Creating a ProposalEnglish IV – 2014-15

What is my proposal?

• It’s a longer, more formal version of your Letter of Intent, addressing any unanswered questions or concerns raised in the letter.• It outlines exactly what you will do for your Senior Project, including

the tasks you will perform for your project, the question you plan to answer for your research paper and the kind of presentation you expect to make. • Your job in the proposal is to convince the reader that you care about

the subject you have chosen and that it will be possible for you to obtain the necessary information.

What is my proposal?• “In approving Proposals, I will look to see that the paper answers a

thoughtful question that is neither too broad nor too narrow…”

Too broad: “I want to study sleep deprivation.”

Too narrow: “I want to analyze the effects of sleep deprivation on the ability of U.S. Navy pilots to be effective during the period of 1991-1992.”

What is my proposal?

• “… and that the physical project will offer the student a clear challenge in light of the student’s background.”

Translation: Is this something you would be doing anyway? If so, how does your Senior Project represent your plans to go further, learn more and broaden your horizons – and ours – with respect to this topic?

Proposal Format

• At the top of the proposal, a direct statement of the question you want to answer and the academic subject(s) involved.

Question: How do lasers benefit society?Project: Repair Laser ApparatusAcademic Subjects Involved: Physics, mathematics

Proposal Format

• Interest and Motivation (1-2 pages)

Consider the following before you write: Why have you chosen this topic? If it relates to a possible career choice, explain why this career interests you. If it relates to a hobby, explain how you became interested in it. If it focuses on an issue or a trend, explain what you want to know about this topic.

Interest and Motivation:

“The project I have chosen is to study and repair a laser. I have always been interested in science, and I became particularly interested in physics this year. I have never worked with lasers before and am intrigued by the prospect of doing so now.”

Proposal Format• Knowledge and Preconceptions (1-2 pages)These are two separate categories. Identify what you know to be true about this subject already. What have you learned from such sources as the media, friends, family, courses at school, personal experience, etc.? Then, write what you believe to be true (preconceptions), all your opinions and feelings, even if you have no factual information to back them up. After exhausting your supply of information, respond to the following questions: What questions do I have about my topic? What do I hope to discover during my search?

Proposal Format• Resources (1 page)Consider what resources are available to you. You are required to conduct two interviews and a visitation in the process of your search. Do you know anyone who would be a good source of information?

Jason Deibel, an expert on the use of lasers to study new materials, was named director of undergraduate research and experiential learning in the Wright State College of Science and Mathematics.

Proposal Format

Ask other people for ideas about people who might be good to interview. Think big! Then, use the library and the Internet for secondary sources. You must give titles of books and web sites in your proposal.