1. The Basic Essay

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7.        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.

8. 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