how to write a thesis for an exploratory essay

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How to write an exploratory essay [Updated 2023]

Unlike other types of essays, the exploratory essay does not present a specific argument or support a claim with evidence. Instead, an exploratory essay allows a writer to "explore" a topic and consider tentative conclusions about it. This article covers what you need to know to write a successful exploratory essay.

What is an exploratory essay?

An exploratory essay considers a topic or problem and explores possible solutions. This type of paper also sometimes includes background about how you have approached the topic, as well as information about your research process.

Whereas other types of essays take a concrete stance on an issue and offer extensive support for that stance, the exploratory essay covers how you arrived at an idea and what research materials and methods you used to explore it.

For example, an argumentative essay on expanding public transportation might argue that increasing public transit options improves citizens' quality of life. However, an exploratory essay would provide context for the issue and discuss what data and research you gathered to consider the problem.

What to include in an exploratory essay

Importantly, an exploratory essay does not reach a specific conclusion about a topic. Rather, it explores multiple conclusions and possibilities. So, for the above example, your exploratory essay might include several viewpoints about public transit, including research from urban planners, transportation advocates, and other experts.

Finally, an exploratory essay will include some reflection on your own research and writing process. You might be asked to draw some conclusions about how you could tackle your topic in an argumentative essay or you might reflect on what sources or pieces of evidence were most helpful as you were exploring the topic.

Ultimately, the primary goal of an exploratory essay is to make an inquiry about a topic or problem, investigate the context, and address possible solutions.

What to expect in an exploratory essay assignment

This section discusses what you can expect in an exploratory essay assignment, in terms of length, style, and sources. Instructors may also provide you with an exploratory essay example or an assignment rubric to help you determine if your essay meets the appropriate guidelines .

The expected length of an exploratory essay varies depending on the topic, course subject, and course level. For instance, an exploratory essay assigned in an upper-level sociology course will likely be longer than a similar assignment in an introductory course.

Like other essay types, exploratory essays typically include at least five paragraphs, but most range from a few pages to the length of a full research paper .

While exploratory essays will generally follow academic style guidelines, they differ from other essays because they tend to utilize a more reflective, personal tone. This doesn't mean that you can cast off academic style rules, however.

Rather, think of an exploratory essay as a venue for presenting your topic and methods to a sympathetic and intelligent audience of fellow researchers. Most importantly, make sure that your writing is clear, correct, and concise.

As an exploration of your approach to a topic, an exploratory essay will necessarily incorporate research material. As a result, you should expect to include a bibliography or references page with your essay. This page will list both the sources that you cite in your essay, as well as any sources that you may have consulted during your research process.

The citation style of your essay's bibliography will vary based on the subject of the course. For example, an exploratory essay for a sociology class will probably adhere to APA style , while an essay in a history class might use Chicago style .

Exploratory essay outline and format

An exploratory essay utilizes the same basic structure that you'll find in other essays. It includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction sets up the context for your topic, addresses why that topic is worthy of study, and states your primary research question(s).

The body paragraphs cover the research that you've conducted and often include overviews of the sources that you've consulted. The conclusion returns to your research question and considers possible solutions.

• Introduction

The introduction of an exploratory essay functions as an overview. In this section, you should provide context for your topic, explain why the topic is important, and state your research question:

• Context includes general information about the topic. This part of the introduction may also outline, or signpost, what the rest of the paper will cover.
• Topic importance helps readers "buy in" to your research. A few sentences that address the question, "so what?" will enable you to situate your research within an ongoing debate.
• The last part of of your introduction should clearly state your research question. It's okay to have more than one, depending on the assignment.

If you were writing an exploratory essay on public transportation, you might start by briefly introducing the recent history of public transit debates. Next, you could explain that public transportation research is important because it has a concrete impact on our daily lives. Finally, you might end your introduction by articulating your primary research questions.

While some individuals may choose not to utilize public transportation, decisions to expand or alter public transit systems affect the lives of all. As a result of my preliminary research, I became interested in exploring whether public transportation systems improve citizens' quality of life. In particular, does public transit only improve conditions for those who regularly use these systems? Or, do improvements in public transportation positively impact the quality of life for all individuals within a given city or region? The remainder of this essay explores the research around these questions and considers some possible conclusions.

Body paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an exploratory essay discuss the research process that you used to explore your topic. This section highlights the sources that you found most useful and explains why they are important to the debate.

You might also use the body paragraphs to address how individual resources changed your thinking about your topic. Most exploratory essays will have several body paragraphs.

One source that was especially useful to my research was a 2016 study by Richard J. Lee and Ipek N. Sener that considers the intersections between transportation planning and quality of life . They argue that, while planners have consistently addressed physical health and well-being in transportation plans, they have not necessarily factored in how mental and social health contributes to quality of life. Put differently, transportation planning has traditionally utilized a limited definition of quality of life and this has necessarily impacted data on the relationship between public transit and quality of life. This resource helped me to broaden my conception of quality of life to include all aspects of human health. It also enabled me to better understand the stakeholders involved in transportation decisions.

Your conclusion should return to the research question stated in your introduction. What are some possible solutions to your questions, based on the sources that you highlighted in your essay? While you shouldn't include new information in your conclusion, you can discuss additional questions that arose as you were conducting your research.

In my introduction, I asked whether public transit improves quality of life for all, not simply for users of public transportation. My research demonstrates that there are strong connections between public transportation and quality of life, but that researchers differ as to how quality of life is defined. Many conclude that public transit improves citizens' lives, but it is still not clear how public transit decisions affect non-users, since few studies have focused on this distinct group. As a result, I believe that more research is needed to answer the research questions that I posed above.

Frequently Asked Questions about exploratory essays

You should begin an exploratory essay by introducing the context for your topic, explaining the topic's importance, and outlining your original research question.

Like other types of essays, the exploratory essay has three primary parts:

Although an exploratory essay does not make a specific argument, your research question technically serves as your thesis.

Yes, you can use "I" throughout your paper. An exploratory essay is meant to explore your own research process, so a first-person perspective is appropriate.

You should end your exploratory essay with a succinct conclusion that returns to your research question and considers possible answers. You can also end by highlighting further questions you may have about your research.

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Exploratory Essay: The A to Z Guide

01 November, 2020

14 minutes read

Author:  Kate Smith

An exploratory essay, the most fun-filled essay writing, differs from every other essay. Here, there is no need for additional research; instead, you explore your ideas and the ideas of others. An exploratory essay entails speculation, digression, and rumination.

Unlike other forms of writing, this essay does not try to impose its thesis on its reader. To write an excellent exploratory essay, you would need to stick to its outline, thinking deeply about the topic. This article will help you understand an exploratory essay definition, and walk you through the building blocks to writing an outstanding exploratory essay.

What is an Exploratory Essay?

An exploratory essay, also called an investigative piece, is a speculatively written essay. Here, the writer peruses over the various overviews of people regarding an issue or a topic. Afterward, they walk through the problem, and air their view without refuting or drawing a biased conclusion.

This type of essay tables the different perspectives of people on a topic from a neutral angle, and at the same time, highlights their mutual understanding. To deliver a great essay, you need to think introspectively about the topic and not delve into idle speculation. An exploratory essay requires that you first reflect on the subject of discussion. 

In real cases, sentiments may cloud your judgment, especially when you’re very passionate about the topic.  You’re most likely to rush to a conclusion or try to influence others’ opinions without hearing their takes on the matter. An exploratory essay sets to beat this fashion.

It is advisable to consider the rationale of at least three persons on a topic, an event, or an issue as you can make a thorough presentation with detailed logical reasonings this way. Limiting your investigation to a few relevant sources may result in making only similar findings. Diversity creates spice in your presentation!

Exploratory Questions: Types

Having a clear understanding of the information you aim to get helps you stay on track while carrying out your investigation. Here are the types of exploratory questions you need to ask when writing this essay:

Fact questions

Convergent questions, divergent questions, evaluative questions.

A fact question usually has an exact answer. It is the “who…?” “what…? “where…?” and “when….?” question. This question aims to confirm the parties involved in the topic/event/issue, what incited the problem, if there is a case for a geographical problem, and answers if there was a similar case in the past to analyze the possibility of a future recurrence.

Example: Who invented the payphone?

Though similar to a fact question, a convergent question differs in that it calls for a lengthier explanation than those mentioned above. However, like a fact question, it has an exact answer. It often starts with words like: “according to,” “why,” and “how.”

Example: According to most health scientists, what factor is most responsible for the coronavirus’ fast spread?

A divergent question or an idea question aims to incite people’s reasoning to hear their ideas on a topic. It can have many acceptable answers. This question often starts with words like: “what if,” “how would,” “how could.” 

Example: How would you brew your coffee fast if your espresso machine broke down?

Also known as the opinion question, this question aims to provoke more detailed opinions to rule out judgment on a topic/issue. It may start with words like: “how well,” “do you think,” and “why should.”

Example: Do you think the lack of social amenities in a state is a result of poorly generated revenue or mismanagement?

Exploratory Essay Outline

Essay outlines help you organize your thoughts and structure your paragraphs better to avoid leaving out any relevant information while writing.

An excellent exploratory essay should follow this pattern:

• Introduction,
• Body paragraphs,
• Conclusion.

The essay Introduction

An introduction serves as a hook to gain the reader’s attention and keep them focused until the writing ends. This introduction must be informative, eye-catching, and promising. It should make the reader feel they would be missing out on vital information if they don’t remain engaged until the end.

This introduction should also outline the scope, describe the issue or topic being addressed, highlight its challenges, and include a brief overview of your approach to tackling the problem. This approach will have your reader yearning to know more.

