Business proposals: using formal language for persuasion

Summary

This 90-minute ESL lesson for B2 learners explores Business proposals: using formal language for persuasion through a real article. Across 11 interactive exercises, you'll develop reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, practical communication, speaking skills — all built around authentic English content.

What you'll practise:

• 5 key vocabulary items with definitions and usage notes
• Grammar focus: The passive voice in formal writing with examples and practice
• Real-world phrases for discussing a draft proposal
• Gap-fill and cloze exercises to test vocabulary in context
• Matching exercise to connect terms with their meanings
• Error correction to sharpen grammar awareness
• A reading passage to practise newly learned language

Lesson activities (11 exercises)

Each exercise builds on the previous one. Work through them in order for the best learning experience.

1. Warm-up — Discussion questions to activate what you already know about the topic.
2. Comprehension — Answer questions to check your understanding of the main ideas and supporting details.
3. Vocabulary — Learn key words and expressions from the article, with definitions and usage notes.
4. Matching — Connect words, phrases, or concepts to their correct counterparts.
5. Grammar — Study The passive voice in formal writing — explanation, examples, and key rules.
6. Error correction — Find and fix the mistake in each sentence — a great grammar workout.
7. Practical English — Learn phrases for discussing a draft proposal — ready to use in real conversations.
8. Cloze passage — Fill in blanks within a connected text to practise vocabulary in context.
9. Reading — Read a short passage on the topic and answer comprehension questions.
10. Discussion — Reflect on the topic and share your opinions using the language you've learned.

Vocabulary

This lesson introduces 5 key terms drawn directly from the article:

• to flesh out (an idea/a proposal) — to add more details or substance to something that is currently only a general concept.
• a compelling case (for something) — a set of arguments that is very strong and persuasive, making it difficult to disagree with.
• key deliverables — the specific, measurable outcomes or results that must be produced to complete a project.
• to get buy-in (from someone) — to get agreement or support for a plan or project from the people who need to approve it or will be affected by it.
• a ballpark figure — a rough estimate of a cost or amount, not an exact calculation.

Grammar

This lesson focuses on The passive voice in formal writing.

In formal business writing, such as proposals and reports, the passive voice is often used to sound more objective and impersonal. It shifts the focus from the person doing the action (the 'agent') to the action or result itself, which can make your writing sound more professional.

Examples from the lesson:

• The proposal will be submitted by the end of the week. — Here, the focus is on the proposal and the deadline. It sounds more formal than 'We will submit the proposal...'
• Several potential risks have been identified in the initial analysis. — This emphasizes the 'risks' that were found, rather than the team who found them, keeping the tone objective.
• It is recommended that the project timeline be revised. — This impersonal structure ('It is recommended...') is very common for giving strong advice in a formal context without being too direct.

Key rules:

• Use the passive voice to focus on the action or result, not the person performing it.
• It is formed with the verb 'to be' (in the correct tense) + the past participle.
• Avoid overusing it, as too much passive voice can make writing sound unclear or evasive.

Practical English

Discussing a draft proposal

When you've written a business proposal, you'll often need to review it with a manager or colleague before sending it to the client. These phrases will help you ask for feedback, make suggestions, and agree on changes in a professional and collaborative way.

Phrases you'll learn:

• "I'd love to get your eyes on this draft." — a friendly and collaborative way to ask someone to review your work.
• "I'm not entirely sure about the section on [the budget]. What are your thoughts?" — used to highlight a specific area where you need advice or a second opinion.
• "It might be a good idea to add..." — a soft, polite way to suggest an improvement without criticising the original work.
• "I see where you're coming from, but my concern is that..." — a classic phrase for disagreeing politely.
• "That's a great point. I'll incorporate that." — used to show you agree with a suggestion and intend to act on it.