PROPOSALS LESSON #17

WRITING TIP OF THE DAY – CAPITALS For proper nouns (names of people, places, publications, titles, etc.), always capitalize the first letter President Barack Obama The New York Times “Mother Tongue” Mt. Rainier For common nouns, the first letter is lowercased. The president This newspaper My paper That mountain

PEER REVIEW – PREWRITING In pairs, discuss your ideas for your major papers. Ask your partner: What is the issue that you’re addressing? What are its stakes or implications? What would you propose as a solution? What genre will you work in to approach this problem (academic paper or something else)? Write down any suggestions or comments that your partner gives you.

PROPOSALS A formal plan that outlines your goals for your paper or project Could list the methods or resources you’ll use, including funds and travel Could also include an outline of your paper or a timeline for your entire project Often two to five pages, possibly ten

CREATING A PROPOSAL Describe your purpose by formulating the question or entering the line of inquiry that inspired your research (introduction) Give your audience enough background info to understand the problem you are addressing Explain why it’s a problem, why it interests you, and why others should be invested in it

In the methods section, list your research methods like interviews, focus groups, surveys, experiments, travel plans, etc. Discuss the stakes of your argument, such as how it will impact your intended audience Address the conversation you are entering, namely what it will add to sources and studies in your field

Within the timeline, create a schedule for your research Should include the dates of when you expect to finish your research or the dates of interviews, focus groups, travel, etc. Be realistic about the time frame and what you can accomplish

MORE ON ARGUMENTS An argument begins with an assumption that you expect readers to agree with (premise). This could be a statement that the audience will find true or false and offered in support of a claim. The claim is the conclusion that you want your readers to draw from your premise.

Two main forms of an argument: Deductive – An argument in which the premise supports the conclusion. Inductive – Relies on evidence and observation to reach a conclusion Inductive arguments are never definitive. An inductive argument is never conclusive.

Joining two premises to produce a conclusion that people assume to be true creates a syllogism, which is a three-part argument and an ancient technique of deductive reasoning: 1.All men (A) are mortal (B) (first, major premise) 2.Socrates (C) is a man (A) (second, minor premise) 3.Therefore, Socrates (C) is mortal (B) (conclusion)

FREEWRITING – SYLLOGISM Create your own syllogism Remember that a syllogism includes 1. A major premise 2. A minor premise 3. A conclusion

An inductive argument is the basis of most academic writing and the basis of any logical appeal. Includes: 1.State the premises of your argument 2.Use credible evidence to show your audience that your argument has merit 3.Demonstrate that the conclusion follows these premises

There is no one way to make an argument or structure your thesis so long as you: Understand what your premises are Recognize what appeals you are making Understand who your audience is and which conversation you are entering Recognize the genre you are working in Take a stance (one others might disagree with) and make a clear claim Use proper evidence to support this argument Keep your argument narrow and applicable Provide some sort of outline for how you will prove your main point

HOMEWORK Read pg. 392 to 395 of the textbook along with the “Logical Fallacies” handout Read Emily Martin’s “The Egg and the Sperm” on pg. 744 Take library tutorial on Canvas by Friday Write your proposals