research topic proposal

English 101 Professor Dominguez

Research Topic Proposal (25 pts.)

The purpose of a proposal is to communicate your intentions for your research paper in anticipation of feedback, guidance, and assistance. The proposal should include a working thesis statement, which can be modified later if needed. A good proposal communicates to your instructor in as much detail as possible the research topic that you are interested in and the line of investigation that you intend to pursue.

The general purposes of the research proposal are to:

· Formalize your thinking about your topic.

· Provide a focus, making it easier for your instructor to provide constructive feedback.

· Serve as a contract of sorts between yourself and your professor. Once your proposal is approved, major changes will need to be approved by your professor.

There are several areas that your proposal needs to cover.

Paragraph 1: Briefly summarize the research topic. Explain your personal interest in this topic. Why did you choose this particular topic? Explain your preliminary assumptions about the topic. Why is it important to pursue this topic for research? What do you hope to accomplish during this process?

Paragraph 2: Conduct some preliminary research about your topic using credible online sources and include some basic facts about the topic, citing 2-3 sources in MLA style. Be sure to evaluate each web source for accuracy, objectivity, authority, and currency. Use .edu and .gov websites preferably. Describe your plan for finding more evidence in the CSUF databases. What type of database evidence do you plan to collect? How do you plan to address and refute counter-arguments in your essay? How can you avoid fallacies in this argument? Which specific rhetorical appeals will support your argument?

This assignment should be a minimum of 1 ½- 2 pages long, in MLA format.

Write your proposal in first person. Due: Monday, 11/13.