A disorganized, vague, and error-filled introduction creates an overall wrong impression about your writing. Starting your essay on such a wrong foot can cause your reader’s interest level to drop! Achieving this might appear a bit difficult, and so, below are some hacks to writing a persuasive introduction:

• Start with a fascinating story related to the topic: Telling a story that connects with your readers’ emotions automatically buys their interest.
• Make the issue being tackled appear critical
• Describe the issue discussed as an unresolved puzzle: The problem-solving nature of humans would also leap to solve this riddle; that way, they will stay hooked to your essay.
• Cite a captivating quote
• Pose a thought-provoking question or series of questions: Provocative questions challenge accepted thesis and stir the reader to rethink.
• Use statistics: Quoting reputable sources, describing past events, and how long the issue has lingered also does the trick.

Body Paragraphs

After the introduction, next comes the body of the essay. The body paragraphs extensively explain the highlighted scope, context, background information, and purpose of the topic under investigation. This part of the essay is divided into two segments:

The body: Part one

The body: part two.

The first part of the body aims to answer and clarify the following:

• What the issue or problem is
• The level at which this issue has escalated
• The groups discussing the issue
• The persons that have made the topic to be of utmost importance to them
• Past opinions from many authors
• If the writer shares the same views with any of its readers
• If there is any force repressing the audience from expressing their beliefs
• What the issue has demanded overtime
• The evolution of its pitch of interest and the values it passes across

In complementing the first part of the body, this second part gives room to air people’s diverse views. It aims to explain why they understand the situation from the angle represented in the essay. In tabling their thoughts, you should take note of the following when writing:

• Elaborate their view on the issue
• Why they have such perspective
• State the cases that pitched their opinions to these
• Support their perspectives with facts
• Compare their diverse points of view

Tips on writing impressive body paragraphs:

• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence, usually the main point of interest in a paragraph, and stress this sentence. 
• Back this main interest for each paragraph up with facts, quotes, or data. These act as supporting points to give more meaning to the main point and lead to a logical conclusion.
• Try to balance the number of sentences for each paragraph where possible and where not possible, achieve a closer number. Underwritten paragraphs may appear to the reader as having underdeveloped points and vice versa.

Essay conclusion

An exploratory essay conclusion does not imply a repetition of the summary of your findings. In drawing your conclusion in this essay, you should state your contribution to the issue being discussed while maintaining a neutral tone about others’ perspectives.

In the same manner, as you’ve done in the essay body, support your claims with arguments. In most cases, people tend to think that you summarise and support one argument/ opinion while concluding. This is far from the case.

While concluding, discuss your reflections and why you think there is a need for further research on the topic you just explored. Also, give your readers the impression that you are delighted to keep it going. It is excellent to end by calling your readers or audience to action.

When drawing your conclusion, you should avoid:

• Stuffing it with unnecessary information. You should be concise while stating your insights, evaluation, and analysis.
• Statements like, “There may be other better methods” or “Better approaches to this issue state that…” These phrases undermine confidence in your opinion.
• Derailing from the initial subject of discussion. Ensure your conclusion is in line with your introduction’s objectives.

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Exploratory Essay Examples

Do not be deterred. Writing an exploratory essay isn’t as tedious as it may sound. Below are some great examples of exploratory essays you can study to learn the narration style:

• https://www.thoughtco.com/battle-of-ants-henry-david-thoreau-1690218
• https://www.thoughtco.com/how-it-feels-to-be-colored-me-by-zora-neale-hurston-1688772

30 Exploratory Essay Topics

Another aspect you may need help with is finding topics for exploratory essays. While you may feel tempted to pick any topic for discussing randomly, a good exploratory essay question should tick the following boxes:

• Must be arguable
• Must be unresolved
• There should be resources and facts to back people’s opinion
• Choose a topic that lies within your strength
• Must touch  an exciting topic

There is a wide range of categories to choose a topic from. Exploratory essay topics can be crafted on :

• Entertainment
• Music & Arts
• Religion, among others.

The following make for good exploratory essay topics:

• Children with distant parents tend to grow more independent than ones inhabiting with theirs.
• The chain of divorce extends to the children.
• Handling a mobile phone at an early age inhibits a child’s creativity.
• Smartphones result in poor communication through speech.
• How does technology curb job opportunities
• Social media increases the rate of depression and anxiety among teens.
• Shelving pints of milk extend the life span.
• Professional sports affect the player’s psychological well-being.
• Is Opera overrated?
• Actors pose to be the best role models.
• Is e-learning the solution to poor teaching techniques?
• Do graphic sex and scenes influence the high rate of rape?
• What is the possibility you have a doppelganger on earth?
• What don’t women buy into the surrogacy idea when conceiving proves difficult?
• Does diversity in a workplace increase productivity?
• The maximum amount of money that guarantees happiness
• Which is healthier for newborn babies: processed or breast milk?
• Who suffers during divorce the most: the husband, wife, children, or close relatives?
• Who always seeks divorce: men or women?
• Why don’t inter-tribal marriages work out?
• Do marathon races impair the body muscles?
• Does a high concentration of plastics increase the greenhouse effect in our environment?
• Is nuclear energy the future of energy resources?
• How important is it to cite heavy industries away from the residential areas?
• Will technology ease out the work stress or worsen the situation?
• Which makes for easy reading: hard copy or soft copies?
• What is the best online dating app?
• How does the chemistry between same-sex form?
• Who is the blame for the high rate of immigration? Friends? or The government?
• Who shows the most moral decadence: boys or girls?

Writing Tips for an Exploratory Essay

Without knowing the right mountaineering tricks, the summit will look unreachable. The same goes for this writing. Without adhering to these tips, you may never know how to write an exploratory essay.

Now note the following tips to land your five-star essay:

• Try to hear as many diverse perspectives as possible.
• Note your findings
• Reflect deeply on the topic
• Stick to the outline as mentioned earlier when writing
• Include pictorial representations to back up claims, if there are any
• Write from the third-person perspective, except when told not to
• Take time to proofread and also have a second eye go over the essay for you.

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Introductions, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusions for Exploratory Papers

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This resource will help you with exploratory/inquiry essay assignments.

Many paper assignments call for you to establish a position and defend that position with an effective argument. However, some assignments are not argumentative, but rather, they are exploratory. Exploratory essays ask questions and gather information that may answer these questions. However, the main point of the exploratory or inquiry essay is not to find definite answers. The main point is to conduct inquiry into a topic, gather information, and share that information with readers.

Introductions for Exploratory Essays

The introduction is the broad beginning of the paper that answers three important questions:

• What is this?
• Why am I reading it?
• What do you want me to do?

You should answer these questions in an exploratory essay by doing the following:

• Set the context – provide general information about the main idea, explaining the situation so the reader can make sense of the topic and the questions you will ask
• State why the main idea is important – tell the reader why they should care and keep reading. Your goal is to create a compelling, clear, and educational essay people will want to read and act upon
• State your research question – compose a question or two that clearly communicate what you want to discover and why you are interested in the topic. An overview of the types of sources you explored might follow your research question.

If your inquiry paper is long, you may want to forecast how you explored your topic by outlining the structure of your paper, the sources you considered, and the information you found in these sources. Your forecast could read something like this:

In order to explore my topic and try to answer my research question, I began with news sources. I then conducted research in scholarly sources, such as peer-reviewed journals. Lastly, I conducted an interview with a primary source. All these sources gave me a better understanding of my topic, and even though I was not able to fully answer my research questions, I learned a lot and narrowed my subject for the next paper assignment, the problem-solution report.

For this OWL resource, the example exploratory process investigates a local problem to gather more information so that eventually a solution may be suggested.

Identify a problem facing your University (institution, students, faculty, staff) or the local area and conduct exploratory research to find out as much as you can on the following:

• Causes of the problem and other contributing factors
• People/institutions involved in the situation: decision makers and stakeholders
• Possible solutions to the problem.

You do not have to argue for a solution to the problem at this point. The point of the exploratory essay is to ask an inquiry question and find out as much as you can to try to answer your question. Then write about your inquiry and findings.

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Exploratory Essay: Definition, Outline & Examples

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You may probably ask yourself a question like, “What is exploratory writing?” An exploratory essay displays people's shared understanding of a subject while laying forth their points of view on it. You must reflect deeply to write a fantastic essay. Although proof of answers is not required for an exploratory essay, various rules must be followed. Also, a plethora of topics can be investigated for exploratory essays, including business, education, psychology, etc. They can be anything from a lengthy research report to a brief paper. In this article, we will discuss exploratory essay samples, outline, format, and tips on how to write this paper. 

What Is an Exploratory Essay: Definition

An exploratory essay is defined as a writing type where the author examines potential solutions to an issue. Simply put, it provides an overview of issues and draws some early judgments about the proposed solution. Exploratory essays allow you to fully comprehend a subject without worrying about being right or wrong. Your principal objective when preparing this essay is to undertake a thorough investigation first, then think about and assess a few distinct viewpoints on a specific topic. These papers are used in commercial settings and colleges. Studying a minimum of three points helps you grasp the problem correctly in finding the best answer. Exploration essays aim to investigate the subject critically and then offer your readers the research results. Based on its objective, it can take many forms. For instance, a sociology review of literature is an illustration of an exploratory essay.

Peculiarities of Exploratory Writing

Exploratory essay writing is distinct from other types of essays. You will be writing to learn about an issue and find a solution to the matter presented. An exploratory paper is a type of writing that discusses how you arrive at an idea. It also sheds some light on approaches used to examine it, for instance, convincing readers of your standpoint. Conversely, an exploratory paper begins without a firm perspective. While you might support one idea above others, you will not conclude the paper with a clear solution. Instead, it considers a range of findings and alternatives you must know.

