It should identify the central question or questions which you will attempt to answer and the methods and sources you will use to answer those questions. There is no required length for the project proposal. The first draft of your research paper or project report will be much easier to write, however, if your proposal is both specific and thorough. After you have conducted a substantial portion of your research, you should begin writing the first draft of your research paper or project report. To avoid writer's block, it is often a good idea to begin writing before you feel that you are prepared to write.
Many people find it helpful to begin with an outline.
The first draft of your research paper or project report should begin with an introduction. Most of the paper should be devoted to the analysis of your sources. It is not always advisable to begin by writing the introduction. Good introductory paragraphs are difficult to write and usually should be delayed until your argument is clear and fairly well developed. It is usually necessary, however, to begin the writing process by drafting a rudimentary thesis statement.