2. What are Proposals?
A should do B because of C
Action-oriented
Focused on the future
Audience-centered
3. Issues in Writing Proposals
They almost always present a challenge to the
reader
To write an effective proposal, you must emphasize
your ethos
Because these arguments seek to incite action, they
must be very responsive to their audiences
4. Challenges
Readers are innately conservative
Arguments must have “presence” to convince
Proposals often deal with lost potential – this is a
hard sell
Must evaluate all possible consequences, not just
those pertaining to the problem
5. The Claim
Proposals need to be very strong &
clear to be persuasive
They should consist of 3 parts:
Description of problem
Proposed solution
Justification of solution
6. All Proposals Must Have
A claim proposing an action aimed at practice or
policy, directed towards the future, and appropriate
to the audience
Statements explaining how the proposal relates to
the problem
A demonstration of its feasibility and effectiveness
7. Scrutinize Your Claim
Is it clearly a call for action?
Is it too sweeping? Does it need to be qualified?
Is the proposal clearly connected to the need it
purports to meet? If not, how can that connection
be strengthened?
Will it incite action?
8. How to Prepare for the
Research Paper
(on an issue of global importance)
9. Identify an Issue
Choose an issue that is clearly debatable and is arguable with
facts and reasoning.
If you are having difficulty choosing a topic, consider a
controversial topic in one of the following areas:
your major field of study
your workplace
your personal life.
For this assignment, you must choose an issue that falls under
one of these categories:
environmental sustainability
spiritual fulfillment
social justice
You may choose an issue on which you have already formed an
opinion. However, in writing about this issue you must examine
your opinion of the issue critically.
10. Narrow the Issue
Consider your personal connection to this issue. Why do
you care about this issue? (But do not include this in your
essay)
What is the significance of this issue? Why is this an issue
that needs a solution? What are the consequences of this
issue?
Where is the locus or center of this issue? Are there
multiple locations affected by the issue?
Who are the stakeholders of the issue? Who suffers the
most from this issue? Who has contributed the most to
creating and maintaining the issue?
11. Conduct Research
The majority of your research should be conducted through
Newton Gresham Library (NGL) and its online databases.
Search specific databases as recommended by our
librarians:
CQ Researcher
Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Academic Search Complete
After you have exhausted these databases, you may also
use Google Scholar (customized to link to SHSU
resources)
Your first and best resource for assistance with your search
is the librarian: email, call, text, or chat with our librarian or
post a question in the Library Help discussion board under
Librarian Assistance
12. Research Sources
Newspapers & magazines (online & print)
Online databases
Government reports & documents
Websites (must get approval for any
sources not accessed through NGL)
Books
Experts in the field
Gather your own research via surveys or interviews
13. Identify Research Questions
& Keywords
Where are we?
e.g. Why is X a problem? What are the consequences of X? Who
suffers or will suffer from the problem of X?
How did we get here?
e.g. What historical events or factors contributed to the development of
X?
What is possible for the future?
e.g. What new technologies have been developed that could solve X?
What changes in behavior could solve the problem of X?
Where do we go from here?
e.g. What organizations are taking positive steps to implement solutions
to the problem of X?
14. Keep Thorough Notes
Print or save full articles you might use.
Take handwritten or typed notes, highlight key portions of
articles, or copy and paste sections into a new document.
Clearly identify direct quotations.
Clearly identify the source of all notes.
Start Works Cited page while taking notes. Use proper
MLA format from the beginning.
Mark notes based on which parts of outline they relate to.
15. Create a Preliminary Thesis
Remember, a thesis needs 2 parts:
A main claim or assertion (your position)
Preview of evidence (keywords)
Make a statement that clearly communicates your
view/position on the subject. Be specific about the
issue.
Try using “should” to guide you toward a specific claim
about the topic that you can defend with evidence.
A should do B because of C1, C2, and C3.
16. Create a Preliminary Outline
Introduction
Identification of the issue
Statement of position (Thesis)
Body Paragraphs
Significance and background
Supporting evidence and facts
Discussion of both sides of the issue
Conclusion
Rephrase thesis
Suggested courses of action/ possible solutions
17. More Research
Note parts of your outline that don’t have
enough evidence or information.
Ask yourself questions about what information
is still needed.
Use more specific keywords in subsequent
searches.
Keep thorough notes.
18. Refine Outline
Use outline to write full sentences not just words and
phrases.
Be sure you are meeting basic requirements of essay
structure.
Be sure you are using a variety of paraphrasing and
quotes.
Never use back-to-back quotes. Always “sandwich” your
quotes and paraphrases.
When you transfer outline to paragraph format, be sure
you have appropriate transitions between sentences and
paragraphs to create flow of ideas.
19. Write a Position Essay &
Annotated Bibliography
(on an issue of global importance)
20. Essay 4: Position Paper
You are“building”your problem/solution argument
by first writing about your position on the problem.
This will be Essay 4. It will receive a grade as a stand-alone
essay, but it will also serve as a major part of your
research paper.
Objectives:
define a problem
state your position on the problem
evaluate your sources in an attached annotated
bibliography
21. Establish a Need
Proposals must address a clearly-defined need
Establish the need as one of the first steps in your
project
Evoke the need in a particularly effective way (employ
some form of pathos)
Demonstrate that meeting this need is in the interests of
the community at large
22. Must Conduct Research
The core of your argument—the explanation of why
your position is reasonable—needs to be logic, or
logos.
A series of facts and well-defended opinions can
together amount to a successful argument in a position
essay.
The success of your paper depends on the success of
each of your sub-points, which depends on the value of
your research. Find scholarly studies that address your
points.
It is crucial that you do not select only helpful sources.
Proper and honest research will involve a thorough
examination of the existing commentary within the area
of interest.
23. Position Essay
The position paper is based on facts that provide a solid
foundation for your argument. In the position paper you
should:
Use evidence to support your position, such as
statistical evidence or dates and events.
Validate your position with authoritative references or
primary source quotations.
Examine the strengths and weaknesses of your
position.
Suggest possible courses of action.
24. Annotated Bibliography
A list of citations to books, articles, and
documents
Each is followed by a brief (usually 150 words
or fewer) descriptive and evaluative
paragraph, the annotation.
Your annotated bibliography must have at
least 8 (eight) recent, authoritative sources.
