Effective research is an ongoing process. Accordingly, students in LIT 203 are asked to begin their formal research for the class by submitting a brief research proposal. The proposal should cover approximately two full pages of polished prose (plus Works Cited, if applicable), and it should perform four functions:
Identify the work to be discussed,
Propose an idea to research (i.e., a thesis statement),
Explain what brings the idea to mind, and
Explain why the idea is worth pursuing.
Proposals submitted in a timely manner will receive extensive commentary in addition to their grading. The grades will be determined based on 1) completion of the assignment (i.e., are two full pages of polished prose provided and are all functions performed?), 2) appropriateness of the content (i.e., is the work an acceptable work to study, is the thesis statement appropriate to the course and development as a conference-length paper, are the explanations appropriate to the course and development as a conference-length paper?), 3) formatting (i.e., does the proposal conform to regular MLA formatting guidelines?), and 4) mechanics (i.e., do the spelling, grammar, and punctuation conform to MLA standards?). Each category will receive a grade of A+ through 0, and the average of them will be recorded as the assignment score.
The assignment must be submitted as an attachment via email to geoffrey.b.elliott@gmail.com prior to the beginning of class on the day the course calendar indicates the assignment is due. Acceptable file formats for the attachment are limited to Rich Text Format (.rtf) and Microsoft Word documents (.doc or .docx); no other file formats will be accepted. Typed hard copies may be submitted only with PRIOR approval of the instructor, offered on a case-by-case basis by direct consultation. Handwritten copies are not acceptable in any case. Failure to follow stated submission guidelines will result in the submitted assignment being discarded.
It is not necessary that students employ outside source material other than the work being discussed; at this point, the matter is one of personal involvement rather than integration of ideas with those already published. Accordingly, unless specific quotations or paraphrases are made from that work, or other works are referenced, a Works Cited page will not be necessary. Any specific information from the work being discussed, or deployment of outside materials, will still require appropriate MLA-style citation; failure to provide it when necessary is plagiarism and will be treated as such.
An example of a research proposal is linked on the course blog, here.