Fall 2011 Writing 20:Ocean Acidification

November 9, 2011

Proposal Writing Process

Topics to Cover

1. Background research

2. Developing your research question

3. Writing the introduction

4. Stressing the importance of the project

5. Other stuff1. Using figures

2. Methods

3. References

Background Research

1. What has been your research process so far?

2. What else could you do?

3. Let’s all visit: http://guides.library.duke.edu/oa

Developing Research Question

What are your thoughts on the following research questions and objectives?

We aim to confirm the relationship between carbon dioxide concentration and season, quantify the magnitude of the swings in carbon dioxide concentration, and look for any upward trends in

carbon dioxide concentration over time.

How do students’ knowledge and perception of ocean acidification compare to those of global warming?

Ocean acidification is correlated with partial pressures of Carbon Dioxide, the pH level of the waters, saturated aragonite levels and dissolved carbonate ion levels. We will use data on these variables from the Greater Caribbean Region

in order to find any significant trends that point to ocean acidification.

We wish to access the public’s awareness and understanding of ocean acidification, with special emphasis on the way that people’s demographics influence their knowledge

on the topic at hand. We also wish to analyze the reasons for people’s knowledge, or lack there of, on the topic. In other words, what reasons can help explain why people do

or do not know about ocean acidification?

Topics to Cover

1. Background research

2. Developing your research question

3. Writing the introduction

4. Stressing the importance of the project

5. Other stuff1. Using figures

2. Methods

3. References

Introduction

Please download these drafts:

http://sites.duke.edu/writing20_12_f2011/files/2011/11/MorrisonMP3-proposal.docx

http://sites.duke.edu/writing20_12_f2011/files/2011/11/Proposal_Tomaino_RoughDraft.docx

Topics to Cover

1. Background research

2. Developing your research question

3. Writing the introduction

4. Stressing the importance of the project

5. Other stuff1. Using figures

2. Methods

3. References

Why is your project important?

Please download this draft:

http://sites.duke.edu/writing20_12_f2011/files/2011/11/MaoPre-Proposal.docx

Topics to Cover

1. Background research

2. Developing your research question

3. Writing the introduction

4. Stressing the importance of the project

5. Other stuff1. Using figures – please download: http://sites.duke.edu/writing20_12_f2011/files/2011/11/Goyne_MP3_Proposal.docx

2. Methods

3. References