How to Write a Business Proposal in APA Format

By Elaine Riot, eHow ContributorLast updated July 23, 2012

http://www.ehow.com/how_5899911_write-business-proposal-apa-format.html#ixzz2AxnHvogc

What is APA?• APA (American Psychological Association) style is

commonly used for the preparation of manuscripts in business, nursing and the social sciences.

• Although mainly used to write research papers, it can be called upon as a guide for almost any document.

• APA style establishes standards regarding the organization of content, writing style and reference citations.

• Writing a business proposal in APA style makes sense because its familiar structure helps the reader to follow the flow of words and easily find the info they seek.

Instruction #1• Gather information to organize your thoughts

and formulate the main selling points of your business proposal.

• Think of the main components: the idea itself, its benefits, implementation, timing, projected costs and possible pitfalls.

• Find references that support your idea. • Mr. Jaime requires you to submit research notes.

Make sure that you ask him about it.

Instruction #2• Outline your plan using APA Style sections: – an abstract or summary of your business proposal, – an introduction, – the text of the plan with headings to highlight salient

points, – a reference list, – tables and – figures.

Instruction #3• To create a template to facilitate the

writing phase, create main section headings such as–Abstract or Business Proposal Summary, – Introduction, and –headings for the body of the proposal, –ending with the References (which starts on a

separate page).

Instruction #4• The proposal should be – double spaced – on A4 paper, – with 1-inch margins all around.

Instruction #5• The title page should include the name of

your business proposal and your contact information, all centered about one-third of the way down the page.

Instruction #6• Each page, including the title page, should

have a running header with an abbreviated title followed by the page number, flush right in the upper right corner of each page (1/2 inch from the top).

Instruction #7• Write your business proposal, following the

guide you've prepared. – The Abstract or Business Proposal Summary should

be a concise description of your proposed plan of action.

– The one-paragraph Introduction should include supporting background information for your main point.

– They should both mention benefits specific to the company you are soliciting.

Instruction #6• Write the body of your business proposal, where you

will include its potential benefits, implementation plan, possible obstacles or concerns, and projected costs. – Include in text references that include the author and the

year, for example, "Brown (1976) concluded that employees covered by health insurance plans were 25% more productive."

– Another example would be "Employees covered by health insurance are 25% more productive (Brown, 1976)."

• Include the detailed citations in the reference list.