Exploratory Essay Outline

We will discuss how crucial it is to generate an outline for exploratory essay. Many overlook this stage because they want to finish writing quickly. Avoid making this error since it causes huge problems. You are ready to start as soon as you design an exploratory essay outline example. The entire writing procedure can be streamlined simply because you already understand the objectives and where to place your quotations.  In this context, outlines also give you a perspective on the next steps to take and divide your work into manageable parts. These are helpful for those who detest spending a significant amount of time thinking and writing as they can get more detail on key areas and then pause. Lastly, creating an outline will spare you time since your essay will be straightforward, accurate, and uncomplicated. Your lecturer may value the care placed into your work arrangement. The exploratory essay outline format is as follows:

The opening section (introduction and thesis statement)

• Present your subject and its significance.
• Provide background information.
• State a thesis statement.

Body paragraph 1

• Explain your source, including the author and publication date.

Body paragraph 2

• Discuss crucial information about your issue from the source.
• Explain why the information is valuable.

Body paragraph 3

• Write a reflection on how the material benefited you, changed the way you thought about the issue, or even did not meet your goals.

Last section (conclusion)

• Reintroduce your topic.
• Outline some potential solutions.

How to Write an Exploratory Essay

Preparing an exploratory essay assignment is simple and perceived differently from other essays. Here are five steps on how to write exploratory essay.

Step 1: Select a topic

Give prefenrence to contentious exploratory essay topics with various opposing viewpoints that can be investigated. Picking a subject with insufficient evidence or one that merely offers a "for" or "against" argument is not recommended. Begin with a more general topic. An example of a good topic would be "Impact of digital platforms on family and group values."

Step 2: Select three points

Choose a minimum of three viewpoints in the body paragraphs to examine in your essay after researching the subject. When undertaking research, consider several ideas related to the topic and pinpoint arguments for or against it. Note that an exploration essay is different from a persuasive essay. An exploration essay seeks to find and analyze numerous points of view on a particular topic. This contrasts with outlining the different sides of a topic and supporting one aspect over another.

Step 3: Decide on the readers

Decide on your target audience and the restrictions you might encounter during this process. These may encompass anything that reveals why specific attributes, ideas, and situations lead people to uphold their views.

Step 4: Answer questions

Respond to the inquiries raised by the research body. Determine how to address any concerns the work may raise.

Step 5: Commence writing

Finally, begin writing and use a sample exploratory essay for reference. In addition, make sure that you adhere to the steps discussed above to make your exploratory essay epic.

Exploratory Essay Introduction

Understanding how to start off an explanatory essay is vital before writing. The exploratory essay introduction paragraph lays background information on your issue and its significance. It also outlines the study questions. This section could summarize aspects covered in the remaining part of your essay and the importance of the topic, which inspires readers to trust your study. Do this by including a few phrases that answer the "so what?" query. To increase your readers' interest and engross them, begin your introduction with an attention grabber. This may be a claim predicated on your assessments of a situation or anything that would make clear why the issue is important to you. Expand on the hook by addressing some underlying causal factors of the issue if your theme permits it. Your main claim should be explicitly stated in the final section of your introduction.

Exploratory Essay Thesis Statement

The essay's central idea needs to be briefly summarized in the exploratory essay thesis statement. Use it in explaining its significance among viewers. Mapping out your facts is crucial when creating an effective thesis. In an exploration essay, you may only raise and explore questions about a subject. Choose the principal subject for your paper, which should be related to the thesis. There are numerous exploratory essay thesis examples. Assuming your topic is "How Can Technology be Improved in Schools?" The exploratory thesis statement would be:

Technology advancements significantly impact how individuals are educated and their quality of life. From calculators, which made math simple, to text editors, which revolutionized how research papers are produced and delivered. Yet, more advanced technology should be adopted to increase interactivity and improve overall school appointment.

Exploratory Essay Body

Exploratory essay structure also encompasses the body. An overriding aim of exploratory essay body paragraph is to offer facts and arguments in favor of your thesis. Begin by first explaining why you opted to pursue the initial idea that came to your mind. Next, discuss the form of materials you used and data you gleaned from them. Explore the value of researched data depending on the subject matter and present your exposition. Describe how the answer and resources you used changed your perspective on the issue. If possible, explain how it pointed you in a different path. After that, use a transition to help readers move from one section to the next. For all the following points and references, maintain this fundamental format. The second section of the body complements the initial section by providing space for expressing other points of view. It seeks to justify why people see things from their own perspective.

Exploratory Essay Conclusion

Conclude an exploratory essay by condensing the research questions, suggested solutions, and views you picked up along the way. First, reaffirm your thesis statement. This strengthens your argument and draws the reader's focus directly to the central idea. Further, summarize three supporting arguments you discussed in the body and briefly recap their relevance. This will demonstrate that you have convincingly supported your exploratory thesis, strengthening your work. Your ending must not contain brand-new information, but you can discuss new issues as you study. You may also share your thoughts and why more research should be conducted. It is a great idea to conclude by urging your viewers to take action.

Exploratory Essay Format

There are global formatting guidelines that are involved in producing high-quality papers. These standards have varied characteristics and adhere to guidelines by major corporations. To format an exploratory essay, you should utilize APA, Chicago, or MLA styles. The primary goal of these formatting styles is to disseminate knowledge to the public in the most effective manner possible. For APA, maintain uniform margins on the page's right, left, bottom, and top. Utilize it for Education, Psychology, and Sciences. Including an abstract in an example of an exploratory essay is one component of APA. MLA format requires you to leave one-inch margins across the paper. It is used for disciplines like Humanities . Each paragraph's initial word should be indented. Chicago style is widely utilized in the disciplines of History and Art. The texts should be double-spaced, and paragraphs indented by 0.5 inches.

Exploratory Essay Examples

To make you comprehend the topic better, we have prepared one of the great exploratory essay examples that will give you an overall idea of what we have discussed in this article. Feel free to download the available materials or use a short exploratory essay sample attached below as a source for inspiration. We hope this reference will help you organize your thoughts, give direction for research, and create an outstanding essay.

Liked examples? Did you know that you can place an essay order at StudyCrumb and get a custom paper written according to your instructions? All you need is to provide us with your requirements.

Exploratory Writing Proofreading Checklist

A checklist helps learners comprehend the abilities required for preparing essays. It demonstrates an easy method for a hesitant writer to incorporate the essential components. Below is a simple checklist used in preparing an exploratory draft.

Extra Tips on Writing an Exploratory Paper

Writing an exploratory paper is not a walk in the park. You may require specific valuable tips to get started. For instance, consider the paper's length, style, and source to use. Here are a few extra tips to get started.

• Conduct detailed research on the topic Whatever your intentions for writing an exploratory paper are, research is crucial. Online resources have a ton of written information. Check out a variety of sources and choose those that are most pertinent to your work.
• Begin early Stop delaying your task. You have a limited amount of time to complete all the appropriate steps. So, get a head start to have enough time to produce a good paper.
• Design an outline Creating an outline is crucial since it ensures you cover all information that needs to be included in your exploratory writing.
• Take notes At the conclusion of your research, you will need to review your notes. Reorganize points logically and keep in mind that all claims must have insightful transitions. This will guarantee easy material flow and ensure your work is more understandable.
• Proofread your work It is okay to make errors in your work, hence, give yourself enough time to edit your paper. Check that you have done it correctly and it is coherent. Furthermore, believe in your abilities to make it work.

Final Thoughts on Exploration Essay

Exploratory essays provide a deeper understanding of an issue. They explain its causative factors, effects on readers, and potential solutions. To put it differently, an exploratory essay sheds some light on the subject and examines initial findings. Notably, learners ought to comprehend how to write an exploratory paper. Do not hesitate to read through exploratory writing examples. You must delve as deeply as you can into the issue. Nevertheless, it would help if you did not try to influence the audience to engage with your viewpoint. The key is to impartially convey a fact and response so that readers can understand what the paper entails.

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FAQ About Exploratory Essays

1. what is the purpose of an exploratory essay.

An exploratory essay asks you to consider and respond to various ideas instead of a single opinion. It is more concerned with a subject matter instead of a thesis, implying that the paper keeps track of your research activities and subsequent thoughts. The essay answers questions on specific content and rhetorical queries about potential solutions to the situation.

2. What is the difference between an exploratory essay and argumentative essay?

Argument papers look into a particular perspective, while exploratory essays clarify several points. Some self-reflection on your writing process may be included in the exploratory essay. In an argumentative essay, you may be requested to formulate findings on how to approach your subject. You may also consider proofs and links that were useful during the research investigation.

4. Can I use the first person in an exploratory essay?

A first-person viewpoint is acceptable because an exploratory essay should discuss your research procedure. As a basic rule, utilizing first-person pronouns is critical. When writing an exploratory essay, it makes the article less professional than a third-person pronoun. This makes the work more neutral in style. Exploratory writing demands subjective judgments; thus, a first-person tone is ideal.

3. How to start an exploratory essay?

To begin an exploratory essay, you need to introduce the background of your issue. Additionally, discuss its significance, and lay out your primary research query. This academic work is largely based on reliable information. Be careful to take down all the pertinent specifics from your sources and incorporate them as supporting materials in your work.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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• checkbox Is the opening sentence intriguing? Does it encourage you to read more?
• checkbox Does the transition between the body paragraphs make sense?
• checkbox Does language used, paper length, and sentence arrangement require any changes?
• checkbox Is the title of the essay fascinating and relevant?
• checkbox Have you used enough sources to underpin your arguments?
• checkbox Do you follow the design suggestions given by your professor (such as MLA, Chicago, and APA paper format )?

