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MEMO
TO: DR. KAREN C. HOLT
FROM: MADI GALER
DATE: 13 MAY 2016
SUBJECT: RESEARCH PROPOSAL ENGLISH MAJORS WITH A GRADUATE
DEGREE
PURPOSE

When I was in high school I decided that I wanted to be a nurse. This

program would not require anything beyond a four-year degree. However,
when I decided to be an English major this opened up the possibility of
graduate school. At first I saw little reason for spending an extra 2-4 years in
school, but this class has opened my eyes to the benefits it could have, as
well as ways to complete it efficiently. In my paper I hope to show the value
of attending graduate school as an English major. My guiding questions are:

How does graduate school increase marketability in the workforce?

(Ray; Edward)
How does having a graduate degree affect salary? (Edward)
How can graduate school be affordable and efficient?

BACKGROUND

When I was five years old one of my favorite activities was listening to my
dad read me poetry. I would lay in his crook and listen intently as he told
Chinese ballads and recited haikus. Sometimes we would memorize poetry
together; I still remember the lines to First Fig and Second Fig by Edna St.
Vincent Millay. As I got older, I came to love reading myself. I would spend
hours pouring over mystery novels and adventure stories, often times
forgetting to eat and check in with my mom. This passion for words quickly
developed into a desire to write my own stories. My favorites forms of writing
were poetry, journaling, book reviews, and reports. A love of words as a form
of communication has carried over throughout my life.

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In my high school English classes I was introduced to literary interpretation
and analysis. I fell deeply in love with literature and found myself constantly
looking forward to class discussions pertaining to it. As I looked towards
college, I thought that maybe I wanted to go into the medical field. So, I took
initiative and earned my CNA in high school. I spent a summer working at a
nursing home, and though I had many great experiences, something was
missing. Completely lost as to what direction I should go, I started my first
semester taking a series of basic foundations classes. My favorite one by far
was English 101. I had a fantastic teacher who challenged me to think deeply
and analyze every side of an issue. It was in this class that the light bulb
turned on. I had loved language my whole life! Pursuing a degree in English
was the perfect fit for me.

SIGNIFICANCE

This topic is especially important in todays rapidly developing world.

Technology is growing at an incredibly high rate, and with it, there has been
a huge emphasis on the sciences and math, both in schools and in the job
market. (Packman; Martin) People do not need individuals with degrees in
English, music, or art to design the latest iPhone or invent a more fuelefficient car. Because of this the popularity and demand for humanities has
decreased significantly in the past twenty years. However, the demand for
English should be higher than ever because it is key in communication.
(Bresica University) If no one can explain these new inventions to the world,
then their significance is lost. The world needs engineers and English majors.
By pursuing a graduate degree, English majors can gain skills that will make
them more appealing in the work force and more beneficial to society.
DESCRIPTION

I will use both primary and secondary resources to conduct my research. I

will talk to English professors who have attended grad school themselves
and find out why they would or would not recommend doing so. Databases
such as Proquest, CQ Researcher, and Ebscohost will also provide accurate,
unbiased information on the subject material. In addition to these sources, I
will consult library books and university websites to find specific information
on grad programs.

OUTLINE

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Working thesis: Despite the significant time and money sacrifices it

demands, English majors should make it a priority to pursue a graduate
degree, because it will increase marketability and salary significantly.
Hook
Discuss personal connection to issue/background

Intro

Grad school increases marketability and raises salary

Grad school can be affordable and efficient

My Position

Grad school is not worth the time and money(ROI)

Grad school doesn't impact salary and marketability significantly
Many employers places higher value on those with a grad degree, but similar jobs
are available to those with and without one
Grad school is a significant amount of money, but there are ways to make it
affordable
Those who plan to pursue a career in English should consider the benefits of a grad
degree and make sacrifices necessary to attend grad school

Opposing
View
Response
Conclusion

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clemmitt, Marcia. "Humanities Education." CQ RESEARCHER 6 Dec. 2013:

1029-52. Web. 06 May 2016.
This article goes in depth on the pros and cons of studying the
humanities in college, and weighs their value.
Cornwell, Grant. "Is A (Liberal Arts) College Degree Still Worth It?" The
Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com. Web. 06 May 2016.
This addresses the common debate of whether a liberal arts degree is
worth it or not.
"English College of Humanities and Social Sciences." English. Web. 06 May
2016.

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This is the site for the English College of Humanities and Sciences. It
gives specific info on what each degree entails and what careers are
available from them.
Fortenbury, John. "Pros and Cons of Master's in a Liberal Arts Field." USA
TODAY College. 2014. Web. 06 May 2016.
This site lists the pros and cons of getting a MA in a liberal arts field and
gives a brief description for each point.
Harriman, David. "The Pros and Cons of a Liberal Arts Degree."
SchoolMoneyorg. 2015. Web. 06 May 2016.
This is a more in depth article on the pros and cons of a liberal arts
degree.
Packman, Martin. "Liberal Education." EDITORIAL RESEARCH REPORTS
1957. Vol. II. Washington: CQ Press, 1957. 703-22. CQ RESEARCHER.
Web. 6 May 2016.
This site contains extensive information on why liberal arts in college
has been neglected, what efforts are being made to increase their
importance, and a look at the future.
Ray, Edward J. "The Value of a Liberal Arts Education in Today's Global
Marketplace." TheHuffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com Web. 06 May
2016.
This contains info on the value of a liberal arts degree in todays
marketplace.
Sigurdson, Richard. "Why Study Liberal Arts?" Why Study Liberal Arts? Web.
06 May 2016.
This site is organized by listing commonly asked questions/concerns
about a liberal arts degree and answering them in depth.
"Value of Liberal Arts." Brescia University. 2013. Web. 06 May 2016.
This explains the historical and enduring value of a liberal arts degree
and looks at the future.

TIMETABLE AND SCHEDULE

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesda
y

Wednes
day

Thursd
ay

Friday

Saturda
y

May 13

May 14

Researc
h
Proposal
DUE

Start
paperintro

May 16

May 18

May 19

May 20

May 21

Bring
Quotatio
n to
class

Finalize
Works
Cited

Begin
body of
paper

Works
Cited
DUE

Finalize
rough
draft

May 23

May 25
Rough
draft DUE

Bring
chart/tab
le to
class

Peer
Review

May 27
Final
Draft
DUE

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

I want to complete this research project as a way to gather more information

on the importance of attending graduate school and find ways to make it
affordable and efficient. I respectfully request permission to research this
topic.