A

Humans Need
NOTICE & NOTE
As you read, use the side
to Explore Outer
margins to make notes
about the text. Space
Argument by Claudia Alarcón

The author argues that space exploration

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Milkovasa/Adobe Stock

requires a human touch.
ANALYZE ARGUMENT

W
Annotate: Mark the author’s
1 hat is out there? Are we alone in the universe? Are
central claim in paragraph 1.
there inhabitable planets in our galaxy and beyond?
Interpret: What does the author
For decades, science-fiction novels, movies, and TV shows
think we should do?
fired our curiosity. After the real-life Apollo 11’s moon mission
in 1969, enthusiasm for new discoveries soared. Now, well
into the twenty-first century, we must face the fact that these
same questions are still unanswered. With so much human
investment made, we must go forward, fully embracing space
exploration as an important priority. Our future in space
depends on science.

276 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 2 Space exploration in the 1960s was fueled by the Cold War Don’t forget to
Notice & Note as you
space race between the United States and Russia. The twenty-
read the text.
first century has brought a universal spirit of collaboration
among scientists from around the globe. An excellent example
is the International Space Station. This orbiting laboratory and
construction site combines the scientific expertise of 16 nations.
It allows for a permanent human outpost in space. The hope is
that the station can serve as a launching platform for further
space exploration.
3 But space travel is not without risk. NASA’s Space Shuttle administration
(√d-m∆n´∆-str∑´sh∂n) n. A
Program, which was the main connection to the International
president’s administration is his or
Space Station, suffered two terrible losses. After the explosions her term of office.
of the Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003, the program
was shut down in 2011. Recent presidential administrations
supported putting priority on the commercial space flight
industry. A program was put into place to help private
companies pursue work on human space flight. There are ANALYZE RHETORICAL
DEVICES
dozens of private companies in the industry known informally
as “New Space.” These companies have set their sights on what Annotate: Mark examples of
loaded language in paragraph 4.
seem to be impossible goals. These range from tourist trips
to the moon to the colonization of Mars. Space travel has its Analyze: Why do you think the
author chose these words? How
documented dangers; however, direct human involvement,
do they enhance her argument?
aided by technological innovation, could likely boost the
potential for discovery.
4 Technological innovations are allowing us to venture
even farther into space. Such advances are opening windows
into worlds we previously could not have imagined. Robotic
spacecraft have conducted some of NASA’s most exciting and
productive missions. A prominent example is the Hubble Space
prominent
Telescope, which has made more than 1.3 million observations
(pr≤m´∂-n∂nt) adj. If something is
since its mission began in 1990. It has traveled more than 4 prominent, it stands out.
billion miles, sending back stunning photos of faraway stars and
galaxies.
5 NASA has also conducted robotic missions within our solar
system. The Cassini’s mission to Saturn was one of the most
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

ambitious efforts in planetary space exploration. This robotic

spacecraft carried the Huygens probe, which parachuted to the
surface of Titan, Saturn’s largest moon. The Juno spacecraft
orbited around Jupiter, sending observations that can help
scientists understand the beginnings of the solar system. The
New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto in 2015 after an almost
ten-year flight. According to the National Academy of Sciences,
the exploration of Pluto and the Kuiper belt is the highest
priority for solar system exploration. The asteroids in the
Kuiper belt offer a great opportunity for mining. Space mining

