1. State University of New York, New Paltz
Composition I/ Business Fig
Essay #1: Exploratory
Exploratory essays do just that—explore a topic that is of personal interest. They may be
structured as a narrative or as a more traditional academic essay.
Length: 600-750 Words
Directions: Choose one of the following topics
1. What I Learned from My Summer Job (or What I Learned from My Part-time Job)
2. The Person (People) Who Have Inspired Me to Major in ___________
3. My Best (or Worst) Job
HOW TO WRITE A STRONG ESSAY:
 Include a well-told story. As with most narratives, those about literacy often set up some
sort of situation that needs to be resolved. That need for resolution makes readers want to
keep reading.
 Provide vivid detail. Details can bring a narrative to life for readers by giving them vivid
mental images of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the world in which
your story takes place. The details you use when describing something can help readers
picture places, people, and events; dialogue can help them hear what is being said.
 Explain/ reflect upon the narrative's significance. An interesting exploratory essay
includes the author’s reflection upon what s/he learned from a particular experience or
from specific people. The writer needs to make clear why the incident and/or the people
matters to him or her.
CONSIDERING THE RHETORICAL SITUATION
PURPOSE: Why do you want to tell this story? To share a memory with others? To
fulfill an assignment? To teach a lesson? To explore your past learning? Think about the reasons
for your choice and how they will shape what you write.
AUDIENCE : Are your readers likely to have had similar experiences? Would they tell
similar stories? How much explaining will you have to do to help them understand your
narrative? Can you assume that they will share your attitudes toward your story, or will you have
to work at making them see your perspective? How much about your life are you willing to share
with this audience?