Crowded library, students actually checking out books, computers being used for school-related work: That’s right, folks, it’s that time of year again! As “research paper season,” (coined by Mrs. Bergen) sweeps through Madison High School, I found myself wondering how my fellow seniors feel now about the dreaded month of March, as opposed to their feelings three years ago when we first arrived at MHS.

I interviewed senior Lexi Dellavia, and freshmen Stephanie Dellavia (yes, they’re sisters) about the topic. Here’s what they said:

Dodger: What were your feelings coming into, “research paper season” your freshmen year? Did these feelings change the following years?

Lexi: Research papers have always stressed me out, regardless of the grade I was in. Personally, I think they do more harm than good, especially when due dates for different parts of the assignment, you know: outline, rough draft … were so close together.

Dodger: What was the main obstacle you always seemed to face when writing your research paper?

Lexi: I am almost incapable of writing a good counter argument for a research paper. They always come out really awkward, and I kind of find them unnecessary.

Dodger: Do you think writing these papers have better prepared you for College?

Lexi: Obviously having the practice of writing research papers will most likely benefit me in college, but in my opinion, things such as literary analysis are more helpful to me, and have given me the chance to develop my own voice, or style as a writer.

Dodger: Stephanie, what were your feelings coming into MHS’s “research paper season”?

Stephanie: I actually felt pretty prepared. I had done several [research papers] in middle school so I knew what to expect, to some degree.

Dodger: What has been different for you writing a high school level research paper, compared to previous experiences with the process?

Stephanie: I am currently writing a research paper and I’m finding it more difficult this time because the topic I am researching is both challenging and controversial. In middle school, we had a longer period of time to complete the paper than in High School.

Dodger: Is there anything you particularly dislike about the process?

Stephanie: One thing I dislike about research papers is that they take up a large portion of your time at night. It gets really difficult to balance out all the work from other subjects.

Dodger: Do you think research papers are harmful, or beneficial to your future as a student?

Stephanie: I think research papers are beneficial to me as a future student because they will be a big part of college, so its better to get to experience them now.

It seems to me that as senior year approaches, students begin to see research papers more as a nuisance than a beneficial experience. Keep checking back for an update in the eyes of new teachers at MHS, too!

What do you guys think about research papers? Comment and let us know!