The Basic Essay

The Introduction Paragraph Pulls your reader into your paper and lets them know what the essay is going to be about 3 parts Attention Getter Find a way to suck your reader in What will make them want to continue reading? Background Information What information does the reader need to know to understand your essay? Thesis Statement Tells your reader what your paper is going to be about

Example Introduction   Throughout human history, the physical universe has often presented dangers to explorers. For example, when primitive humans left their tribal villages to search for food and water, they risked death or injury from dangerous animals. Later, when people sailed the oceans in search of new lands for settlement or trade, many died in terrible storms. Similarly, the ocean of outer space has many dangers, but it also has several unique challenges for explorers.

The Body Paragraphs This is where all of the content for your essay is found 3 parts Topic sentence with transition Tells your reader what your paragraph is going to be about Transitional words/phrases: First, next, then, before, after, following, etc. Supporting Details Facts and story examples that support your topic sentence Clincher Sentence Remind your reader what that paragraph was about

Example Body Paragraph Another difficulty that is unique to outer space is the presence of meteors and micrometeors. These are pieces of rock and metal that are left over from the formation of the solar system. Many of these objects travel at very high speeds. Under the Earth's blanket of air, people are usually protected from metor impacts. However, in space, people and spaceships are vulnerable to collisions with meteors. It is true that the chance of metor impacts is relatively small, but if even a small micrometeor happens to collide with a spacecraft, it could cause serious damage.

The conclusion Paragraph Ties all the pieces of your essay together for some final thoughts 3 parts Transition sentence Lead your reader from your body into your conclusion Don’t forget your transitional word/phrase Restated Thesis Reword your thesis statement from your introduction to remind your readers what the essay was about Call to Action or Future thought Give your readers some kind of connection to the content in your essay

       As mentioned above, the Earth's natural environment has often presented dangers to explorers. Dangerous animals, vast oceans, and violent weather have presented risks to humans. However, the new frontier of outer space, with its vacuum, meteors, and lack of water, presents unique challenges to people who desire to explore it.

Firemen’s Essay Contest Theme: “Don’t Wait, Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years!” Assignment Using the research provided, fill out the thesis worksheet