Perfecting Proposals

Vanessa Armand & Sara Van Dan Acker

A Workshop for TESOL professionals
The Global Teaching Institute, Tokyo International University
November 23, 2016
Workshop Abstract

This 45 minute workshop will offer tips for how to hone a conference proposal to fit
a conference theme and presentation type as well as to utilize buzzwords and
phrases in TESOL to be more appealing to proposal readers. GTFs are
encouraged to bring information about conferences they are interested in, their
own drafts of proposals, and/or work they are interested in presenting at a
conference.

PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
Before Writing Your Proposal
Start with the conference or publication establishment:
What is the conference theme?

Does the theme match your topic? / Does your topic match the theme?

Is the conference theme relevant to your PD goals?

What type of presentation or publication are you proposing?

E.g. A poster session vs. a research-oriented presentation

Who is the target audience?

Who will be reading your proposal to score it?

PPT by Armand &

Who will be interested in attending your presentation or reading your publication?
Van Dan Acker (2016)
Example
Conference
Proposal
Rubric

(TESOL 2017)

PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
 Introducing...the C.A.R.S Model!
Creating A Research Space
This is a research model developed by John Swales, which consists of three basic
moves: Let’s write some
proposals!
1. Establishing a territory (the situation)

2. Establishing a niche (the problem)

3. Occupying the niche (the solution)

PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
Establishing a Territory (The Situation / Context /
Define terms and specialized language used in research
Research)
Familiarizing your audience w/buzzwords & key vocab

Link your work to previous research, debates, conversations within the

field
Paradigms, teaching practices, models, theories, frameworks

APA citation (cite, but sparingly)

Show your reader where in the field your content is situated.

E.g. Encouraging reflective teaching has become a widespread practice in the field of L2
teacher education. PPT by Armand &
Van Dan Acker (2016)
E.g. Educators in general, and particularly language educators in an EFL context, need to
Now you...
What are you currently working on?

What specialized terms does your partner need to know in order to understand
your presentation or publication?

What is your context?

What paradigms, models, frameworks, or theories are you working from/with?

PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
Establishing a niche (Gap / Problem)
After exploring previous research, identify a gap in…
The field

Within education?

Within TESOL?

Between fields
Between early childhood development and second language development

In a specific program or curriculum

Within the GTI?

At TIU? PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
Occupying the Niche (Filling the gap /
Solution)
Your presentation/publication offers ways to fill the gap

Your motivation for exploring your topic Just like

parallel
parking!
Describe your project concretely

When did it take place?

Who were the participants?

Where was the setting?

What were the materials? Where did they come from?

What was the process/methodology used? PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)
What was the data collection (if any?)
Now you...
Is your project filling a gap in:
The field?

Between fields?

In a program or curriculum?

In a class?

With participants?

What is the gap?

PPT by Armand &
Why is it important to fill? Van Dan Acker (2016)
Occupying the Niche (Filling the gap / Solution) ...Continued
Detail what will happen in the presentation/publication

Presentation:

Is it a workshop? Will it be hands-on?

Should audience members bring any materials?

Will you utilize audience participation?

Publication:

Basic outline of the write-up

Mention what readers or conference attendees will take awayPPT

(why they&
by Armand
should attend your presentation or read your publication) Van Dan Acker (2016)
Now you...
What are some things you have done in the past as
an attendee at a presentation?

Do you have any pet peeves as an audience

member?

What might you want attendees in your presentation

to do?

What are some take-aways you want your attendees

to have by going to your presentation?
PPT by Armand &
Why should potential audience members choose Van Dan Acker (2016)
Other tips
Consider what area/SIG within the conference your proposal might best
fit, and the popularity of that area/SIG.

If you choose an area (ex: Higher Education) with a large number of submissions, you may have
less chance to get accepted than if you choose a more specific and specialized area more
related to your topic (CALL within Higher Education).

Give yourself time to write.

Set it down and come back to it later.

Peer edit and revise!

Ask as many people as possible to read your draft.

Be mindful of time differences for deadlines.

References
McVeigh, J. (2012, May 16). Tips on Writing Successful Conference Presentation Proposals.

[Blog post]. TESOL Blog. Retrieved from:

http://blog.tesol.org/tips-on-writing-successful-conference-presentation-proposals/

Payant, C. & Wald, M. (2016). Writing Successful TESOL Proposals: Engage, Enrich,

Empower. [Presentation Slides]. Retrieved from: tesol2017_proposalwriting.pptx

Further Reading
Halleck, G.B. & Connor, U.M. (2006). Rhetorical Moves in TESOL Conference Proposals. Journal of English for

Academic Purposes, 5(1). p70-86.

PPT by Armand &

Van Dan Acker (2016)