Proposal

First, I am required to read the "Arguments" section of the University of North Carolina's Writing Center before I answer #1 of the Initial Proposal assignment below. Next, in order for me to understand how to develop my argumentative thesis, Springfield Township library resources refers us to thesis resources on the web at the Writing Center's of Dartmouth College, Indiana University and Harvard University. Finally, to better understand how to progress with setting goals for myself and/or planning (#6, 9, 10 and 11) my Research Paper and Project, I can refer to the University of Toronto's Organizing an Essay.

__Initial Proposal__ 1. Identify the argument of my topic's thesis. //My argument pertains to the fact that the music industry is self- destructing by making allowing the standards for the artists who are being recorded to be lowered. Music technology is the reason for this. The artist does not need to have substantial talent because the recording software can manipulate their voice in order to make up for a lack of actual musicality. Thus the artist seems as if they have talent, when in reality they are a product of a sound engineer.//

2. Why do I want to research this topic for my Project? //I am going to school to be a music producer.//

3. Why do I want to do this Project? //Because music is my favorite pass time and I would like to produce my own album in college.//

4. Who should be involved in negotiating the problem/issue? //The process by which music is recorded, and the capabilities of the recording software/ pitch correction.//

5. What action should be taken to resolve this problem/issue? //Record labels should be less concerned with image and focus on the artist's capability, which would lessen the false images and false representation of talent portrayed by the music industry.//

6. Why does this topic have a significant impact on society? //Music is a cultural aspect of our society, and it has ties to many other cultural, or pop culture, influence.//

7. To which larger class(-es) of issues or events does my topic belong? or How does the topic I explore have a domino effect into other issues/areas/subjects? //Music production is only one aspect of the misrepresentation of celebrities and musicians that are created by companies and record labels that lead to the higher (unrealistic) expectations of music listeners and teenagers alike, leaving them with false impressions that can lead to changes in behavior.//

8. How am I tentatively planning my Project? [Indicate six general goals and how I can achieve them.] //a. Identify artists that use Auto-tune. b. Identify artists that don't use auto-tune/ use it correctly or in small amounts. c. Analyze level of musicianship in chart topping artists. d. Listen and determine musical patterns in chart topping singles/albums. e. Identify the most popular artists. f. Try auto-tune on an original song.//

9. How am I tentatively planning to complete my research for my paper? [Indicate four general goals and how I can achieve them.] //a. Research methods of music production. b. Identify and quantify the capabilities of this software. c. Compare and contrast music that has been put through pitch correction software. d. Try to recreate that song/ learn how to recognize auto tuned melodies. e. Identify the qualities of auto-tuned music.//

10. Identify the subtopic areas of research (nouns verbs and adjectives from mind map) needed to be addressed for the Project and research. //a. Pitch correction b. Music industry finances c. Stages of producing a record d. Different types of home auto-tuning software//

11. Which are four sources which can serve as my topic overview sources? What three sources can serve as my research keystone? //1a. Introducing Auto-Tune Evo 1b. Death Cab For Cutie Raise Awareness About Auto-Tune Abuse. 1c. Vocal Editing and Pitch Correction 1d. How to Auto-Tune Yourself in Garageband//

//2c. Taking Pitch Correction To The Limit//
12. What do I anticipate this Project involving, in terms of work, time and resources? or How is this Project a personal stretch for me? //I have never been trained to use music recording software, so this will stretch my ability and provide foresight into what I will be doing next year in college.//

13 .What issues/challenges can I foresee? //Not being able to correctly use the software.//

14. How can I consider negotiating the identified problems? //Ask a professional or a professor at Drexel within my major for help.//