Proposals

What are Proposals?

A should do B because of C

Action-oriented

Focused on the future

Audience-centered

Issues in Writing Proposals

They almost always present a challenge to the reader

To write an effective proposal, you must emphasize your ethos

Because these arguments seek to incite action, they must be very responsive to their audiences

Challenges

Readers are innately conservative

Arguments must have “presence” to convince

Proposals often deal with lost potential – this is a hard sell

Must evaluate all possible consequences, not just those pertaining to the problem

The Claim

Proposals need to be very strong & clear to be persuasive

They should consist of 3 parts:

Description of problem Proposed solution Justification of solution

All Proposals Must Have

A claim proposing an action aimed at practice or policy, directed towards the future, and appropriate to the audience

Statements explaining how the proposal relates to the problem

A demonstration of its feasibility and effectiveness

Scrutinize Your Claim

Is it clearly a call for action?

Is it too sweeping? Does it need to be qualified?

Is the proposal clearly connected to the need it purports to meet? If not, how can that connection be strengthened?

Will it incite action?

How to Prepare for the Research Paper

(on an issue of global importance)

Identify an Issue Choose an issue that is clearly debatable and is arguable

with facts and reasoning. If you are having difficulty choosing a topic, consider a

controversial topic in one of the following areas: your major field of study your workplace your personal life.

For this assignment, you must choose an issue that falls under one of these categories: environmental sustainability spiritual fulfillment social justice

You may choose an issue on which you have already formed an opinion. However, in writing about this issue you must examine your opinion of the issue critically.

Narrow the Issue Consider your personal connection to this issue.

Why do you care about this issue? (But do not include this in your essay)

What is the significance of this issue? Why is this an issue that needs a solution? What are the consequences of this issue?

Where is the locus or center of this issue? Are there multiple locations affected by the issue?

Who are the stakeholders of the issue? Who suffers the most from this issue? Who has contributed the most to creating and maintaining the issue?

Conduct Research The majority of your research should be conducted

through Newton Gresham Library (NGL) and its online databases.

Search specific databases as recommended by our librarians: CQ Researcher Opposing Viewpoints in Context Academic Search Complete

After you have exhausted these databases, you may also use Google Scholar (customized to link to SHSU resources)

Your first and best resource for assistance with your search is the librarian: email, call, text, or chat with our librarian or post a question in the Library Help discussion board under Librarian Assistance

Research Sources Newspapers & magazines (online & print)

Online databases

Government reports & documents

Websites (must get approval for any sources not accessed through NGL)

Books

Experts in the field

Gather your own research via surveys or interviews

Identify Research Questions

& Keywords Where are we?

e.g. Why is X a problem? What are the consequences of X? Who suffers or will suffer from the problem of X?

How did we get here?

e.g. What historical events or factors contributed to the development of X?

What is possible for the future?

e.g. What new technologies have been developed that could solve X? What changes in behavior could solve the problem of X?

Where do we go from here?

e.g. What organizations are taking positive steps to implement solutions to the problem of X?

Keep Thorough Notes Print or save full articles you might use.

Take handwritten or typed notes, highlight key portions of articles, or copy and paste sections into a new document.

Clearly identify direct quotations.

Clearly identify the source of all notes.

Start Works Cited page while taking notes. Use proper MLA format from the beginning.

Mark notes based on which parts of outline they relate to.

Create a Preliminary Thesis

Remember, a thesis needs 2 parts:

A main claim or assertion (your position) Preview of evidence (keywords)

Make a statement that clearly communicates your view/position on the subject. Be specific about the issue.

Try using “should” to guide you toward a specific claim about the topic that you can defend with evidence.

A should do B because of C1, C2, and C3.

Create a Preliminary Outline

Introduction

Identification of the issue

Statement of position (Thesis)

Body Paragraphs

Significance and background

Supporting evidence and facts

Discussion of both sides of the issue

Conclusion

Rephrase thesis

Suggested courses of action/ possible solutions

More Research

Note parts of your outline that don’t have enough evidence or information.

Ask yourself questions about what information is still needed.

Use more specific keywords in subsequent searches.

Keep thorough notes.

Refine Outline Use outline to write full sentences not just words

and phrases.

Be sure you are meeting basic requirements of essay structure.

Be sure you are using a variety of paraphrasing and quotes.

Never use back-to-back quotes. Always “sandwich” your quotes and paraphrases.

When you transfer outline to paragraph format, be sure you have appropriate transitions between sentences and paragraphs to create flow of ideas.

Write a Position Essay & Annotated Bibliography

(on an issue of global importance)

Essay 4: Position Paper You are“building”your problem/solution argument by

first writing about your position on the problem. This will be Essay 4. It will receive a grade as a stand-alone essay, but it will also serve as a major part of your research paper.

Objectives:

define a problem state your position on the problem evaluate your sources in an attached

annotated bibliography

Establish a Need

Proposals must address a clearly-defined need

Establish the need as one of the first steps in your project

Evoke the need in a particularly effective way (employ some form of pathos)

Demonstrate that meeting this need is in the interests of the community at large

Must Conduct Research

The core of your argument—the explanation of why your position is reasonable—needs to be logic, or logos.

A series of facts and well-defended opinions can together amount to a successful argument in a position essay.

The success of your paper depends on the success of each of your sub-points, which depends on the value of your research. Find scholarly studies that address your points.

It is crucial that you do not select only helpful sources. Proper and honest research will involve a thorough examination of the existing commentary within the area of interest.

Position Essay

The position paper is based on facts that provide a solid foundation for your argument. In the position paper you should:

Use evidence to support your position, such as statistical evidence or dates and events.

Validate your position with authoritative references or primary source quotations.

Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your position.

Suggest possible courses of action.

Annotated Bibliography

A list of citations to books, articles, and documents

Each is followed by a brief (usually 150 words or fewer) descriptive and evaluative paragraph, the annotation.

Your annotated bibliography must have at least 8 (eight) recent, authoritative sources.