Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021

Write a research proposal
Thinking like a researcher; gathering sources
Research

One effective way to manage your project and focus your thinking is to write a research proposal. A proposal gives you an opportunity to look back — to remind yourself why you chose your topic — and to look forward — to predict any difficulties or obstacles that might arise during your project.

The following questions will help you organize your proposal.

✵ Research question: What question will you be exploring? Why does this question need to be asked? What do you hope to learn from the project?

✵ Research conversation: What have you learned so far about the debate or the specific research conversation you will enter? What entry point have you found to offer your own insights and ideas?

✵ Search strategy: What kinds of sources will you use to explore your question? What sources will be most useful, and why? How will you locate a variety of sources (primary/secondary, textual/visual)?

✵ Research challenges: What challenges, if any, do you anticipate (locating sufficient sources, managing the project, finding a position to take)? What resources are available to help you meet these challenges?