How to Approach Your ‘Be Interested’ Project: Exploring Ideas with Curiosity

Purpose
The goal of this project is to demonstrate your interest and curiosity in an idea. You may or may not know much about the idea at this point, so your exploration of the idea will be an important part of the assignment. You should have a genuine interest in the idea since you’ll be spending considerable time thinking about and investigating the idea.
Task
As a part of your interest in your chosen idea, explore as much as you can about your idea in order to gain various perspectives on the idea. As you explore, keep in mind that you should search for sources that are credible, current, and diverse in nature. You’ll need to document any source you use in your paper by using MLA; we will have upcoming research and MLA workshops in class soon. Try to gather questions from your sources along your exploratory journey to complicate your thinking about the chosen idea so that you can develop additional questions in your paper to keep your interest in the idea moving forward for you and your readers.
Once you’ve gathered sufficient information (you are satisfied that your idea is being fairly represented from multiple perspectives), write about the idea in a way that demonstrates your curiosity, exploration, interest, and beginning expertise in understanding the idea. Use your questions, at least two of your sources, and your thoughts to demonstrate your committed interest in the idea. Be sure to discuss how you became interested in your idea, why you continue to be interested in the idea, and where you might take the idea in the future. Your level of interest in the idea may or may not change based on your exploration process, so coming to a definite conclusion about your idea at this point in time may be premature.
Criteria
When you submit your project for feedback, your peers and I will be looking for your Be Interesting Project to contain the following elements:
A creative and appealing title;
a well-crafted introduction that leads your reader(s) to want to read on;
paragraphs with clear topic sentences that clearly demonstrate your interest in the subject;
well-developed and interesting content;
specific language choices and the occasional well-written question within paragraphs to appeal directly to your reader(s);
at least two well-integrated sources that will satisfy your reader(s) curiosity and will support your ideas in the topic sentences;
a conclusion that leaves your reader(s) either satisfied with their time/effort reading about your idea, or wanting to read more about your idea;
proper in-text citations along with a Works Cited page in MLA format.
Format & Length
Prepare your project using Microsoft Word and be sure to back up your work in a safe place (e.g., Microsoft One Drive).
In the upper left corner of the page, put your name, date, and W131 Be Interested Project as a single-spaced list.
Underneath this information and centered on the page, develop a creative title that piques your readers’ interest and provides a clue about what to expect in your paper.
Insert page numbers starting on page 2.
Use 1” margins, double spacing, and Times New Roman 12 pt. font.
Your paper must be at the very least three full pages and try not to go more than five pages in length.
Attribute all sources in your paper using MLA, and provide a separate Works Cited page.
Please avoid the school-based five-paragraph essay (too predictable!); I encourage you to write authentically using your voice, supported by your sources, to develop the idea in a meaningful way for your reader(s)

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

---

Step-by-Step Guide for Structuring and Writing Your “Be Interested Project”

1. Choose a Topic You’re Curious About

• Goal: Your task is to explore an idea that genuinely interests you. This might be something you already know a little about, or it could be a completely new area you want to dive into.
• Think about something that sparks your curiosity, whether it’s a social issue, a technological trend, a scientific topic, or a cultural phenomenon.
• Once you have your topic, make sure you are curious enough to investigate different perspectives on it. Your goal is to explore the topic, not necessarily to settle on a conclusion immediately.

2. Conduct Research

• Gather credible, current, and diverse sources to help you understand the topic from multiple perspectives. As you search, aim to find a variety of sources:
  • Articles from reputable publications.
  • Books or academic papers.
  • Expert interviews or documentaries.
• Your research should provoke questions that make you think more deeply about your topic. These questions will guide your exploration and shape your paper.
• Keep track of your sources in MLA format as you go, so you can properly cite them later.

