Dissertation proposal workshop
MA in English
10th October 2014
Dr Rochelle Sibley
Rochelle.Sibley@warwick.ac.uk
The Writing Centre
Warwick Writing Programme
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Workshop outline
• How to structure a proposal
• Creating a thesis statement
• Peer reviewing draft proposals
• Writing an action plan
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
What to include in your proposal
The first draft of your dissertation proposal
should:
• outline a relevant and clearly defined research
issue
• describe an appropriate and feasible research
design
• show an original approach to the research
problem
• cite any relevant theoretical frameworks within
which your research will be conducted
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Elements of a proposal
• Topic overview
• Literature review
• Aims and objectives
• Timetable
• References
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal - topic overview
• You should have already had confirmation of
feasibility from a potential supervisor.
• Make sure that your topic overview establishes
and uses your key terms/phrases.
• Include your preliminary thesis statement
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal: literature review
• Site your topic within the existing critical
landscape.
• Show an awareness of key critical issues in
relation to your topic.
• Set out any key theoretical frameworks that will
influence your approach.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal: aims and objectives
• Be clear on the difference between aims and
objectives.
• Aims are statements of intent or over purpose.
• Objectives are more specific outcomes you must
fulfil to achieve your aims.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal: aims and objectives
• Be realistic about what you can achieve.
• Make sure the scope and limitations of your
project are clear.
• Be specific about the primary texts you will use.
• Emphasise the original aspects of your project –
what will it be adding to the critical debate?
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal: timetable
• Give some indication of key stages and markers
in your research.
• If you need to visit particular libraries or
archives, make sure you factor that in.
• Be realistic about how much you can do while
you are still attending modules.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Dissertation proposal: references
• Your bibliography should show your existing
knowledge of the topic.
• It should also indicate any key critical or
theoretical texts that will frame your approach.
• It should also list primary texts.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Create a thesis statement
Take five minutes to write a thesis statement for
your dissertation, which:
• Directly reflects your proposed title/topic
• Sums up all your aims in one sentence (or
perhaps two)
• Can be used to guide your peer reviewer
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Peer-reviewing
• Make all comments constructive.
• Be specific – explain your observations and give
examples.
• Focus on how the proposal could be
strengthened or developed as a document, don’t
worry about the specifics of the topic.
• Asking questions is just as helpful as making
suggestions.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Tips for a successful proposal
• Choose a topic you’re confident you will be
interested in.
• Take an approach that will challenge you.
• Be realistic about time and resources.
• Demonstrate your existing knowledge of the
topic...
• As well as the areas you will need to research in
depth.
Copyright: The Writing
Centre, University of
Warwick 2012
Plan of action
Take five minutes to write a note to yourself about
any alterations you want to make to your proposal
draft, including:
• additions to the structure
• extra details about your approach and aims
sources
• extra sources you want to include
• any further information you need to gather