The Immortal Jellyfish
1.Start by identifying your interest in the topic. Why did you choose this topic? What relationship do you have to the topic? What question(s) do you have about it? Write this down in your notes or keep a Word doc with your impressions and questions while you complete research. Think of this process as an active research journal: somewhere to compile ideas & questions.

2.Describe your topic and the central questions concerning your research, as you see it unfolding. How is this issue commonly understood? What are the basic assumptions or opinions that surround it? How have you understood the issue? What are your initial assumptions about it?

3.Next, look at your personal opinion or stance on this issue. What do you think you might be overlooking? What assumptions have you made that need to be explored? What new questions do you have about the issue?

4.How do the people involved in this conversation define/describe/understand the issue? What are their values? How do these values effect their position and assumptions? Pursue your research by following your natural curiosity about the topic. Stay focused on questions. What was your initial question? How does it grow and change throughout your research process?

*** Your exploratory paper should be written as a narrative, a report. That is, you should use your own voice and tell the story of your research process. Act as the teller of the story: where do we begin? What background information did you have that you questioned and researched? Where are we going with you in this process?
Although I’ve given you some conceptual guidelines and questions to consider, the actual content, ideas, and directions you take are up to you. As you go through your process, please explain your rationale for the choices you make, why you pursued a particular source, what you thought of it, etc. In other words, try to consciously assess each movement in your paper: why do you find certain sources or researchers better than others? Why are some of the perspectives on your issue so hard€”or too easy€”to grasp? Consider ideological stances and positions of those in your conversation. Think of the paper you write as representing the conversation taking place. ***

Evaluation

Your paper will be evaluated based on the following key components:
1. Clear and convincing statement of the importance of the issue and your investment in it.
2. Thorough consideration of the stakes and stakeholders.
3. Analysis of the assumptions and value/definitional differences among the parties.
4. Identification of the real conflict and any common ground that exists.
5. Careful and effective use of sources to trace your natural curiosity in the topic.
6. Mechanical correctness of grammar and citations.