A. Little Heavy III
P.O. Box 2545
Winthrop University Station
Rock Hill SC 29733

September 5, 2000

Dr. Jo Koster
Department of English
Winthrop University
Rock Hill SC 29733-0001

Dear Dr. Koster:

Subject: Proposal for Major Writing 465 Project

I would like to use Belk, a department store in Wheatville, North Carolina, as the focus for my project. I plan to formulate a proposal that will show the company why big men's and plus women's departments should be implemented. Having worked at Belk during high school, I am very familiar with the facility. I feel the project can be completed effectively in the allotted time.

Wheatville is a small town with 5,014 residents. Only one department store is available to serve the needs of the community. I feel the store is lacking in one vital area, apparel for overweight people. I plan to collect information to show Belk the need for big men's- and plus women's departments. I called the store and spoke to Samantha Sanders, a men's department sales associate. She informed me that customers often request big & tall men's merchandise. Jackie Taylor, a women's department sales associate, also expressed customers' desire for large sized clothing. These factors illustrate that this issue needs consideration.

Penny Johnson is the manager of the Wheatville store. She has input into what merchandise is purchased for her store. She will be one of the primary readers. She will likely be concerned about the lack of space in the Wheatville store. Therefore, I will address her concerns by presenting options that will allow the store to pursue these departments with available space. The other primary reader will be Fred Conner. He is the managing partner for the group of stores that includes the Wheatville Belk. He has the authority to implement any programs he sees fit. Mr. Conner has added large size departments to other group stores. Therefore, he is familiar with the resources involved in implementing the departments.

This project will determine if there is a true need for these departments. It will also demonstrate what the Wheatville community expects of departments for overweight citizens. I plan to gather information on the weight status of the Wheatville community. The local Chamber of Commerce does not maintain records of that nature. Therefore, I will use surveys to determine if there is a need for the departments. I plan to survey Wheatville citizens to see if they would utilize departments with large sized clothes. I plan to distribute the surveys on Main Street and at my church. I will also use secondary research to find out about the weight and size trends in the general population. I hope to interview Ms. Johnson and discuss what objections Belk might have to implementing these departments. Additionally, I plan to utilize fashion magazines to determine what items are most favored by overweight people.

Preliminary research started with my calls to Ms. Sanders and Ms. Taylor. I plan to start research into overweight America as soon as this proposal is approved. I anticipate approximately two weeks for background research. The next step will be to distribute surveys. I hope to get my surveys completed in three or four days. The next two weeks will be spent organizing the information. Then, I plan to spend one week writing the project draft. Organizing the presentation of the material will fill the last two weeks. I can make a chart of this if you want.

I look forward to reviewing this proposal with you and I welcome any suggestions.

Sincerely,

A. Little Heavy (handwritten signature in original)

A. Little Heavy