Humans Need to Explore Outer Space 277

 presents an important step for finding resources necessary for
interstellar travel and exploration. In addition, icy asteroids
may provide a cost-effective solution to space travel. Space
entrepreneurs are looking into using hydrogen and oxygen
from asteroid ice to manufacture rocket fuel. This space-made
fuel can be used to launch expeditions farther out into space at
considerably less cost.
6 Our moon contains helium-3, an element that could be
useful on Earth for energy developments such as nuclear fusion
research. Mining there can also yield rare-earth metals (REMs)
that are used in electronics and in the construction of solar
panels. This form of mining, therefore, would be incredibly
beneficial beneficial for our survival and advancement. In recent years,
(b≈n´∂-f∆sh´-∂l) adj. When something geological surveys have indicated the presence of water on the
is beneficial, it is good or favorable.
moon, which can to sustain a human-inhabited lunar base.
7 Scientists are also looking toward Mars as a potential new
home for humankind. New discoveries keep emerging that raise
Text in Focus Video
more questions. It is imperative that we use all our available
Learn more about identifying
main ideas. resources to continue research on Mars.
8 Early missions to Mars such as Mars Odyssey were designed
ANALYZE ARGUMENT to make discoveries under the theme of “Follow the Water.” These
missions showed the possibility of liquid water below the surface
Annotate: In paragraph 7, mark
of Mars. With the Curiosity rover, the Mars Exploration Program
a reason that the author uses to
support her claim that we must is following a next-step strategy known as “Seek Signs of Life.”
continue to explore space. This exploration phase aims to discover the possibilities for past
Evaluate: Is the reason relevant?
or present life on the Red Planet. Curiosity is seeking evidence
Does it make sense? Explain. of organic materials, the chemical building blocks of life. Future
Mars missions would likely be designed to search for life itself in
places identified as potential past or present habitats.
9 With all these advances and technologies in place and in
development, will we see a human colony on the moon or
on Mars in our lifetime? The best-case scenario will involve
a partnership between NASA and international space travel
companies.
10 Some New Space pioneers have tested supersonic
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retropropulsion technology, landing rocket boosters on floating

platforms and on land. This technique could be important
for future Mars landings. NASA’s rovers, weighing up to a
ton, have successfully landed on Mars. However, they have
dropped to the planet’s surface in air bags, using rockets,
and with the assistance of cables extended from a “sky crane.”

278 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 Don’t forget to
Notice & Note as you
read the text.

This section of the immense Carina Nebula was captured by

the Hubble Telescope.

A human mission would weigh much more, making landing

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits:

more problematic. The previous solutions would not work for

spacecraft carrying humans.
11 On the other hand, the future of the human race and Earth
itself is at stake. We are close to surpassing our planet’s carrying
©National Geographic/Getty Images

capacity and exhausting our natural resources. Yet scientists and

space entrepreneurs remain hopeful. Private companies seeking
to colonize Mars believe the risk of space flight is similar to that
of climbing Mount Everest. As we all know, this is a risky, but
not impossible, proposition.

Humans Need to Explore Outer Space 279

 This is a view of the Hubble Telescope.

12 The final frontier is a vast and dangerous place, difficult

and expensive to explore. But it offers infinite possibilities
for expanding our scientific knowledge of our planet and
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Corbis
its origins. Exploring outer space can yield new sources for
precious natural resources and perhaps even a home for
future generations. We live in times in which space travel and
exploration should be more science than fiction. Let’s keep
pursuing the compelling questions that have driven us to
these times. Space exploration may very well hold the key to
humanity’s future.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
Is space exploration a
daring adventure or a TURN AND TALK
dangerous risk? What reasons in this argument seem especially strong to
you? Share your reactions with a partner.
Review your notes and
add your thoughts to your
Response Log.

280 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 Assessment Practice
Test
Answer these questions before moving on to the Analyze the Practice
Text section on the following page.

1. This question has two parts. First answer Part A, then Part B.
Part A

How does the author support the claim that greater discoveries in outer
space are happening thanks to technological innovations?
A The author includes quotations from experts on space exploration.
B The author proposes ideas that may help humans on Earth.
C The author poses questions that are still unanswered.
D The author cites advances made as a result of recent space missions.

Part B

Select two sentences that provide relevant support for the answer in Part A.
A ”Are there inhabitable planets in our galaxy and beyond?”
(paragraph 1)

B ”After the explosions of the Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003,

the program was shut down in 2011.” (paragraph 3)
C ”A prominent example is the Hubble Space Telescope, which has
made more than 1.3 million observations since its mission began in
1990.” (paragraph 4)
D ”The Juno spacecraft orbited around Jupiter, sending observations
that can help scientists understand the beginnings of the solar
system.” (paragraph 5)
E ”It is imperative that we use all our available resources to continue
research on Mars.” (paragraph 7)
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Test-Taking Strategies

Humans Need to Explore Outer Space 281

 B
Let Robots Take to
NOTICE & NOTE
As you read, use the side
margins to make notes
the Stars
about the text. Argument by Eiren Caffall

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Paopano/Adobe Stock

Should robots lead the journey to outer space?
This writer says yes.

