(0 credits)

Doctoral students who are transitioning from coursework to preproposal work but find themselves needing additional structure and writing guidance should take this small-group workshop. A "preproposal document" is what each doctoral student must complete prior to beginning the proposal phase of his or her doctoral capstone—in some programs, this document is called a prospectus; in others, a premise. Receiving assistance from faculty and engaging in supportive discussion with colleagues, students will spend 6 weeks generating content based on their program's specific preproposal and doctoral capstone writing requirements. In addition to becoming knowledgeable about the specific requirements of their program, students will also develop a plan for completion of their preproposal document, practice important research and drafting skills, work toward effective communication with faculty, and learn important self-assessment and revision strategies. Importantly, the instruction students receive will be anchored in their own work, as instructor feedback will focus on clarity, precision, concision, and scholarly voice in the capstone document. At the workshop's conclusion, students will have tailored a set of tools based on their specific needs to ensure they continue to make progress on their preproposal draft.