Paper 2 – Research Proposal

Formal Requirements:

500-800 words. Typed, double-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins.

You may use first person (I) when discussing your research, but an objective third person is often better for analysis.

You may NOT use the second person (you) in your analysis.

Must have quotes, paraphrase, and summaries with citations from three relevant research sources.

Instructions:

Paper 2 will be a written proposal for your Research Paper Project, which will later include Paper 3 – Annotated Bibliography (with a Research Presentation) and Paper 4 – The Research Paper. Before you begin detailed research, you need to find a real-world, arguable research problem approved by your instructor, so writing this proposal will help you plan your project and articulate your potential arguments. The real-world, arguable problem for Paper 2 must come from your current or planned Texas State major or a potential career after graduation. The proposal must include:

I. Introduction (one paragraph): Write an intro for the Research Proposal emphasizing your reasons for writing about your chosen topic and the importance of the issue to your future career.

A. Hook: Remember to use a little pathos to hook the reader. Snag your reader’s interest with vivid, concrete language, with human interest. Be subtle but be interesting.

B. Development: Discuss the problem in your future career and include some audience analysis (Consider: Who is your audience/opposition? Walk in their shoes for a while and try to determine why they think like they do, and what are the best, most compelling arguments for their position. What about your argument for change, for a new perspective, scares them the most? Now that you have become them, have understood their fears and resistance, what would be the most persuasive ways to overcome their fears and resistance?) Transition to your thesis statement at the end of this paragraph and see if you don’t have a great suspended, or climactic paragraph.

C. Thesis Statement (one sentence): A thesis statement is one sentence, and always an opinion. In this case it’s an arguable position on a controversial topic. You may end up taking a fairly moderate position on the topic, but your thesis is still specific. (Example: While many think political parties serve to organize the administration of government, mainstream parties in America have polarized the nation by building mistrust among lawmakers and stifling other potential voices in our democratic republic.)

II. Background/History of the subject (one paragraph): Trace a brief history of your controversy and bring the reader up to date on where the issue stands today. Do this section in chronological order, briefly hitting major landmarks from the beginning of the controversy until its current state. You should do basic research online (on the web and/or through the library website) to get this information. Direct quotations for basic history aren’t necessary, but any paraphrase or summary of sources MUST BE CITED using the MLA format.

III. Proofs: Based on your preliminary research, discuss what you want to prove {2 thesis points (not including the counterargument in your refutation)} as your paragraph topics. Use complete topic sentences to label each proof, and include any quotes/paraphrases/summaries from your sources that you will cite as evidence. MLA CITATIONS REQUIRED. Explain how this evidence will support your proposed thesis and what kinds of other evidence you will need to fully develop the argument. [SEE SUGGESTED OUTLINE ON NEXT PAGE.]

III. Proofs (continued).

A. Topic sentence about thesis point #1.

1. Evidence, ideally paraphrased, MLA cited in parentheses.

2. Explanation how this evidence addresses your point and relates to the further research needed.

3. Evidence, ideally paraphrased, MLA cited in parentheses.

4. Explanation how this evidence addresses your point and relates to the further research needed.

B. Topic sentence about thesis point #2.

1. Evidence, ideally paraphrased, MLA cited in parentheses.

2. Explanation how this evidence addresses your point and relates to the further research needed.

3. Evidence, ideally paraphrased, MLA cited in parentheses.

4. Explanation how this evidence addresses your point and relates to the further research needed.

IV. Refutation (one paragraph): While some elements of refutation should be covered in your Proofs, this paragraph will focus on naming and then refuting (disproving) any counterargument unaddressed or you have yet to overcome. The opposing view should already appear as part of your thesis, but the refutation should give the specific attack(s) that the opposing view would make against your thesis claim. Based on preliminary research, discuss these possible counterarguments and any evidence you have for refutation. CITE EVIDENCE.

V. Conclusion (one paragraph): Sum up what you’ve already proven about your topic and what still needs to be proved. Bear in mind that a conclusion is future-oriented, gives the reader a directive about the future, about why this topic is important and deserves further research. If possible, employ subtle yet effective pathos here, and vivid, concrete language.

VI. Works Cited Page: Full list of cited sources on its own page in the paper. Put on the last page in correct MLA format with sources alphabetized by first line.

Rubric:

15 points Well-developed, clear thesis statement that proposes a research topic.

15 pointsSufficient preliminary evidence to support background of the subject, proofs, etc.

40 pointsStrong overall organization, topic/transition sentences, and intro/conclusion paragraphs.

15 pointsCorrect MLA Format.

15 pointsAttended conference with printed draft and sources.

Deadlines:

Bring written thesis statement to classThursday2/26

Bring research proposal draft and sources to one-on-one conference (sign up on TRACS)2/28, 3/05

Final Draft Due on TRACS /Assignments by 11:55pmWednesday 3/8