About this assignment: You will examine the same issue that you proposed in your 1.2 Issue Proposal, but from multiple perspectives (at least two views). The paper will be organized around 3 basic components: 1) a background and summary of the issue; 2) an analysis of two to three viewpoints; and 3) the concluding paragraph, which may or may not explain your own position. You don’t have to include your claim at this point unless you have some compelling need to do so. You will have an opportunity to fully argue your position in the 3.5 Major Researched argument paper assignment.
Submission format: Type in 12-point font in Times New Roman style ONLY; Double-space with standard 1 inch margins; number all pages. (3-4 pages) All papers should be clearly identified in the upper right-hand corner of the first page only of your document. For example…

Your Full Name
Assignment Label; i.e., Exploratory Essay
English Comp II – 112
Due Date- Mmmdd, YYYY (Use correct date for each stage of assignment based on due dates above)
Word Count – nnnn (the actual word count you used; does not include title or label)

Center an original title for the paper.

Use correct naming convention when saving file: Your Last NameEXP.rtf or .doc or .docx ONLY!

Use Assignment Manager to Submit Online: DO NOT EMAIL IT! When ready to submit: Return to ASSIGNMENTS folder. Go to the Week it is due. Click assignment Title and follow instructions on screen to upload completed file.

Assignment Length Requirement (3-4 double-spaced typed pages). Page Count Does not include Works Cited Page.

Number of (different) sources required: (at least four) from a variety of types, such as: periodicals, books, newspapers, Library Databases, interviews, etc. Avoid using the World Wide Web to avoid possible unworthy sources, unless the publications are reputable, e.g. The Washington Post or The New York Times online.

Instructions:
1. Use the issue you selected in your Issue Proposal and look at this issue from three different points of view. DO NOT write an Exploratory paper on an issue that has not been pre-approved!

2. Use outside sources to explain each perspective. You can seek help from the Librarian to find reputable sources. For every source you use in the Exploratory paper identify the rhetorical situation in a brief statement or two. At a minimum this should include: audience (reader), who wrote the article (author)/the author’s credentials, when it was originally published and where it appeared (text/source).

3. For each viewpoint: identify the claim, reasons that the claim should be accepted and examples of evidence to back up the reasons given. Use good, clear transitions to introduce each viewpoint, reasons and evidence.

4. The conclusion paragraph should summarize all the views. It can include a ‘brief’ statement about your own position but does not have to. If you do include your claim here, make sure it is a general statement of your opinion about the issue—not your entire argument about your position! You may present a brief solution if that is appropriate.

After having completed this assignment, when you write the major researched argument paper you should have a well-considered, informed position and claim based on your ideas, your consideration of other viewpoints, and your research.

5. Sources must be submitted in Modern Language Association (MLA) format, including both in-text citations and Works Cited page at the end.

Follow these instructions carefully. If you submit an assignment in improper format or do not follow these instructions, it may not be graded and you will receive an “F” for the assignment!

Category: Essays