An informal proposal may seem like a contradiction because a proposal is typically a formal document that outlines a specific plan, project, or action proposed by one party to another. Proposals are often used in business, academia, or government settings to persuade or convince the other party of the merits of the proposal.
On the other hand, informal means casual or relaxed, lacking in formality or structure. Thus, an informal proposal may appear to be an oxymoron because a proposal is expected to be structured, precise, and professional to communicate its intended goals and objectives to its audience.
However, in some cases, an informal proposal may refer to a proposal that is less structured, less in-depth, or less formal. An informal proposal may be used to introduce an idea or concept before a more formal proposal is developed. An informal proposal can also refer to an internal proposal or a proposal made in an informal setting, such as a conversation between colleagues. In these cases, the proposal may be less formal in tone and structure but still convey the main idea or concept proposed.