Literature Research Paper Proposal Example

Writing a literature research paper proposal can seem daunting, but with the right approach, it can be an exciting opportunity to explore a topic you’re passionate about.

This guide will walk you through the process of creating a strong proposal, using simple language and plenty of examples to help you understand each step.

What is a Literature Research Paper Proposal?

A literature research paper proposal is a document that outlines your plans for a research project focused on analyzing and interpreting works of literature. It’s typically submitted to a professor or committee for approval before you begin writing the full paper.

The proposal serves several important purposes:

1. It shows that you’ve thought carefully about your topic and have a clear plan for your research.
2. It demonstrates that you understand the relevant literature and existing scholarship in your area of study.
3. It allows your professor or committee to provide feedback and guidance before you invest too much time in the full paper.

Think of your proposal as a roadmap for your research journey. It outlines where you want to go, why it’s important, and how you plan to get there.

Key Components of a Literature Research Paper Proposal

1. Title

Your title should be clear, concise, and give a good indication of your research topic. It’s the first thing people will see, so make it count!

Example: “The Evolution of Female Characters in Jane Austen’s Novels: From ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to ‘Persuasion'”

2. Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your proposal. It should:

• Grab the reader’s attention
• Provide background information on your topic
• State your research question or thesis
• Explain why your research is important

Example: “Jane Austen’s novels have captivated readers for over two centuries, but her portrayal of female characters evolved significantly throughout her writing career. This research aims to explore how Austen’s representation of women changed from her earliest published work, ‘Sense and Sensibility’ (1811), to her final completed novel, ‘Persuasion’ (1818). By examining this evolution, we can gain insights into Austen’s changing views on women’s roles in society and her growth as a writer.”

3. Literature Review

The literature review demonstrates your familiarity with existing scholarship on your topic. It should:

• Summarize key works related to your research question
• Identify gaps or controversies in the current literature
• Explain how your research will contribute to the field

Example: “Scholars have long debated Austen’s views on women’s roles in society. Mary Poovey’s ‘The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer’ (1984) argues that Austen’s novels ultimately reinforce traditional gender roles, while Claudia Johnson’s ‘Jane Austen: Women, Politics, and the Novel’ (1988) contends that Austen subtly challenges these norms. More recently, Devoney Looser’s ‘The Making of Jane Austen’ (2017) examines how interpretations of Austen’s work have evolved over time. However, there has been limited research specifically tracking the development of Austen’s female characters across her novels. This study aims to fill that gap by conducting a chronological analysis of Austen’s heroines.”

4. Research Methodology

This section outlines how you plan to conduct your research. Be specific about:

• The texts you’ll analyze
• Your analytical approach
• Any theoretical frameworks you’ll use

Example: “This study will employ close reading and character analysis techniques to examine the female protagonists in Austen’s six completed novels: ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ ‘Mansfield Park,’ ‘Emma,’ ‘Northanger Abbey,’ and ‘Persuasion.’ Particular attention will be paid to:

1. The characters’ personalities and decision-making processes
2. Their relationships with family members and potential suitors
3. Their engagement with social norms and expectations

The analysis will be framed using feminist literary theory, drawing on the work of Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar’s ‘The Madwoman in the Attic’ (1979) to explore how Austen’s heroines navigate patriarchal society.”

5. Expected Results

Discuss what you hope to find through your research. This doesn’t mean you need to know the answers already, but you should have some informed expectations based on your preliminary reading.

Example: “Based on initial observations, I expect to find a gradual shift in Austen’s portrayal of female characters from her earlier to later novels. I anticipate that the heroines of her later works, particularly Anne Elliot in ‘Persuasion,’ will demonstrate greater independence and complexity compared to earlier characters like Elinor and Marianne Dashwood in ‘Sense and Sensibility.’ This evolution may reflect Austen’s growing confidence as a writer and her changing perspectives on women’s roles as she matured.”

6. Significance of the Research

Explain why your research matters. How will it contribute to our understanding of the author, the time period, or literature in general?

Example: “This research will contribute to Austen scholarship by providing a comprehensive analysis of the author’s evolving portrayal of women throughout her career. By tracing this development, we can gain new insights into Austen’s artistic growth and her changing views on gender roles in early 19th-century England. Furthermore, this study may shed light on how Austen’s work both reflected and influenced societal attitudes towards women during a period of significant social change.”

7. Timeline

Provide a realistic schedule for completing your research and writing your paper. This shows that you’ve thought carefully about the scope of your project.

Example: “May 1-15: In-depth reading and note-taking on all six Austen novels May 16-31: Review of secondary sources and literary criticism June 1-15: Analysis of female characters in ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ June 16-30: Analysis of female characters in ‘Mansfield Park’ and ‘Emma’ July 1-15: Analysis of female characters in ‘Northanger Abbey’ and ‘Persuasion’ July 16-31: Writing first draft of the paper August 1-15: Revising and editing August 16: Submit final paper”

8. Bibliography

List the sources you’ve cited in your proposal and any additional key texts you plan to consult for your research.

Example: “Primary Sources: Austen, Jane. Sense and Sensibility. 1811. —. Pride and Prejudice. 1813. —. Mansfield Park. 1814. —. Emma. 1815. —. Northanger Abbey. 1818. —. Persuasion. 1818.

Secondary Sources: Gilbert, Sandra M., and Susan Gubar. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. Yale University Press, 1979. Johnson, Claudia L. Jane Austen: Women, Politics, and the Novel. University of Chicago Press, 1988. Looser, Devoney. The Making of Jane Austen. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017. Poovey, Mary. The Proper Lady and the Woman Writer: Ideology as Style in the Works of Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley, and Jane Austen. University of Chicago Press, 1984.”

