REQUIREMENTS
ï‚· Free from grammatical and mechanical errors. ï‚· 4 – 5 pages ï‚· Uploaded to Turnitin.com ï‚· MLA Format & Style: 10 or 12 pt. font, Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, Double-spaced. ï‚· Three (3) documented sources on a Works Cited page.
PURPOSE
ï‚· To write an engaging research proposal that signals the originality and importance of your inquiry topic and related research. ï‚· To practice writing in an academic genre within a rhetorical situation.
DIRECTIONS
This proposal is directed to your instructor. This person is your primary audience. You are trying to persuade her that your research topic is valid, original and that the scope of your research is feasible within the constraints of this course. While proposals vary in each discipline, most academic proposals provide the following three elements:
1. PURPOSE AND RATIONALE: A rationale for the choice of topic, showing why it is important or useful within the concerns of the discipline in which you are writing. In this section you should summarize the issue and explain how it has led to the question driving your research. You should also explain why you are interested in this issue area, why, again, it is important, and what is at stake. Ask yourself why others should be interested in your effort to answer the question. 2. METHODOLOGY AND REVIEW: A review of some existing published work (“the literature”) that relates to a topic (at this point, you just need a minimum of three). Here you need to tell how your proposed work will build on existing studies and yet explore new territory. There should be evidence that you have done some preliminary research into your topic. You will also describe the tools and strategies you will use to conduct your research. 3. IMPLICATIONS: Explain what you think are the implications of your topic and research. Strive to answer the question, “So what?” Place you argument in the context of the conversation you want to join and explain how your study can contribute to that conversation. Write about how your study will build on, challenge, or extend other studies in your area of research. Try to address what might be new about your findings.
RUBRIC: Your Topic Proposal will be evaluated on the following criteria.
Content: 60/100 points Does your topic proposal address the purpose and rationale of your research adequately? Do you describe a method of research and do you include at least three documented sources for review of your tentative research topic? Have you addressed the implications of your research in your topic proposal?
Usage/Grammar/Mechanics: 30/100
Is your topic proposal free of all egregious surface errors regarding grammar and mechanics of Standard English?
MLA Format & Style: 10/100
Does your topic proposal adhere to proper MLA Format and Style for all essays?
