A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506 Most Royal Majesty, Manuel I: Thank you, your Majesty, for granting me the honor of listening to my proposal. I humbly offer your Majesty a way of gaining wealth, power, and blessings for the great Kingdom of Portugal. I propose to your Majesty that Portugal strengthen its trade route to the Kongo kingdom. Your Majesty may rightly point out that trade between our kingdom and the Kongo kingdom has existed for several years. This is true, but now is an excellent time to increase this trade. Why? The answer lies with the new king of the Kongo, Afonso I. He greatly admires Portuguese customs and seeks to increase their influence in his country. Because of this, the authorities in the Kongo will be very hospitable to our traders. Also, Afonso has recently converted to Christianity. What is more, he seeks the conversion of his whole kingdom to the Roman Catholic religion. Missionaries can accompany our traders and then spread Christianity to the people of the Kongo. Such an action will surely gain praise and blessings for our great kingdom from the pope himself. But you may correctly say that missionaries alone do not bring wealth to Portugal. True, but by increasing the number of these excursions, our traders can bring greater wealth. The Kongo kingdom has many unused riches. The main riches are ivory, copper, and iron. Artisans can use these resources to produce sculptures and decorative items such as beautiful sword handles. Our talented craftsmen have already made some lovely objects from ivory. Other nations will certainly pay a great deal of money for these beautiful pieces of artwork. It is also certain that other nations will recognize the greatness of Portugal because of our ability to obtain and shape ivory. But ivory is not the only source of riches in the Kongo kingdom. Copper has long been used for jewelry and ornamental objects. But now, craftsmen have begun to use copper, instead of brass and other metals, for house wares. The lower cost and durability of copper make it ideal for this

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purpose. Increasing our supply of copper, therefore, is important for all of Portugal. Still, there are more riches in the Kongo kingdom. Your Majesty knows very well the importance of iron. Recently, a new method of producing cast iron has been introduced in Europe. Using a blast furnace, cast iron can be used to make one-piece guns. This method requires a steady supply of iron, which the Kongo can supply. This method also increases the quality and quantity of weapons for Portugal. These weapons, in turn, can make Portugal the most powerful nation in the world. What will Portugal have to give in return for these riches? Afonso seeks guns, horses, and a variety of Portuguese goods. He wants these items to help him put down uprisings in his country. Because of his great need, I believe he is willing to provide us with much iron, copper, and ivory. To increase trade with the Kongo kingdom, Portugal will have to pay for more ships and crews to sail them. But these costs will be more than offset by the great profits Portugal will gain. In addition, any potential problems with hostile inhabitants of Africa should be easily overcome with Afonso’s great support. Afonso I has opened a door for Portugal that will greatly benefit our country. Portugal will gain the favor of the Roman Catholic Church. Our country will also gain many benefits from the Kongo’s rich supply of iron, copper, and ivory. All of these things will make Portugal stronger and will ensure that other nations recognize our greatness. I thus humbly ask that your Majesty accept my proposal for increasing trade with the Kongo kingdom. Your humble servant, Duarte Marques

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A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506

Organization A persuasive proposal has three basic parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction creates interest and states a recommendation. The body provides the supporting arguments for your recommendation. Notice that the strongest argument is saved for last. The conclusion summarizes the information and makes a strong appeal.

introduction

Most Royal Majesty, Manuel I: Thank you, your Majesty, for granting me the honor of listening to my proposal. I humbly offer your Majesty a way of gaining wealth, power, and

creates interest

blessings for the great Kingdom of Portugal. I propose to your Majesty that Portugal strengthen its trade route to the Kongo kingdom.

recommendation

Your Majesty may rightly point out that trade between our kingdom and the Kongo kingdom has existed for several years. This is true, but now is an excellent time to increase this trade. Why? The answer lies with the new king of the Kongo, Afonso I. He greatly admires Portuguese customs and seeks to increase their influence in his country. Because of this, the

supporting argument

authorities in the Kongo will be very hospitable to our traders. Also, Afonso has recently converted to Christianity. What is more, he seeks the conversion of his whole kingdom to the Roman Catholic religion. body

Missionaries can accompany our traders and then spread Christianity to the people of the Kongo. Such an action will surely gain praise and

supporting argument

blessings for our great kingdom from the pope himself. But you may correctly say that missionaries alone do not bring wealth to Portugal. True, but by increasing the number of these excursions, our traders can bring greater wealth. The Kongo kingdom has many unused riches. The main riches are ivory, copper, and iron. Artisans can use these resources to produce sculptures and decorative items such as beautiful sword handles. Our

supporting argument

talented craftsmen have already made some lovely objects from ivory. Other nations will certainly pay a great deal of money for these beautiful

