A proposal for a digital newspaper

A proposal for a digital newspaper

Learn how to write a proposal.

Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.

Preparation

Reading text

There are plans to stop production of your university newspaper. You feel that the newspaper should be saved. You decide to write a proposal to the university suggesting a digital version of the paper.

A proposal for a digital version of the university newspaper

Introduction

This proposal intends to outline how a digital version of the university newspaper, The Scallion, could function and aims to show that an online paper is viable for the future of the newspaper. It draws on the views of 3,000 students surveyed in May.

Background

The Scallion is printed weekly and distributed free in faculty buildings, with a readership of approximately 10,000 students. It is written and produced entirely by students. The survey shows that the newspaper is highly valued by university students and staff for entertainment, cultural enrichment and work experience.

Current problems

The cost of printing newspapers is significant. Furthermore, some students do not have easy access to the paper, since the only way to obtain a copy is to physically go to university. An additional environmental issue is that a large number of copies end up as litter on campus.

Proposed solution

It is proposed that the newspaper could shift to an online format. An overwhelming majority (95 per cent) of survey respondents were 'keen' or 'very keen' on this.

The key benefits would be:

  • Lower costs. Electronic publication is much cheaper than printing, and the website would require minimal maintenance. Although there are considerable initial costs of developing a website, these would be offset over time.
  • Improved accessibility. Students unable to collect a copy and those with visual impairments would be able to read the paper online.
  • Eco-friendliness. A website would reduce paper usage and produce no litter.
  • Digital media experience. For student journalists, gaining experience in running a web-based news site would be invaluable for any job which involves digital communication.

Drawbacks

One issue is information management. The site would have to comply with data protection and privacy laws. Advice should be sought from the IT department.

Another drawback may be personal preference. Twenty-five per cent of survey respondents liked having a physical paper to flick through in a café. However, as this is a minority view, I would suggest that the benefits of the online paper outweigh the inconvenience on this issue.

Conclusion

The results of the consultation suggest that moving the paper online is the best option given that it would reduce costs, be more environmentally-friendly and reach a larger audience. A change to a digital format is therefore recommended to maintain the benefits of the newspaper while addressing its current difficulties.

 

Tips

  1. Start by reading the question carefully. Brainstorm all your thoughts about the proposal first. Then choose your best ideas and plan your paragraphs.
  2. Use subheadings to make the structure clear. Start by stating the aim of the proposal (Introduction) and giving information about the context (Background).
  3. Next, move on to the Current problems and your Proposed solution. You can also mention the Drawbacks and how to address them before you finish (Conclusion).
  4. You should use an impersonal, formal tone for your proposal. Passive verb forms (e.g. It is proposed that … , Advice should be sought …) are a useful way to avoid I think or You should.
  5. The final section should include an overall recommendation based on your previous points.

Task 1

Task 2

Task 3

Discussion

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Average: 4.2 (20 votes)

Submitted by Ugulhan on Sat, 10/10/2020 - 02:00

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As I was a child, I subscribed to a journal. I enjoyed flicking it through in my home, and it was a physical paper that I could collect it. Over time, everything in our lives has become changes, and we see now digital newspapers as a result of the development of technology. I like reading online books or news. The overwhelming readers would be preferred to reading online. The benefits of the digital newspaper will offer environmental friendliness and low costs for subscribers. There is no produce litter, such as papers that are left lying in public places. As Drawback, I would say, it could be if it has not been connected to internet then you will be missed the digital information.
That's so true. I'd add. Unfortunatelly, plenty of people doesn't have internet access, therefore they don't have option. Hopefully, it will have improved in the coming years.

Submitted by Miyu on Wed, 12/08/2020 - 05:02

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I prefer to read a newspaper on paper. I have two reason. Firstly, it is easy to hold while reading to be made of thin paper. Thanks to the specific paper, it is easy to read and bring anywhere. In addition, to operate terminals are not needed for us comparing with reading newspapers online. Secondly, a paper does not cost much. Although online newspaper has a problem that it needs communication line and devises while reading news, a paper does not need them. On the other hand, there are some problems. One issue of newspaper on paper is it uses too spacious space in the room of our house. We have to dispose of them regularly. Also, the article we can read on paper may be limited for particular articles. However, those issues can be solved by selecting whether the Internet or paper depending on circumstances. Therefore, reading on paper is better than reading online in that papers is possible for bring without selecting places and not being worried about high cost while reading.
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Submitted by OlaIELTS on Sat, 16/05/2020 - 18:26

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I do prefer reading online news to paper.
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Submitted by Magedelabd on Sun, 26/04/2020 - 20:46

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I prefer to read the newspaper in paper format than the online one . Because in the paper format I feel that I can the whole page without any limitations.

