Arm woes eyed but Mars Lander still set for big dig

Ben Amato | Educational consultant

Expository Writing - ELA Standards 1, 3 and 4

"Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination". Bertrand Russell (1872 1970)

The Martian Phoenix Lander sits on the frozen polar surface of another world, as a symbol of Man's intelligence and curiosity. Today's lessons looks at this historic achievement and its attempt to find signs of life.

Television Component The CW 11 News at Ten had a of the NASA robot's touch down on Mars. View the video twice and then answer the Multiple Choice questions.

Newspaper Component Today's Newsday contains the article "Arm woes eyed but Mars Lander still set for big dig." Read the story and then using the facts and details within, complete the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle.

Language Arts Component Critical Lens

"The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them."

Sir William Bragg (1862-1942)

Man's curiosity has driven us to the moon and stars. With the landing of the Phoenix robot on the Martian pole, new knowledge and facts will widen our understanding of both our universe and ourselves.

Situation Based upon the details in the article, the video clip, and your own knowledge space travel and exploration, write an EXPOSITORY ESSAY about the landing of the latest robot on Mars and Man's quest to find life in the universe.

The Nature and Structure of an EXPOSITORY ESSAY An EXPOSITORY ESSAY is a form of writing in which things are explained and described. The goal of this style is to inform the reader of some event, issue or discovery. Typical of all formal styles of writing, this essay will follow a set pattern of 3 paragraphs.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Expository essays begin with the TOPIC, where in short, direct sentences the issue or event is explained. Details about the SETTING and CAST are presented next. These sentences tell WHO the major players are and WHERE the story is being played out. The final sentence of this section is where the writer presents his/her OPINION on the issue. This is a "grabber" that makes the reader want to read the rest of the essay.

BODY PARAGRAPH This section concerns the details of the story. Using the information from the article and the video, the writer should present the facts in a strong, direct manner. It is best to arrange details in an ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. Place the more significant details at the start of the essay and the lesser ones later in the paragraph. The aim of an expository essay is to inform the reader, but the writer should also try to bring the reader to their opinion by using logic and the evidence.

This section may be longer than just one paragraph, depending on how many facts and details are gathered from the article and television news story. Use the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle and the answers to the Multiple-Choice Quiz as a resource so you can make sure all the important facts have been included.

CONCLUSION The final section of an expository essay should drive home the opinion of the writer. Repeat the TOPIC in a short, clear phrase and then answer a few questions expressing your own thoughts on the situation. Does life exist beyond Earth? Was it once on Mars? Can robots explore other worlds or do we need to go there ourselves? What will the Phoenix find? End this section with a look to the future? Will a man or woman ever set foot on Mars?