How to Write an Exploratory Essay: A Guide to Uncovering New Perspectives

Whether or not you are an English student, you will write an exploratory essay once or twice. The first thing you need to know about exploratory essays is that they are very different from argumentative essays. An exploratory essay is unlike any other essay you may have written before. You won’t be writing to persuade anyone of the truth of your thesis; instead, you’ll be researching to learn more about an issue and, maybe, draw some preliminary conclusions about how to solve it.

But, there is another facet of exploratory fiction that deserves equal attention. An exploratory essay is a look at how you approached an issue in writing and thought. It explains the when, where, and why of the study you did. This type of writing discusses solving difficulties via writing and doing research. For your essay to succeed, you must be investigative and reflective or pay for papers writing by professionals.

Do not worry; by the end of your reading, you will know how to write an exploratory essay.

Exploratory Essay’s Main Features

To begin, let us discuss what is an exploratory essay, including its length, format, and amount of research to be conducted. If you are a student writing an essay, your instructor might provide you with a sample or a grading rubric to use when writing your paper. And if you’re hiring an argumentative essay writing service , you should still know what to look out for in an exploratory essay.

The needed word count for an exploratory essay assignment varies depending on the specific mix of assignment kind, the field of study, and the academic level. For instance, an investigative essay required for a sociology course at the graduate level will be far more in-depth than one that is necessary for a sociology course at the primary level. Like other types of essays, exploratory essays are typically at least five paragraphs lengthy, but they can be as extensive as a research paper if the author chooses.

Exploratory essays, as opposed to other papers that are more introspective and language, while keeping academic style requirements. Yet, this does not permit you to follow the conventions followed in academic writing. Instead, it would be best to utilize an exploratory essay to present the subject of your research and the methods you will be using to an academic audience that is both educated and understanding. Be sure that your exploratory writing techniques are precise, concise, and well-structured; this way, everyone will think that someone did your project for you .

An exploratory essay is required to use extra materials because, by its very definition, it is a study of the methodological approach you took to a subject. Thus, it would be best to prepare to include a bibliography or references page in your essay.

You need to make sure you list all of the papers, books, and other works you used for your research that was cited in your article in this section. Your essay’s bibliography will be formatted differently for each of the many topics covered in the course. For example, if you were to write an investigative essay for a sociology class, you would adhere to the APA referencing style requirements. On the other hand, if you write an identical essay for a history class, you might use the Chicago referencing format.

Exploratory vs. Argument

When students are assigned papers on contentious issues, it cannot be evident to know where to start. However, it’s essential to differentiate between writing an argumentative article and an exploratory paper. An argumentative essay persuades the reader that the author’s viewpoint is correct. In contrast, an exploratory paper writing investigates a topic from various angles and does not necessarily offer solutions. An exploratory paper’s primary objective is to objectively examine different perspectives on a problem. The paper investigates the cultural and social background of the problem and aims to identify areas of agreement between different target audiences. Companies often commission exploratory papers when they need to collect all the possible viewpoints and data before offering a solution to a problem.

When writing an exploratory essay, looking for new and different ways of approaching a problem is crucial. It’s also essential to consider at least three opposing viewpoints to avoid a biased perspective. For instance, when discussing illegal immigration, an author should not only consider conservative and liberal political perspectives but also examine the viewpoints of immigrants themselves, the government from which they originate, and the people who live on both sides of the border. This approach provides a comprehensive and balanced view of the problem. In the conclusion of an exploratory paper, an author can offer their take on the topic after thoroughly researching and discussing at least three distinct perspectives. It’s important to make clear whose side the author is on and why. The author should not present a one-sided view but a thoughtful and balanced conclusion.

In summary, writing exploratory essays involve examining a problem from multiple angles without necessarily offering a solution. It is essential to consider at least three opposing viewpoints and to look for new and different ways of approaching the problem. The conclusion should provide a comprehensive and balanced view of the topic, and the author should make clear whose side they are on and why.

Exploratory Essay Structure

The exploratory essay follows the standard three-structure format of other papers, with an introduction, three to five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

The Introduction

Here you define your theme/topic. The opening line or a few phrases of the introductory paragraph should ask a question or present information that will be explained later. Quotes might introduce your topic or pose a question based on your description. In the opening, you can present your paper’s topic and explore popular opinions.

Have you ever wondered why some people are more successful than others? Is it purely luck, or are there certain traits or habits that contribute to their success? In this essay, we’ll explore the topic of success and what it means to different people. We’ll examine the various factors that may contribute to success, such as natural talent, hard work, education, social connections, and even luck. Through this exploration, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of success and how we can achieve it in our own lives.

This introduction is a good example of an exploratory essay because it sets up the topic of success and leaves room for exploration and discussion. It starts with a thought-provoking question that engages the reader’s interest and invites them to think about the topic on a personal level. It then provides a broad overview of the topic and the various factors that may contribute to success, without taking a definitive stance. This allows for a more open and flexible discussion in the essay.

The body paragraphs explain the inquiry technique and why you chose it. So, you can create context by presenting alternate opinions and extra facts. By comparing the supplemental resources’ views; you can evaluate the recommended solutions.

One factor that may contribute to success is natural talent. Some people seem to be born with an innate ability to excel in certain areas, such as music, sports, or art. However, it’s important to note that natural talent alone is not enough to guarantee success. Even the most talented individuals must still work hard and develop their skills through practice and dedication.

Furthermore, the concept of “natural talent” itself is often subjective and difficult to define. For example, a person who is naturally good at mathematics may still struggle with more advanced concepts if they lack the necessary training and education. On the other hand, someone who may not have a natural aptitude for a certain skill can still achieve success through sheer determination and hard work.

Therefore, it’s important to view natural talent as just one of many potential factors that can contribute to success, rather than as the sole determinant. By recognizing the importance of hard work and other factors such as education and experience, individuals can take a more well-rounded approach to achieving their goals.

This body paragraph provides an in-depth exploration of the factor of natural talent and its role in success. It offers a nuanced perspective that acknowledges the importance of natural talent while also recognizing its limitations. The paragraph also emphasizes the importance of hard work and other factors in achieving success, which adds complexity and depth to the discussion.

The conclusion should restate the problem, explain some possible causes, and ask if it has been solved. After reading this, you can still ask questions. Defend your need to investigate this further and your sources for answers. Simply explain your decision.

In conclusion, success is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be influenced by a variety of factors. Through our exploration of this topic, we’ve discovered that natural talent, hard work, education, social connections, and luck can all play a role in achieving success. However, it’s important to remember that no single factor can guarantee success, and that each individual’s path to success is unique.

Furthermore, success can mean different things to different people. For some, success may be defined by financial wealth or career advancement, while for others, it may be measured by personal fulfillment, happiness, or the impact they have on others. Ultimately, the definition of success is subjective and depends on individual values and goals.

Therefore, instead of focusing solely on achieving a narrow definition of success, individuals should strive to cultivate a growth mindset and embrace the journey of self-improvement. By setting realistic goals, developing good habits, and seeking out opportunities for learning and personal growth, individuals can create their own paths to success and fulfillment.

In summary, the topic of success is a complex and nuanced one that requires a broad and open-minded exploration. Through our examination of various factors that contribute to success, we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the concept and the many different ways in which it can be achieved. By embracing a growth mindset and staying true to our own values and goals, we can all strive towards our own versions of success.

This conclusion provides a thoughtful summary of the main points discussed in the essay and offers a meaningful reflection on the topic of success. It acknowledges the complexity of the topic and the subjective nature of success, while also providing practical advice for individuals seeking to achieve their own goals. This example demonstrates how an exploratory essay can provide a comprehensive and insightful exploration of a topic, while also offering practical takeaways for readers.

Here’s an example of an exploratory essay structure:

Guide on How to Write Exploratory Essay

Do you feel ready to write an exploratory essay now? Here’s a detailed guide on how to write exploratory essays that will help:

1. Choose a Topic

Choosing an intriguing and contentious topic for your exploratory essay is the first step in writing one. The subject matter should be open to a variety of interpretations and points of view, and there ought to be a sufficient amount of prior study on the subject matter to back up an in-depth investigation.

2. Research the Topic

When you’ve decided on a subject, the next step is to do extensive research. Investigate the issue from various angles, and try to comprehend the reasoning behind the beliefs held by others regarding the issue. Seek information from reliable sources such as scholarly publications, books, and websites with a good reputation.

3. Create an Outline

Create an exploratory essay outline whenever you comprehend the issue and if you have gathered adequate research to support your argument. An introduction, many paragraphs that make up the body, and a conclusion should all be included in your outline. Every one of the body paragraphs ought to concentrate on a different viewpoint or argument. If you have any questions about the best outline for your essay, you can always check paperell.net .

4.Write the Introduction

In the introduction, you should provide some background information on the topic, explain why the issue is significant, and then present a clear thesis statement that describes the aim of the essay.

5. Write the Body Paragraphs

Every one of the body paragraphs ought to center on a different viewpoint or argument connected to the subject matter. Be sure to support each perspective with evidence from your study and provide an analysis of how each perspective is both strong and weak. It is essential to think about at least three different points of view that directly oppose one another and search for new and original solutions.

6. Find Areas of Agreement and Disagreement

After examining several different points of view, try to distinguish areas in which these points of view agree and disagree with one another. Discuss the reasons for the existence of these regions and give some instances of how they might be used to inform potential solutions to the problem. It is of the utmost importance to consider many points of view and avoid presenting a singular viewpoint.

7. Write the Conclusion

In your conclusion, explain your stance on the subject while summarizing the other viewpoints explored in the essay’s body. You must clearly state which side you are on and the reasoning behind your choice. Provide some suggestions for additional research or actions that may be taken regarding the topic.

