Q&R 5

How can writing a research paper difficult compared to a narrative essay?
Margaret Kantz performs the study of a typical college sophomore. With inexperienced writing techniques, it is difficult to complete an assignment that requires a student to perform abilities that they have not yet acquired. Margaret Kantz explains that a research paper needs a “theory-based explanation.” Throughout the study, then author was able to pinpoint exactly where Shirley was confused about the topics that needed to be covered. Shirley used facts of the textual evidence and tied it into her own story. She wrote on a topic of her choice but was unable to comment on the material. Many students may face these difficulties because they do not analyze the text. They read the facts and find it easier to follow a particular format.
A writer must be able to complete a legitimate argument to produce a paper that includes the appropriate structure, ton, and the purpose of the original argument. Shirley based her paper on the facts and main purpose instead of going into depth. When I wrote my Project 1 essay, I was able to relax and not stress out about it. I was able to use reading strategies that Haas and Flower presented in order to make sure my audience understood what I was trying to explain. The rhetorical reading strategies require the reader to read in between the lines. I believe Shirley could have applied these strategies to her own paper but as she did the research paper, she was using content strategies.
When making an argument, it is still possible to use voice and opinions to persuade the reader to agree with the topic. Schwegler and Shamoon describe that the task is look at more like a fill in the blanks, show-me-you’ve-read approach by a typical student. Because Shirley took this approach her grade was surprisingly low.