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.

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