The proposal: A proposal (la propuesta) is a text that puts forward an idea or plan and tries to persuade the reader to approve or act on it — for example, to a head teacher, a council, or an organisation. In Paper 1 you choose it when the task asks you to suggest a plan and convince someone to accept it. It's part of Unit 2: Text Types, so the marks come from getting its conventions and register right (Criterion C), not just the idea.
- la propuesta
- the proposal
- el objetivo
- the aim / objective
- el plan
- the plan (what you propose to do)
- el beneficio
- the benefit
- la justificación
- the justification (the reasons)
- el registro formal y persuasivo
- a formal, persuasive register (you use usted)
Spot it in the task: The task asks you to put forward and defend a plan. "Escribe una propuesta para…", "Propón un plan y convence a la dirección…" → you must suggest something and argue for it → a proposal. If it only asked you to share news with a friend you'd write an informal email instead. Always read what the task wants you to achieve first.
Formal and persuasive: Use usted, a clear, confident, well-justified tone, and respectful but assertive language. Show conviction: state the aim plainly, back each idea with a reason, and ask for approval politely. Consistency matters — slipping into casual «tú» or vague, unsupported claims breaks the register and costs you Criterion C.
Proposal — do this
- El objetivo de esta propuesta es…
- Propongo que se instale…
- Por estas razones, solicito su aprobación.
Too casual — avoid here
- Oye, tengo una idea guay.
- Sería genial hacer esto, ¿no?
- Bueno, eso, un abrazo.
Stay consistent: Pick usted and keep it from the title to the closing. Verbs, pronouns (su, le, les) and the sign-off all have to agree with that choice, and every proposal needs reasons, not just enthusiasm.
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The five parts: Every proposal follows the same shape. Hit all five parts and you've covered the conventions the examiner is looking for.
Proposal — 5 parts
1
Title
A clear heading naming the proposal. «Propuesta: un huerto escolar para nuestro instituto»
2
Aim
State, in one sentence, what you want to achieve and why. «El objetivo de esta propuesta es…»
3
The plan
Set out concretely what you propose to do — the longest part. «Propongo que se reserve…, que cada clase se ocupe de…»
4
Benefits & justification
Give the reasons it's worth doing and who gains. «Esto beneficiaría a…; por estas razones…»
5
Call to act
Politely ask the reader to approve or act, + a formal sign-off. «Solicito que apruebe… Agradezco de antemano su consideración. Atentamente, [nombre]»
Title → Aim → Plan → Benefits & justification → Call to act
Don't skip the frame: Students lose easy Criterion C marks by forgetting the title or the closing call to act. They take seconds and show you know the text type — never leave them out.
A model, part by part: Here's a complete proposal built from the five parts above. Read it once for the idea, then tap Ver traducción to check the English or 🔊 to hear it.
Modelo: las 5 partes en acción
La propuesta escrita, parte por parte
- Propuesta: un huerto escolar para nuestro instituto
- El objetivo de esta propuesta es crear un pequeño huerto en el patio para que el alumnado aprenda a cultivar verduras y a cuidar el medioambiente.
- Propongo que se reserve una zona del patio, que cada clase se ocupe de un bancal y que un profesor coordine el riego durante las vacaciones.
- Esto beneficiaría a toda la comunidad: el alumnado comería más sano, aprendería de forma práctica y, además, el centro reduciría sus residuos. Por estas razones, considero que la inversión está plenamente justificada.
- Por todo lo anterior, solicito a la dirección que apruebe este proyecto y autorice el espacio necesario. Agradezco de antemano su consideración. Atentamente, Lucía Romero
Por qué puntúa — why it scores: This short proposal earns marks on all three Paper 1 criteria — here's how:
A — Language /12
- Formal, accurate language; usted throughout
- Connectors: «además», «por estas razones», «por todo lo anterior»
- Persuasive verbs (propongo, beneficiaría, solicito)
B — Message /12
- Clear purpose: proposes a plan AND argues for it
- Ideas developed (the plan, the benefits, the request)
C — Conceptual /6
- Proposal conventions: title + aim + call to act
- Consistent formal register (usted)
- Confident, justified, persuasive tone
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A toolkit you can reuse: Learn a few ready-made phrases for each part. They make your proposal sound natural and persuasive and save time in the exam. Tap 🔊 to hear them.
Para el objetivo (stating the aim)
- El objetivo de esta propuesta es… — The aim of this proposal is…
- Con esta propuesta pretendo… — With this proposal I aim to…
- Me dirijo a usted para proponer… — I am writing to you to propose…
Para el plan y los beneficios (plan & benefits)
- Propongo que… — I propose that…
- Esto beneficiaría a… — This would benefit…
- Además, permitiría… — Furthermore, it would allow…
Para la petición final (the call to act)
- Por estas razones, solicito… — For these reasons, I request…
- Le agradecería que considerara mi propuesta. — I would be grateful if you would consider my proposal.
- Agradezco de antemano su consideración. Atentamente, — I thank you in advance for your consideration. Yours sincerely,
Use one from each: One aim phrase, one or two for the plan and benefits, and one closing request is plenty — and instantly makes the text feel like a real proposal.