Proposal Assignment

Due Date: October 8

This assignment asks you to propose what you will do for the independent project portion of this class. This proposal probably will be 2+ single-spaced pages, depending upon the level of detail you are able to generate at an early stage of your project.

The Project You Are Proposing:
I’m expecting a project(s) that will include at least two related components: reading and writing. You’ll need to spell these out, as well as the ways in which your reading component is related to the writing part. This proposal is where you tell me what you will do; but moreover, you are writing an argument, arguing that what you proposal fits the assignment, is beneficial to your work, but is also of a scope that can be completed in 5 weeks. You can find my example online: sample proposal .

• Proposal. (What you will do.) This portion describes sort of project(s) you will undertake, what shape they will take, what your product(s) will be Keep in mind that you must have a component: 1) for reading (a reading list at the end of the proposal, in correct MLA format, with the number of pages you’ll read + how I will know you’ve done the reading—will you keep a reading journal, turn in summaries, schedule a conference to discuss the material with me, etc. You must let me know.) 2) for writing (what will you write? In what genre? What will this work look like?)

• Objectives. (How what you will do will meet the assignment and your own goals, short or long term.)

• Methods. (How you will do it.) Generally, what will you do to meet these objectives?

• Timeline. (When you will do it.) A calendar for completion of the assignment—this is where you tell me when I should be expecting the work, when you will be coming to meet with me to discuss your work. Though you are setting the due dates, they are firm. If you must ask for an extension, you must do it in writing, with an explanation of how far along your project is and when the work can be expected.

• Evaluation Criteria. (How I will evaluate the project’s success.) . You are welcome to argue that your are working on a process that is more important than a product— learning about websites, writing drafts of 6 poems, etc. Here are my general guidelines: your reading list must include examples of the thing you are trying to do—poetry books, if you are writing poetry; how-to books about the thing you are trying to do—books about writing poetry, if you are writing poetry; finally, works to inform your content. All writing is about something—this is the background so you know what you're talking about.

• Reading list (in correct MLA format—check this site or your handbook!)

1. You’ll probably want a single-spaced document that employs headers, bulleted lists, and a visually pleasing over-all design that carefully organizes all this various info for your reader (me).
2. As long as you can convince me you are undertaking a project that’s of interest to you and fits the assignment, I’ll O.K. it. Be sure to think about it enough to figure out you want to explore.

Really, anything you can think of is probably good. Be creative. Don’t box yourself in with a research paper unless you want and like doing that (I do, so I will also enjoy reading that).

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Sample Proposal