PERSUASION ANALYSIS PAPER: PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
OVERVIEW
Using communication/persuasive theory taught in the course, the student will be able to critically
assess methods and/or ethics or persuasion used in a selected artifact from an area of personal
interest from persuasive rhetoric, advertising, campaigns or movements. This original research
will begin by writing a research proposal and then carrying the proposal into a research paper. It
is imperative that both papers follow the instructions in the assignment and write according to
APA style.
INSTRUCTIONS
The Proposal is a petition to do original research in an area of persuasion of your interest and
should include the following parts below. It is appropriate to use 1st person as you write because
it presents what you want to do for your research. Your proposal will need to be graded and
approved by your instructor before you can continue to carry out the project in the research paper
assignment.
1. An introduction and justification for studying the persuasion demonstrated in a speech, a
religious, political or social campaign, a religious political or social movement, cult, etc. The
researcher should clearly state and justify the artifact being studied.
Topic ideas for the proposal and ultimate research paper include:
c. Public information campaigns such as MADD, SADD, Anti-abortion, Pro-choice,
Red Cross, etc.
It is important to remember that the assignment is not about the
artifact, it is an analysis of the persuasion in the selected artifact.
2. Research Question after the topic and artifacts has been selected you will need to phrase a
question that you will seek to answer in your research. It is the focus of the research paper
but is presented here for approval in the proposal. What is it that you are trying to research
or trying to find out?
b. What persuasive methods did Donald Trump use to persuade democrats into building
a wall between the U.S. and Mexico? The goal of your research will be to answer the
question using theory and appropriate research methods.
c. With the topic selected, the research question formed, you will need to determine an
appropriate persuasive theory or method to use in your research. This comes
from the theory you have studied in the class. For instance if you are asking a
question about ethical standards used in a persuasive campaign, you would need to
find somebody somewhere who has developed some ethical standards that you can
apply to the specific campaign you are studying. The theory you choose must be
related to the question you are asking. Theories from this class that are
recommended include: ethical standards, ELM, Burkes Dramatistic Pentad,
Bormans Fantasy Theme Analysis, Need Theory, Balance Theory, Cognitive
Dissonance Theory, Pathos, Ethos, Logos, Campaign or movement stages, Framing
or Reframing Theory, Cialdini seven principles of persuasion, Language/Semiotics,
etc. This list is not exhaustive. You may find a persuasive communication theory
that is more appropriate to the question and the artifacts you are analyzing. Yes,
since this is original research it is imperative that you are applying a theory to answer
your research question about the persuasion used.
4. The next step in the research proposal is to show your understanding of the topic and theory
you are proposing to use as you carry out your research and write the research paper. This is
called the literature review. In the literature review you should review relevant materials
related to your topic area and the theory you are applying in your research. It is recommended
that you read at least 3 articles related to the explanation or use of the theory by other researchers
from professional communication journals. As you proceed to write the literature review your
goals will be to show how the way you will use the theory is relevant to the research process as
indicated in the reading. Please dont just summarize the articles you read. Your task is to
show that you will be using the theory effectively as you do your research. You might also need
to include some information about the artifact or movement you are researching if you havent
done so in the introduction/justification of the proposal. Generally a literature review will go
about 1 page in length.
5. To demonstrate the depth and breadth of your research you will include a Reference page of
articles you will use within your research. Usually about 20 references cited in APA style is
appropriate for a paper of this size.
6. In your proposal you will also want to state what the contribution is that you as a researcher
will make to the discipline (communication) through your research.
7. Other questions that might be helpful for you to ask as you write your proposal:
a. Clearly state the research question?
b. Why is it relevant and worthy of consideration?
c. What is your methodology? What is the foundational theory behind your study
. Your proposal should be about 56 pages
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