8. Edit and Proofread

After you finish your essay’s initial draft, you should thoroughly edit and proofread it. Ensure there are no grammatical mistakes or typos and that everything is clear. Ensure that your argument is well-supported by evidence and that your essay is easy to read before you turn it in. Poor editing can ruin the entire essay.

Remember that an exploratory essay requires thorough research, a well-organized structure, and a balanced perspective. The paper should consider at least three opposing viewpoints and identify agreement and disagreement areas. The conclusion should provide a comprehensive and balanced view of the topic, and the author should make clear whose side they are on and why.

Exploratory Essay Topics

Interestingly, finding interesting subjects for your exploratory essays can be tricky. You may be tempted to address anything piques your interest, but a good question for an investigative essay should meet the following criteria.

• It has to be debatable.
• It must have open ends.
• Opinions about it need to be supported with evidence.
• It must be a subject you’re knowledgeable about.
• It should be interesting.
• You must choose title for essay that’s engaging and interesting.

You can pick a topic from a wide variety of options. Topics for persuasive essays could include:

Exploratory essays are an opportunity to delve deep into a particular topic, analyzing and examining different perspectives and arguments. Whether you are a student or a professional, exploring new ideas and theories can be both challenging and rewarding. In this list, we present 15 topics for an exploratory essay:

• Friend or Foe? How Social Media Affects Our Relationships
• Education in the Digital Age: How Technology is Changing Learning
• Beyond Pills and Procedures: The Controversial World of Alternative Medicine
• From Leave It to Beaver to Modern Family: The Evolution of the American Family
• Our Planet’s Doomsday Clock: Examining the Devastating Effects of Climate Change
• The World is Flat: Globalization’s Impact on Culture and Society
• Millennials and Mental Health: Why Young Adults Are Struggling More Than Ever Before
• High Times or Bad Trip? Weighing the Pros and Cons of Legalizing Marijuana
• Animal Rights or Scientific Advancement? The Ethical Debate Over Animal Testing
• Filtered Reality: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Body Image
• The Rise of the Machines: Automation’s Effect on the Future of Work
• Caught in the Cycle: The Complex Relationship Between Poverty and Crime
• Beyond the Plate: The Cultural Significance of Food and Cuisine
• Game On or Game Over? Examining the Effects of Video Games on Youth Behavior
• Schooling at Home: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Homeschooling.

In conclusion, writing an exploratory essay can be an exciting and fulfilling process, allowing you to dive deep into a topic and explore different perspectives and ideas. To write a successful exploratory essay, it’s important to remain open-minded, curious, and analytical, and to approach your research and analysis with a critical eye. By choosing a thought-provoking topic, conducting thorough research, and organizing your thoughts and findings in a logical manner, you can produce a compelling exploratory essay that engages and informs your readers.

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Drafting an exploratory essay

Exploratory papers are NOT argument papers. An exploratory assignment is usually given so that students find ways to branch out in a specific topic without taking a stance. Exploratory papers can range from a full research paper to a short essay.

Introduction

The introduction should do several things for the reader:

Set context – this is where the author can begin to give general background information and set up a “map” of what the paper will discuss.

State importance – the introduction should also explain why the topic is important, it should compel the audience to read further and create interest in the topic.

State the question or topic of exploration – this can be one or several sentences or questions that states what the author is interested in finding out, why, and how they intend to do it.

An acceptable general structure for exploratory papers is given below:

Each paragraph or section should explain what source was used, say why it was chosen, include information found using the source, explain why the information is important, and reflect on the source and its information.

This format is meant as a basic outline and does not need to be repeated exactly the same way for every source.

The conclusion is very similar to the introduction in that it gives a general overview of what has been discussed. This section also ties up any loose ends not confronted in the body of the paper. Many times, the question is restated in the conclusion for reinforcement.

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The Exploratory Essay

What is an Exploratory Essay?

The purpose of an exploratory essay is to investigate a topic through critical inquiry and present the research findings to your audience. An exploratory essay can take different forms, depending on its purpose. For example, a literature review in the social sciences is a form of exploratory essay. The writer identifies and evaluates the research that others in the field have already done in order to provide the background information needed for either a new interpretation of existing research or new research to add to the existing body of knowledge. Market analyses and environment scans are forms that the exploratory essay can take in business and industry. The company identifies and analyzes key external factors in order to inform strategic decisions.

The CRIT 602 Exploratory Essay & Your Audience

In the case of the exploratory essay in CRIT 602, its purpose is to answer the following question:

How will current trends, concerns, and research related to my academic discipline inform the decisions I make about my academic and professional development or personal interests?

A good way to think about your approach to the CRIT 602 exploratory essay is to go back to your hypothetical external audience. Your readers  are at the same stage of academic and professional development that you are and have similar goals. They are looking for credible information to examine key trends in the field, but they want the information to be evaluated by someone who understands from where they are coming.

You have already provided your readers with relevant trending information about professional organizations, social media, and information resources. They have appreciated the information you’ve presented from these contexts because it is current and relevant to their own academic and professional development. Moreover, you have demonstrated through your analysis and citations that the information you’ve shared is valid.

Purpose & Content:

Currently, your readers are coming back to you because they would really like to know what conclusions you’ve reached about the critical inquiry question you have in common, now that you’ve had the opportunity to look at your research findings in their entirety. How are the different contexts related to each other? Are there trends or patterns across contexts? Contradictions? Controversies? What about employment trends related to the field? Based on your research, are there assumptions you’ve identified that should be challenged?  What implications do you see for someone at your stage of academic and professional development? Finally, your readers would be interested in how you plan to apply this information to your own academic and professional development, so that they can more fully understand the implications of your research findings and apply them to their personal situations.

This is not an analytical paper.   You are presenting information and drawing conclusions based on your research, but you are not tasked with providing a thesis statement.  You should have a clear purpose stated, but your aim is to show your audience the information you’ve collected this term and explore the contexts and trends in the field that you’ve discovered.  After presenting that information, you’ll want to discuss assumptions and implications you see and how this newfound information would affect your audience’s academic and career goals.

Purdue University has an excellent site that describes how to approach writing an exploratory essay. As you plan your paper, please use the Assignment Guidelines below in conjunction with the Purdue OWL sources on Organizing an Exploratory Essay, as well as other resources found on that website.  Remember: this is NOT a research paper- you are to EXPLORE the research you have compiled throughout this term and present it an organized and synthesized way.

Although there are many ways to write an essay like this, a sample of a strong Exploratory Essay can be found here . Any assignment submitted later than three days after the due date will receive a zero for the assignment.

• ALL essays should be formatted using APA style and in-text citations (or citation format used in your major or industry).
• You should include a Works Cited page or Bibliography
• Even though this is an exploratory, partially reflective, essay, it should use formal language and adhere to common grammatical and stylistic guidelines.

Exploratory Essay Guidelines

Area of Exploration: Your essay should focus on the following question: What current external factors impacting my field of study and its associated professions should inform the decisions of someone at my stage of academic and professional development?

Format: This essay should be 7-10 pages, double-spaced, with proper citations and a works cited page. It should be thorough, evaluative, well-written, and free of syntax and grammatical errors.

Outline: You may want to use the following outline and prompts to organize all the information you have gathered in the past few weeks. For information on grading, please consult the exploratory essay rubric.

Introduction:

Purpose, Audience & Context: Provide information and analysis about the larger context for your field of study and its associated professions to people at the same stage of academic and professional development as you are?

Keep in mind: This is an exploratory and evaluative assignment so a thesis/argument is not necessary, however the purpose of the assignment should be clear in the introduction.

• Discuss each of the contexts you explored in the research assignments and how they are related to each other.  This should not be a list, or copied from your Annotated Bibliography.  It should be in paragraph format with topic sentences and smooth transitions.

Influence of Context & Assumptions:

• Address your own assumptions about your field of study and its associated professions. What did you assume about the field before you started researching?  What do you find the most important aspects of the profession?
• Identify how contexts outside of higher education influence the study and/or practice of your field.
• Show how the different contexts are related to each other. Compare and contrast them.
• Discuss trends or patterns across contexts. Explain any contradictions or controversies you encountered in your research.
• Assess the employment trends related to the field.

Conclusions & Related Implications & Consequences:

• After presenting your research, draw any conclusions you’ve reached about the critical inquiry question.
• Identify the contexts outside of higher education that are most relevant for someone at your stage of academic and professional development.
• Discuss any implications you see for someone at your stage of academic and professional development or personal interest in the field.
• Based on your research, assess any assumptions you’ve identified that should be challenged.
• Show how you plan to apply this information to your own academic and professional development or personal interest, so that the audience can more fully understand the implications of your research findings and apply them to their personal situations.

References: Access and Use Information Ethically and Legally:

• Have you clearly identify information and ideas taken from outside sources though the use of citations?

Formatting the Exploratory Essay

Paper Length, Format & Citation of Sources

The body of your paper should be a minimum of 7-10 pages.

Your paper must align with the style guide used by your major: American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), or Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS). Use the following sample papers to ensure that you’re following the style conventions appropriately:

• Sample APA Paper,
• Sample MLA Paper,
• Sample Chicago-Style Paper.

For questions about citation format for the most common sources of information, you can begin with the CPS Library & Information Commons:

• Citation Resources.

For questions about citation format for sources that don’t exactly fit the customary models, consult the style manual or go to the applicable site below, and type your question in the search box. Chances are that someone else has already asked the question and received an answer:

• APA Style Blog,
• Ask the MLA ,
• Browse Q&A (Chicago Manual of Style).

