Proposal for Final Paper Topic
Length: 2-3 pages
Format: Memo; one inch margins, single spaced or 1.5
Goal of Proposal: convince me that your topic is appropriate for a junior or senior engineering student, current and relevant, and can be covered, in detail, in 10 pages.
Make sure you include the parts we discussed: introduction, background of topic, benefits to you/audience, outline, schedule, cost, conclusion, for further reading
How to Convince Me (or additional information included in your proposal):
Read over the guidelines to proposals and make sure you understand the proposal assignment—not to write any proposal, but one that, at least in part, proposes to write something.
1. Topic: In the introduction, explain the general topic you are writing about and the specific area you will focus on. Be Specific!
2. Audience: in the benefits section explain who would benefit from reading your paper and why? This will be the audience you write your paper for—I am not the primary audience. (Basically, tell me why you want to write your paper and who you are writing for.)
3. Outline: give an outline of the paper as you currently envision it. Remember, you only have 10 pages for the body of your paper.
4. For Further Reading: give 3-4 sources for general information on your topic. Best are general websites. This shows me that you have done some low level research and allows me to gain any knowledge I need to evaluate your proposal.
5. Any other information you think I need to make a decision.