benefit the local people.]

Conclusion
All things considered, the benefits and needs of the inhabitants speak for the
preservation of the brewery and its modernization into a co-working space.
On behalf of the residents, I strongly urge the council to consider this
proposal.

SAMPLE 2
Proposal subject:
Language students – let us improve what we do for you!
Unfortunately, we can’t spend much money, but we’d like to improve what we provide for our
language students. Submit proposals to us explaining what is useful about the current
facilities we provide, describe any problems you have with them and make recommendations
for how we can improve them, giving reasons to support your ideas.

Student’s CAE Proposal Answer:

How to improve the quality of language classes: a proposal
The principal objectives of this proposal are to describe the current state of language teaching at
the Pennsylvania State University, identify areas for improvement, and offer recommendations
on exactly what improvements can be achieved.
Current situation
At the present moment, Penn State offers courses of several languages on three different levels.
One can study modern languages such as French, German, Italian Russian as a beginner,
intermediate or upper-intermediate student.
Issues
Following a final year survey among students taking language courses, the following areas for
improvement can be highlighted:
1. the number of languages in offer: undoubtedly narrow and restricted to European languages;
2. the structure of the courses is flat: no advanced level
3. little innovation in the language methods utilized: simple, old-fashioned grammar-translation
method still reigns supreme.
Recommendations
It is vital to address the issues raised in the student survey. Therefore, the following actions ought
to be performed with a view to improving the quality of the courses and their reception:
A. The offer should be increased to include other widely-spoken languages, especially non-
European ones, such as Chinese, Arabic and Hindi. These languages are real challenges for the
speakers of European languages.
B. It is advisable to expand the course options by offering lessons for advanced students. Only
comprehensive offer can motivate students to immerse themselves in language learning.
C. Last but not least, some variety needs to be introduced into the array of teaching methods
available to students, e.g. online multimedia lessons. The best method of language learning is
using many various methods.
All of these measures, if promptly implemented, are surely going to increase student satisfaction
in the area of language courses.

SAMPLE 3
Proposal subject:
You go to a university that has a high amount of international students and you have realised
that the website is not up to scratch. Write a proposal for the University Dean about how it
could be improved.

Ways of improving the University website: a proposal

This proposal is aimed at outlining the way in which the university website could be improved so
that it is more user friendly for international students. It will suggest what improvements can be
made and also set out how this would benefit the students themselves.
Problems with using the site
A recent study into how easy it is to get around the site has revealed that 70% of students whose
second language is English find it difficult to find specific information about their courses.
Because of the language barrier, they find it hard to make their search terms clear and this has
become a cause for concern. Translating the site is not an option and this can be a big problem,
especially at the beginning of the academic year.
Ways the site could address these issues
It has been well documented that the university website has neither a site map nor an
introduction video to help novice students to find their way around it. It would make a huge
difference if there were some simple instructions to indicate where to find information. It is a
delicate balance as we, of course, want international students to learn English, but also want
them to navigate the site with ease.
Recommendations
I would like to make the following recommendations:
 Invite students who are starting out at the university to a quick and informative seminar
to demonstrate how to use the site.
 Provide language help and some useful resources for language learning and assistance.
 Provide a survival pack for students to take with them and know how to combat
technological issues.
If these recommendations are in place, young people are bound to feel more prepared for their
experience and take full advantage of this unique experience.

HOMEWORK
1. Write a proposal for your college principal in which you ask for support to travel
(support needed) to another country for an internship. Explain what you would like from
the college, and why would it be of benefit.

Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to request assistance regarding an internship programme I am
interested in.
Support needed
Comment on the first element…
Personal growth
Comment on the second element…
Conclusion
Having outlined needs and reasons, I am sure that…

2. You study at an international college in your country. Your history teacher is planning a
one-day study trip (a trip) for your class and has asked the students for suggestions. Write
a proposal considering two or three different places (provide places) for history students to
visit in the area and recommend which one of these (add recommendation) places would be
preferable for a one-day study visit.
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to …
Place 1
Comment on the first element…
Place 2
Comment on the second element…
Place 3
Comment on the third element…
Recommendation
Having outlined the example locations…

3. There is a 200 m X 200 m piece of land in the centre of our town that can be redeveloped.
What do you think this piece of land should be used for? (give development ideas) How will
it benefit the people of our town and what other advantages will it bring? (provide benefits
and advantages) Send in your proposals to us and we will present the best ones to the town
council for consideration.
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to …
Redevelopment ideas
Comment on the first idea…
Comment on the second idea…
Benefits and Advantages
Comment on benefits…
Conclusion
Having provided the above…

4. Your college currently doesn’t provide enough support for students planning to spend
time studying in another country. You see this notice in the library.
The college is planning to introduce a special course for students planning to spend time
studying in-country. The college principal invites students to send a proposal outlining any
problems students may face when studying abroad and suggesting ways in which the course
could address these problems. A decision can then be made about what to include on the
course.

5. Students at your college have to give a spoken presentation as part of their final
assessment and need some help. The school director has invited you to send a proposal
outlining any problems students have with presentations and suggesting how these
problems could be overcome.

6. The company you work for is considering the idea of a flexible working day, where staff
are able to vary their starting and finishing time. The manager of your department has
asked you to write a proposal explaining why introducing a flexible working day could
benefit both the company and its employees. You should also suggest how a flexible
working day could operate in your own department.