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Tech04002 – Proposal

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Proposal: Why?• “I’m interested in writing code, why do I need to do this?”

• Simulate:– Industry:

• Apply for a job• Persuade management / investors to support project• Investigate feasibility of undertaking project

– Academia:• Applying for grant

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Assessment 1: Proposal• Deadline 3rd Feb• Electronic submission, Proposal Document

– 500 words maximum– Must Describe

• Title: • Background: Application domain (subject area), why is it

needed – what problem(s) will it solve?)• Aims & Objectives: what will it do (for the end user),

functional specification,how will it solve the above mentioned problems,what will it not do (scope, boundaries)

• Plan:– Selected technologies– Timescale

• References:

– Much will be uncertain – this is normal

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3 Writing Stages• Ideas (Brainstorming)

– Generate as many ideas as possible– Write down notes / phrases (not full sentences)– Write down everything that comes to mind– Don’t delete anything

• Structure– Decide what to keep and what to remove– Rearrange into a logical order– Merge / remove repetition

• Finishing– Expand notes / phrases into grammatical

sentences

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Writing Style• Formal, avoid:

– 1st Person (i.e. use of I and me)

– slang

• Grammatical

• Succinct

• Clarity

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ExampleThere once was a man of Australia,Who painted his arse like a dahlia,The drawing was fine,The colours divine,But the scent – alas – was a failure.

There once was a man from Australia,Who painted his arse like a dahlia,The drawing was fine,The colours divine,But alas, the scent was a failure.

Easier to read

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First Person: Example

I am going to use the Java programming language.

This project will use the Java programming language.

9 words

8 wordsEasier to read

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Succinct: ExampleThe software should allow the pilot to plot a

course. It should also allow the distances to be calculated. The pilot should also be able to determine fuel requirements.

The software should allow the pilot to:

• plot a course,

• calculate distances, and

• determine fuel requirements.

29 words

16 wordsEasier to read

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Succinct: Example

The focus of previous publications has been completely on summative evaluation.

Previous publications have focused completely on summative evaluation.

11 words

8 wordsEasier to read

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Bibliography• Seely J (1998) The Oxford Guide to Writing

and Speaking. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-863144-8

• Cordwell S (1996) Very Rude Limericks. Grange Books. ISBN 1-85627-504-3