Research and Writing The Way to Success

I have just finished grading Final Research Papers from a college-level introductory class and have arrived at the following conclusion: Many of today’s college students are severely disadvantaged because they lack the ability to think. They lack curiosity about anything beyond their small world of MTV, going to concerts, keeping up with the latest fashions, and working at the local fast-food restaurant. Many college students lack the skills necessary to be successful in college-level classes and in a future career in our information society: writing ability, investigative skills, problem-solving ability, and the ability to follow specific instructions.

At the beginning of the semester my students were given a detailed description of the paper requirements. Ninety percent of the students in the class had never written a research paper. One class meeting was spent in a library orientation, the students were given a list of possible sources, and individual conferences were held with students who needed more assistance. After 12 weeks, 31 of the 45 students turned in research papers. Of the 31 students only 11 followed the instructions to fulfill the minimum requirements. Two of the eleven did more than the minimum requirements.

Reading these research papers has prompted this letter, and some suggestions.

Parents: Read to your children when they are young! Take them to the library for a special treat! (Thank you, Mom, for taking me to the library every week from the time I was 6 years old. And thank you Carol Hybl, for motivating me to read as many books as you were reading every summer in the Fullerton Public Library Summer Reading Club).

Elementary teachers: Take your classes to the library or bookmobile! Initiate research projects at an early grade level to encourage a curiosity in your students. Show your students how to find information.

High School Teachers: Require library research in all subjects.

English teachers: Teach your students the mechanics of writing research papers.

California Education Administrators: Pass an education bill requiring one formal research paper in each year of high school. (Other states with more highly rated high schools have such regulations.)

The key to success is motivation of children and younger students. It’s very sad to see adult college students who have never learned how to research--how to think--how to be curious--how to be motivated--how to be SUCCESSFUL.

DIANA K. KELLY

Fullerton