Only sometimes, students in colleges are asked by teachers to collect an evidence-based essay in which they must argue their point of view. Sometimes they are asked to do tasks in which they need to analyze several points of view and conclusions. One of these is the exploratory essay.
In this article, you will find tips to help you complete the assignment with high quality.
What Is an Exploratory Essay?
Exploratory essays are quite different from your typical argumentative essay. Exploratory essays are, in essence, different from every other type of essay you’ve ever written. Rather than writing to convince your readers that your thesis is sound and valid, you are instead writing to learn more about a problem and to, ideally, arrive at some form of initial conclusion as to how that problem might be solved.
That being said, there is another essential element of the exploratory genre. These types of essays reflect your cognitive and writing ability as you work through a specific problem. They describe when, how, and why you conducted certain types of research. This type of exploratory writing focuses on how you can work through problems requiring research and writing skill. You will need to be contemplative and think about your thought process for your essay to be successful.
Exploratory Essay Outline and Structure
Similar to all other essays, the exploratory essay structure should consist of the following:
- An introduction;
- The body paragraphs;
- The conclusion.
The first part is your chance to clearly outline the problem you have explored and why it is relevant. Furthermore, you will need to concisely demonstrate a few of the possible causes of the problem, the institutions and the people who might be involved with the problem, and some of the potential solutions for the problem.
The body paragraphs of the exploratory essay should explain the research or inquiry process you followed when researching the topic.
These paragraphs will consist of the following:
- A brief presentation of the source material and why you selected it for your exploratory essay.
- Relevant or important information that you’ve uncovered relating to your problem.
- Why the information that you’ve uncovered is essential and relatable?
- A few personal introspects on how the source assisted you and enabled you to think differently about the problem. Moreover, tell shortly what you had expected and point you in a new direction.
The conclusion is where you will restate the problem that you researched, you should also outline a few of its possible causes and highlight some potential solutions. You should briefly review some of the people or institutions involved.
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How to Start an Exploratory Essay?
If you don’t know how to write an exploratory paper and where to start, research the issue first and choose a thesis you will analyze. You must also look for information about how the issue you are researching affects other areas.
After that, you need to write a plan that will help you start a research essay and write a good paper. After thoroughly studying the topic, you will most likely have ideas for writing your paper.
What’s Particular About an Exploratory Essay?
Unlike other forms of essays, exploratory essays do not take a stance. Instead, they explore a problem and the various vantage points related to the answer to that problem.
What makes exploratory essays different?
The objective of an exploratory essay is to take an objective stance when approaching a topic. The writer must remain neutral. Instead of trying immediately to solve the problem, the essay examines all of the potential perspectives of the issue and endeavors to explain those viewpoints.
Exploratory papers take note of the varying audiences or people who might have an interest in the issue and hope to explore each different outlook while also making mention of any common grounds that might exist.
More often than not, multiple sides of an issue are expressed and debated. This type of essay extends beyond the obvious answers and hopes to find more creative solutions.
Step-by-step Writing Guide: How to Write Outstanding Exploratory Essay
Step 1. Investigate the topic, collect data, and write down all the necessary information
To begin with, you need to choose a topic you will study. Since the main feature of this type of essay is that you do not take someone else’s place, you can select several points of view on the problem and write out all the arguments for and against it.
Step 2. Write a plan
After you have collected the necessary information, write a plan for an exploratory essay. How will you tell what you found? Make sure to stay consistent and analyze different points of view.
Think about what you write first and what you share after.
Step 3. Write an exploratory essay
Using the plan and the information you found, write your exploratory essay. Form your thoughts in a structured way and give arguments. Do not be afraid to quote different points of view. It will add scientificity to your essay.
Also, avoid jumping from question to question or writing anything extra. Please write concisely.
Step 4: Check citations and formatting
After writing the essay, check that you follow all the citation standards that the professor wants to see. Additionally, adhere to citation standards so that your work is not plagiarized.
Step 5: Reread and edit your finished exploratory essay
After your paper is ready, reread it. Look for errors, typos, and illogical passages. Remove all unnecessary and add missing parts to make your essay look professional.
What’s a Good Topic for an Exploratory Essay?
To be considered well-written and interesting, exploratory essays must have arguable questions.
This is a question that is:
- Not solved;
- Not something that you could easily locate the answer to;
- Something that you can find at least three different views on;
- Interesting to people, at present;
- Linked to a weighted issue.
What are weighted issues?
Weighted or enduring issues are linked to current issues and a resulting need. For example, when the theme is about how much taxes an individual should pay, the weighted issue might be an issue of where the government will receive money when there is a need for a stable government capable of meeting the needs of the people.
Exploratory Essay Format
Introduction to the exploratory essay
These are the three things that need to be achieved in the introduction:
- You must grab (and hold) the reader’s attention and garner interest in the problem.
- You must ensure the reader understands the problem and its importance.
- You must introduce the issue – typically at the end of the introduction.
Ideas for an introduction:
- Share a real scenario;
- Disclose statistics;
- Make up a story – but let the audience know it is fictional;
- Describe a situation or scene;
- Explain a standard situation;
- Talk about why the argument is important;
- Give a brief history of the concept;
- List out problems;
- Offer several examples of this issue;
- Ask multiple questions;
- Use interviews and relevant answers.
Body
The body has two parts. The first usually is only a single paragraph explaining the problem or issue. The second is three or more paragraphs that explain the various positions on the problem or topic.
Conclusion
In your paper, you will share your views on your explored issue. You might also explain why you’ve taken an interest in this topic. Your viewpoint may be one you’ve described in the body of your essay, or it could be something you’ve come up with on your own. Remember to use some of the techniques or methods you used in the introduction. Here are a few suggestions:
- Finish the story.
- Add any additional or last-minute evidence that you believe is the most compelling.
- Share your point of view with your audience.
- If you are unsure what you think, then say that and explain which points you think are the most important.
- Encourage the reader to make their own decision.
- Outline the main elements that should be considered when making decisions about the question: What is important? What isn’t?
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Exploratory Essay Example
There is no single format for an exploratory essay; therefore, an example that would fit your task is most likely the same. However, you can be inspired by some interesting articles on various topics.
An example of such an essay can be found on free resources here or here, but take them only as samples.
Remember, exploratory papers are not argumentative essays. Often, students will be asked to pen argumentative essays that offer a particular viewpoint and then requested to persuade readers to think the same way as they do. This is not the point of an exploration essay. Instead, the goal is to look at things through multiple lenses to help readers find common ground.
