WRITING NATURE: 
DISCOURSES OF ECOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT:

A brief but concrete proposal for your research paper (typed, double-spaced, etc., as usual).

DUE:

Proposal due: in class, Thursday, January 30

Please note: The revised proposal is to be submitted to me in class on January 30. Also for class that day, please fill out and print out a Research Topic Form. Directly after class that day, I will deliver the completed topic forms to the reference librarian who will be leading our Library Workshop on Thursday, November 7. She will base our Workshop on your specific topics.

Please remember, too, that your attendance at the Library Workshop is absolutely mandatory. Lack of attendance will result in a failing class participation grade!

To prepare for the Library Workshop, please take the Green Library Online Tour.

 

THE GENERAL IDEA/THE SPECIFIC POINT:

In a couple paragraphs, your research proposal should explain as specifically as possible what you plan to write your research paper about and where you expect to find your source material:

• Begin your proposal with your research question: what question at this point is driving your research?
• Explain your research paper topic briefly but specifically. What is your topic? Why is it important? What will the purpose of your research be? What will the purpose of your writing be? Who, aside from us, might your reader(s) be? What at this point do you think the main thrust of the paper might be?
• What kinds of primary and secondary sources do you plan to use and how and where you propose to find them?