Proposals

The session started with a discussion as to how the supporting resources for the Tutor-led discussion contain a variety of suggestions and approaches for producing academic documents – not all are necessary or valid for every student, although devising an approach that considers the application, even if not immediately apparent, can help process and progress.

Ariadne clarified that a sensible approach followed the following stepping stones, in order:

1. TOPIC
   • As discussed at progression interview – a guiding concept
2. RESEARCH
   • General reading around topic
3. LITERATURE REVIEW
   • Summary and analysis of most relevant texts
4. PROPOSAL
   • Suggestion of dissertation subject / research question / argument
5. DISSERTATION
   • Final write-up of research and analysis
   • This can develop from the original proposal

Ariadne compared this to a funnel, where the final subject and hence relevant reading gets narrowed down through the process.

Ariadne also noted that the document DISSERTATION PROPOSAL AND LITERATURE REVIEW lumps together two stages of the process and puts them in the wrong order.

Ariadne suggested that KEY WORDS are an important tool – finding (say) five key words that describe the subject can inform and help the process. These can change as the process narrows and can in some way be thought of as the beginning and end of the proposal – the original topic and the final dissertation question, summarised in five key words.

Note that a proposal and abstract are very similar, but the abstract comes at the end and summarises the finalised dissertation question for the reader, whereas the proposal summarises the intended dissertation question for the Tutor.

The proposal should convince the reader that your dissertation subject is sound to allow progression to the next stage – further research and of course writing. Therefore it should show:

1. Theoretical framework
   • The rationale
     • Why this topic?
     • Why is it important to me?
     • Why is it important within the context of the course?
   • The scope: what is it about and what is it not about?
2. Relationship to past work
3. Plan of action
   • Outline the intended approach

Note that a proposal also usually incorporates a literature review (!)

BIG QUESTIONS

• Why is my idea worth pursuing?
• How does it contribute to the discipline?

There was some discussion regarding the use of the first person “I”, which is discouraged in the document link below. Ariadne felt that “I” was ok, but references the academic writer, not a subjective view – should not advocate feelings (I disagree – this is precisely when it should be used?) Mixing the first and third person can be an awkward style to make work. Personally I was not convinced with is. Ariadne also encouraged using he or she, whereas I feel that going forward the use of “they” wherever possible is preferable. I also disagreed with the concept that “I” is universal (non-gendered) since it is subjective and personal.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/types-of-writing/academic-proposal/ (Accessed 20.7.2022)