Proposal+Writing+Guidelines


 * A Short & Nasty Guide for Proposal Writing** (courtesy of Dr. Malea Powell)

Have a snappy title: or, why catching their eye is as important as doing good work

The first paragraph. This is the place where you clearly and quickly elaborate the contexts against which your paper will be set – historical, scholarly, or theoretical. Be crystal clear, stay absolutely focused, don't introduce topics or ideas that you will not cover in your paper, or that aren't central to the argument you will be making in your paper. The final sentence in this paragraph should introduce a question or understanding that stands as one of the claims that your paper will be making – it will serve as a transition into your next paragraph.

This paper will. . .. This is your second paragraph. The place where you must explain precisely what you're paper will do in as clear and focused a manner as is possible. This is not the time for scholarly speculations; this is the time to turn your idea into an arrow that will reach the heart and mind of the folks who read these proposals. This is the place of the persuasive and plausible lie (unless you actually have already written the paper) where you make it seem like you've really thought this through. Learning to write this paragraph will serve you well as an academic, where you will write entire book proposals that plausibly lie about what you will be writing about if they'll just give you a contract and an advance. End this paragraph on a strong note, with a statement that nails down the proposal OR

The third paragraph. If you have room enough and time, can be the place where you make claims about why this work is important, or why this paper is a perfect fit for this conference. It should be short, sweet and to the point.

Proposal rules vary. Generally they are confined to 250-300 words, though sometimes the CFP will specify as much as 500 words or will ask for 1-2 pages. Follow their guidelines but don't feel the need to grope for 500 words if you can say it in 300.

Some conferences prefer blind readings of proposals. Follow their guidelines in terms of where to put your name and contact information. Always include a cover letter with the title of your paper and your contact information – if pieces of your proposal get separated, at least they'll know how to hook them back together.

Think of your readers. How big is the conference? How many proposals will they read? How can you make your proposal stand out?