Submitted by farid007 on Thu, 09/04/2020 - 04:09

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While digital newspaper is quite comfortable source of getting information, I prefer reading paper newsaper. It could be argued that digital newspaper is environmentally friendly and less costly to produce. It is because we do not cut trees to produce paper and we pay only fee for mataining and creating website where we can publish news. While one may also argue that digital news is good also for invalids, I believe that the benefits of digital newspaper is outweighed by its costs. It is irrefutable that unlike to paper newspaper, digital newspaper have some some advers effect on eyesight. Secondly, people with visual impairment and blinds may not read digital newspaper while its possible with paper newspaper. They can read and become familiar with news by touching letter. Also, newspapers have got a lot of games such as crosswords, and prizes when you are loyal subscriber of paper newspaper. Moreover, one can flip through the pages of newspaper , highlight and write on memorable point of newspaper or one can just cut this piece and save which is not possible with digital newspaper. Thus, I believe that advantages of reading paper newspaper outweighs digital newspaper. Paper Newspaper protects us from adverse effects of computes and mobile on our eyes, afford us playing games and memorizing notable events and information.

Submitted by farid007 on Thu, 09/04/2020 - 02:41

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The aim of this proposal is to outline challenges facing University Admission Services in some UK Universities and suggest ways to address decreasing number of students being accepted each year. It is argued in this paper that tuition free education system is viable for the future of UK education. This proposal draws on view of 1000 applicants and 2000 of students of UK Universities. Current Problems. One issue UK education facing is starting from 2018 UK witnesses decrease in the number of accepted foreign students as compared to previous years either due to available online courses or tuition fee. The overwhelming majority of interviewed foreign students and applicants stated that UK education is costly and payment of accomodation costs combined together with tuition fee is cumbersome for them. Another issue with UK education is that many of the foreign students claimed that they pay tuition fee thanks to loan and parental budget which affects their future life. The majority of interviewed students were doing part time work to offset costs of tuition fee, which distracts them from education, while some of the students were planing to pay loan after graduation being occupied with payment of fee after finding dream job. Proposed Solution. It is proposed that UK education and economu is ready to shift to tution free education. The majority of respondents were quite satisfied with UK University being tution free for foreign students. The key benefits of tuition free system would be: Reduce Inequality It goes without saying that foreign students are not capable to pay hefty amount of tuition fee if their parents are not from wealthy family. The tuition fee in UK increases the gap not only in wealth but also in knowledge. Thus it is being recommended that tuition free education will enable students compete on equal conditions and more students is going to be accepted into Universities. Discrimination issue Many of the foreign students in UK (african and asian students)complained that they are discriminated and pay more tuition fee than European and UK students. Introuduction of tuition free education is going to solve this, the result being less students complaining about discrimination. Tourism benefits Another advantage of no tution fee is being seen in tourism sector. The more accepted students will mean additional money for UK and tourism sector. The staff of tourism sector is going to enrich his experience of working with foreigners and learn building tolerant society where no discrimination based on religion, ethnicity and colour of skin. Drawbacks It is irrefutable that tuition free education is going to affect Tory government's budget. Another drawback of tution free education will mean more students being accepted in UK Public and Private Universities, which means Tory government is to consider crating new job openings for students and graduates. Only the 10 percent of foreign students supported preserving tuitin fee in Uni. Thr majority of these student either had wealthy background or had link with state officials of their country. However, it is being sugested that benefits of no tution fee system outweigs education where exists tution fee. Conclusion. The result of interview suggest that shifting to tution free education, will reduce gap in knowledge, increase number of accepted students, will boost up tourism segment and the less of number of students will be complaining about discrimination issues at Uni as well as such such measure will establish equality between students. It is,therefore, recommened that new tuition free in UK is to be introduced for establishing equality between students and enforcing human righs.

Submitted by ram123654 on Wed, 18/09/2019 - 10:30

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For me it's not about preference but much more about time management. I hardly remember when I read newspaper last time. It's because I have my phone with me all the time and since I have already subscribed so many online Media, I get the notification and go through when I am free. Although I read newspaper on Sundays. I really love to read my favorite comics. Thanks Ram Madhsiya

Submitted by om mariam on Mon, 12/08/2019 - 22:35

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for so long time I didn’t prefer the physical newspaper as I found the pages are big and not easy to handle with the thing that makes it difficult to find themes that I prefer.The opposite in online newspaper where we find the easiness of accessibility, attractiveness and easy to follow.

Submitted by Dimpy on Fri, 26/07/2019 - 18:18

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I would very much prefer to read the newspaper online instead of on paper but only when I am in a hurry to do so. Like, I have to search for a word or a date mentioned in some article I read in the newspaper that morning which I want to tell my friend with whom I am speaking over a phone. To do so, I will quickly grab my laptop and search put the heading of that article online. Also , even if the heading I wrote in the search box isn't correct, doesn't even it won't affect the result as long as it has the correct keyword mentioned in the article's heading. Although, online newspaper has quite a few merits including the one I mentioned above and that it is eco-friendly as there is no ink or paper involved, I would still prefer reading it the traditional way, on a paper because I don't think that my morning tea will be complete without the rustling sound of a paper and the joy I feel when I sit and read it peacefully and play my sudoku or crossword after reading a few articles.