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[coldlikedeath]

I have a thesis idea. It's a bit out of left field. How do I write the proposal so that it sounds good- regarding detail and stuff? I'm terrified of writing it because if it's shot down, I have nothing else.

Any ideas? Ta, all.

Comments

[theprimrosepath]

It's a little hard to know how to answer without knowing any of the details of your idea, but in general? Try to outline your thought process as clearly as you can - how ideas are related, what angle you're taking, etc. I've lived through this exact same thing (I mean, I thought it was a great idea, but I really wondered if I could get anyone to take it seriously academically), and laying out my thought process (and how the idea even came to me in the first place) seemed to really help. Good luck! I hope that helps. :)

[coldlikedeath]

Thanks. If you think it'll make it easier, I'll put up here. Y/N?

[comrade_robinov]

You need to give a strong sense of what's come before and how yours fits in with it, and why it's necessary. Find a way to propose it so that it doesn't sound so outrageous, even if it still is.

[coldlikedeath]

Aiii... well, it's part of my course, that covers the necessary bit.

ETA for spelling fail.

[comrade_robinov]

The most important thing to do is schedule an appointment with the professor who is going to chair your committee. You need to sell your idea to this person before you can write up your proposal. Your director will likely see a slightly different direction for you to take your project in. You should trust this person's judgment, even though you will not understand that he or she was right until much later down the road.

[coldlikedeath]

Right. Ta. I don't think I need to be worrying yet but it's always good to know (and I really want this out of the way)...