Assignment:
Learning outcomes
- Employ Toulmin's CDW model to craft a persuasive message to internal stakeholders
- Construct a clear, convincing and impactful written managerial message
Deliverables
1. A written proposal: Write a persuasive proposal to the school dean and top management, as an email message or an email attachment. You need to convince the readership that a problem exists and that your solution will work.
2. An analysis of the argumentation: Write an explanation of how you have utilized Toulmin's CDW model (Roger's article: ‘Building a case and arguing with sophistication')
Situation
- FIU has been undergoing huge changes recently and management is keen to receive feedback from all stakeholders - faculty, staff, students - on how operations at the FIU could be further improved.
- You are part of a student working group that has been formed to assess the present situation in the school and propose ways in which FIU processes could be enhanced.
- In other words, you need to identify an operational problem and develop a workable solution to the problem. You can select a pressing issue that you would like to have addressed.
- Examples of areas in which you might develop proposals:
1. FIU branding study abroad
2. Food services
3. Registration procedures
4. Library services
5. Sports facilities
6. Cooperation with businesses
7. Organization of studies
8. Housing
Proposal Assignment
Plan and write a proposal for action/change.
You will need to:
1. state (and summarize) the problem
2. identify explicitly the outcomes and benefits of your proposal
3. provide a convincing recommendation with supporting evidence which shows that your recommendation is feasible
Request action
- Use Toulmin's Claim-Data-Warrant communication model and the persuasive writing guidelines.
- You will also need to pay attention to effective managerial writing.
- Properly format your proposal. Include a cover page.