I have written the research paper several times in my freshman year of college. For me, the research paper is all about answering a question based on the fact you found through reading materials or researching on the internet. However, by reading the two essays, “An Experience in Acronyms” by Jay Holmquist and “Why Do People Tan?” by Amy Garrett-Brown, and the differences between research papers and research essays explained by Ballenger, I found it rather interesting to write a research essay which is not to prove but to discover than a research paper which involves research to make an extended argument about something in an effort to prove a claim (Ballenger 430).
According to Ballenger, the motive for research essays is not to prove an argument as seen in traditional research papers, but rather to discover and narrate the process of investigating a question (430). Both Holmquist and Garrett Brown presented their curiosity and personal experiences instead of only explaining their discovery of a research. Holmquist started with his own experience of drugs and how it influenced him and his friends. And he included his own words besides the research. “In a recent survey, 51 percent of twelfth graders could easily get MDMA…and I know LSD and GHB are a lot easier to get” (B25). Garret-Brown started with an interesting way of questioning, “This started as a simple question spurred by one of my occasional “people are so stupid” rants. I wondered who was to blame for this, who made it cool for white people to be tan” (Ballenger 459). The way to begin with the essay is similar to a personal essay rather than a research paper because there are a lot of author’s own ideas and words. And I think the essay with not only the facts based on the research but also your own experiences and thoughts make the idea stronger and more persuasive.
The controlling idea of Holmquist ‘s essay is that the drugs such as LSD, MDMA, and GHB can kill you though most people views party drugs as safe. Holmquist explained how dangerous those drugs are and his own experiences to support his research.
Garret-Brown focused on why people prefer to be tanned artificially rather than going outside and be tanned naturally. “…I don’t necessarily wonder why people tan, but why they completely gyp themselves of the pleasures of the sun to be rewarded with a battle with cancer at worst and saggy skin at best. It seems like everyone wants to feel active, even if they aren’t.” It seemed Garret-Brown was emphasizing why do people tan as she titled her essay, but she rather criticized the concept that “Less sun is better. No sun is best at all” (460).
Research essay looks like a personal essay which we were learning and writing for the previous several weeks. Authors include their own opinions, thoughts and ideas based on their experiences in a personal essay, while research materials and facts are required to support the ideas in a research essay. Compared to the traditional way of writing a research paper which makes reading bored, research essay is more interesting and interactive. I think research essay is really similar to the personal essay. When approaching my second essay, I will follow Ballenger’s advice to not just prove but to discover. And I would like to relate my own experiences to make my essay more persuasive and interesting. Also, I will not only answering the question I have but also including my feedback of the research result. The two essays by Jay Holmquist and Amy Garrett-Brown, and the guidance Ballenger gave helped me to have a vision of what my next essay is going to be.
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Ok so I definitely agree with you that these essays were very similar to the personal essays. I also feel that they seemed much more like the essays that we have been writing instead of a typical research paper, except that they are giving information about a topic. I also agree with you when you said that you felt Holmquist's essay was very interesting because he gave personal experiences along with his information. He definitely made it more relatable to the reader (whether you have done drugs or not is irrelevant because everyone knows someone who has done them, and the reader still feels apart of his essay as he paints a picture of what is happening). I think he makes it very common in order to keep his reader's attention. He does give a lot of personal experience rather than just quoting facts to us, which does make his much more interesting to read. Also, I like how you said that when you write your essay you will not just answer the question you have but include feedback to the results. I feel that is what really makes a discovery essay complete is by giving your feedback from what you have concluded. Overall, I really agreed with you about these essays and liked how you said you would put this into play as you write your own.
I think we two roughly have the same experience. I hate Research paper since I need to do a lot of boring work of finding and collecting facts, especially those of Science. I think you must have learnt a lot from Ballenger and the two essays. since you say that "I will not only answering the question I have but also including my feedback of the research result." Although maybe we can not write very perfect personal essays compared to those of our classmates, I think you can do a better job on research essay since I know you are very insightful and always can give fresh perspectives on the topic. So good luck to your second essay, 加油！
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