We are often asked to define or describe projects before we’ve completed or even begun them. This is true of business, academic, social and other settings, and applies to business plans, papers, grants, and other types of projects. And it’s true here. Generally speaking, in proposals you’re asked to describe the project you’re planning to a relevant discourse community in a way that demonstrates that it’s a useful, worthwhile project—one that will answer important questions and provide results. In this case your discourse community is a specific field of study – your major/minor or a related filed. You’re also often required to prove that you’re the person best qualified to carry out the project, and (more often) to give some indication of how, exactly, you plan to proceed. Look for examples by reading article abstracts and grant applications.