I'm writing my thesis this next school year. Any suggestions?

[Writer]

Haven't written my proposal yet, though. Eeek! But I know on what topic I'm writing.

Anyone have a suggestions to ease the bureaucracy of the process?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

1. I assume your major is English??

[Writer]

2. No. Mass Communication.

I "write" on the side. :)

[Crazy Guggenheim]

3. How about something on ..........

(1) Media Bias.
(2) Exposing Media Myths.
(3) Ethics in the Mass Media.
(4) How much control does the Media have in terms of:
- Political decision making.
- Influence in general attitudes.

(5) Of course the Internet and Blogging.

[Writer]

4. Oh no. I know on which topic I'm writing.

I just wonder if I'm a bit behind, not having written the proposal.

Have you written a thesis? If so, on what topic?

But, if I may, there is a very very important element in the list of topics that you introduce above, and that is the role that SOCIETY plays in shaping our media.

[Maddy McCall]

5. What exactly is your question.

I've written two theses and am writing a dissertation now. How can I help?

[Writer]

6. Oh dear. Okay, here goes.

What factors have contributed to a growth in politicized journalism, and more dangerously, to collusion between media firms and the US government?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

8. You might have to think in the realm of the decades investment

of the conservative groups and think tanks. They are willing to "get their messaage out". These groups have also invested a lot of time and energy to make this into a realization.

[Writer]

10. I know this is DU, but I don't think it would be wise to

focus only on conservative media forms. Liberal media forms have cropped up recently as an answer, such as AAR.

The idea is that the US is starting to evolve into what traditionally has been the European model of politically-bent news forms (and what the US system looked like through the beginning of the 19th Century.) Why is this happening? What factors have led to this?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

12. True about the conservative media. But the left of center is

recent; it is an interesting dynamic. Also from what I hear about "the politically-bent news forms" in the European model is readers are able to discern what is spin and what is reporting. An interesting take on this is why won't/can't Americans discern the opinion from the 'facts of reporting'. Which could be worked into your point on societal influence of the media.

[Maddy McCall]

9. Ok, here's my question...where do you need help?

In writing your proposal?

Do you have the basic outline that you must use in writing your proposal?

Your proposal must be divided into sections. First, you need to get those sections established, and then you can work to fill in.

If you have a structure for your proposal, post it and let's go from there. If you don't, let's work on getting you a structure. ONce you have the structure, the rest will fall into place.

[Writer]

11. I do have a basic outline, yes.

And it is divided into sections. What's worrying me, however, is that I don't seem to be adding anything "new" to the conversation on this topic. It seems a bit boring.

[Maddy McCall]

13. But right now, you aren't writing your thesis. You are ...

writing a proposal for your thesis.

Start with a front page:

Center all of this and adjust vertical spacing so that it is eye-appealing and balanced:
____________________________________________________

THE UNIVERSITY OF WHEREEVER YOU ATTEND






YOUR TENTATIVE TITLE: OF COURSE IT
CAN BE CHANGED LATER



RESEARCH DESIGN
FOR
THE PROPOSED THESIS



BY
YOUR NAME



YOUR DISCIPLINE
YOUR ADVISOR'S NAME


DATE

_____________________________________________

You need to divide your proposal into sections like this:

1. Statement of the Problem

Why is your topic a worthy topic in your field? Tell me a brief overview of what you plan to write about. Has anyone yet approached your topic? If so, what will be different about your study? Why is a new study of this topic needed?

2. Questions

Do this in outline form, with a major heading for each thesis chapter, further subdivided into subareas of each chapter. What questions will you ask? Under each large heading (major question) you need to ask smaller questions. In essense, you are developing the skeleton for your thesis. Of course, no one expects you to be able to answer these questions yet, but your advisor will want to see which direction you will take. This is the most important part of the proposal, in my opinion, because it forces you to consider just why you are writing about your topic. It forces you to develop your topic.

3. Plan of Work

How do you plan to find the answers to your questions? Which methodology will you use? Will you use primary or secondary sources, or both? What kind of primary sources? Secondary sources?

I would state a plan of work for each thesis chapter, if I were you.

4. Tentative Conclusion

This isn't your firm conclusion, but from what you know now about your topic, what do you think your conclusion will be. Please know that this will change as you immerse yourself in your research.

5. Tentative Outline

You can look back at your Question section and it will be helpful in developing your outline. Again, you need to have a major section for each chapter, and subdivide that down into subsections of each chapter.

6. Annotated Select Bibliography

Divide your sources into Primary Sources (then subdivide into the types of primaries, like interviews, manuscript collections, newspapers, etc) and Secondary Sources (books, journals, articles, etc).

Give a brief description of each source and explain how and why this source will be helpful as you research your thesis.


Hope all of this helps. I can't advise you on your topic, but I can advise you on your design.

[Writer]

14. This is terrific. I very much appreciate this.

This is a great help. Thanks!

[Maddy McCall]

15. You're welcome.

By dividing into sections like I did above, it will jump start your brain into really considering your topic.

The wonderful thing is that, once you have your proposal, your thesis will be so much easier to write and research.

Best wishes, and if I can be of any assistance, just PM me.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

7. I haven't written a thesis but I did a senior research project.

On the role that society plays, hmmm. Well part of it has to do with "target market"; I know you weren't quite looking for that answer. However media has been shaped by the societal influence of the "target market". Look at Cable News, advertising, etc.

Feel free to PM me too!