It’s tempting, I know. Your group finally finishes the last section of the proposal, adds some headings, and drops the link into the submission box with a quick “Looks good to me!” comment.
But if you really want your work to stand out (and save yourselves from avoidable mistakes), it’s worth giving your proposal a thoughtful final review.
What to Look for During a Group Review
Instead of one person speed-reading the proposal the night before it’s due, try this group-friendly approach:
- ✔️ Check for completeness: Does your proposal include all required sections? They’re listed in the assignment and on the Annotated Proposal Template.
- 🔍 Look for clarity: Can someone outside your group read it and immediately understand your purpose, argument, and research methods?
- 🗂 Review formatting: Are headings, spacing, fonts, and visuals consistent? Are visuals labeled and explained clearly? See Proposal Formatting Basics for help.
- 💬 Read it out loud: It may sound awkward, but it’s a great way to catch clunky sentences or missing words.
- 📅 Double-check the schedule: Is your timeline realistic? Do the deliverables match your project goals? Is the schedule shown in a Gantt Chart?
- 🧩 Look at team roles: Are individual responsibilities clear and well-distributed? Is it obvious how each member contributes?
- 📝 Proofread (for real): Fix grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Typos make great ideas look sloppy.
Divide and Conquer the Review
Instead of reviewing everything together line-by-line, divide the work:
- Assign each person a section to check in detail.
- Pair up for a final pass—one person reads while the other watches for mistakes or awkward spots.
- Have at least one person not involved in writing a section give it a fresh read.
- Have at least one person read the entire proposal to check for consistency.
- Have another person read the entire proposal to check for accurate spelling of names, both of people and of the website and tools you’re using.
Ask These Final Questions
As you wrap up, ask your group:
- Does this proposal clearly explain what we’re doing and why it matters?
- Will our manager be persuaded to say yes to this project?
- Is this something we’d be proud to submit in a real workplace?