What’s an exploratory essay?

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An exploratory essay is one in which the writer explores a specific topic, often in depth. This can be a concrete topic, like the ways smoking affects your health, or it can be more abstract, like how the writer feels about the sun. Such essays differ from most other types of essays in that they do not require the writer to come to a firm conclusion or opinion. Rather, the intent is simply to think about the subject, investigate it, and write about the experience.

A writer should begin an exploratory essay by telling the reader what topic they intend to explore and why it matters. For example, a writer who is exploring the risks and benefits of changing careers in her 40s might state her intent and explain that it matters because many women face the same dilemma. This establishes a purpose for the essay and gives the reader a reason to keep reading.

An exploratory essay body explains how the writer came to think about this particular topic and reviews her findings. These findings could be purely thought-based or purely factual, but are often a combination of the two. For example, the career changer might reveal that she studied job change statistics in her country and found that nearly 30 percent of women in their 40s have considered changing careers. She could also write about how she talked about her desire to change careers with several friends and reveal the advice they gave her. Both would be examples of topic exploration.

The writer also needs to summarize his exploration at the end. This may involve stating a conclusion or opinion, but is not required. The author of the career essay, for example, might simply conclude that she still has a lot to think about. If the writer comes to a conclusion, expressing that information should be secondary and should require fewer words than exploring the topic.

Unlike many other types of essays, an exploratory essay is rarely rigidly structured. For example, many types of essays require the writer to lay out a purpose, then methodology, then move on to findings, then draw a conclusion, and then summarize. While an exploratory essay should begin by stating its purpose and end by summarizing, the main body of the essay is often free-flowing, particularly when such essays have a literary tone. It is important, however, that exploratory essays that cite sources do so accurately and consistently.

Writing an exploratory essay may require more abstract thinking than other types of essays. For this reason, such essays are rarely given to lower grade students in high school. They are, however, popular assignments for college classes, such as philosophy, psychology, and creative writing.

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