about the journal
Catalyst: Something that initiates or causes an important event to happen.
With every spark of thought, every original idea, something great is created. We chose the name "Catalyst” because that is exactly what this journal represents: a platform for creation. For the authors, this journal offers a space to display their works for the first time. For the students of English 497B, this website enabled us to collaborate and produce this issue of Catalyst. Each student responsible for contributing to this journal can trace their initial idea back to a catalyst, yielding what would evolve into an essay, a web design, a title, or a layout.
Catalyst seeks submissions from Penn State English majors, students who have written research papers in Penn State English classes, and students who have been research interns with an English professor or with other appropriate institutions. Submissions might be honors theses, seminar papers from senior seminars, research papers from 400-level English courses, or accounts of internship experiences.
Submissions should use Microsoft Word, twelve-point Times New Roman font, and double line spacing, and should use MLA style citations (parenthetical citations with a Works Cited page). Please consult the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
To contribute to Catalyst, either as an author or a member of the staff, contact Elizabeth Mazzolini at eam191@psu.edu.