What is an Exploratory Paper?

Exploratory Argument: In exploratory essays, the writer (you) explores three sources that take a position on a controversial issue. All three sources take the same side of the issue; they all basically make the same claim (thesis statement), but their perspective (interpretation of the issue) will be different. or example, take this issue: !"hould there be stricter copyri#ht penalties on the Internet$ or instance, all three sources explored may ar#ue that once a person uploads a photo#raph on, for example, flickr.com, it becomes public domain and no copyri#ht laws should apply. %he sources explored will ar#ue on the same side of the issue, they all answer the issue &uestion: yes. 'et, they will present evidence that will ali#n with their different perspectives. or example, one source may take a le#al perspective and the evidence will come from le#al sources; another source may take a psycholo#ical perspective and their evidence to support their position will come from psycholo#ical studies, etc. In addition, the sources must come from a variety of secondary sources: scholarly (ournals, ma#a)ines, and*or newspapers, and the sources cannot be all +ebsites. The Purpose In the exploratory paper, the writer identifies three sources that take the same side of the issue; this means, for each source, their thesis statements*claims are the same. In order to help the reader (students, instructor) understand each source,s ar#ument, the writer, (you) will include a brief -./ sentence summary for each source that includes the writer,s thesis*claim and the reasons provided to support his or her perspective. Also, this will include an analysis of how well the reasons and evidence support their position and their perspective. %his re&uires specific references from the work in the form of direct &uotations. %his last part is important. 'our own opinions are not expressed at all. %his is not an ar#ument paper. Advantages to Writing an Exploratory Paper 0xploratory papers have a number of advanta#es. +hen you view an issue from many perspectives, you #ain a #reater depth of understandin# of it and the various views taken. Also, exploratory papers provide mutual understandin# and common #round for you next sta#e in ar#ument: writin# your own ar#ument paper. %hese sources can be used to support your side to an issue or they may be used as an opposin# view to your own position. After explorin# sources on an issue, you learn about the other positions on this controversial issue. How to Write the Exploratory Paper %he exploratory framework appears on e1ompanion in the folder marked: !0xploratory 2aper Assi#nment.3 %his handout basically lays out the format for each body para#raph. Also, there is a student sample essay that explores the issue: "hould biotechnolo#y be banned in 4.". sports$ All three sources in this paper take the same side of this issue and ar#ue that biotechnolo#y basically destroys honest competition, but they approach and support their position with three different perspectives.