Your topic proposal should include the following items and address the following:
1. Describe the topic you wish to pursue.
It may be somewhat broad at this point and it may imply a problem. Use the Additional Resources in your course materials to help you search for ideas.
2. Identify your purpose: Why are you interested in this topic? (Narrow your topic.)
– Specifically, explain what it is that fascinates you or draws you to this topic.
– Clearly describe the topic’s relevance in the field today.
– Identify a paper’s purpose: What might you accomplish in exploring this problem? And What is your intended goal? (To evoke change, To make new connections, or To introduce a new theory, solution, or idea)
– Is this goal realistic?
– Identify a problem within the topic and draft a problem statement. (It will likely evolve and be revised as you progress through your research.)
3. Identify a problem related to your topic and state it.
– The problem statement should be specific and indicate the focus of your final paper. (Not too narrow, not too broad)
– Intellectually challenging (a simple solution is not apparent)
– Who would benefit from a solution to this problem (who is the target population)?