ANALYZE ARGUMENT

Annotate: In paragraph 1, mark

the author’s central claim and
mark the reasons the author will
1
T he lure of human space travel is undeniable. We’ve all
grown up on endless types of entertainment set in the
future that portray adventures on distant planets. Imagine
use to support the claim. yourself as an astronaut, a part of the first manned mission to
Interpret: What will the author’s Mars. Beyond that, there are generations of people who have
argument be? How does the title been working to make space and space travel look cool, even
of the selection help clarify the
inevitable. But high aspirations and romance aside, we need
author’s argument?
to face the harsh realities. Our notions about the inevitability
and wonder of human space travel need to be checked, and
any plans need to be reconsidered. Some of the best reasons to
curtail space exploration come down to economics, human cost,
and technology.

286 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 Space Travel Is Expensive Don’t forget to
Notice & Note as you
read the text.
2 Space travel is extremely expensive. To get humans to Mars,
it would take $1 trillion over a 25-year period. Obviously, no
single government would want to take on that kind of funding.
A Mars mission would require international cooperation at a ANALYZE ARGUMENT
significant cost to each partner nation. A Mars mission might Annotate: In paragraph 5, mark
foster international cooperation, but it would consume funds an opposing viewpoint.
that could be used for other things. Analyze: What are the author’s
3 Some people suggest that the only way to get to Mars would counterclaims to this viewpoint, as
explained in paragraphs 5 and 6?
be with the help of private companies. Because of this, the
space exploration industry is made up not only of government
agencies but also private companies headed by dreamers
and people interested in profits over practicality. But these
organizations are often badly managed. They don’t work for the
government, so accountability could be a problem. Even well-
run companies are unlikely to have enough money to launch
a Mars mission on their own. There are some experts who say
that it wouldn’t be possible to launch a mission to Mars without
funding from commercials that would run during coverage of
the project. That would turn a scientific mission into a reality
television show. Would you want to trust a scientific mission to
the people who run reality TV?

Space Travel Could Harm Our

Polluted World
4 The risks of space exploration could be grave for a planet
already plagued by pollution. There is an extra result of space plague
travel: black carbon from rocket exhaust that’s deposited in (pl∑g) v. To plague is to cause
hardship or suffering.
the outer atmosphere. The launch of a suborbital tourist craft
is said to produce less carbon emissions than a standard flight
from New York to London. However, once the rocket is above
the atmosphere, the black carbon it releases can be pretty
damaging. Try to imagine the black smoke from a diesel truck
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

sitting above the sky. With no weather to wash it into the

oceans, black carbon can stay put for up to ten years.
5 Many space boosters are suggesting that being able to
leave our planet once it’s exhausted of resources is a priority.
They seem to be proposing that we have some sort of Planet B.
Somehow they think that a colony on Mars or the moon could
dubious
take the pressure off our world. Many of these people planning
(d◊´b∏-∂s) adj. If something is
to profit from two things at once are also fans of the dubious dubious, it is questionable or not
technology of geoengineering. to be relied upon.

Let Robots Take to the Stars 287

 NOTICE & NOTE 6 As covered earlier, the essential ingredients for space
NUMBERS AND STATS exploration are international cooperation, vast investments of
When you notice the use of
money, technological advances, global regulations, and the buy-
specific quantities or comparisons

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to depict amount, size, or scale, in of the general population. Yet those ingredients may well be
you’ve found a Numbers and what’s needed to tackle the problem of Earth’s pollution.
Stats signpost.
Annotate: In paragraph 7, mark
specific numbers that identify Space Travel Is More Suited to Robots
amounts.
7 NASA recently collected data from the Mars Curiosity rover.
Analyze: What purpose do these
The data were used to estimate the radiation impact on an
specific numbers serve?
astronaut traveling to and from Mars for 365 days and spending
500 days on the surface. It was determined that during that
trip an astronaut would get a radiation dose that was about five
percent of what he or she would get over a lifetime on Earth.
8 That significantly increases the risk of cancer. There is
also the danger of running low on supplies. Once on the Red
Planet, humans would eventually run out of food and materials.
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study guessed that
agriculture would make too much oxygen for the small colony

