1. Planning Your Argument
K.Turner English 101

2. Writing the Research Proposal
Let look at the guidelines for your research proposal…
After you write the proposal and work through some ideas, then you begin writing the paper!

3. Purpose: What Are You Trying to Do?
What is your motivation? What made you want to undertake this argument?
What do you hope your audience will feel/do/think after they read your argument?
What would be the best possible outcome of the communication?
What would be the worst?
How will your argument change the situation in which you are trying to communicate?

4. Purpose: Your Responsibilities
To yourself: for finding reasons to communicate that help you further your understanding of others and how to communicate with them
To the audience: for finding purposes that are worth their time and attention AND that show you care about the relationship you make with them
To everyone else: for finding ways to communicate your purpose that respond to a need around you AND that contribute to the world

5. Audience: Who Are You Addressing?
Remember the things to consider:
Age
Class
Gender
Upbringing
Ethnicity
Place of living
Level of education
Place of work
Able-bodiedness
Values/beliefs/commitments relative to the topic
Sexual orientation
Past experience with the issue

6. Context: Where/When is your communication?
The time of the communication
The place of the communication
The broader context of the communication

7. How to Find Sources Let’s explore UTK’s library website.
Library stacks
Online websites
Newspapers
Magazines
Tweets/Facebook/YouTube

8. Evaluating Sources #1 Goal: Make sure your source is credible.
Why is this so important?
What questions should you ask?