Exploratory Essay Assignment

Assignment:
Due in class on Monday, 02/03
Length Requirement: 750-1000 words

Choose one of the texts you found particularly engaging from the course’s selected readings and write an
essay that explains what the text is saying, how it presents its information – argument, structure, style, etc.
In the remainder of the essay, you should begin to explore your interest in the text’s topic and the
research possibilities of that topic.

Your exploratory essay should do the following:

• Clearly establish which text is being considered and identify the text’s topic
• Analyze the content, design, and structure of the text
• Explain your personal interest in the topic while utilizing specific examples/details
• Explore different research options and questions that the text inspires
• Conclude by looking forward – let your readers know you are going to continue to pursue this
project

Possible Points to Cover:

• Why is this topic important to you?

• Why do you believe this topic would be of interest to others?
• Examples/descriptions of this topic in action
• Examples of how this topic has affected you or how you have experienced this topic
• How did you first develop an interest in this topic?
• What aspects of this topic would you like to research?
• What questions do you have about this topic?

Remember to use specific details or anecdotes to strengthen your essay – ex: I am particularly interested in
the affects of social media on college age students because as a college student I use social media quite often.
Going forward, I am most interested in how social media may influence body image, especially fitstas and
influential fitness aspects of different platforms. I, myself, have often fallen into the hole of Instagram fitness
accounts and wondered how I could ever look like the women that post all the time.

Audience and Purpose:

This exploratory essay will help your ePortfolio audience understand how and why you started your research
journey. It will be an introduction of sorts when it is published on your ePortfolio website.
Format:
Follow MLA format -- paper should be typed, double-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman font or other similar
font, standard 1” or 1.25” margins. You should include a works cited page that cites your text and any other
sources you feel you need to consult while writing this paper. The initial text is the only required source for
this assignment.