288 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 to support inside its dome. Without enough carbon dioxide, the Don’t forget to
colony would not be able to grow what it needed. Earth would Notice & Note as you
read the text.
constantly be sending supplies to the colonists. It’s obvious that
without that resupply, there would be no hope of agriculture
supporting a manned station on Mars.
9 Considering the extreme risks for humans, some scientists
assert space exploration should be strictly robotic. Think about
the achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope and the Mars
Pathfinder and Opportunity. Their exploratory missions have
captured the public imagination, and all of us love to see images
from those robot explorers. When Opportunity landed safely on
the surface of Mars, NASA’s Mission Control Center erupted in erupt
as loud a cheer as greeted any human mission. (∆-r≠pt´) v. When something erupts,
it develops suddenly.
10 There are scientists who say that robots can’t accomplish
space travel as cheaply or efficiently as humans. But, as is ANALYZE RHETORICAL
often the case, those ideas are based on data from the distant DEVICES
history of space travel. As you might guess, the future of space Annotate: Mark an example of
exploration presents a very different picture, one in which direct address in paragraph 10.
robots will replace humans as the better pilots and researchers. Infer: Why does the author use
direct address here?
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Digital Vision/Getty Images

Let Robots Take to the Stars 289

 Space Travel Isn’t Inevitable or Even
Necessary
11 There are many solid arguments against spending money,
time, and energy on manned space exploration. There is no
solid reason to think of space as the only hope of our bright
technological future. There are as many ways to innovate as
there are human ideas. Just because the idea of space travel has
been with us for decades doesn’t mean that it’s the best way
to direct our dreams. Let’s plot a course that doesn’t involve
humans. Without space travel as the default idea for our
future, what new ideas might lead to amazing discoveries and
inventions?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: TURN AND TALK

Is space exploration a Single out any point the writer makes that triggers a response
daring adventure or a in you. Discuss this point with a partner.
dangerous risk?

Review your notes and add

your thoughts to your
Response Log.

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

290 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

 Assessment Practice
Test
Answer these questions before moving on to the Analyze the Practice
Text section on the following page.

1. Which two sentences from the text support the claim that space travel
should be curtailed because of pollution?
A “The launch of a suborbital tourist craft is said to produce less
carbon emissions than a standard flight from New York to London.”
(paragraph 4)

B “However, once the rocket is above the atmosphere, the black

carbon it releases can be pretty damaging.” (paragraph 4)
C “Try to imagine the black smoke from a diesel truck sitting above the
sky.” (paragraph 4)
D “With no weather to wash it into the oceans, black carbon can stay
put for up to ten years.” (paragraph 4)
E “Many space boosters are suggesting that being able to leave our
planet once it’s exhausted of resources is a priority.” (paragraph 5)

2. What perspective is shared by the author of this text and the author of
“Humans Need to Explore Outer Space “?
A Pollution is a concern related to space exploration.
B Cost should not be a consideration for space travel.
C Robots should be used to explore outer space.
D Space exploration is essential for human survival.

Test-Taking Strategies
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Let Robots Take to the Stars 291

 Write an Argument Test
Practice

ELA.7.C.1.3,
ELA.7.C.1.5,
ELA.7.C.3.1,
Writing Prompt ELA.K12.EE.5.1,
ELA.K12.EE.6.1

Using ideas, information, and examples from

multiple texts in this unit, write an argumentative
Review the
essay for your school newspaper in which you
support or oppose sending humans into space.
Mentor Texts
For two examples of well-written
Manage your time carefully so that you can
arguments you can use as mentor
• review the texts in the unit; texts and as sources for your essay,
• plan your essay; review:

• write your essay; and ••“Humans Need to Explore Outer

Space” (pages 276–280)
• revise and edit your essay.
••“Let Robots Take to the Stars”
Be sure to (pages 286–290)
• clearly state the claim of your argument; Review your notes and annotations

• address alternate or opposing claims;

about these texts. Think about how
the authors make their arguments
• use and cite evidence from multiple sources; convincing.
and

• avoid relying too much on one source.

