2.+The+Proposal

__**Assignment 1:**__ Before writing your proposal, you need to settle on a topic. Down load the [|Topic and Question Handout.rtf]. After you check out some topics, go to [|www.clusty.com] and look up some info. When you're done, complete the questions at the bottom of the handout and **__turn it in__**. For your proposal, you may want to consider creating your thesis with [|Thesis Builder]. You'll probably need to tweak it after it's generated, but using the website is a good way to start. If you did use thesis builder, look at the bottom of that page to find a link to "make an online outline". Click on the link and copy and paste the info into a word doc--you could use that as a starting point for your outline, too. I would highly suggest saving that outline to your TSF so that you have it when it comes to creating an outline. Don't ignore this site!

__**Assignment 2:**__ Before writing your proposal, you'll need to write a working thesis for the paper. REMEMBER, this can (and probably should) change as you draft the paper. For a refresher on thesis statements, review this powerpoint: [|Strong Thesis Statements.ppt]. Once you have read it, download the [|16 week thesis statements.doc]. Decide if the thesis statements are Good, Poor, or Adequate. Re-write the thesis statements you marked as poor. **__Turn it in.__**

A research proposal comes in two forms: (1) a short paragraph to identify the project for yourself and your instructor or (2) a formal, multi-page report that provides background information, your rationale for conducting the study, a review of the literature, your methods, and the conclusions you hope to prove. For this assignment, you will submit a “short” research proposal of between 100-150 words. Do not make this complicated. **//Short and sweet are the keys//**. Logically organize your paragraph. You may follow the example I gave you--as a matter of fact, you should!
 * __Product #1: The Proposal__**

1. The specific topic. 2. The purpose of the paper (explain, analyze, argue). 3. The intended audience (general or specialized). 4. Your voice as the writer (informer or advocate). 5. The preliminary thesis sentence or opening hypothesis. 6. The connection you have with the topic.
 * // The proposal must contain these specific elements: //**

// The following is an example for a research paper on peer groups in high school; the numbers at the beginning of the sentence correspond with the number of the requirement listed above. // **(6)** As I went to small, Catholic high school, and I now teach in a medium size urban high school, I wanted to know if the groups formed within the schools remain the same. Theoretically, the more students that go to a high school, the bigger the choices a student has when trying to fit in to a peer group. **(1)** The specific topic of my research paper is adolescent peer groups. **(2)** I intend to analyze peer groups found in rural high schools and urban high schools in order to find out whether setting plays a role on peer group formation. **(3)** My intended audience is educators and administrators at the high school level. **(4)** My intention is to inform the reader about peer groups and peer group formation. **(5)** Because of the size, the homogenity, and the values of a rural high school, peer groups form differently depending upon geographical setting.

The proposal will be graded as follows. Please note that grammar is important, so run spellcheck:) :


 * || ** 0 6 ** || ** 7 8 ** || ** 9 10 ** ||  ||
 * ** Stated Topic ** || Not Evident || Somewhat stated || Clearly Stated ||  ||
 * ** Purpose of Paper ** || Not Evident || Somewhat stated || Clearly Stated ||  ||
 * ** Intended Audience ** || Not Evident || Somewhat stated || Clearly Stated ||  ||
 * ** Voice and Connection ** || Not Evident || Somewhat stated || Clearly Stated ||  ||
 * ** Preliminary Thesis ** || Not Evident || Somewhat stated || Clearly Stated ||  ||
 * ** Grammar mistakes: ½ point per error ** || Grammar Deduction  || ||
 * ||  ||   || Total out of 50 ||   ||