The freshman research paper is the most institutionalized writing assignment in the academy, with the possible exception of the dissertation, and the research paper in general (of which the dissertation may be a species) is the most institutionalized genre of student writing, at least in the humanities. First, the research paper is the most time-consuming assignment of the semester and includes a variety of involvement of library staff, writing centers, teaching assistants training programs, and even regional accrediting associations. Additionally, there is little theoretical discussion of the research paper of any kind in professional publications, only articles discussing methods to help students avoid plagiarism. The research paper, based on current-traditional rhetorical and epistemological assumptions, is merely an exhaustive exercise in reporting information which precludes other rhetorical perspectives. Writing instructors need to become aware of pedagogies informed by post-modernism which can transform the genre of the research paper to help students become better readers, researchers, thinkers, and writers. (Thirty-nine references are attached.) (KEH)