Consider Your Sources

Review the list of texts in the unit and UNIT 3 SOURCES
choose at least two that you may want to
use as support for your argument. Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

As you review potential sources, consult Martian Metropolis

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

the notes you made on your Response Log

Challenges for Space Exploration
and make additional notes about ideas that
might be useful as you write. Include titles What If We Were Alone?
and page numbers so that you can easily
find information later. Seven Minutes of Terror MEDIA

Humans Need to Explore

Outer Space

Let Robots Take to the Stars

300 UNIT 3 WRITING TASK

 Writing Task

Analyze the Prompt

Find a Purpose
Review the prompt to make sure you understand the assignment. As you respond, consider the
Mark the sentence in the prompt that identifies the topic of your two common purposes of an
argument:
argument. Rephrase this sentence in your own words.
Then, look for words that indicate the purpose and audience
••towithconvince others to agree
your position
of your essay. Write a sentence describing each.
••toaction
motivate others to take

What is my topic? What is my writing task?

What is my purpose?

Who is my audience?

Review the Rubric

Your argument will be scored using a rubric. As you write, focus on
the characteristics as described in the chart. You will learn more about
these characteristics as you work through the lesson.

PURPOSE, FOCUS, AND EVIDENCE AND CONVENTIONS OF

ORGANIZATION ELABORATION STANDARD ENGLISH

The response includes: The response includes: The response may include the
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

•• A strongly maintained claim •• Integrated, thorough, and relevant following:

•• Alternate or opposing claims evidence •• Some minor errors in usage but

•• Use of transitions to connect •• Precise references to sources no patterns of errors

ideas •• Effective use of a variety of •• Correct punctuation,

capitalization, sentence
•• Logical progression of ideas elaborative techniques
formation, and spelling
•• Appropriate style and tone •• Clear
ideas
and effective expression of
•• Command of basic conventions
•• Academic
vocabulary
and domain-specific

•• Varied sentence structure

Write an Argument 301
 Writing Task

1 PLAN YOUR ARGUMENT

Help with Planning
Develop a Claim Consult Interactive Writing
Lesson: Writing Arguments.
In an argument, the claim is the writer’s position on an issue. In
the chart, identify your position on whether human space travel
is necessary. Then, draft your claim, making sure it is direct and
specific.

IS HUMAN SPACE
CLAIM
TRAVEL NECESSARY?

Identify Support
To build a strong argument, you must have solid support for Offer the Evidence
your claim. Support consists of reasons and evidence. As you review your evidence,

• Reasons explain why you have taken a particular make sure it is

position on an issue. •• torelevant, or directly related

the claim and reasons.
• Evidence, such as facts, statistics, examples, or expert
•• sufficient, meaning there
opinions, support your reasons. is enough of it to be
Use the chart to outline your support. Be sure to record the convincing.

title of each source and the page number.

REASONS EVIDENCE SOURCE

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

302 UNIT 3 WRITING TASK

 Writing Task

Address Opposing Claims

Your essay should include a counterclaim in which you address at
least one opposing claim and explain why your position is more
valid. Review your notes to find claims that disagree with your
position. Then write your counterclaim.

Opposing Claim

My Counterclaim

Organize Ideas
Put It in Order
Now organize your material in a way that will help you draft
your argument. Keep in mind that a well-written argument As you plan, try arranging reasons by
demonstrates coherence, meaning there is a logical order of importance.

progression of ideas. Paragraph breaks and transitional words •• reason

Begin with the most important
and phrases help add coherence to your writing. and follow with the second
most important reason, and so on.
Use the table below to help you organize your ideas and add
coherence to your writing.
•• reason
Begin with the least important
and build up to the most
important one.

INTRODUCTION •• Clearly introduce your claim.

•• Include an interesting question, quote, or detail
to grab the reader’s attention.
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

BODY PARAGRAPHS •• Present reasons and evidence to support your claim, devoting a
paragraph to each main idea.

•• Include a paragraph in which you address an opposing claim.

•• Use transitional phrases such as “To begin with . . .” and “Another
reason . . .” to link ideas.

CONCLUSION •• Restate your claim and its significance.

•• Include an insight to give readers something new to think about.

Write an Argument 303

 Writing Task

2 DEVELOP A DRAFT
Drafting Online
Now it is time to draft your essay. You can develop your writing Check your assignment list
skill by seeing how the experts do it. Read about the techniques for a writing task from your
teacher.
professional writers use to craft their arguments.

Cite Sources Effectively

DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info”
CorrectionKey=NL-A;FL-A CorrectionKey=NL-A;FL-A

EXAMINE THE MENTOR TEXT

Notice how the author of “Let Robots Take to the Stars” cites a
source to support her argument.

