How to Write a Proposal for a Conference
Almost all conferences require that prospective participants submit proposals---also called abstracts---or short summations of the paper or presentation they plan to give, as part of the application process. Proposals, usually limited to between 250 and 500 words, should consist of some background information on your topic, a statement detailing what your work shows or proves (also known as a thesis statement), and some information as to how your research and findings contribute to the field.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Read the directions for writing and submitting the proposal carefully. If the conference wants a proposal of 250 words, submit only 250 words. If it wants files of your hard data, send them along.
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2
Sketch out the main points you want to convey in your proposal. In general, you can include up to three major points. Make a note of the methodology you've used and any background material you need to include.
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3
Write clearly and without using unnecessary jargon. State relevant background information on your topic, provide your main points and discuss the methods you used to discover or analyze your data. The American Musicology Society writes to prospective presenters that: "Proposals should represent the talk as fully as possible. A successful proposal typically articulates and substantiates major aspects of its argument or research findings clearly, points out the novelty of the research (and its relation to earlier work), and indicates its significance for the scholarly community." Use the active voice and write to the level of the conference.
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4
Do a word count to make sure you are within the limit. Proofread and spell-check your work carefully. Submit your proposal according to the guidelines provided by the conference organizers.
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