Name _____________________

Solar System Informational Essay

Select one object in our solar system (planet, moon, asteroid, comet, meteor, etc) and write a
detailed informational essay about the topic.

Information should include:

● Scale:
○ Size
○ Distance from Sun, Earth, or both
● Properties:
○ Layers
○ Temperature
○ Surface Features
○ Orbit
○ Moons/Satellites
○ Atmosphere
○ Any other interesting information you may find
● History of its discovery
○ Any historical discoveries surrounding it
○ Any current/new information (within the last 5-10 years) that scientists have
learned about it

Essay must be 5 paragraphs (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, conclusion).

We will write our first drafts on google docs, work through our revisions & peer edits, then
type our final draft in Utah Compose. This essay will be graded out of 22 points. Any sources
of information should be listed at the end of the essay.

Please refer to the checklist below for a quick reference of what needs to be included.

Informative Essay Checklist

❏ 5 paragraph format
❏ Did I explain my facts? (not just list them randomly)
❏ Does each paragraph have a topic sentence, at least 3 supporting details, and a concluding sentence?
❏ Does my introduction tell what the essay is about, and 3 general supporting ideas?
❏ Does my conclusion summarize my paper?
❏ Was my paper edited by at least 3 different people?
❏ 1. _______________________
❏ 2. _______________________
❏ 3. _______________________
❏ Did I double check my final draft for any errors?