Research Proposal – Focusing on Your Topic

Directions

Write a 250 to 500-word research topic proposal. 

This topic will form the basis of your research paper for this class and be the one you use throughout the semester, so please pick carefully, but don’t worry. If you find in the next few weeks this topic does not work for it then you can still make a change. It is much better, however, to pick a solid topic this week. All topics must receive final approval from the instructor.

Here are some  suggested topics (Links to an external site.)  that might spark some ideas.

Most of these are stated as a research question; your job will be to find the best possible solution to answer the question and argue for this position in your paper. I suggest finding a topic that interests you, but one that you do not already have an established position on. This way, you can tackle the research question with an open, objective mind.

In your proposal:

· Mention the narrow topic you are interested in

· Explain why you are interested in this topic

· Discuss questions about the topic you would like to answer

Plagiarism

You are expected to write primarily in your own voice using paraphrase, summary, and synthesis techniques when integrating information from class and outside sources. Use an author’s exact words only when the language is especially vivid, unique, or needed for technical accuracy. Failure to do so may result in charges of academic dishonesty.

Overusing an author’s exact words, such as including block quotations to meet word counts, may lead your readers to conclude that you lack appropriate comprehension of the subject matter or that you are neither an original thinker nor a skillful writer. It is best if you write this paper without any materials from outside sources.