If this is the first time you\u2019re submitting a proposal for a conference, you\u2019re probably wondering what exactly is expected of you. As with any genre of writing, the most important thing about a conference proposal is having something you want to say. Ideally, the Call for Proposals (CFP) should prompt some thinking for you, and you should consider the theme: \u201cWriting Centers at the Confluence of Diversity and Democracy.\u201d Though it\u2019s not necessary for every presentation to relate to the conference theme, that theme will be a coherent thread through the conference. (It\u2019s a lot like writing an essay for class\u2014read the prompt and see how you want to play off the language the professor has used.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important things to consider when writing a conference proposal is what contribution you are making to writing center scholarship. You are joining a conversation, and your goal is to move that conversation forward. Your proposal should acknowledge that others have talked about the topic, and then indicate how your paper is contributing to our knowledge. (For example, if you are interested in free speech in the writing center, then you would probably want to know that Margaret Weaver has written on that topic: \u201cCensoring What Tutors\u2019 Clothing \u201cSays\u201d: First Amendment Rights\/Writes Within Tutorial Space.\u201d The Writing Center Journal, 24.2 (2004): 19-36.) You do NOT need to know everything that has been written about a topic, but there should be a foundation of others\u2019 work for you to build on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good places to look for writing center scholarship are <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with most research, though, it can also be helpful to look beyond the directly relevant scholarship, in order to offer new perspectives. You may find that things you are reading in your courses outside the writing center resonate with what you\u2019re seeing (and not seeing) in that space. Those moments of connection can be valuable places to start thinking\u2014how can what you learned in an archeology course influenced your thinking about writing center work? (Or for this conference especially, what did you learn in your art courses?) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposal for the 2020 NCPTW conference consists of four elements: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember, you do not have to have completed your paper or presentation at this time. A proposal is a promise that you will complete the work by the time of the conference in October. At the same time, make sure the promise you make is something that you\u2019ll be able to accomplish in that time-frame. And yes, it\u2019s perfectly fine to recycle some of your proposal for the abstract; that\u2019s expected. Just keep in mind that the abstract is less about demonstrating that you have a sense of the field and a plan for engaging it; it is more about attracting attendees to the conference and about boiling down the most essential elements of your proposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with any application process, conference proposals involve relatively few words, but each of those words counts. We look forward to reading your proposals! Hope to see you in Pittsburgh in October!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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