Outline

Most answers should have both an introduction and conclusion. We can dedicate one paragraph to each of the three points we need to suggest. Don't forget that we should include facts or reasons to support each point:

• Introduction

• Bullet point 1 (why preserve the building)

• Bullet point 2 (how to modernise it)

• Bullet point 3 (how people benefit)

• Conclusion

There are many ways you could organize your paragraph. I’m going to do:

• One reason

• Reason

• Expand on that reason

260 words actually aren’t a lot. You will not be able to write about too many things for each point. Use this to your advantage, because writing less actually means less chance for mistakes.

Plan your Paragraphs

This question vaguely makes me think of something that happened in my hometown a few years ago. One of the iconic historic buildings was renovated so it could be used to move one of the university departments downtown. The project was done in a way that they were able to preserve the look of the storefront, thus preserving the streetscape that everyone knew and loved.

If you can, try to relate a question to your own experience. It's often easiest to write about something we know as opposed to creating something entirely from fiction.

Brainstorming Language

I also brainstorm language that I might use. This helps me write my essay faster:

Remember, 260 words actually aren't a lot.

Title

Let’s start with a quick title: How to bring People Back to Planet Fitness

We can always change our title at the end. 

Introduction

An introduction should have one or two sentences that describe the reason for the proposal. 

Remember, we are speaking to a bunch of people who we don't know, and we need to use a formal, neutral tone.

For this proposal, I might write something like:

The Oxford Cinema is a historic landmark of Downtown Stratford which is slated to be demolished this coming September. 

The arts department of the Rosedale College is looking for expand its facilities.

The following proposal pleads for the preservation of the Oxford Cinema, and suggests how it can be transformed to accommodate the College and its needs. 

The Body

A quick way to organize the body is to use 3 paragraphs and dedicate each point, expand on it and give a reason why it's important.

So, now I can take what I brainstormed and expand on the points. Remember, you don’t need to write a lot.

WHY PRESERVE

The Oxford Cinema has unquestionably one of the most iconic buildings in downtown Stratford, with its unforgettable marquee and beautiful stone façade. It's been part of us and our community for over 200 years. Removing this beautiful and unique building will not only significantly change the local streetscape which all Stratfordians love and know, but also will be a significant cultural loss, as the city continues to lose heritage buildings to make way for new, more modern developments.

HOW TO MODERNIZE

A better use of this building would be repurposing it to create the new arts campus that the college seeks to build, creating both the space needed to accommodate the department's activities while honouring the existing establishment. Following in the footsteps of other modern architects who rework old buildings into modern designs, the back end of the theatre could be demolished while keeping the façade and reception area in tact. The college could then build a high-rise to accommodate the space required to hold classes. The students will then have a new home, bringing new life to the city's core, and the building gets repurposed into a hip hub of artistic activity.

WHO BENEFITS

There literally would be no losers in repurposing the existing building to accommodate the college: the institute gets the space that it desperately needs to expand its current arts program, and the classic building gets repurposed in a meaningful way. While I understand that this kind of project can often be more costly than simply demolishing buildings to make way for new ones, the costs would be offset by the additional revenue brought to the downtown by the university activity.  

The Conclusion

The conclusion will finish your piece. Your conclusion should:

• Summarise the main point of your writing.

• Not have new ideas.

My conclusion might read as followed:

In conclusion, repurposing the current Oxford Theater into a college campus is obviously better for the city, both in terms of economics and in terms of preserving our heritage.

Example

Let’s put it all together with some editing, sequencing words and headers for each section:

Proposal: Repurposing Oxford Cinema to Serve Community Needs

The following proposal pleads for the preservation of the Oxford Cinema, which is slated to be demolished, and outlines how it can be transformed to accommodate the needs of Rosedale College.

PRESERVING A HISTORIC LANDMARK

The Oxford Cinema is unquestionably one of the most iconic buildings in downtown Stratford, with its unforgettable marquee and beautiful stone façade. It's been a cornerstone of our community for over 200 years, and removing it will not only significantly change the local streetscape, but will also be a significant cultural loss for Stratfordians.

REPURPOSING A CITY TREASURE

It's no secret that the arts department of the Rosedale College has been looking to expand its facilities since March of last year. Instead of demolishing the theater, it could be transformed to host the new campus the school needs. Following in the footsteps of other architects who rework old buildings into modern designs, the back end of the theatre could be demolished while keeping the façade and reception area in tact. The college could then build a high-rise to accommodate the department's activities. The students will then have a new home, and the building gets new life as a hip hub of artistic activity.

ECONOMIC GAINS FOR DOWNTOWN

There would only be positive outcomes to this plan: the institute gets the space it desperately needs, and the classic building gets honoured in a meaningful way. While I understand that this kind of project can often be more costly than simply demolishing buildings and building new ones, the costs would be offset by the additional revenue brought to the downtown by the university activity.  

SUMMARY

In conclusion, repurposing the current Oxford Theater into a college campus is obviously better for the city, both in terms of economic gains and in terms of preserving our heritage.

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