1. Writing a Research Proposal
Chapter 14, Reinking et al, Strategies for Successful Writing. 6e.
[ProposalInstructionsReinking.pptx]

2. Why Write? Insure you are on track
Marshal your thoughts about what you are going to work on
Provide a springboard for your writing

3. Elements of a Proposal
Discussion of topic, issue, or research question  
Indication of your focus or approach  
Explanation of why this issue is significant to you
Explanation of how this issue can be relevant to others  
Tentative research plan and organization  
List of sources you have consulted (some instructors want an annotated bibliography as well, or a schedule)
Connections
Challenges

4. 1. Topic or question
Define your topic, and the scope of your discussion.
Give any background or context that seems necessary. Why does this topic matter—so what, and who cares?
Include a tentative title of your paper to bring greater focus to your topic. This title will probably change later.

5. 2. Your specific focus What approach will you take?
What kinds of primary and secondary material will you bring into your paper?
Include a research or critical question that you hope to explore, even though this is likely to change.

6. 3. Significance of the issue
Explain why you’re interested in this issue or question. You might mention any course work, reading, or personal experience that has gotten you interested in this topic.
Why is this topic important and interesting to you?
How will it help you to make connections between theory and practice, and/or to bring together reflections from different contexts?

7. 4. Rationale, significance for audience
Who might be your audience outside people in this course?
How can you persuade them by using different kinds of appeals?

8. 5. Questions to guide your research What question or questions would you like your paper to answer?
Consider including at least one to three questions.
What do you need to know in order to answer these questions?
Do you need to do further reading or research or reflection?
Do you need to talk to other people such as teachers or students? If so, what questions will you ask them?

9. 6. Tentative organization
Will probably change dramatically once you have worked with it, but you have to start somewhere. Where would you like to begin?
What kind of organization might best serve your purpose? What do you want to foreground?
Can you imagine sub-headings that could help you organize?
Can you break the project down into smaller tasks that can help you stay on schedule?

10. 7. Connections How will this essay relate to a course?
How will it bring together your personal experience with theory or research, or
other writings related to an issue in the community to Service Learning, or
to Composition, and Rhetoric?

11. 8. Challenges and direction
What is likely to be the most challenging part of writing this paper?
Where can you go from here?

12. Sample Proposal
“Exploring the nature of identity in a community non-profit organization” Click here This PowerPoint in docx here