Research Essay Topic

I am having a really difficult time figuring out my topic for my paper. One of the things I am really interested in is health and fitness, so I have been trying to come up with some ideas in that realm. I have two ideas so far, and they are sort of random, but oh well. I was thinking of writing about chocolate and how it affects your mood and has some health benefits. My other idea is laughter. I have found some studies that show that there are a lot of health benefits to laughter and I think thats pretty cool because i love to laugh!! I want to tie my own personal experiences in my paper and I am not sure how to do that with these topics, which is why i am unsure about them. I may not end up writing about either of these, though, but they've got me brainstorming!

Reading Response #2

In “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan,” Holmquist and Garrett-Brown use many of the writing techniques described by Ballenger to form discovery essays rather than traditional research papers. 

One of the first typical features of discovery essays that the writers demonstrate is the source of inspiration for their writing. Ballenger states that in discovery essays the topic should be “driven by questions, rather than answers” and that the authors should write with an intention “not to prove but to discover” (432, 430).  Holmquist and Garret-Brown use this idea of personal inquiry as they rely on their own experiences to guide not only the direction of their research but the development of their papers as well. In “Why Do People Tan?” Garret-Brown bluntly remarks about the origin of her paper stating, “This started as a simple question spurred by one of my occasional ‘people are so stupid rants’” (459).  She uses her own inquisitiveness and desire for self-evaluation to properly guide her research. The topic of Holmquist’s essay also stems from a personal experience. After a grueling debate with his friends, Holmquist becomes curious to discover “what would make these people feel so passionately about their pro- or anti-drug views” (B24).

Another reason Holmquist and Garrett-Brown’s works are considered to be discovery essays is that each author uses their own voice in the presentation of their research. In “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan?” both authors mix accounts of their personal stories and emotions with the research they have conducted. They are constantly shifting back and forth between citied research and their own commentary. One example of that is when Holmquist combines information from an academic source with his own knowledge writing, “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). In one part of “Why Do People Tan?” Garrett-Brown relies on statistics from Seventeen magazine to help her better understand her own reasoning for tanning (460). She is unsure of her own intentions, and her use of statistics on the purpose of tanning helps her to explore possible reasons why.  Both authors’ clearly follow Ballenger’s idea that research should be “used in the service of what their writings are trying to say about their topics” (433).

Holmquist and Garret-Brown also employ many of the conventions described by Ballenger as typical of research essays in their writing. These techniques include the citation of sources, using multiple types of sources, and having a clearly defined thesis (Ballenger 433).  In both of the essays, the authors include a works cited page at the end of the paper to give proper credit to their sources. The two essays do not rely strictly on these academic sources, though. Holmquist and Garrett-Brown also use their own perspectives to explore their topics further. In “An Experience in Acronyms,” Holmquist uses his experiences with LSD to expand his research. After describing the hallucinogen nature of the drug with research, he compares his findings to his own experience with LSD in which he could “hear music throughout his whole body” and “move objects around with the power of his mind” (B25).  Garret-Brown also includes her own opinion in her essay. After discussing possible reasons people tan, she describes her own intentions behind tanning by explaining that she feels better when she is “not so starkly white” (460).  Lastly, both Holmquist and Garrett-Brown have a clearly stated thesis that helps them organize their research and maintain focus on their central questions. Like many discovery essay’s Holmquist’s thesis comes at the end of the paper. Holmquist writes, “I have my whole life ahead of me still and I don’t want to end up as another statistic or have one of my friends write a paper like this because of me” (B29). His paper begins with his question about the effects of different drugs on the human body and through his research and reflection on his own experiences, ends with his discovery that the world of drugs was not for him. Garrett-Brown’s own personal discovery and thesis about the truth of sun tanning comes at the end of her essay as well when she writes, “I’m not condoning the 1976 ‘Savage Tan’ or complete ignorance of the dangers of a depleted ozone and proof that severe sunburns lead to cancers, but I think there must be some middle ground” (460). She began her essay by second guessing her own reasons for tanning and came to the conclusion that even though there are many negative side effects to it, tanning is not all bad.

