In English classes there are really three methods to write papers: 1) the good way, 2) the bad way, and 3) the teacher's/professor's way (usually some crafty combination of options #1 and 2).
I'm a firm believer that high school does absolutely nothing for perparing students for college. High school English classes are only good for learning proper spelling and grammar, and for a basic method of writing papers. Literature classes were often a waste of time. As you take college classes, you'll find that virtually no two professors will have a similar way of expecting students to write papers. Few will want MLA format (or whatever the hell it's called), and many others will have their own formats that make you wonder if they were smoking pot or crack before class.
For any paper, the important rules are: 1) Always follow the teacher's format, 2) If possible, pick a topic that the teacher has the least amount of knowledge of (great way for B.S.-ing papers), 3) Always make valid arguments that are as simple as possible, 4) Use proper spelling and grammar, and 5) Be sure to document most of your sources, not all of them. If you list too many sources the teachers usually believe you didn't write enough of the paper on your own. Too few sources and they get really suspicious of plagiarism. If they ever question you for plagiarism just remember to tell them that you already had common knowledge (often times it's true) of that piece of information.
Note - It is O.K. to offend your teachers/professors. I did it all the time in my public speaking class. Just make sure that your papers/speeches are logical and make valid arguments. After all, teachers can't really grade you on your opinion, just your grammar, method of presentation and overall composition.
Ahhh, college. Now those were the good days.
). And the ones who did ended up with a's and b's.
...it's all in the teacher. :hammer: 
