Jan. 27 Opinion Essay, Benchmark, U6, W3, D3

Opinion Essay

How can I use my research to create an opinion essay?

Teacher's Writing Prompt

People argue that going to live on mars is a possibility in the future. Do you agree or disagree? Imagine that you have been asked to answer this question in an opinion essay. One of your guiding questions is: What challenges are involved in making a home on the planet Mars? Read and take notes from at least two sources to help you answer this question. List the sources of your information.

Reason 1: Mars can sustain life

• The atmosphere of Mars is mostly carbon dioxide, the surface of the planet is too cold to sustain human life, and the planet’s gravity is a mere 38% of Earth’s.

• it’s possible that habitable bases on Mars will require more square footage for inhabitants.

• "The people that would go there are real pioneers," Green said. The first humans on Mars would need to farm and establish a food source.

One reason that Mars can eventually make a home for the human race is that it has to potential to sustain life.

• My first source tells me that this is not possible because Mars is mostly carbon dioxide. However, we are lucky enough to have something that turns carbon dioxide into oxygen, plants!

• My first source also tells me that people will mostly likely require lots of square footage when making the move to Mars. This is probably because we will need to make room to grow all the plants.

• My second source affirms that, "The people that would go there are real pioneers" because they will need to set up an atmosphere that sustains life through farming.

• Life on Mars will be difficult, but not impossible!

Reason 2: Mars is similar to Earth

• Habitats "have to be self-sustaining, sealed against the thin atmosphere, and capable of supporting life for extended periods without support from Earth."

• Mars is more Earth-like than any other planet in the solar system, making it an attractive second option for the human race.

•  largely carbon dioxide — good for planets, bad for people. 

Another reason for people eventually being able to live on Mars is that it is very similar to Earth in many ways.

• My second source says that habitats need to be self-sustaining, and this is possible because of the CO2 in the atmosphere.

• This source also states, "Mars is more Earth-like than any other planet in the solar system, making it an attractive second option for the human race."

• The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is not great at the moment, but has the potential to be made into something we can live with.

• Therefore, life on Mars may be similar to life on Earth.

Your Writing Prompt:

Julie feels that making a home in the Arctic is “a feat as incredible as sending rockets to the moon.” Do you agree or disagree? Imagine that you have been asked to answer this question in an opinion essay. One of your guiding questions is: What challenges are involved in making a home in the Arctic? Read and take notes from at least two sources to help you answer this question. List the sources of your information.

Go Formative Assignment

Go to "Jan. 25-29 Opinion Writing" and start researching, then come up with your opinion that you will be writing about this week.