Writing Proposals
Writing Style

Writing Style That Mentors Respect

Your proposal's tone matters as much as content.

Tone Guidelines

❌ Avoid

  • Overly formal or stiff
  • Arrogant or presumptuous
  • Vague or wishy-washy
  • Exclamation marks everywhere!!!
  • ALL CAPS FOR EMPHASIS

✅ Aim For

  • Professional yet conversational
  • Confident but humble
  • Clear and specific
  • Respectful of time

Structure for Readability

# Clear Title
 
## Concise Introduction (2-3 sentences)
Set context briefly.
 
## Well-Organized Sections
Use headings liberally.
 
- Use bullet points for lists
- Not paragraph form with commas
 
### Sub-sections when needed
Break up large topics.
 
## Conclusion (1 paragraph)
Summarize key points.

Example Comparison

❌ Weak Style

The project would benefit from a new feature related to caching. 
I think that Redis might be useful for this purpose. I would 
implement this feature if selected and I am pretty confident 
I can do it. The timeline would be approximately a few weeks 
and deliverables would include the new caching system.

✅ Strong Style

## Proposal: Redis Caching Layer

### Problem
Post queries currently hit the database every time, causing 
high load during peak usage.

### Solution
Implement Redis caching with:
- TTL-based expiration (5 minutes default)
- Cache invalidation on post updates
- Fallback to DB for cache misses

### Timeline
Weeks 1-2: Setup and integration tests
Weeks 3-4: Core implementation and unit tests
Week 5: Performance testing and optimization
Week 6: Buffer for reviews and refinement

### Success Metrics
- 70%+ cache hit rate in production
- 50% reduction in average query latency
- Zero data inconsistency issues

Writing Tips

  1. Be Specific

    • "During X months" not "eventually"
    • "Component Y will do Z" not "things will improve"
  2. Use Active Voice

    • "I will implement" not "The feature will be implemented"
  3. Show Confidence

    • "I will" not "I might"
    • But not overconfidence
  4. Proofread

    • Grammar and spelling matter
    • One typo suggests carelessness
  5. Read Aloud

    • Does it flow naturally?
    • Would you say it this way?

Your proposal is your voice. Make it sound like someone competent and professional, not a marketing brochure.