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Jennifer Ambrose Hanson CTC Assistant Director. Real-World Writing: A Proposal to the GFE. This writing assignment will prepare you to: Write a short but convincing proposal to an organization that funds engineering education projects .
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Jennifer Ambrose Hanson CTC Assistant Director
Real-World Writing: A Proposal to the GFE This writing assignment will prepare you to: • Write a short but convincing proposal to an organization that funds engineering education projects. • Describe basic engineering principles for a general audience. • Work collaboratively as a team.
Who Do We Write to and Why? (1) To learn first-hand about how common structures (bridges, skyscrapers, domes, barns, transmission towers, construction cranes, the human body, etc.) are built and stay upright, you and your writing partner will plan to visit an historically significant structure or institution located anywhere in the world.
Fall 13 List of Banned Structures • Fallingwater • Gateway Arch • Atomium • Millau Viaduct • London Eye • Burj Al Arab (in Dubai) • Sydney Harbor Bridge • Tower of Pisa
Who Do We Write to and Why? (2) To fund your trip, you must submit— • a one-page letter of intent • and a four-to-six page proposal to an organization called Grants for Furthering Education, or GFE.
You Must Convince Your Audience That… Your trip will enhance your knowledge of statics and contribute to your growth as engineers. You have conducted preliminary research about the structure in question, and have a plausible plan of action that makes your on-site visit worth funding.
You Must Convince YourAudience That… (2) The decision makers at GFE include engineers but also people unfamiliar with statics or engineering principles, so you will need to make your case not with equations but with persuasive arguments, precise physical descriptions, and clearly defined terms.
First, the Letter of Intent This one-page formal letter should clearly state that you plan to submit a proposal in response to the GFE’s request. The letter should answer these questions— • What structure do you propose to visit? The GFE is looking for imaginative and unorthodox choices. • Why? (Describe in brief why your subject merits further study—from the perspective of students learning to analyze structures in equilibrium). You might also mention its historical/cultural significance. • What sources do you plan to use? (Cite no less than two sources. Use APA style for in-text citation.)
Then Write the Proposal • Executive Summary—A single paragraph overview of the proposal. Note: this appears first but is written last—think of it as the entire proposal reduced to one paragraph. • Introduction—Introduce yourselves as engineering students and state your objectives. • Background—Provide a brief account of the historical and cultural significance of the structure. • Technical Analysis (your proposal’s center of gravity)—Concisely analyze and describe your chosen structure and its relevance to the study of statics (consider using a free-body diagram). • Itinerary and Cost Estimate—Propose a schedule of events and provide a concise table for trip expenses (airfare, lodging, food, etc.). Always total your costs. • Conclusion—Summarize the merits of your concept; ask your audience to grant your request for funding.
Keys to a Successful Proposal • Your readers at the GFE admire clear, straight-forward language. In most cases, use the active voice (“ We recommend…,” “The cables lift the deck of the bridge, causing a downward force…”). • Stay true to your objective: emphasize the educational value of your proposed site visit. • Visit the HCTC—strong proposals always show evidence of critical feedback and revision.
Using APA: sample of in-text and Reference List citations In-text: Such a bridge is said to be in equilibrium, meaning that the net result of the forces and moments acting on the structure are equal to zero (Meriam and Kraige, 2007). Reference list: Meriam and Kraige (2007). Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 6th Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
How to Get 15 Free Points! • Turn in the Research Plan to HCTC (2224) on time. (5 points) • Turn in the First Draft to HCTC (2224) on time. (5 points) • Sign up for a writing appointment at the Hanson Center between Sept. 18 and Dec. 4, 2013.(5 points)
Schedule and Deadlines Fri., Sept. 27Letter of Intent due to the HCTC, Rm. 2224, by 4:00 p.m. Week of Oct. 7 Letter of Intent returned during discussion sections Sept. 18 to Dec. 4 Schedule an appointment with the HCTC. Note: You receive 5 points if you schedule an appt. as a team no later than Dec. 4, 2013. Thurs., Oct. 31First draft of Proposal due to HCTC by 4:00 p.m. (submit folder and your Letter of Intent and grader’s comments). Week of Nov. 11 First draft returned during discussion sections Thurs., Dec. 5 ** The final Proposal must be submitted in two forms: (1) A hard copy directly to the HCTC by 4:00 p.m. in your folder (2) An electronic copy mailed to: askctc@engineering.uiowa.edu Week of Dec. 16 Final papers and folders returned during final exam week.
Questions? You can find the assignment, evaluation sheet, discussion of plagiarism, and other useful stuff on the Center’s web site at http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/hctc. Hanson CTC hours:Monday-Friday,1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Location:2224 SC (in the Student Commons area) Scheduling: Appointment sign-up sheet posted on window outside door of 2224 SC.
