The Research Paper: A Follow-Up Post

Today in class my Research and Writing students (Composition II in other universities) brought in their next-to-final drafts to discuss. All semester alongside the normal research component (see a previous post), we have been discussing YA literature. We've read through Roberta Seelinger Trites's Disturbing the Universe (2001) and Suzanne Collins's popular The Hunger Games (2008), all while they have been planning to analyze and write a research paper on a YA novel of their choice. At times they have been frustrated, overwhelmed, and even confused (yay for literary criticism!). At times I have questioned whether or not I have given them enough tools to succeed.

Katniss may know the troubles of fighting the Capital,
but she can only imagine the difficulties of formatting citations.
Image found here.

These research papers are theirs completely. They chose the books; they gathered the research; they developed the argument. Much like a graduate supervisor, I have been here to cultivate their ideas. (I now have so much more empathy for my supervisor!) Today as they peer reviewed and asked me final questions about their papers, I could see the look of pride on their faces. They were holding ten- to twelve-page papers in their hands. Papers that they had researched and written. Some of them were genuinely excited by their findings and even eager to praise others' work.

It's yet to be seen how the papers have turned out (I remain unfailingly optimistic), but just seeing their pride in their accomplishments was a reward in itself. They have taken ownership of their writing. They have journeyed into the land of academia and come out with knowledge. It was a very satisfying way to end the week. Happy Friday!