How to Write a Research Proposal

ENG 102
Epoka University
Timothy Hagen
One of the goals of this semester is that you would master the steps and style of
research writing. One of the important first steps is to put together a research
proposal. The research proposal identifies your topic and gives an outline of how
you plan to address this topic.
This research proposal will help you plan your paper and identify important research
sources.
The research proposal should be typed in Times New Roman or Calibri 11- or 12point font, double-spaced, have 1-inch or 2-centimeter margins, a cover page, and
follow Chicago style in the bibliographic citations.
The paper should have the following sections:
Cover Page: Include the title, your name, the date, the class and section, the label
Research Proposal and the honor statement.
Abstract: This should introduce your topic, state a question or problem, describe
your methodology, and give your hypothesis or tentative thesis.
Outline: Show the organization of thoughts in the research paper.
Research Plan: Briefly describe what steps you will take to complete your
research.
Annotated Bibliography: Provide references to at least 5 sources in complete
Chicago author-date style and include one- or two-sentence descriptions of the
sources, explaining how they are important to your research.

Cover Page

Following pages
Title
Name

Title
Abstract

Date

Field of study

ENG 102

Problem

Research Proposal

Significance

Honor Statement: I have

neither given or received, nor
have I tolerated others use of
unauthorized aid.

Methodology
Hypothesis

Outline

Plan

How do you plan to organize

your paper and arguments?

What will you do to complete

your research? Note details on
interviews, experiments, or
other special activities. Give
schedule for completing the
plan.

Give a detailed and organized

outline of the paper, including
main thesis and topic
sentences.
Annotated Bibliography
List your sources and briefly
describe the value of each
source.

Grading Rubric for Research Proposal

Item
Cover Page: Include the title, your name, the date, the class and
section, the label Research Proposal and the honor statement.
Abstract: This should introduce your topic, state a question or
problem, describe your methodology, and give your hypothesis
or tentative thesis.
Outline: Show the organization of thoughts in the research paper.
Research Plan: Briefly describe what steps you will take to
complete your research.
Annotated Bibliography: Provide references to at least 5 sources
in complete Chicago author-date style and include one- or twosentence descriptions of the sources, explaining how they are
important to your research.
Typed in Times New Roman or Calibri 11- or 12-point font, doublespaced, have 1-inch or 2-centimeter margins, a cover page, and
follow Chicago author-date style in the bibliographic citations
Total

Earne
d

Possib
le
5
25

25
5
30

10