3. Craft a Creative and Engaging Title

• Your title should grab the reader’s attention and give them a hint about your topic. Aim to be both creative and informative.
• For example, if your topic is about the rise of electric cars, you might choose a title like “Charging Ahead: Exploring the Future of Electric Vehicles”, which gives an intriguing clue about the direction of your paper.

4. Write the Introduction

• Your introduction should hook the reader. Start with something intriguing, like a question, a fact, or an anecdote that relates to your topic.
• Provide a brief overview of the topic and state why you are interested in it. Explain that you are still exploring the topic and that you want to investigate it from multiple angles.
• The goal is to get the reader curious about the topic and to set up your exploration.

Example:
“When we think about the future of transportation, electric vehicles often come to mind. But what if the shift to electric cars is more than just a trend? What if it’s a necessary evolution in our fight against climate change and pollution? As I explore the electric vehicle market, I’m uncovering questions that have yet to be answered—questions that could impact the way we live, drive, and interact with our environment.”

5. Develop Your Body Paragraphs

• Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence that introduces the idea you’re exploring in that section.
• As you discuss your findings, incorporate questions and ideas that show how your exploration is evolving. These questions will make the paper more engaging and will also show how your understanding is deepening as you explore different viewpoints.
• Make sure to integrate at least two well-sourced references into your discussion. These should support your exploration and provide credibility to your statements. When incorporating quotes, summaries, or paraphrases, always use MLA in-text citations.
• Remember, this paper should reflect your genuine interest, so feel free to express your personal thoughts and reactions to what you’re learning.

Example Paragraph: “One of the most pressing questions in the electric vehicle market is whether consumers are ready for a widespread transition to electric cars. According to a 2021 report by the International Energy Agency, the global electric car stock surpassed 10 million units, a significant increase from previous years (IEA, 2021). But despite this growth, a lingering question remains: Can the existing infrastructure—especially charging stations—support such a transition? As electric vehicles become more mainstream, addressing these challenges will be essential in making this shift sustainable.”

6. Address the Questions You’re Developing

• As you explore your topic, you’ll start to encounter questions that challenge your initial assumptions. These questions should be included in your paper to show that your curiosity is driving your research.
• For example, if you’re exploring electric cars, you might ask, “How will the shift to electric vehicles impact jobs in the traditional automotive industry?” or “What role does government policy play in accelerating the adoption of electric cars?”
• Reflect on how these questions may complicate your thinking and how your opinion might evolve.

7. Write the Conclusion

• Your conclusion should provide a sense of satisfaction for the reader without necessarily concluding your exploration. Remember, you’re still in the process of exploring the topic, so the conclusion doesn’t need to provide final answers.
• Summarize what you’ve learned and mention where you’d like to take your exploration in the future.
• Leave the reader with an open-ended thought or question that reflects your ongoing curiosity.

Example Conclusion: “While the electric vehicle market is certainly growing, it remains clear that the shift to cleaner transportation is much more complex than just building more cars. From the environmental benefits to the economic implications, the future of electric vehicles will require more than just consumer interest—it will need policy reform, technological innovation, and global cooperation. As I continue to explore these questions, I’m eager to understand how these challenges can be addressed in a way that benefits both the economy and the environment.”

8. Proper MLA Citations

• As you write, be sure to cite your sources correctly. For MLA format:
  • In-text citations should include the author’s last name and the page number (if applicable).
  • Works Cited page: After your essay, include a Works Cited page in MLA format. This should list all the sources you referenced in your paper.

9. Review and Proofread

• After writing your paper, take time to review it for clarity, flow, and grammar. Make sure your argument is clear and that your questions and curiosity are well expressed.
• Check that your MLA formatting is correct, including citations, font, margins, and spacing.

10. Final Submission

• Ensure your paper is between three to five pages.
• Double-check your formatting, sources, and citations before submission.

By following these steps, you will craft a compelling and engaging paper that reflects your genuine curiosity and interest in the chosen topic. Good luck with your exploration!

ORDER A SIMILAR PAPER NOW