Why do we write? The value of essays and research papers.

The Room for Debate section of The New York Times presents a variety of briefly argued opinions on topical issues several times a week. For example, over the last couple of weeks, the topics have included:

• "Should Parents Marry for the Kids?"
• "What Did We Learn from Irene?"
• "Do We Have to Tell the Kids?"
• "Could Farms Survive without Illegal Labour?"
  and
• "A Chance to Reshape the Economy"

Fascinating as the ideas the different writers present on these topics are, it was another one that I wanted to respond to. A couple of days ago, in response to recent articles arguing that research papers were of dubious value in the Internet age, Room for Debate invited five people to share their opinions on "Are Research Papers a Waste of Time?" (2011).

Unlike most such debates, the different writers pretty much agreed. Whilst other writers make the same or very similar points, I especially like the defence of essay and research paper writing by Pamela Ban, who emphasis, as the title of her contribution to the debate suggests, that such writing is itself "a learning experience" (2011).

I agree completely with Ban, and the other writers, that the Internet has made research much easier, but what the Internet is not and cannot be a substitute for having an idea about something that is not only well thought out and well supported, but that is also a new and interesting slant on a topic. It takes time to think of such a thesis to support, and as you essay (what does this verb mean?) to support your thesis, you might discover not only that you cannot, but that you don't really believe what you thought you believed simply because it's something you've picked up from dubious authorities such as parents, friends, teachers, Wikipedia and the like. I used the verbs essay and discover, whereas Ban lauds "the research paper as an academic exploration" (2011, ¶ 3), but I am sure we are in complete agreement. I think her ideas also relate to why academics write anything, a topic we touched on last week when we were working towards a definition of the adjective academic in the phrase AUA's Academic English Program.

What do you think? Why do you, and others, write essays and research papers? Do you agree with Ban and other contributors to "Are Research Papers a Waste of Time?" (2011)

You might also find it illuminating to check out the meanings and etymology of the verb essay, also the noun, for which the OALD is not a bad starting point.

__________

References

Are Research Papers a Waste of Time? (2011, August 28). The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/08/28/are-research-papers-a-waste-of-time

Ban, P. (2011, August 29). A Learning Experience. The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/08/28/are-research-papers-a-waste-of-time/a-learning-experience

Room for Debate [homepage]. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate