Chapter 11

In Chapter 11 Johnson-Sheehan talks about the importance of graphics in proposals. Our society is becoming more and more digital literate. With this comes the reality that as a whole we are becoming more visual and want more visuals in the text we read. Graphics should be used in a proposal to augment the writing, not to simply fill space. The graphics should be informative and placed closely to the topic they are referencing. I recall a proposal where all of the tables and figures were in the appendix. It takes far too much time to have to flip back and forth to reference a table ten or more pages away. The writer should design his or her proposal with the graphics reinforcing the text it is associated with.
Graphics should be considered when writing the text, not in the final hours of the proposal. Each graph, table, or picture should be numbered consecutively and labeled properly and neatly with the reader in mind. Data taken from another source should include the name of that source. Another point Johnson-Sheehan makes is that graphics should be credible and ethical. The writers (and the company or institution he or she represents) is on the line. It would be wise to not use data if what it represents is questionable.
Visuals in the document should not clutter the document, but clarify an important point to the readers. The writer should keep in mind that visuals are powerful tools that can make or break a proposal depending on the time, effort and quality they portray. The writer should be certain the graphics in the proposal are enhancing the proposal, not taking away from it. If the writer is not skilled in graphics he or she may want to employ someone to assist with the graphics in a proposal. This will ensure a quality document.