Integrating Research Findings into the Exploratory Essay

The following link to the Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL) will take you to resources for paragraphing, summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting. The resources are intended for writing traditional research papers; however, they apply to our Exploratory Essay as well:

• Drafting & Integrating

CRIT 602 Readings and Resources Copyright © 2019 by Granite State College (USNH) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Glossary of Grammatical and Rhetorical Terms

• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

An exploratory essay is a short work of nonfiction in which a writer works through a problem or examines an idea or experience, without necessarily attempting to back up a claim or support a thesis . In the tradition of the Essays of Montaigne (1533-1592), an exploratory essay tends to be speculative, ruminative, and digressive.

William Zeiger has characterized the exploratory essay as open : "[I]t is easy to see that expository composition —writing whose great virtue is to confine the reader to a single, unambiguous line of thought—is closed , in the sense of permitting, ideally, only one valid interpretation. An 'exploratory' essay, on the other hand, is an open work of nonfiction prose . It cultivates ambiguity and complexity to allow more than one reading or response to the work." ("The Exploratory Essay: Enfranchising the Spririt of Enquiry in College Composition." College English , 1985)

Examples of Exploratory Essays

Here are some exploratory essays by famous authors:

• "The Battle of the Ants," by Henry David Thoreau
• "How It Feels to Be Colored Me," by Zora Neale Hurston
• " Naturalization," by Charles Dudley Warner
• "New Year's Eve," by Charles Lamb
• "Street Haunting: A London Adventure," by Virginia Woolf

Examples and Observations:

• "The expository essay tries to prove all of its contentions, while the exploratory essay prefers to probe connections. Exploring links between personal life, cultural patterns, and the natural world, this essay leaves space for readers to reflect on their own experience, and invites them into a conversation..." (James J. Farrell, The Nature of College . Milkweed, 2010)
• "I have in mind a student writing whose model is Montaigne or Byron or DeQuincey or Kenneth Burke or Tom Wolfe...The writing is informed by associational thinking, a repertory of harlequin changes, by the resolution that resolution itself is anathema. This writer writes to see what happens." (William A. Covino, The Art of Wondering: A Revisionist Return to the History of Rhetoric . Boynton/Cook, 1988)

Montaigne on the Origin of the Essays

"Recently I retired to my estates, determined to devote myself as far as I could to spending what little life I have left quietly and privately; it seemed to me then that the greatest favour I could do for my mind was to leave it in total idleness, caring for itself, concerned only with itself, calmly thinking of itself. I hoped it could do that more easily from then on since with the passage of time it had grown mature and put on weight. "But I find—

Variam semper dant otia mentis [Idleness always produces fickle changes of mind]*

—that, on the contrary, it bolted off like a runaway horse, taking far more trouble over itself than it ever did over anyone else; it gives birth to so many chimeras and fantastic monstrosities, one after another, without order or fitness, that, so as to contemplate at my ease their oddness and their strangeness, I began to keep a record of them, hoping in time to make my mind ashamed of itself." (Michel de Montaigne, "On Idleness." The Complete Essays , trans. by M.A. Screech. Penguin, 1991)

*Note: Montaigne's terms are the technical ones of melancholy madness.

Characteristics of the Exploratory Essay

"In the quotation from Montaigne [above], we have several of the characteristics of the exploratory essay : First, it is personal in subject matter , finding its topic in a subject that is of deep interest to the writer. Second, it is personal in approach , revealing aspects of the writer as the subject at hand illuminates them. The justification for this personal approach rests in part on the assumption that all people are similar; Montaigne implies that, if we look honestly and deeply into any person, we will find truths appropriate to all people. Each of us is humankind in miniature. Third, notice the extended use of figurative language (in this case the simile comparing his mind to a runaway horse). Such language is also characteristic of the exploratory essay." (Steven M. Strang, Writing Exploratory Essays: From Personal to Persuasive . McGraw-Hill, 1995)

• Topical Organization Essay
• What Is a Personal Essay (Personal Statement)?
• What Are the Different Types and Characteristics of Essays?
• Topic In Composition and Speech
• Composition Type: Problem-Solution Essays
• The Difference Between an Article and an Essay
• What Is Expository Writing?
• Definition and Examples of Analysis in Composition
• How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
• How to Write a Solid Thesis Statement
• How to Write a Response Paper
• The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
• Expository Essay Genre With Suggested Prompts
• Definition and Examples of Transitional Paragraphs
• Point of View in Grammar and Composition
• Book Report: Definition, Guidelines, and Advice

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• A Research Guide
• Writing Guide
• Essay Writing

How to Write an Exploratory Essay

• What Is an exploratory essay
• How to start
• What is particular
• Step-by-step Writing Guide
• What is a good topic
• Exploratory essay format
• Exploratory essay example

What Is an Exploratory Essay?

• An introduction;
• The body paragraphs;
• The conclusion.
• 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.

How to Start an Exploratory Essay?

What’s particular about an exploratory essay, what makes exploratory essays different, 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, step 2. write a plan, step 3. write an exploratory essay, step 4: check citations and formatting, step 5: reread and edit your finished exploratory essay, what’s a good topic for an exploratory essay.

• 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?

Exploratory essay format, introduction to the exploratory essay.

• 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.
• 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?

Exploratory Essay Example

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How to Write an Exploratory Essay

Table of Contents

Introduction to Exploratory Essays

Definition and purpose.

An exploratory essay is a unique type of writing that explores a topic by probing into its various aspects, often without a definitive stance. The main purpose is to examine an idea or issue from multiple angles, rather than persuading or arguing for a single point of view.

Differences from Other Academic Writing

Unlike argumentative or persuasive essays, exploratory essays:

• Aim for a broader understanding rather than a narrow argument.
• Pose questions and explore them in depth.
• Present a neutral stance initially, often becoming more focused as the essay progresses.

Choosing a Topic

Selecting an engaging and manageable topic.

To choose a topic for your exploratory essay:

• Consider your interests : Pick a subject you are curious about.
• Ensure relevance : Ensure the topic is relevant to your assignment or field of study.
• Seek originality : Look for angles that haven’t been over-explored.

Strategies for Narrowing Down a Broad Subject

• Break it down : Divide the subject into smaller segments.
• Focus on a question : Formulate a central question to guide your exploration.
• Consider the scope : Make sure the topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Research Methods

Overview of primary and secondary research.

• Primary Research : Involves collecting data firsthand, e.g., interviews, surveys, experiments.
• Secondary Research : Consists of gathering information from existing sources, e.g., books, articles, journals.

Tips for Gathering Information and Keeping Track of Sources

• Start broadly : Begin with a general search to familiarize yourself with the topic.
• Use credible sources : Look for academic or peer-reviewed articles.
• Keep a research log : Document your sources, including authors, titles, and page numbers for citations.
• Be organized : Use digital tools or index cards to sort your findings by theme or category.

Structure and Outline

The importance of an outline.

Creating an outline is a crucial step in essay writing. It:

• Serves as a roadmap : Helps guide your writing process.
• Ensures coherence : Keeps your essay organized and focused.
• Saves time : Reduces the need for extensive revisions.

Components of an Exploratory Essay

• Introduction : Introduces the topic, sets the tone, and presents the central question.
• Body : Explores different aspects of the topic through sections and paragraphs.
• Conclusion : Summarizes the exploration and may hint at a personal stance or further questions.

Organizing the Body of an Essay

• Context : Provide background information to set the stage for your exploration.
• Positions : Discuss various viewpoints or findings related to the topic.
• Personal Interpretation : Reflect on the presented information and provide your own insights.

Writing Process

Drafting tips for exploratory writing.

• Be open-minded : Allow your findings to guide your writing direction.
• Maintain structure : Follow your outline to stay on track.
• Use signposting : Clearly indicate the transition from one idea to another.

Balancing Exploration with Coherence

• Stay focused : Keep the central question in mind.
• Connect the dots : Ensure each paragraph contributes to the overall exploration.
• Be concise : Avoid lengthy digressions.

Revision and Editing

Techniques for revising content for clarity and flow.

• Read aloud : Helps identify awkward phrasing and inconsistencies.
• Seek feedback : Others can provide valuable insights on the essay’s clarity.
• Restructure : Don’t be afraid to rearrange sections for better logical flow.

Proofreading Strategies to Eliminate Errors

• Take breaks : Fresh eyes catch errors more effectively.
• Check format : Ensure consistency in headings, citations, and references.
• Use tools : Grammar checkers can be helpful, but don’t rely on them exclusively.

Remember, exploratory essays are about the journey of discovery, so embrace the process as you write, revise, and edit your work.

Citation and Ethics

Properly citing sources.

To properly cite sources:

• Follow a specific citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.), as required by your field or assignment.
• Include in-text citations whenever you reference someone else’s work.
• Provide a bibliography or works cited page at the end of your essay.

Avoiding Plagiarism

To avoid plagiarism:

• Paraphrase information with your own words and cite the source.
• Quote directly when the exact wording is necessary and use quotation marks.
• Give credit for all ideas, data, or research that are not your own.

Wrapping Up Effectively

To wrap up an exploratory essay:

• Summarize key points : Briefly recap the various perspectives and your findings.
• Reflect on the process : Share what you’ve learned and how your understanding has evolved.
• Pose further questions : Suggest areas for additional research or questions that have emerged.

Reflecting on the Exploration Process and Findings

• Discuss the journey : Acknowledge how the exploration has affected your perspective.
• Be honest : It’s okay to admit if certain questions remain unresolved.

FAQs or Common Pitfalls

Addressing common questions or issues.

• How many sources should I include? There’s no set number, but ensure you have a diverse range to thoroughly explore the topic.
• Can I express my opinion? Yes, but ensure that you present it as part of the exploration, not as a definitive argument.

