WRITING THE
PROPOSAL
RHET 1302
PROPOSAL
LENGTH: 250500 WORDS,
M L A F O R M AT,
12-POINT
F O N T,
DOUBLES PA C E D
This is an important moment in the research process.
How well you’ve crafted your research questions will
significantly influence the success of your project.
You can change your mind later, but for now, write a
brief proposal that outlines your research plan.
•
What is your thesis? Write a clear
and specific explanation of the main
claim.
•
What might be some additional
ideas that back up/support your
claim (reasons)?
•
What prior beliefs, assumptions,
preconceptions, ideas, or prejudices
might be brought to this project
(warrants)?
FIRST PARAGRAPH
•
Complete this sentence: “The
aim of this paper is….”
•
Identify the assumptions on
which your paper rests.
•
Note any shortcomings or
misrepresentations in other
criticism (sources) that your
paper will correct or refine.
SECOND PARAGRAPH
THIRD
•
Describe the organization of
your paper. “First I will
discuss…. Next I will examine….
Then I will argue…. In
conclusion….”
•
Describe the kinds of sources
you will use. Select good
sources.
•
Acknowledge trends you found
in the research related to your
topic: What’s going on in the
field?
PARAGRAPH
CONCLUSION
•
•
Sum up your argument.
Why is the topic important to you
and/or the world?