English Research Proposal
word proposal (word count must be provided)
Describe your idea for your research essay and explain possible examples from your chosen
short story that you intend to analyze in your research essay. Which short story will you
choose and why? What topic/s in the story are you curious about? Identify some themes that
are of interest to you. Also, which perspective (historical, gender, or critical race theory
etc.) do you think would best help you understand your chosen story (see Chapter 9 of the
textbook, and class material)? What examples (evidence) from your literary work will you
use to support your idea?
Do NOT provide a summary of the writer’s life or the story—I do not need this.
Here are some sample general topics that past students have used:,
• The role of the blues in “Sonny’s Blues” English Research Proposal,
• The meaning of the trope of the brother in “Sonny’s Blues”,
• The rewriting of fairy tale symbols in “The Company of Wolves”,
• The reversal of gender roles in “The Company of Wolves”,
These are sample research TOPICS. Topics are general areas of interest; usually, the topics in a text
are obvious and easy to identify. English Research Proposal
A topic is different from a thesis. Remember, a thesis is a position that you take on a certain topic
or issue. You DO NOT NEED A THESIS IN ASSIGNMENT #2. Later in Assignment #3, you
will develop a thesis (a specific position) about your chose topic/s in your chosen story. But for
now, do not worry about a thesis for Assignment #2; you’re not there yet in the research process!
2. An annotated bibliography with at least two (2) MLA cited scholarly sources about
your chosen story. Use the library (NOT GOOGLE): https://library.laguardia.edu/ to locate
sources. Word count for annotation must be provided (150-200 words for each annotation).
See sample on pages 4-5.