● Coral reefs
● Overfishing
● Climate change and its impact on marine life
● Threats to sea turtles
● Ocean acidification
● Plastic pollution in the ocean
● The importance of marine conservation
● Marine biodiversity
● The impact of oil spills on marine ecosystems
Explanatory Essay (Unit 5 Portfolio) Outline Examples
Example 1: Ocean Pollution topic
Example thesis statement: Ocean pollution caused by human activities is having devastating effects on marine environments. There are several steps that can be taken to stop the harmful effects of pollution before it is too late.
OUTLINE
Introduction paragraph: Open with an interesting fact or quote. Explain what ocean pollution is. End with thesis statement.
Body paragraph 1: What are the causes of ocean pollution? Where does pollution in the ocean come from?
Body paragraph 2: How does ocean pollution affect animals and ecosystems in the ocean?
Body paragraph 3: What are some things that can be done to clean up pollution? How can we prevent further pollution?
Conclusion: Summarize 1 main point from each body paragraph. Restate the thesis in different words. Wrap up with a final thought or a call to action.
Example 2: Invasive Ocean Species Topic
Common invasive species topics include the lionfish, the green crab, the sea walnut, the zebra mussel, and killer algae. Choose ONE species to focus your essay on.
Example thesis statement: The lionfish is an invasive species in the Caribbean where it has grown out of control due to its lack of natural predators. Scientists have been working hard to find a solution to restore the balance of the ecosystem.
OUTLINE
Introduction: Explain what an invasive species is. Describe the lionfish. End with thesis statement.
Body paragraph 1: Where does the invasive species originate from? How did it end up where it is now?
Body paragraph 2: How does the invasive species create problems for the ecosystem?
Body paragraph 3: What is being done to help stop the spread of the invasive species?
Conclusion: Summarize 1 main point from each body paragraph. Restate the thesis in different words. Wrap up with a final thought or call to action.
about At the end of this unit, you will be submitting your own explanatory essay based on one of the topics below. It is recommended that you use this sample work as your pre-writing/rough draft. Therefore, you will want to choose a topic at the beginning of the unit so you can work on your essay throughout the unit. There is more information about the explanatory essay portfolio on the Padlet. If you have questions, please contact your Language Arts teacher.
Topic choices:
● Marine habitats
1 answer
1 answer