Foundations 111A: Revolution and Renaissance
Georgetown College--Fall 2011
Exploratory Essay Assignment
Context
Readings in Foundations 111 deal with important issues arising in different time periods and cultures.
You can see by now that as we work with these texts, we discuss not only their content but also our
responses to that content, particularly in terms of how we might understand these texts as fully as
possible. In your Exploratory Essay, you will describe your intellectual and perhaps emotional journey as
you worked through a particular reading.
Assignment
Choose one of the questions below. Then, write an essay in which you explore your intellectual journey
towards answering the question and understanding the reading(s) involved as fully as possible. “The
keys to writing successful exploratory essays are (1) choosing an issue to explore on which you don’t
have an answer or position (or on which you are open to changing your mind); (2) wrestling with an
issue or problem by resisting quick, simple answers and by exploring diverse perspectives;1 and (3)
letting your thinking evolve and your own stance on the issue grow out of this exploration” (Skills
Handbook 173, emphasis mine).
Options: Choose one of the following guiding questions as the basis for your essay:
 What kind of God do we find in Exodus, Amos, and Hosea?
 How does The Iliad portray the main characteristics of the ideal human life?
 What is the Athenian justification for the demand that Melos submit to them during the
Peloponnesian War?
 As depicted in Plato’s Apology, what is the value of the pursuit of wisdom?
 What does Socrates mean when he claims that the “unexamined life is not worth living” in
Plato’s Apology?
Guidelines (adapted from Writing Arguments)
 Your introductory paragraph should present the question you are answering and explain why it
interests you, why it is significant, and why it is problematic rather than clear-cut or easy to
resolve.
 The body of your essay will go into the details about how you reach an answer. Your essay
should demonstrate how you have “kept the question open, sincerely wrestled with different
views on the question, accepted uncertainty and ambiguity, and possibly redefined the
question in the midst of your reading and reflecting on multiple perspectives.” (emphasis mine)
 Consider whether your essay would be strengthened by accurate, well-placed summary of the
text(s) involved.
 In your conclusion, you could reach a thesis—an argument in response to the question. Your
conclusion could also remain open because you recognize the need or desire for more
exploration of the topic.
 Throughout your essay, explain yourself thoroughly to your readers by:
o developing and supporting your ideas with details and examples;
o representing the text(s) accurately and fairly, and
o quoting and paraphrasing when necessary
1
Your essay MUST consider and weigh the evidence for at least two possible answers to the guiding question you
choose.
Goals





To practice reading texts closely and carefully for the greatest possible comprehension
To practice articulating your responses (interpretations, analyses) to texts
To build critical thinking and writing skills through the drafting and revising process
To practice using examples drawn from another author
To practice editing and proofreading
Format and Deadlines
 Your essay must be 900-1200 words long, double-spaced, stapled, in Times New Roman 12point font, Calibri 11-point font or something similar.
 An outline and draft of this essay are due as a part of Skill-Building Exercise 3. See that
assignment sheet for more information.
 Your final essay is due on Monday, October 3.
 The essay must be turned in electronically (as a MS Word document attachment to an email to
me, delivered no later than the beginning of class on Monday, October 3). Please see the late
paper policy in the syllabus to avoid taking a zero on this assignment!