Write an exploratory essay that explores – through research and personal experience – an argumentative issue that is consequential, debatable, and plausible.
• This is the issue that you will also research in depth for your argumentative research project.
• The purpose of this exploratory assignment is to explain your interest in, personal experience with, and new knowledge of this issue.
• You are required to find and discuss 2 credible sources where one of the sources will be used in your argumentative research project.
Author and Audience:
• Your classmates and your instructor will be the audience where you will explain why you are interested in this issue and what you learned about it through your research.
• Because this is a personal exploration paper, you may write in first person.
• Your tone should be informative, but it should also be comfortable and easy to understand. However, to connect with the audience, you should use narrative
storytelling strategies to connect with your audience.
Form Overview (See last page for full details):
• Your intro. will begin with the story behind your topic. It should vividly describe, using storytelling techniques, your personal experience with this issue–whether it is through first-hand experience, the experience of someone you know and have spoken with, or through observations you have made of the people in your community.
• The body paragraphs will explain what information you have uncovered about your topic by introducing the source, quoting important information from the sources, explaining why this quoted information is important and dependable, and finally, telling me why or how these sources has guided your topic.
• Finish the conclusion explaining why you want to research this issue further and suggests a possible argument that you could make about this issue for your project. Also, restate your initial research question.
• A proper works cited page has to be attached to the exploratory essay.
Page Length:
Minimum 3 pages
Rubric (Grading Scale):
See “Rubrics & Expectations (Essays)” on Canvas
Format:
Please adhere to “MLA Guidelines” on Canvas!
*See below for a detailed instruction re: the organization of your essay:
Introduction
There are three things you need to do in the introduction:
1. Grab the reader’s interest in the arguable issue. Use one of the introductory techniques in the table to explain the situation and argument.
2. Make sure the reader understands the issue and why it is important (some issues need lots of explanation and description, but others are so well known you don’t need to explain).
3. Tell the arguable question (usually at the end of the introduction).
Introduction Ideas
• Re-tell a real story
• Give statistics
• Depict a made-up scenario
• Vividly describe a scene or situation
• Explain a typical situation
• Have a real or imagined conversation about the issue
• Talk about what makes this argument important now
• Use an intriguing statement or quote
• Give history of this idea or argument
• Make a list of problems
• Give several examples of this problem
• Ask a series of questions
• Use a frame (use part of story to open, then finish story in conclusion)
• Use interview questions and answers
Body
Part One
The body of this type of essay has two parts. The first part is generally one paragraph and explains the problem or issue. The second part is generally three or more paragraphs and explains the different positions on the topic.
Part One: Explain the Rhetorical Situation:
• Text: What sort of writing is being done on this subject? Is it a question being discussed in the news? By advocacy groups? Politicians? Is there an academic study being done?
• Reader: Who are the audiences interested in this question? What are the different positions they hold? Why are the readers interested in this question?
• Author: Who are the people writing on this question? What is common ground between the authors and readers (audiences)?
• Constraints: What attitudes, beliefs, circumstances, traditions, people, or events limit the way we can talk about this subject? Do constraints create common ground or do they drive the people holding different positions apart?
• Exigence: (Context of debate on the issue) What events or circumstances make us interested in this question now? What is the history of this issue and question? How has interest in this question changed over time? What enduring values (big life issues) does this debate relate to?
Part Two: 2-3 Positions on the Issue
For each of the three or more positions, you need to write a separate paragraph. In each paragraph:
• Explain the position.
• Tell why people believe that position.
• Give the best arguments for that position.
• Explain how those arguments are supported.
You can also do some contrast and comparison between the positions. That makes an especially effective transition. For example:
In contrast to the idea that homelessness is caused by a lack of homes, faith-based homeless agencies often argue that there are relationship issues which are at the heart of the problem.
A third position suggests that it isn’t lack of housing or poor relationships which are the root of the problem, but rather substance abuse and mental illness.
Sample Starting Sentences for Body Part Two
Start each of the paragraphs with a clear sentence stating the different position. Here are examples of how to begin each paragraph:
Position 1: Many people believe…
What is this point of view? Which articles can you use for this point of view? What part of the article is helpful?
Position 2: Other people would contend…
What is this point of view? Which articles can you use for this point of view? What part of the article is helpful?
Position 3: Another way to look at this question is….
What is this point of view? Which articles can you use for this point of view? What part of the article is helpful?
Conclusion
The conclusion of your essay is where you can tell your personal opinion on this issue. You can also explain why you are interested in this particular topic. Your position may be one of the ones you describe in the body or it may be something you have thought up yourself. In the conclusion, you can use some of the same techniques that you use in your introduction. Here are some other ideas:
4. Finish the frame story.
5. Add the final evidence you find most convincing.
6. Tell the reader your own conclusions and point of view.
7. If you aren’t sure what you think, then say that and explain what you think are the most important points to consider.
8. Challenge the reader to decide.
9. Outline the main things we need to think about when we make a decision about this question—what is important and what is not.
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