What is cited as the easiest way for a general reader to trace the ecliptic on a given night?
Answer
Locating a visible bright planet or the Moon.
Since planets follow the ecliptic closely, the easiest method is to locate a bright planet or the Moon, and imagine a line stretching across the sky through that object, as this traces a close approximation of the ecliptic.

#Videos
What is the Ecliptic in Astronomy? Discover Its Celestial Significance
Related Questions
What fundamental line does the ecliptic plane represent in our sky?What is the approximate current measurement of the obliquity of the ecliptic?What phenomenon is the direct cause of the seasons on Earth?The measurement of 23.44 degrees refers to the angular separation between which two lines?Which celestial bodies are almost always observed near the ecliptic circle?Approximately how long does it take for the Sun to complete a full circuit relative to the background stars?What is the approximate angle at which the ecliptic plane intersects the galactic plane?What is cited as the easiest way for a general reader to trace the ecliptic on a given night?What does the term 'equinox' signify regarding the Sun's crossing of the celestial equator?Relative to the celestial equator, what does the degree of tilt define at the solstices?