Teresa,
At the college level, the documentation style for research papers can
vary depending on the area the class is in. English papers typically use
MLA (Modern Language Association) format, which is also a common format
in high schools. However, psychology papers, as well as those for a
number of other social sciences, typically use APA (American
Psychological Association), while history papers frequently use a subset
of the Chicago Manual of Style rules called Turrabian (it uses lots of
footnotes). I find APA to be far more logical, but I can't seem to
convince my colleagues in the English department to see the light.
I find my students usually come to college thinking there's only one
official format, and it's the one their senior high school English paper
was required to use. I think one thing that could be stressed in high
schools is that there are multiple formats, but that practice in
following one can help you follow others later.
As for topics, I'd suggest anything that encourages the students to
gather information that partly comes from their local context -- their
community, or (for papers with a natural science bent) the local
landscape. Incorporating interviews, material from the local paper,
historical records from the county courthouse, surveys of other
students, or detailed observations of a nearby locale can dramatically
improve the paper, both rhetorically and as a learning experience. Not
only does it help them get used to the idea of primary research, it
makes plagiarism more difficult.
Bill Spruiell
Dept. of English
Central Michigan University
-----Original Message-----
From: Assembly for the Teaching of English Grammar
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Teresa M Francis
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 9:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Research papers
Teachers,
What is the most common format for high school and college research
papers?
Also, do you have some unique topics for my students to consider?
I don't think that Johnny Depp or U.F.O.'s are worthwhile topics, and I
want
to give my classes some better alternatives.
Thanks,
Teresa Francis
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