Apollo 13 Essay Organizer and Guide
Introductory Paragraph Checklist:
__ Topic sentence mentions title of movie
___ Subsequent sentences introduce characters and information relevant to your topic.
___ Last sentence previews the reader of what will be discussed through out the essay.
Example of an Introductory Paragraph:
Apollo 13, an action-packed film directed by Ron Howard is based on the true
story of the 13th Apollo mission headed to the moon. In 1971 NASA astronauts, Jim
Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swiger launched into outer space successfully but once in
outer space an explosion occurred inside the spacecraft. As a result, the NASA crew as
well as the astronauts played by Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon applied their
Astronomy knowledge to create a true story about survival.
Astronomy Concepts/Terms
At least 5 out of 9 concepts/terms listed below must be incorporated into 2-3 body
paragraphs.
___Gravity
___Weight
___Weightlessness
___Newton’s Laws (inertia and action/reaction)
___Moon: phases, dark side, craters, temperature
___Similar triangles
___Vacuum
___Friction/heat shield
___Other Apollo missions
Body Paragraphs checklist:
___ ___ ____ Topic sentences introduces states the main idea of your paragraph.
___ ___ ____ Each paragraph has example from the movie.
___ ____ ___ Quotes support your examples and make connections to specific parts of
the movie and astronomy concepts.
___ ____ ___ Use transition words to connect your ideas (Through out the movie, In
the beginning, As a result )
Concluding Paragraph Checklist (no more than four sentences needed)
__ Restate the main idea from your introductory paragraph using different words.
___ Summarize your main points in you body paragraphs without being repetitive.
___Leave your reader with something to think about. Make a SoWhat statement.
__Use strong transition words (Overall, In conclusion)