Discussion: AP Proposal

For the AP Proposal, you will propose your topic and get feedback from your peers–and you will, of course, provide feedback as well.

In your Proposal, you will:

• Define the approach you plan to take in the AP (whether advocating for & offering evidence of solutions, or exploring how/why current solutions do not work, etc.)
• Explain what you already know about the solution(s) and/or your argument, relying on at least three reliable sources that you will quote and cite accordingly.
• Explain what else you need to learn or understand about the topic–what else you want to find out.
• Address any potential naysayers to your position. Remember, the AP allows you to take a strong, evidence-based position that you believe your reader(s) should implement. In order for your reader to feel convinced by your argument, it will be important for you to consider any objections they may have.

Proposals should be at least one full page, single-spaced. They should be formatted like a memo, as before–use whatever subheadings make sense to you.

When you have submitted that, please respond at length (like, a nice, full paragraph at least!) to at least ONE of your peers. Your response should:

• Explain any specific information, points, or sources that are especially convincing
• Ask specific questions that you, most likely an unfamiliar reader, still have about the solution(s) presented in the Proposal, AND/OR the writer’s argument (remember, some writers will be arguing that the solution(s) they’re talking about don’t work!)
• Explain anything that you would like to know more about
• Offer at least one additional source, from either the Think Tank database or the Library’s databases, that your peer might find useful.

That’s right! You’re going to go back into the Think Tanks OR the Library’s databases and find one additional source that you think aligns with the argument or topic that your peer has articulated in their proposal. You will provide the link and/or the source information, along with a very brief explanation of why you think that source might help.

• Note: this does not mean you have to read an entire 60-page scholarly article. In fact, please don’t! A brief look at the Abstract, Intro, and Conclusion will usually be enough for you to recognize whether or not it fits with your peer’s approach. The point here is not to find the very best possible source, but rather to be a part of the conversation, and to help your peers see what their readers think of as “relevant” to their topics. Some you might be surprised by the sources you get!

Proposals will be due Friday at 11:59pm. Responses will be due by Saturday at 11:59pm.