Writing Proposals

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Writing Proposals

• WhatWhenHow

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What is a Proposal ?

• argument that convinces reader/audience that
  proposed research or project is worthy and
  possible to pursue
• closed form essay wherein you present details and
  goals of your proposed research and how you plan
  to meet those goals
• piece of writing wherein you demonstrate your
  knowledge of the subject at hand and the ways in
  which your research will complement/add to what
  has already been said

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When are Proposals Used ?

• When applying for funding
• When writing thesis or dissertation
• When seeking to get company project approved
  (i.e. new program)
• When writing term papers

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How Do I Write One?

• Components
• Drafting

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I. Components

• A. clear statement of the topic identify and
  explain the problem you want to explore/examine
• B. discussion of the value of your topic argue
  importance of this research, tell us why knowing
  what you have to tell us about the topic is
  significant
• C. evaluation of prior work on the topic
  summarize and evaluate prior work to show
  credibility, ability, and knowledge on subject
• D. plan for conducting further research -
  present method for research, address any
  unanswered questions you plan to address and how
  you will do so
• Note also includes a works cited section

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II. Drafting

• Keeping components in mind as you write helps
  with organization
• You can organize proposal topically
• You can use sections and subheadings to organize
  the content
• APPEARANCE
• In essay form (pg. 212)
• In article format (pg. 216)
• Note Both forms should promote coherency in
  your writing and follow the guidelines for a
  closed form essay. Also, Give credit where
  credit is due. As you summarize the information
  from others articles, make sure that you use
  attributive tags at all times so that we can
  distinguish between your ideas and theirs. Some
  of the student examples in our coursepack are
  better than others in reflecting this aspect of
  the genre.

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The End

• Refer to Allyn and Bacon and Academic Writing and
  Research for additional details