Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?

Assignment Sheet: Research Proposal OC ENGL 1302

Format:

• Typed, 12pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced with 1-inch margins all around

• Name, date, class & assignment in upper left corner, on pg 1 only - NOT as a header

function

• Last name and page number in the upper right corner as a repeating HEADER

• Title – centered (no bold, italics, underline, fancy font, etc, needed)

Tone/Style Elements:

• Proper/correct spelling – this also includes using the correct word (women/woman,

than/then, definitely/defiantly, there/their/they’re, weather/whether, etc.)

• Correct usage of grammar – pay particular attention to verb tense, subject-verb

agreement, & making sure you have complete sentences, not fragments, comma-splices,

or run-ons.

• Clear, concise, specific & vivid language

• Academic tone – avoid: 2nd person/the written “you”; slang & clichés/overused phrases;

profanity for the sake of shock value; vague word choices (a lot, stuff, things) and

absolutes (always, every, never, since the beginning of time)

Requirements:

• 1000 words minimum

• Identification of Topic with a draft of your thesis or thesis question underlined

• Proper spelling and grammar

• Lit Review – a brief discussion of the current ideas/opinions/thoughts surrounding your

topic

• Conclusion – not just a repetition of the intro/thesis or a summary

Assignment: The proposal is an introduction of your topic. You will identify what you're writing

about and the argument you're making, as well as explaining why and how you're writing about it

– why does it interest you? Are you planning to offer a new viewpoint? Are you responding to a

specific incident/person? What is it you hope to accomplish with your argument?

Think of this like a conversation (in a slightly more academic/formal tone than just talking

amongst friends). If someone asked what you’re writing about, this paper would be your answer

to explain it to them. It is NOT a research paper – this is not where you try to prove your

argument/point; this is an introduction to the topic to set up your argument later on.

Suggestions/Hints:

• Consider the proposal as a draft of your introduction for the actual essay – you may re-

use this information/writing when you do the essay, so treat this seriously.

• Use specific information/detail – be specific in your explanation of what you’re wanting

to do in the essay. It will help you when you start writing the essay and it will help you

narrow down your research materials.

• Look at the template & examples of a proposal that have been uploaded to Blackboard.

• Do some preliminary research – even if it’s just a quick Google search to see what the

current conversations are.

Assignment Sheet: Research Proposal OC ENGL 1302

Grade: This is worth 15% of the grade

Suggested Outline – your proposal should contain (in a logical order):

• An Introduction that hooks the reader

o A specific, clear statement of your topic

▪ Identify your topic & provide your research question/thesis

o Explain why you are interested in the topic – what makes it something you want

to write about?

▪ What is your credibility or expertise?

• Multiple Paragraphs of the Body:

o Background – offer a brief history or background of your topic (1-2 paragraphs)

▪ How did you arrive at your thesis question?

▪ Are you responding to someone else or is this idea one you’ve had for a

long while?

o Lit Review: Current Research & Information – a brief, somewhat generalized

discussion of how people currently feel about your topic (1-2 paragraphs)

▪ What do you currently know or understand about the topic?

▪ Why does it interest you?

▪ You might do a quick Google search to discuss generally – no citations

needed – major voices in the conversation about your topic, if available.

▪ Give a general overview of the research, news, or social conversation

surrounding your topic.

o Your plan – how you’re approaching the topic (1-2 paragraphs)

▪ What is your purpose in writing about this topic?

• Are you merely looking to persuade, or are you doing something

specific, such as examining the feasibility of a choice, etc.?

▪ Is your stance different from the current trend?

• Are you filling a gap, proving credibility, etc.?

• Conclusion: wraps up the proposal & explains your hopes for the finished product

o Who do you feel is your target audience for the topic?

o What are you hoping readers will take away from your research when you finish

it?

▪ This is a “so what?” moment. You’ve decided to look at this

topic/argument… so what?

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you have about this assignment!