Holmquist and Garret-Brown adequately follow Ballenger’s guidelines for research essays, allowing for their own personal discovery and a clear message for their readers. Both “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan?” have helped me brainstorm for my own research essay. Though I am still unsure of what my topic will be, I now have a better understanding of how to incorporate my own voice into my research.

Word Count: 810

Reading Response #1

Black and Hogg’s essays, “I’m a Believer” and “The Joy of Mud,” each describe a unique experience, however, they share many of the same conventions discussed by Ballenger as typical of many personal essays. The most obvious similarity between the two writings is that they are both written in the first person. The use of “I” allows the readers to see into the thoughts and feelings of the authors during each of their experiences. Both of the author’s also write with a “commonplace”, which Ballenger describes as an activity typical of everyday life, as their subject (94). Not everyone may share in Hogg’s obsession with the Monkees lead singer Davy, but most people have a favorite performer that they prefer over any musician. As for Black’s essay, the majority of people can relate to the idea of a town or city having a deeper meaning personally. Both Black and Hogg use a narrative method to write about their subjects. The essays tell the reader more than just the facts; they go deeper into the story and explore the actual thoughts of the authors. In “I’m a Believer” Hogg recounts the moment she realizes the truth about Davy by saying, “I accept, finally, that this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer, am just a fan” (B10). Hogg allows readers to see her own thought process in order to help them understand the meaning behind her essay. Hogg does occasionally deviate from the typical form of personal essays in her work, though, to write in a more informative style. Mixed in with her account of her obsession with Davy, is a lot of background and historical information on the Monkees themselves. However, much of the detail she provides is necessary for the reader to understand her heinous obsession with Davy. Unlike Hogg, Black uses mostly narrative to recount her experience. In “The Joy of Mud,” Black also lets the readers see into her head.  When Black first discovers the beauty of the Waiahole Valley she had always ignored growing up, she states that she was “stunned by the realization that this place has always existed” (B12). During her journey, Black undergoes a learning process that she allows her readers to watch develop. Another way Hogg and Black’s essays follow the typical pattern of personal essays described by Ballenger is the way they both acquire research for their topics. Since both authors relate their emotions directly to the readers, the majority of their essays rely on personal observation for information on their subject. Though Hogg’s “I’m a Believer” contains some technical information on the Monkees, most of the plot is developed through Hogg’s actual experience with Davy and the band. Both authors also employ the dialectical process to help them form their essays. Hogg and Black shift back and forth from the past and present and show what happened to them rather than just tell what did. In “ I’m a Believer” Hogg begins her story as a 15 year old and then later jumps ahead to her encounter with Davy as a 27 year old. As for Black, she begins her story in the present and then travels to the past to give the reader’s background information, and finally returns to the present for the conclusion of her essay. Also, Hogg and Black’s use of personal emotions allows them to develop their story, rather than just state the facts. Finally, Hogg and Black both introduce a vague thesis at the end of their essays, leaving much room for interpretation from readers. Personally, I believe the message Hogg is trying to relate to her readers is that sometimes people do not always know others as well as they thought they did. For instance, someone they idolize could turn out to be not as admirable once they really get to know him or her. This idea comes from one of Hogg’s final thoughts, “…this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer am just a fan” (B10). Black’s thesis and message also comes at the end of her work. Black reflects on her day in the Waiahole Valley by saying, “I’ll have to admit that I’m only at the beginning of a path I never expected to travel” (B15).  Her discovery of her love for her hometown is an example of how people should not let places or experiences pass them by because they might miss the beauty in them. Hogg and Black’s use of first person, commonplace subjects, narrative, and emotion help them to develop meaningful and powerful personal essays.

Word Count: 760