exploratory essay

Detailed Instructions: Your essay should consist of 3-4 typed, double-spaced pages plus a Works Cited page with 3 to 4 sources for which you will also provide double-entry research notes (see ABGW pages 150-51). (If you wish to use Wikipedia, count it as an additional source beyond your other 3-4 sources). See ABGW pages 160-167 for sample essays that may be used as a model for this assignment. Focus your essay on a current issue or problem that you have interest in or were puzzled by while viewing the TEDTalk “Machine Intelligence Makes Human Morals More Important” and that you want to explore further. Include the following parts in your essay:

1. Title  Catch the reader’s attention with a creative, relevant phrase. Note the sample essays’ titles.  Avoid an overly general title (examples: “Educational Standards” or “Gun Control”)

2. Introduction paragraph (no more than 10-15 sentences) See ABGW, pp. 34-39, and Introduction handout (Writer’s Toolbox).  Begin with an attention-getting “hook.”  Include a thesis statement or question that identifies the problem or issue to be explored.  Be sure your thesis statement or question has “tension.”

3. Body paragraphs (3 to 5 body paragraphs total, each paragraph exploring a different source)  First body paragraph:  Explain (narrate) why you began your research with a specific source; in other words, explain the reason(s) you started with this source as opposed to another source that you researched. The first time you mention an author, use his or her full name; after that, use the author’s last name only.  Summarize the source concisely. Identify the main idea and supporting points; remain objective and neutral.  Respond to the source’s ideas that are most relevant to your problem or issue. Note your own viewpoint and other possible views about the issue. (For instance, if you tend to agree with the author’s position, mention one or two arguments that oppose that position.)  Subsequent body paragraphs  In each additional paragraph, introduce a new source, and explain why you chose to study it.  Summarize the source concisely. Identify the main idea and supporting points and remain objective and neutral.  Respond to the source’s ideas as you did in your first body paragraph. In addition, explain how your thinking has evolved as you read the sources you’ve discussed so far.

4. Conclusion paragraph (4-10 sentences) See ABGW, pp. 450-54, and Conclusions handout (Writer’s Toolbox).  Provide closure for your discussion.  “Echo” the introduction.  Avoid simply restating the research steps you took. Instead, explain your current thinking about the problem or issue based on your research and consideration. Also, identify areas you would want to research more to answer your research question.

5. Works Cited page (3-5 entries) See MLA Works Cited Page Set-Up Step by Step handout (Writer’s Toolbox).  Always the last page(s) of your document. Separate from the rest of the document with a page break, not the Enter key.  Has a different format than the rest of your document: “hanging indent.” See the handout for instructions.  Entries are alphabetical by author last name and must conform to the 2016 8th Edition MLA guidelines.

MLA documentation (8th Edition-2016) for all quoted, summarized and paraphrased information  Use sources responsibly. For help, review pages 546-560 in your textbook, “Skill 22.2: Know When and How to Use Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation.” AVOID PLAGIARISM.  Add attributive tags to separate your ideas from the author’s.  Include in-text citations and a Works Cited page entry for each source. For help, review pages 561-566 in your textbook, “Skill 23: Citing and Documenting Sources.”

Notes: You may use first-person “I” as needed in this essay because of its narrative structure. Earn 10 Bonus points beyond the points you earn for Paper 2 if you contact a tutor for this paper at least once and provide proof that you did.