Writing an Honors Project Proposal

1. Writing an HonorsProject Proposal

2. New 3-Step Proposal Process • Project proposals must follow a three-step process. The deadlines for each step are as follows: • Timeline Contract signed by Advisor: March 1st (October 1st) • Proposal Drafts: March 15th (October 15th) • Revised Proposals: April 15th (November 15th)

3. Honors Project: Selecting an Approach • analyze an issue, problem, moment in time, or work of literature, art, etc. You must take a position based on what scholars have said in the past • review of literature on a problem • analysis of primary source materials to find links, common themes, or ideas. How they changed over time and why. • research with subjects: investigate a problem or answer to a question to find validity, venues for consideration • comparison/contrast of people, events, or periods in time • produce a creative project: book, film, body of paintings, etc.

4. Your Advisor • choose an advisor • ask to discuss the possibility of working with them and, when you meet, discuss the few ideas for a topic and an area of inquiry you’ve been thinking about • Work with your advisor to complete a Timeline Contract, signed by your advisor • work with your advisor to write a Proposal Draft, including a thesis and a bibliography • doesn’t need to be your final thesis • do not pick a topic that is too broad • ask a question, devise a hypothesis, or draft a line of inquiry to help narrow your focus • work with your advisor to revise your Proposal Draft before submitting a final Proposalto the Honors Committee

5. Step 1: Timeline Contract • Work with your advisor to complete a Timeline Contract, signed by your advisor • a sample Timeline Contract is on the Honors Program website: https://www.caldwell.edu/academics/special-academic-programs/scholars/project-guidelines • This is a timeline for how you will complete your project once you are registered for HP 405 • This is just a sample: do not simply cut and paste this contract; work with your advisor to create steps and due dates that make sense for your project • Timeline Contracts must be submitted in hard copy to the Director of the Honors Program by March 1st / October 1st

6. Step 2: Proposal Draft • Work with your advisor to write a Proposal Draft, including a thesis and a bibliography • doesn’t need to be your final thesis • do not pick a topic that is too broad • ask a question, devise a hypothesis, or draft a line of inquiry to help narrow your focus • while a draft, this should be a full & complete formal piece of writing • Proposal Drafts must be submitted in hard copy to the Director of the Honors Program by March 15th (October 15th)

7. The Proposal: Basic Components • thesis, hypothesis, or workable line of inquiry • Moves beyond identifying a topic; this is where you should identify your research question / research problem • description of the project • four-pages (4) minimum • approach taken; this is where you explain: • What you intend to do (type of research/creative output; what final product will look like) • Why you are doing this project (details the topic’s validity and relevance; project rationale) • How you intend to do it (research methodology; materials needed) • must include citations that are properly formatted using MLA or APA style • an outline (suggested) • not part of the 4-page description • a strong bibliography or works cited page • a minimum of 15-20 scholarly sources • a cover page with name, title of project, semester, and advisor’s name • cover page must be signed by you and your advisor

8. The Project • the final paper should be a minimum of 20-30 pages in length (for creative projects, this should be a 10-page write-up that accompanies the creative project) • you will also give a presentationbefore your committee (3) • 10-20 minutes • may include PowerPoint if needed • answer questions from members of your committee • all students working on projects will also present at Caldwell’s Research and Creative Arts Day in the spring • 200-word abstract • poster board • some due dates to keep in mind: • must have a second advisor/reader in place by March 15th / October 15th • final draft due to your panel by April 15th / November 15th • project must be completed before finals week

9. Step 3: Submitting Your Final Proposal • Once the Honors Committee reviews your Proposal Draft, they will provide you with feedback for revisions • work with your advisor to revise your Proposal Draft before submitting a Revised Proposalto the Honors Committee • must be submitted in hard copy to the Director of the Honors Program • must be signed by your advisor • proposals are due by no later than April 15th (October 15th)

10. What Happens Next? • Within a week or two of the submission deadline, the Honors Committee will meet to review all final Proposals: • proceed • proceed with revisions • resubmit before proceeding • once the committee decides that your proposal passes: • you will receive an email from the Director informing you that your proposal passed • you should come to the Director’s office to pick up a permission form to register for HP 405 • if revisions are needed: • you must resubmit by the first week of the next semester • if your revisions are approved, you may register for HP 405