Writing Your Research Proposal

You will be required to write a short proposal for your argumentative research paper, which is our next graded essay. I have decided to put this entry up on our blog right now so that it can provide you with some additional information as you work on your proposal for Professor Haidduck.

A proposal is like an expansion of your thesis statement. It communicates to the reader something about your paper topic, and presents a few of the sources from which you plan to gather your research material. In your written proposal, your thesis must establish that there is a problem, and that it is serious enough to require a solution. The solution that you suggest must be explained in enough detail, and you must also include evidence that you will be using in your essay.

You should also check that you have included a counter-argument to your thesis, and make sure that you offer the merits of this counter-argument in order to show the reader that you understand the complexity and the breadth of the topic. This will establish your credibility for the reader, and will promote the feasibility of the solution that you support in your proposal.  

Your short proposal must include the following information:

1. Your purpose for writing this paper. What will you examine and why is that important?

2. Think about your role as the writer of this paper.  What techniques will you use to both inform your reader and present your argument in a persuasive manner?

3. Your working thesis statement or hypothesis. What do you expect to find in your research?

In your textbook, The Field Guide, pp. 208-213, you can find a diagram to help you organize the form of your proposal: 

• First paragragh: introduce and explain the problem or topic. State your thesis. 
• Body paragraph: provide background information and define any key terms. 
• Body paragraph: explain a proposed solution or answer to your thesis. 
• Body paragraph: introduce evidence to support your answer/solution. Make sure to anticipate counter-arguments and any questions the reader might have about your stance, evidence, or purpose. 
• Concluding paragraph: conclude by restating your thesis.