How to Avoid Typical Mistakes

• Not defining the scope : Be clear about the extent of your exploration to avoid a scattered essay.
• Over-reliance on sources : Balance the information from sources with your own analysis and reflection.
• Ignoring counterarguments : Acknowledge and consider opposing viewpoints to enrich the exploration.

By paying attention to these aspects of writing, you’ll enhance the quality and integrity of your exploratory essay, and provide a comprehensive discussion on the topic at hand.

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Mastering the art of exploratory essays, carla johnson.

• June 13, 2023
• Essay Topics and Ideas , How to Guides , Samples

Exploratory essays are a type of academic writing that lets the writer look at a subject or topic from many different points of view. Exploratory essays are different from other types of essays because they don’t try to prove a certain point of view or have a thesis statement. On the other hand, exploratory essays look into a topic, find different points of view, and give a full analysis. The goal of an exploratory essay is to learn a lot about a topic and show how it fits into the world as a whole. It gives the writer a chance to look into a subject, compare different points of view, and come up with results that can lead to more research and discussion. Exploratory essays are important because they teach students how to think critically, be open-minded, and improve their writing and research skills . This article will show you how to write exploratory essays by giving you tips, examples, and ideas for what to write about. We’ll talk about how to choose a topic, how to do research and analyze different points of view, and how to structure and write an effective exploratory essay. By the end of this article, you’ll know how to write a good exploratory essay that looks at a topic from different points of view. We’ll talk about what an exploratory essay is, what it’s for, and why it’s important to look at things from different points of view in the sections that follow.

What You'll Learn

Definition of an Exploratory Essay

An exploratory essay is a type of academic writing that looks at a topic from different points of view and doesn’t have a thesis statement. The goal of an exploratory essay is to look into a topic, compare different points of view, and present findings that can lead to more research and discussion. This kind of essay is often given in school to help students think more critically and be more open-minded. Argumentative essays are about arguing for a certain point of view, but exploratory essays are not about that. Instead, they are about learning more about a subject and seeing how different people see it. The point of an exploratory essay is not to get the reader to agree with a certain point of view. They are instead meant to give a complete look at a subject.

Purpose of an Exploratory Essay

The goal of an exploratory essay is to learn a lot about a topic and show how it fits into the world as a whole. The goal of the essay is to look into a topic , compare different points of view, and show results that can lead to more research and discussion. Exploratory essays are often assigned in school to help students learn to think critically and keep an open mind. You can also use exploratory essays to look into hard problems or topics that don’t have a clear answer. Exploratory essays can shed light on a topic by looking at it from different angles and analyzing different points of view. This could lead to more study or talk.

Importance of Exploring Different Perspectives

It’s important for writers to look at things from different points of view because it helps them understand a subject or topic better. By looking at things from different points of view, writers can learn new things and get a better understanding of the topic they are writing about. Exploring different points of view also helps people be more open-minded and think more critically . It gets writers to think about different points of view and question their own biases and assumptions. This is especially important in academic writing, where the goal is to carefully analyze things to find the truth and learn more. Also, looking at things from different angles can help you find new things and come up with new ideas. It can lead to more research and discussion, and it can help people understand a topic in a more nuanced and complex way. Exploratory essays are a type of academic writing that lets the writer look at a subject or topic from many different points of view. The goal of an exploratory essay is to look into a topic, compare different points of view, and present results that can lead to more research and discussion. Exploring different points of view is important because it helps people be more open-minded and think more critically. It can also lead to new insights and discoveries. In the sections that follow, we’ll show you how to write exploratory essays by giving you tips, examples, and ideas for topics .

Elements of an Exploratory Essay

To write a good exploratory essay, you need to know what the most important parts of this type of essay are. Here are the most important parts of an exploratory essay::

Introduction: The introduction of an exploratory essay should provide some background information on the topic being explored and set the stage for the rest of the essay. It should also include a clear statement of the exploratory questions being investigated.

Background Information: This section of the essay provides context and background information on the topic being explored. It may include definitions, historical information, or relevant statistics .

Exploratory Questions : These are the central questions that the essay seeks to answer. These questions are often open-ended and designed to encourage critical thinking and exploration.

Exploratory Research: This section of the essay involves researching and analyzing different perspectives on the topic being explored. It may involve reading articles, conducting interviews, or analyzing data.

Body Paragraphs: The body paragraphs of an exploratory essay should present different perspectives on the topic being explored. Each paragraph should focus on a different perspective and provide evidence to support that perspective.

Conclusion: The conclusion of an exploratory essay should summarize the main findings and insights of the essay. It should also highlight any unanswered questions or areas that require further exploration .

How to Choose a Topic for an Exploratory Essay

Choosing a topic for an exploratory essay can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help. The following are sometips on how to choose a topic for an exploratory essay:

Brainstorming Techniques: Start by brainstorming potential topics and ideas . This can be done by free-writing, mind mapping, or listing out potential topics.

Analyzing Different Perspectives: Consider a topic that has multiple perspectives or viewpoints. This can help you explore different perspectives and provide a comprehensive analysis.

Researching Potential Topics: Conduct research on potential topics to see if there is enough information available to explore the topic in depth. This can also help you identify different perspectives and potential exploratory questions.

Selecting a Topic that Interests You: Choose a topic that is important to you and that you are interested in. This can keep you interested and motivated while you do your research and write your paper. Once you have an idea for a topic , you should narrow it down and come up with a clear research question or set of exploratory questions. This will help you stay on track and make sure that your essay covers the topic in depth. It can be hard to choose a topic for an exploratory essay. But you can find a topic that is both interesting and informative by using brainstorming techniques, analyzing different points of view, researching possible topics, and choosing a topic that interests you. You can write a good exploratory essay that gives a thorough analysis of the topic by coming up with clear exploratory questions and doing thorough research.

Exploratory Essay Outline

An outline is a helpful tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas before you start writing your exploratory essay. The following is a basic outline for an exploratory essay:

Introduction:

– Introduce the topic

– Provide some background information

– Present the exploratory questions being investigated

– Thesis statement (optional)

Body Paragraphs:

– Present different perspectives on the topic being explored

– Provide evidence to support each perspective

– Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective

– Present any unanswered questions or areas that require further exploration

Conclusion:

– Summarize the main findings and insights of the essay

– Highlight any unanswered questions or areas that require further exploration

– Emphasize the importance of exploring different perspectives

Exploratory Essay Structure

The structure of an exploratory essay is similar to other types of essays, but with some key differences. The following is a basic structure for an exploratory essay:

Thesis statement (optional): In some cases, an exploratory essay may have a thesis statement, but it is not required.

– Explain the significance of exploring different perspectives

-Summarize the main findings and insights of the essay

– Conclude with a final thought or recommendation for further research or action

When writing an exploratory essay, it’s important to keep an open mind and not take sides. The goal is to show different points of view without taking a side or trying to get the reader to agree with one point of view. You can write a good exploratory essay that looks at a topic from different points of view by using clear and concise language, giving evidence to support each point of view, and analyzing the pros and cons of each point of view.

Exploratory Essay Examples

Exploratory essays can cover a wide range of topics and subjects. Here are some examples of exploratory essay topics:

Example 1: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

– Explores the effects of social media on mental health and well-being

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the positive and negative effects of social media

– Analyzes the role of social media in shaping our behavior and attitudes

Example 2: The Pros and Cons of Online Learning

– Explores the benefits and drawbacks of online learning

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the impact of online learning on student engagement , motivation, and learning outcomes

– Analyzes the role of technology in education and the potential implications of online learning on traditional classroom settings

Example 3: The Ethics of Genetic Engineering

– Explores the ethical implications of genetic engineering and genetic modification

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering

– Analyzes the role of science and technology in shaping our values and ethical principles

Example 4: The Effectiveness of Alternative Medicine

– Explores the effectiveness of alternative medicine in treating various health conditions

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the scientific evidence supporting alternative medicine

– Analyzes the role of alternative medicine in shaping our views on health and wellness

Example 5: The Causes and Effects of Climate Change

– Explores the causes and effects of climate change on our planet and society

– Investigates different perspectives on the issue, including the role of human activity, natural factors, and policy decisions in causing climate change

– Analyzes the potential impacts of climate change on our environment , economy, and public health

Tips for Writing an Effective Exploratory Essay

Writing an effective exploratory essay requires careful analysis, research, and critical thinking . Here are some tips to help you write an effective exploratory essay:

Avoiding Bias: An exploratory essay should remain objective and neutral. Avoid using language that shows bias or takes a particular stance on the topic being explored .

Providing Evidence: Use evidence to support each perspective presented in your essay . This can include statistics, quotes, or other forms of evidence that support your analysis .

Acknowledging Different Perspectives: Acknowledge the different perspectives and viewpoints presented in your essay . Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective and present the information in a clear and concise manner.

Being Open-Minded: Approach the topic with an open mind and be willing to consider different perspectives and viewpoints. This can help you develop a more comprehensive understanding of the topic being explored.

Keeping a Neutral Tone: Keep a neutral and professional tone throughout the essay. Avoid using emotional language or making personal attacks on any particular perspective.

By using these tips and examples , you can write a good exploratory essay that looks at a topic from different points of view and gives a full analysis. Remember to stay neutral and open-minded, give evidence to support each point of view, and recognize the good and bad points of each. With practice, you can learn how to write exploratory essays and improve your ability to think critically and do research.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is an exploratory essay.

An exploratory essay is a type of academic writing that does not have a thesis statement, but rather explores a topic from different perspectives. The goal of an exploratory essay is to investigate a subject, analyze different viewpoints, and present findings that can lead to further research and discussion.

