Refining the Research Proposal: A Few Tips

I've received a few e-mails this weekend that express concern over meeting the page length requirements for the 3QE Research Proposal, so I thought I would offer some additional guidelines, including recommended page length projections per section, that may help allay your concerns and prompt your drafting. By all means, please continue to ask for clarification as the need arises.

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Part of composition is thinking about how to develop, expand, and enrich ideas that at first glance seem fairly straightforward. The balance between cogency and detail is one key to effective writing. I would argue that any 'utterance' is much more complex than it seems, and thus, part of your job--especially in a proposal--is to ‘unpack’ those ideas, those utterances.

That said, here are a few tips and guidelines specific to this project proposal:

The most important thing to remember is that your proposal is, itself, an argument—not the argument you want to research and develop in your project, but an argument about pursuing the project; the proposal argues your plan, and it is an excellenttool for helpingyou imagine the scope of, and approach to, your project. Be sure to develop your claim and offer pisteis a-plenty.

Issue: 2-3 pages

It is not enough to speak in broad terms about your topic or to simply state your claim--you must propose it as a viable topic worthy of inquiry. Summarize the complexity of the issue and its scope. This is where you will discuss, in Bitzer’s terms, exigence. Convince your interlocutor, me in this case, that this project is worth your time and effort. In addition to identifying the issue, try answering these questions as you brainstorm:

* Why does the issue interest you?
* Why should other people be interested?
* What is your rationale for pursuing it?
* What is at stake?
* Why does the issue matter?
* What constraints will you face?
* Is this an existing issue, one that others have argued, or does it introduce a new issue?
* What resources are available? How accessible is the issue for you?
* Perhaps most importantly, what questions do you have about the issue?

Keep in mind that, though well developed, this is the overview of your project; you will provide specific details related to your project later in the proposal.

Position Focus: 1-2 pages

Here you will discuss your cohort's unique angle, approach, and investment in the issue and the ways you intend to explore the issue. Some questions to consider:

* If this is an existing argument, what makes your voice unique?
* What new approaches or perspectives do you have (or hope) to offer?
* Do you have experience with the issue? How is that experience relevant?
* What are the implications of your specific argument?
* What are your limitation and constraints?

Audience: 1-2 pages

As we have discussed, audience gets tricky with public argument (see ethos), and you should take some time to think critically about the following:

* Who is your intended audience?
* Who may be your peripheral or secondary audience?
* To whom will the project matter? In what way?
* How might different constituencies respond?
* What can you anticipate about your audience?

Purpose: 1-3 pages

Here you have the opportunity to talk extensively about your goals. In addition to thinking about your project’s objectives, rhetorical purpose, and priorities (see original guidelines), you might also consider the following in relation to the larger public argument:

* How is your project, your argument, situated?
* What role do you envision for your project?
* How much do you know about your issue as you begin?
* What are your personal goals fro the project? What do you hope to gain?

The more you can articulate about your goals, the more efficient and effective your time spent researching, planning, and drafting.

Genre: 1-2 pages

As we have been exploring in class, the form or genre you select for your project makes an argument of its own. As we move into the final half of the semester, we will begin a closer examination of form and genre. For now, though, it is a good idea to try to think critically about what form will best help you achieve your goals. As you research your issue, the form that best 'carrys' it may shift as needs be.

That said, it is good practice to at least consider the most effective system(s) of delivery for your unique argument. Consider,
* What form or genre will best support your overall rhetorical aims?
* To what forms or genres do you have access?
* How much of your time will need to be invested in learning the expectations
and conventions of your chosen form or genre?

Hopefully, these tips will help you imagine or (re)imagine the look of your proposal.