August 4, 2007--My high school term paper

Oh, goodness, I'm just sitting here giggling reading my parents' comments on my high school term paper. I'm cleaning out one of my closets, and I'm running past all sorts of memories--photos, love letters, school papers, etc. This term paper was a 2500 word essay on the topic of my choice. I had to include two charts or graphs and have a bibliography with at least ten references. I chose the history of the English language as my subject, and I really enjoyed writing it. I spent a lot of time researching and putting it together and I really was pleased with the results. My parents liked it too, but some of their critiques of my paper is what has me giggling now. The reason? I haven't changed a bit! The things they wrote about my paper could still apply today. I guess that means I haven't learned anything new since high school? Here are some examples of what I'm talking about. From my dad: "Excellent job on your term paper, great charts! It's a little preachy but I expected that from you." From my mom: " I can tell you were in a hurry to finish up. You didn't check for a clean copy. Consistent indentations and spelling perfections, for instance, are not the high points of your paper...Make sure not to present opinions as facts.