B
Let Robots Take to
the Stars
The author provides a There is also the danger of running low on Argument by Eiren Caffall

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Paopano/Adobe Stock

Should robots lead the journey to outer space?

reason. supplies. Once on the Red Planet, humans ANALYZE ARGUMENT

This writer says yes.

Annotate: In paragraph 1, mark 1

T he lure of human space travel is undeniable. We’ve all

would eventually run out of food and materials.

the author’s central claim and grown up on endless types of entertainment set in the
mark the reasons the author will future that portray adventures on distant planets. Imagine
use to support the claim. yourself as an astronaut, a part of the first manned mission to
Interpret: What will the author’s Mars. Beyond that, there are generations of people who have

A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study

argument be? How does the title been working to make space and space travel look cool, even
of the selection help clarify the
inevitable. But high aspirations and romance aside, we need

She refers to her

author’s argument?
to face the harsh realities. Our notions about the inevitability
and wonder of human space travel need to be checked, and
any plans need to be reconsidered. Some of the best reasons to

guessed that agriculture would make too much source by name and
curtail space exploration come down to economics, human cost,
and technology.

286

paraphrases from the

UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

oxygen for the small colony to support inside 7_LNLESE416401_U3CCS2.indd 286

source.
15/04/20 2:38 PM

its dome. Without enough carbon dioxide,

The author elaborates
on how the evidence
the colony would not be able to grow what it
supports her reasoning. needed. Earth would constantly be sending
supplies to the colonists.

Try These Suggestions

APPLY TO YOUR DRAFT Vary the way you integrate each source

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Paopano/Adobe Stock

into your writing. Try these out:
Use this frame to practice citing a source from
your draft. Then, apply this technique to other •• In [Title of Text], the author states . . .
sources in your argument. •• According to paragraph [#], . . .
•• The study/statistic proves . . .
Introduce
State one reason that supports your claim.

Cite
Name the source that supports the reason.
Include the title or the author’s name.

Elaborate
Explain how your source and evidence
support your reason.

304 UNIT 3 WRITING TASK

 Writing Task

Address Opposing Claims

EXAMINE THE MENTOR TEXT
Acknowledging other opinions is one way to strengthen an
argument. Here, the author of “Humans Need to Explore
Outer Space” uses this technique to show that she has carefully
considered the risks of space travel. DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be m
CorrectionKey=NL-A;FL-A CorrectionKey=NL-A;FL-A

The author
But space travel is not without risk. NASA’s
acknowledges an
opposing claim. Space Shuttle Program, which was the main
connection to the International Space Station,
A
suffered two terrible losses. . . . Space travel has Humans Need
to Explore Outer
its documented dangers; however, direct human Space
This transition Argument by Claudia Alarcón

involvement, aided by technological innovation,

The author argues that space exploration

© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Milkovasa/Adobe Stock

requires a human touch.

signals the contrast ANALYZE ARGUMENT

W
Annotate: Mark the author’s
hat is out there? Are we alone in the universe? Are

could likely boost the potential for discovery.

1
central claim in paragraph 1.

between the danger

there inhabitable planets in our galaxy and beyond?
Interpret: What does the author
For decades, science-fiction novels, movies, and TV shows
think we should do?
fired our curiosity. After the real-life Apollo 11’s moon mission
in 1969, enthusiasm for new discoveries soared. Now, well

of space travel and its into the twenty-first century, we must face the fact that these
same questions are still unanswered. With so much human
investment made, we must go forward, fully embracing space

benefits. exploration as an important priority. Our future in space

depends on science.

She responds with a 276 UNIT 3 COLLABORATE & COMPARE

counterclaim that
7_LNLESE416401_U3CCS1.indd 276 15/04/20 2:22 PM

strengthens her
argument.

APPLY TO YOUR DRAFT

As you write, make sure to include an opposing claim in your
draft. Then, include a counterclaim that addresses the opposing
claim. Use the chart to guide you as you counter and crush
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company • Image Credits: ©Milkovasa/Adobe Stock

opposing claims.

COUNTER &
INTRODUCE CRUSH!

Some people suggest … … however, …

While opponents will say … … other research shows …

Yes, it’s true that … … but there is growing evidence to support …

Write an Argument 305