Exploratory Essay

Part One: The Exploratory Essay Paper-
An exploratory essay will be submitted (3-5 pages) that summarizes the process of conducting inquiry into a topic, gathering information, and sharing that information. Exploratory essays are very different from argumentative essays. Instead of writing to convince an audience of the validity of a thesis, you will be writing to find out about a problem and perhaps to form some preliminary conclusions about how it might be solved.
An exploratory essay is, in essence, a retrospective of your writing and thinking process as you work through a problem. It describes how and why you completed certain types of research. This kind of writing is about how you work through problems that require writing and research.
Your paper should utilize the following structure including these specific headings and sub headings:
Introduction (10 points)
The introduction should outline the problem you explored (2 pts) and why you believe that its important (2 pts). In addition, you should briefly discuss 1) some of the problems possible causes (2pts); 2) the institutions and people involved with the problem (2pts); 3) some of the possible solutions to the problem (2pts). 
Body Paragraphs (12 points)
At least 3 body paragraphs should discuss the inquiry process you followed to research your problem. These paragraphs should include the following:
1.    Introduction of source (title, author, type of media, publisher, publication date, etc.) and why you chose to use it in your exploration (3)
2.    Important information you found in the source regarding your problem (3)
3.    Why the information is important and dependable in relation to the problem (3)
4.    Some personal introspection on how the source helped you, allowed you to think (3) differently about the problem, or even fell short of your expectations and led you in a new direction in your research, which forms a transition into your next source.
Conclusion (8 pts)
The conclusion should be a condensed review of the problem, its possible causes, institutions and people involved, and possible solutions (4pts). What questions do you still have about the problem and why? (2 pts)  Where you might look to answer these questions, and what other forms of research you would have to do. (2 pts)
Your paper should be about 3-5 pages in length, double spaced, and use the APA format to cite any and all sources used throughout the paper and including a reference page.  (6 pts)