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A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506 (continued) pieces of artwork. It is also certain that other nations will recognize the greatness of Portugal because of our ability to obtain and shape ivory. But ivory is not the only source of riches in the Kongo kingdom. Copper has long been used for jewelry and ornamental objects. But now, craftsmen have begun to use copper, instead of brass and other

supporting argument

metals, for house wares. The lower cost and durability of copper make it ideal for this purpose. Increasing our supply of copper, therefore, is important for all of Portugal. Still, there are more riches in the Kongo kingdom. Your Majesty knows very well the importance of iron. Recently, a new

body

method of producing cast iron has been introduced in Europe. Using a

strongest argument

blast furnace, cast iron can be used to make one-piece guns. This method requires a steady supply of iron, which the Kongo can supply. This method also increases the quality and quantity of weapons for Portugal. These weapons, in turn, can make Portugal the most powerful nation in the world. What will Portugal have to give in return for these riches? Afonso seeks guns, horses, and a variety of Portuguese goods. He wants these items to help him put down uprisings in his country. Because of his great need, I believe he is willing to provide us with much iron, copper, and ivory. To increase trade with the Kongo kingdom, Portugal will have to pay for more ships and crews to sail them. But these costs will be more than offset by the great profits Portugal will gain. In addition, any potential problems with hostile inhabitants of Africa should be easily overcome with Afonso’s great support.] Afonso I has opened a door for Portugal that will greatly benefit our

conclusion

country. Portugal will gain the favor of the Roman Catholic Church. Our country will also gain many benefits from the Kongo’s rich supply of iron, copper, and ivory. All of these things will make Portugal stronger and will

summarizes, makes final strong appeal

ensure that other nations recognize our greatness. I thus humbly ask that your Majesty accept my proposal for increasing trade with the Kongo kingdom.

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A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506 (continued)

Audience Persuasive proposals should have a tone and content that is appropriate for the audience. For example, “A Trade Proposal” has a very respectful tone because the audience is the king of Portugal. Persuasive proposals also use arguments that would appeal to the audience—in this case, the king of Portugal. This could include a discussion of how the benefits of a proposal are greater than the costs.

tone

Most Royal Majesty, Manuel I:

Thank you, your Majesty, for granting me the honor of listening to my proposal. I humbly offer your Majesty a way of gaining wealth, power, and blessings for the great Kingdom of Portugal. I propose to your Majesty that Portugal strengthen its trade route to the Kongo kingdom.

Missionaries can accompany our traders and then spread Christianity to the people of the Kongo. Such an action will surely gain praise and blessings for our great kingdom from the pope himself. But you may correctly say that

appealing argument

missionaries alone do not bring wealth to Portugal. True, but by increasing the number of these excursions, our traders can bring greater wealth.

Artisans can use these resources to produce sculptures and decorative items such as beautiful sword handles. Our talented craftsmen have already made some lovely objects from ivory. Other nations will certainly pay a great deal of money for these beautiful pieces of artwork. It is also certain

appealing argument

that other nations will recognize the greatness of Portugal because of our ability to obtain and shape ivory. But ivory is not the only source of riches in the Kongo kingdom.

To increase trade with the Kongo kingdom, Portugal will have to pay for

cost

more ships and crews to sail them. But these costs will be more than offset by the great profits Portugal will gain. Copyright © McDougal Littell Inc.

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benefit 5

A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506 (continued)

Anticipate Potential Problems Successful proposals also show how to overcome potential problems. Problems can come in the form of arguments against your position or difficulties with putting your proposal into action. Your Majesty may rightly point out that trade between our kingdom and the Kongo kingdom has existed for several years. This is true, but now is an

potential problem

excellent time to increase this trade. Why? The answer lies with the new king of the Kongo, Afonso I. He greatly admires Portuguese customs and seeks to increase their influence in his country. Because of this, the authorities in

response

the Kongo will be very hospitable to our traders.

Missionaries can accompany our traders and then spread Christianity to the people of the Kongo. Such an action will surely gain praise and blessings for our great kingdom from the pope himself. But you may correctly say that

potential problem

missionaries alone do not bring wealth to Portugal. True, but by increasing the number of these excursions, our traders can bring greater wealth.

response

What will Portugal have to give in return for these riches? Afonso seeks

potential problem

guns, horses, and a variety of Portuguese goods. He wants these items to help him put down uprisings in his country. Because of his great need, I believe he is willing to provide us with much iron, copper, and ivory.

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response

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A Trade Proposal Presented to His Royal Highness, Manuel 1, King of Portugal, A.D. 1506 (continued)

Facts and Examples Persuasive proposals use facts and examples to support arguments. What facts and examples will you use in your proposal? Your Majesty may rightly point out that trade between our kingdom and the Kongo kingdom has existed for several years. This is true, but now is an excellent time to increase this trade. Why? The answer lies with the new king

facts

of the Kongo, Afonso I. He greatly admires Portuguese customs and seeks to increase their influence in his country. Because of this, the authorities in

example

the Kongo will be very hospitable to our traders.

Also, Afonso has recently converted to Christianity. What is more, he seeks

facts

the conversion of his whole kingdom to the Roman Catholic religion. Missionaries can accompany our traders and then spread Christianity to the

example

people of the Kongo. Such an action will surely gain praise and blessings for our great kingdom from the pope himself.

The Kongo kingdom has many unused riches. The main riches are ivory,

facts

copper, and iron. Artisans can use these resources to produce sculptures and decorative items such as beautiful sword handles. Our talented

example

craftsmen have already made some lovely objects from ivory. Other nations will certainly pay a great deal of money for these beautiful pieces of artwork. It is also certain that other nations will recognize the greatness of Portugal because of our ability to obtain and shape ivory.

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