Guideline
Exploratory Essay
English 1A ~ K. Edwards, Spring 2013
General guideline: Choose a question, problem, or issue that genuinely perplexes you. At the beginning of your
essay, explain why you are interested in this problem, why you think it is significant, and why you have been
unable to reach a satisfactory answer. Then write a first person, chronological narrative account of your thinking
process as you investigate your question through research, talking with others, and doing your own reflective
thinking. Try to examine your question, problem, or issue from a variety of perspectives. Conclude by
summarizing your findings and proposing a thesis that reflects your current position on the problem / question.
Your goal and purpose is not to answer your question or solve your problem but to report on the process of
wrestling with it. Rough Draft deadline: ___________
Final Draft deadline: ____________
The Process / Requirements:
I.
BEFORE STARTING YOUR ESSAY: Formulate your initial problem or question. Write it down in
a sentence or two that you can refer back to whenever necessary.
II.
After you have formulated your problem or question, you can begin your research and writing:
Take double-entry (two-column) notes as you do your research. These notes will be turned in with
your essay and they make up part of your final grade on this essay. Your double-entry notes should
have no fewer than four (4) sources and no more than eight (8). For each source, put a heading and
then take a number of notes in both columns (“Reading Notes” and “Strong Response Notes.) Follow
the model in your textbook. (See “Double-Entry Research Notes” model on pages 143 – 135.)
III.
Select a narrative strategy: write your exploratory essay using either the “real-time strategy” or the
“retrospective strategy.” (See the “Shaping and Drafting” section on pages 136-137.)
-“Real-time strategy”: If you use this strategy, compose the body of the essay during the actual process
of researching and thinking and taking your double-entry notes. This strategy will give your essay a very
“in the moment” feeling.
-“Retrospective strategy”: If you use this strategy, you will first look over your double-entry research
notes, and then begin to compose the body of your essay. This allows you to be more selective and
your essay will have a more artistic or creative feel.
IV.
Finally, put together your Works Cited page using MLA format. This page should show the
publication information for only those sources that you actually write about in your essay. You may
have taken double entry notes on more sources than you end up writing about.
You may use one of the following online tools to construct this document. NoodleTools is my favorite.
-www.NoodleTools.com (Click on “sign in,” create and “NoodleTools Lite” account, then click on
“Create new project.” This will help you manage the entire essay and build your Works Cited
page.)
-www.easybib.com (Click on “register,” create a free account, then click on “Create a new project.”
Use MLA 7. You will need to use “Manual Entry” function to create a proper bibliography on this
site.)