2. What are the elements of an exploratory essay?

The essential elements of an exploratory essay include an introduction, background information, exploratory questions, exploratory research, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

3. How do I choose a topic for an exploratory essay ?

To choose a topic for an exploratory essay, you can use brainstorming techniques, analyze different perspectives, research potential topics , and select a topic that interests you.

4. What is the difference between an exploratory essay and a persuasive essay?

The main difference between an exploratory essay and a persuasive essay is their purpose. An exploratory essay is focused on exploring a topic and discovering different perspectives, while a persuasive essay is focused on arguing a particular point of view .

5. How do I structure an exploratory essay?

An exploratory essay typically includes an introduction, body paragraphs that present different perspectives on the topic being explored, and a conclusion that summarizes the main findings and insights of the essay .

Exploratory essays are an important type of academic writing because they teach students how to think critically, be open-minded, and improve their research and analysis skills. Students can learn more about complicated issues and add to ongoing discussions and debates by looking at a topic from different points of view. To be good at exploratory essays, you should avoid bias, back up each point of view with evidence, acknowledge different points of view, and keep a neutral tone. Students can write good exploratory essays that go into depth about a topic and give useful information for further research and discussion by using these tips and the parts and structure of an exploratory essay.

In conclusion, exploratory essays are a useful type of academic writing that can help students learn how to think critically, do research, and analyze. Students can learn more about complicated issues and add to ongoing discussions and debates if they keep an open mind and look at things from different points of view.

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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Your thesis is the central claim in your essay—your main insight or idea about your source or topic. Your thesis should appear early in an academic essay, followed by a logically constructed argument that supports this central claim. A strong thesis is arguable, which means a thoughtful reader could disagree with it and therefore needs your careful analysis of the evidence to understand how you arrived at this claim. You arrive at your thesis by examining and analyzing the evidence available to you, which might be text or other types of source material.

A thesis will generally respond to an analytical question or pose a solution to a problem that you have framed for your readers (and for yourself). When you frame that question or problem for your readers, you are telling them what is at stake in your argument—why your question matters and why they should care about the answer . If you can explain to your readers why a question or problem is worth addressing, then they will understand why it’s worth reading an essay that develops your thesis—and you will understand why it’s worth writing that essay.

A strong thesis will be arguable rather than descriptive , and it will be the right scope for the essay you are writing. If your thesis is descriptive, then you will not need to convince your readers of anything—you will be naming or summarizing something your readers can already see for themselves. If your thesis is too narrow, you won’t be able to explore your topic in enough depth to say something interesting about it. If your thesis is too broad, you may not be able to support it with evidence from the available sources.

When you are writing an essay for a course assignment, you should make sure you understand what type of claim you are being asked to make. Many of your assignments will be asking you to make analytical claims , which are based on interpretation of facts, data, or sources.

Some of your assignments may ask you to make normative claims. Normative claims are claims of value or evaluation rather than fact—claims about how things should be rather than how they are. A normative claim makes the case for the importance of something, the action that should be taken, or the way the world should be. When you are asked to write a policy memo, a proposal, or an essay based on your own opinion, you will be making normative claims.

Here are some examples of possible thesis statements for a student's analysis of the article “The Case Against Perfection” by Professor Michael Sandel.  

Descriptive thesis (not arguable) 

While Sandel argues that pursuing perfection through genetic engineering would decrease our sense of humility, he claims that the sense of solidarity we would lose is also important.

This thesis summarizes several points in Sandel’s argument, but it does not make a claim about how we should understand his argument. A reader who read Sandel’s argument would not also need to read an essay based on this descriptive thesis.  

Broad thesis (arguable, but difficult to support with evidence) 

Michael Sandel’s arguments about genetic engineering do not take into consideration all the relevant issues.

This is an arguable claim because it would be possible to argue against it by saying that Michael Sandel’s arguments do take all of the relevant issues into consideration. But the claim is too broad. Because the thesis does not specify which “issues” it is focused on—or why it matters if they are considered—readers won’t know what the rest of the essay will argue, and the writer won’t know what to focus on. If there is a particular issue that Sandel does not address, then a more specific version of the thesis would include that issue—hand an explanation of why it is important.  

Arguable thesis with analytical claim 

While Sandel argues persuasively that our instinct to “remake” (54) ourselves into something ever more perfect is a problem, his belief that we can always draw a line between what is medically necessary and what makes us simply “better than well” (51) is less convincing.

This is an arguable analytical claim. To argue for this claim, the essay writer will need to show how evidence from the article itself points to this interpretation. It’s also a reasonable scope for a thesis because it can be supported with evidence available in the text and is neither too broad nor too narrow.  

Arguable thesis with normative claim 

Given Sandel’s argument against genetic enhancement, we should not allow parents to decide on using Human Growth Hormone for their children.

This thesis tells us what we should do about a particular issue discussed in Sandel’s article, but it does not tell us how we should understand Sandel’s argument.  

Questions to ask about your thesis 

• Is the thesis truly arguable? Does it speak to a genuine dilemma in the source, or would most readers automatically agree with it?  
• Is the thesis too obvious? Again, would most or all readers agree with it without needing to see your argument?  
• Is the thesis complex enough to require a whole essay's worth of argument?  
• Is the thesis supportable with evidence from the text rather than with generalizations or outside research?  
• Would anyone want to read a paper in which this thesis was developed? That is, can you explain what this paper is adding to our understanding of a problem, question, or topic?
• picture_as_pdf Thesis

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Why an Exploratory Essay is One of the Most Intriguing Types of Essays

Writing an exploratory essay offers an opportunity to explore a topic that interests you or a problem that you find compelling. Unlike other types of essays, an exploratory essay allows you to be more flexible and creative, as you're not confined to presenting just one viewpoint. Instead, the aim is to scrutinize different perspectives and share your findings with your reader. This essay type is particularly useful for topics that don't have easy or straightforward answers. What sets the exploratory essay apart is its open-ended nature, which encourages you to think more critically and approach your topic from multiple angles. If done well, this can be an incredibly enriching experience, both for you and your readers.

What is an Exploratory Essay?

An exploratory essay is a type of essay that allows you to explore a topic or issue from various angles. Unlike persuasive or descriptive essays, which aim to convince the reader of a certain viewpoint, exploratory essays focus on presenting multiple perspectives. The aim is not to argue for one right answer, but to consider different viewpoints and arrive at a nuanced understanding of the topic. Often, exploratory essays ask questions that don't have straightforward answers, encouraging you to engage deeply with the material. You can learn too how to write an essay on beauty and the beast. One of the most important parts of writing a successful exploratory essay is choosing a good topic that lends itself well to this type of analysis.

Understanding Exploratory Questions

Exploratory questions are fundamental to writing an exploratory essay. These questions set the stage for the investigation you will undertake. Unlike questions you might find in a persuasive essay, exploratory questions usually do not have a right or wrong answer. Instead, they are designed to make you think, to probe deeper into the issue at hand, and to consider different points of view. Crafting good exploratory questions is crucial; they serve as the backbone of your essay and guide your research and analysis.

How to Choose a Good Topic

Picking a good topic for your exploratory essay is crucial. A good topic should be interesting to you and your readers and should offer enough complexity to explore from multiple angles. When you find good exploratory essay topics, you'll notice that they often deal with issues that are up for debate or questions that don't have easy answers. This provides an excellent framework for exploration and for discussing various viewpoints. Additionally, a good exploratory essay topic should have available resources and enough information for a thorough analysis.

Crafting the Exploratory Essay Outline

Once you have your topic and exploratory questions, the next step is to create an exploratory essay outline. An outline helps you organize your thoughts and ensures that you cover all necessary points. It should consist of an introduction, body parts, and a conclusion. Each part plays a different role in the essay, and knowing how to construct each can make the writing process smoother.

Body Parts and Their Importance

The main body of your exploratory essay is where you'll do most of the exploration. Here, you present your research, discuss different viewpoints, and analyze your findings. Each body part of the essay should focus on a different aspect or angle of your topic. This will help you offer a well-rounded view, making your essay more credible and engaging. It's essential to maintain a balanced approach, giving equal attention to different perspectives.

Exploring Various Essay Topics

As mentioned earlier, the topic you choose can make or break your essay. Exploratory essay topics can range from social issues to scientific questions. The aim is to pick a subject that intrigues you and that allows for a deep-dive analysis. The range of potential exploratory essay topics is vast, so take your time to find one that you're passionate about. Remember, a topic that offers multiple viewpoints will likely lead to a more engaging and informative essay.

Introduction: Your First Impression

Your introduction should give your reader an idea of what the essay will cover. It sets the tone for the entire paper and should capture the reader's attention from the get-go. Consider starting with a hook—a fact, a question, or a statement—to draw them in. Your thesis statement, which comes toward the end of your introduction, will guide the rest of the essay, so make it strong and clear.

Do’s and Don'ts

When writing an exploratory essay, there are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind. Do maintain an impartial tone. Do provide evidence for each viewpoint you present. Don't disregard perspectives that contradict your own; instead, present them objectively. Don't forget to cite your sources and provide a comprehensive bibliography.

FAQs about Exploratory Essays

Here, we answer some common questions people have about exploratory essays. From tips on picking topics to outlining your essay, this section aims to clarify any uncertainties you may have.

Concluding Thoughts and Tips

In conclusion, an exploratory essay is an exciting academic endeavor that allows you to explore topics and issues from a variety of perspectives. While writing an exploratory essay might seem daunting at first, with the right planning and approach, you can produce a compelling and informative piece. Always remember, the success of your essay largely depends on the topic you choose and how well you structure your arguments. So, take your time, do your research, and craft an essay that you are proud of.

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