Analysis of a Call for Conference Proposals

 

Rationale

“Writing is a highly complex and situated activity that cannot be mastered in a single course but is learned over a lifetime” — “Statement of WAC Principles and Practices”

In alignment with the WAC principle of writing as a situated activity, we invite you to use this assignment to reflect on 1) the particular disciplinary conventions that shape the genres of submissions to academic and professional conferences, and 2) the intended audience(s) that might read your conference submissions. We hope this task (and your reflection upon it) deepen your sense of belonging to your disciplinary community.

Instructions

Conferences and annual meetings for academic and/or professional organizations vary widely both across and within different disciplines in terms of their expectations for prospective presenters. When writing a proposal for a presentation or panel discussion or submitting materials like a poster or a paper to a conference, it is important to consider both the unique audience you are responding to in that moment and the general expectations for writing and/or communicating in your field. In this case, the Call for Proposals (CFP) circulated for the conference is often the best reflection of both the audience/field and their expectations. 

For this writing task, your goal is to analyze a CFP for an upcoming conference you are interested in attending and consider how you would respond were you to submit to that conference. Here’s what to do:

  • Select a CFP for an upcoming conference you are interested in attending.
  • Write a short analysis (~300-500 words) of that CFP, including how you might respond to the CFP with a submission to the conference. Some ideas to help you in your analysis are: 
    • Consider what you know (based on the CFP and your own experiences) about the expectations of the audience of both the professional organization itself and academics/professionals in that field. 
    • Consider what you know (based on the CFP and your own experiences) about the genre expectations of any potential submission you might make (e.g., a proposal for a presentation or panel discussion, a paper, a poster, etc.). 
    • Consider the specific requirements of the CFP (i.e., citations format, length, specific questions/themes guiding the conference, etc.).

Submit your CFP analysis

Submit your CFP Analysis
You will submit your conference proposal (with a copy of the original CFP you responded to) alongside your final reflection, once you have completed all certificate requirements. Please instructions on the Reflective Essay page.