Research Paper Proposal

Your proposal need not be lengthy (approximately one page). It should, however, be detailed. The purpose of the proposal is to help you think through the process of research and argument you are about to undertake. As such it should be at least as helpful to you as you form your ideas as it is to me in letting me know the direction you forsee taking. These proposals can (and I would argue should) be rewritten as your research progresses and initial ideas are either developed or rejected.

What to include

  • Your topic.
  • Rationale for the topic. In other words, why have you chosen your topic, what aspect(s) of it do you find compelling, pertinent, timely, universal, just plain cool.
  • Preliminary argument. This can of course change as research dictates, but what do you expect your ultimate point to be? You should attempt to be as specific as possible here. For instance, that independant women posed a problem for eighteenth century society would be a topic. That women themselves actively undermined their own bids at independance would be the beginnings of your argument.
  • Methods and scope of research. What kinds of resources will you be drawing upon? Which of the texts we are reading this semester will you using to exemplify your argument? (I suggest that you use at least two of the texts.)
  • Problems you forsee, either with the research or argument. Will sources be available to you? Will your argument work? Why might it not work?
  • Preliminary bibliography on a seperate page.