In one or two well-developed paragraphs explain your topic and purpose for the research paper. Include mention of what specific points or topics you envision including in your research paper, what kind of research you think you will need to find and your tentative thesis statement. Your main objective is to explain how you envision the paper coming together for you.

This will be half a page to a page long using our standard MLA formatting guidelines from previous essay assignments.

The following topics are considered ‘Off Limits” for this paper. Not because I approve or disapprove, but because they have been discussed at great length in the media and, in many cases, without any new or interesting arguments being made. Pick a topic that is fresh and interesting—one that hasn’t been debated for years without much hope of resolution in the near future. If you submit one of these topics listed below for the Research Proposal, I will send you back to the drawing board for a new topic.

• • abortion
  • gun control
  • legalized marijuana/drugs
  • euthanasia/mercy killing
  • death penalty/capital punishment
  • stem cell research
  • global warming/climate change
  • smoking/tobacco issues/vaping
  • COVID-19/coronavirus/Vaccinations of any kind – since this is such a new issue, there just hasn’t been enough time for actual academic research.
  • 2020 Election/Black Lives Matter/Blue Lives Matter/Defund the Police/Unrest at the Capitol or any related topic to the current issues around the country. One reason I am limiting these topics is since it is so recent, there really will not be enough academic research to use. Additionally, these are such emotionally charged issues that may hinder objectivity and focus on the process of learning how to conduct academic research.