Tips for Writing a Strong Literature Research Paper Proposal

1. Be clear and concise: Use simple language to explain your ideas. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences.
2. Show your passion: Let your enthusiasm for the topic shine through in your writing. Explain why you find this research exciting and important.
3. Be specific: Provide concrete details about your research plans. Instead of saying “I will analyze Austen’s novels,” specify which novels and what aspects you’ll focus on.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with existing scholarship: Show that you’ve done your homework by referencing key works in your field. This doesn’t mean you need to have read everything, but you should have a good grasp of the major debates and perspectives.
5. Be realistic: Make sure your research plans are achievable within the time and resources you have available.
6. Proofread carefully: A polished, error-free proposal demonstrates your attention to detail and professionalism.
7. Seek feedback: Ask a classmate, tutor, or professor to review your proposal before submitting it. They may catch issues you’ve overlooked or suggest ways to strengthen your argument.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being too broad: Trying to cover too much ground in a single paper. It’s better to focus on a specific aspect of your topic and explore it in depth.
2. Lack of originality: Simply summarizing existing research without offering a new perspective or contribution to the field.
3. Weak research question: Choosing a topic that’s too obvious, too narrow, or has already been extensively studied.
4. Ignoring contrary evidence: Failing to acknowledge perspectives that differ from your own or evidence that might challenge your thesis.
5. Poor organization: Jumping between ideas without a clear structure or logical flow.
6. Overreliance on quotes: Using too many direct quotations instead of paraphrasing and synthesizing ideas in your own words.
7. Neglecting the “so what?” factor: Failing to explain why your research matters and how it contributes to the broader field of study.

Example of a Strong Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement is specific, debatable, and sets up an argument that you’ll develop throughout your paper. Here’s an example for our Jane Austen research proposal:

“While Jane Austen’s early heroines often conform to traditional gender roles, her later female characters demonstrate increasing independence and complexity, reflecting both Austen’s growth as a writer and the changing social attitudes of early 19th-century England.”

This thesis is strong because it:

• Makes a specific claim about Austen’s work
• Suggests a chronological development in her writing
• Connects her literary choices to broader social context
• Sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence from the novels

Adapting This Example to Other Topics

While this guide uses Jane Austen as an example, the same principles can be applied to research proposals on other authors or literary topics. Here are a few other potential research questions to spark your imagination:

1. How does the portrayal of nature in Romantic poetry reflect changing attitudes towards industrialization?
2. In what ways does Toni Morrison’s use of magical realism in “Beloved” comment on the trauma of slavery?
3. How do the detective novels of Agatha Christie challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes of their time?
4. How does George Orwell’s “1984” compare to modern dystopian literature in its critique of totalitarianism?
5. In what ways does Shakespeare’s use of the supernatural in “Macbeth” reflect Elizabethan beliefs about witchcraft?

Remember, the key is to choose a topic that interests you and offers opportunities for original analysis or a fresh perspective on existing scholarship.

FAQs

Q: How long should a literature research paper proposal be?

A: The length can vary depending on your professor’s requirements, but typically a proposal ranges from 2-3 pages for shorter papers to 10-15 pages for longer projects or theses. Always check your assignment guidelines for specific requirements.

Q: Do I need to have read all the books I’m proposing to analyze?

A: Ideally, you should have at least a basic familiarity with all the primary texts you plan to discuss. However, it’s okay if you haven’t done an in-depth analysis of everything yet – that’s what the research process is for! Just make sure you’ve read enough to have a solid understanding of your topic and to formulate a strong research question.

Q: How many sources should I include in my literature review?

A: The number of sources can vary depending on the scope of your project and the amount of existing scholarship on your topic. As a general guideline, aim for at least 5-10 key sources for a shorter paper, and 15-20 or more for a longer project or thesis. Quality is more important than quantity – focus on the most relevant and influential works in your field.

Q: What if I change my mind about my topic after submitting the proposal?

A: It’s not uncommon for research plans to evolve as you delve deeper into your topic. If you find that you need to make significant changes to your research focus, it’s best to discuss this with your professor. They can advise you on whether to submit a revised proposal or how to adapt your original plan.

Q: How technical should my language be in the proposal?

A: Your proposal should be written in clear, academic language, but avoid unnecessary jargon. Remember that your goal is to communicate your ideas effectively, not to impress with complex vocabulary. If you need to use specialized terms, make sure to define them.

Q: Should I include potential counterarguments in my proposal?

A: While you don’t need to go into great detail, it can be helpful to briefly acknowledge potential counterarguments or alternative interpretations. This shows that you’ve considered different perspectives and are prepared to engage with the complexities of your topic.

Q: How important is the timeline section of the proposal?

A: The timeline is an important part of your proposal as it demonstrates that you’ve thought realistically about the scope of your project and have a plan for completing it. However, don’t worry if you end up deviating from this timeline somewhat during the actual research process – it’s meant to be a guide, not a strict schedule.

Q: Can I use first-person pronouns in my proposal?

A: Conventions can vary depending on your field and your professor’s preferences. In general, it’s often acceptable to use “I” or “my” when discussing your own research plans or arguments. However, use these sparingly and focus on your ideas and evidence rather than on yourself as the researcher.

Q: How do I know if my research question is original enough?

A: Complete originality is rare – most research builds on or responds to existing work in some way. Your goal should be to offer a fresh perspective, ask new questions, or apply existing ideas to new texts or contexts. If you’re unsure, discuss your ideas with your professor or a librarian who specializes in your field.

Q: What if I can’t find much existing research on my specific topic?

A: This could actually be a good thing, as it suggests your research might fill a gap in the existing scholarship! In your proposal, you can discuss related research on your author or time period, and explain how your work will contribute new insights to the field.