Q Exploratory Essay Guidelines An exploratory essay is the perspective of others on your topic. This should be what you gleaned from your research (your annotated bibliography). 1. MLA Format. Here is a copy of the University Writing Center's MLA packet. Print this and keep it handy or use the ENGL 1302 template provided. 2. One-inch (1”) margins all around. 3. Entire paper double spaced: a. Be sure when you choose double space, that you go into the “line spacing options” feature and make certain 0’s are in the “before” and “after” field of the “Spacing” section. b. Your header and Work(s) Cited should also be double spaced. 4. Proper header in top left-hand corner first page (name, class, professor, date). 5. In upper right-hand corner (using the header tool in Word), “insert” page number. Then type in your last name. It will type right in front of the page number. (If you need help with this, email me for more detailed instructions). 6. Center title after 4-line heading (No separate title page) 7. One to two pages in length (250-500 words). 8. Follow the directions given on page 108 (Worksheet 2 – Exploratory Paper) from your textbook. 9. Use Student Paper #1 “The Controversy Behind Barbie” (pp. 106-108) as an example. 10. When you refer to a source from your annotated bibliography in your paper, be sure to add an in-text citation (see in this sample paper in paragraph 1). 11. Work(s) Cited page – your Works Cited page should be separate and also double spaced. Alphabetize by author’s last name or if no author, title of article. Be sure to indent the 2nd and following lines of each entry 5 spaces. See example below: “History of Toys: Barbie Dolls.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2008. Web. 15 Feb. 2008. Wood, Gaby, and Frances Stonor Saunders. “Dream Doll.” New Statesman 15 Apr. 2002: 38-40. Academic Search Complete. Web. 18 Feb. 2008