NAME_________________________________________
Period_____
Date____
Science or Fiction?
Informational Essay: Thesis, Pre-Write, and Introduction
o WRITING TASK: After researching informational articles and biographies on your
choice of a specific science fiction author, astronaut, or astronomer, write an essay
that describes his life. Support your discussion with evidence from your research.
o THESIS:
 In an informational essay, the thesis is the main idea of the entire piece.
 The thesis should be a response to the above writing task.
 The thesis should include the three supporting topics.
 Model: “Stephen Hawking is an interesting individual, shown through his unique
childhood, his physical obstacle, and his many accomplishments.”
o PRE-WRITE:
 Each of the three topics should have the section header and a topic sentence
with a transition, the main idea of that paragraph.
 Model:
o Section: “Childhood”
o Topic Sentence: “Stephen Hawking’s interesting life began in an
obvious place: his childhood.”
 Choose the three sections from the Informational Essay Research Questions
that make the most sense for your individual: Childhood, Work & Preparation,
Adulthood, Help & Obstacles, Accomplishments, or Effects on the World.
 For each of the three topics, the Details section should include at least three
significant details.
o INTRODUCTIONS: An introduction should catch the reader’s interest and make them
want to read more. Choose one of the below or create your own, but make sure it is
RELEVANT and flows into your thesis.
 Intriguing Fact
 “As a student, Stephen Hawking knew more about physics than any of his
teachers.”
 Mystery Statement or Question
 “How did the universe begin?”
 Shocking Statement
 “Stephen Hawking may be the most intelligent person currently living.”
 Anecdote
 “As a child, Stephen Hawking enjoyed designing board games. They were
so complex that they could have up to four thousand pieces or take
months to play.”
 Definition (this one is a last resort!)
 “A cosmologist is a scientist who studies the origin of the universe.”
 Historical Context:
 “Before 1973, nobody knew how black holes actually worked.”