When planning a writing activity (such as a proposal!!), it may be helpful to list propositions to help guide the logic of your arguments. With respect to research proposals (as well as introductory statements to research reports), the logic often follows the a sequence of propositions similar to the following:

1.  This subject or topic (x) is important.(Importance statement)

• Magnitude of the problem or other evidence of importance
• Supporting statements of importance

2.  This is what we do know about topic (x).

• Previous theories

• Previous research

3.  However, we do not know about this aspect (y) of (x). (However statement)

• Support from lit. search that topic has not been satisfactorily addressed ("Describe literature search procedures").

4.  This aspect (y) is a significant component of (x).