In this article, the author discusses a four-part exercise called "To the Moon!" The exercise encourages students to develop and orally defend their choice of four volunteers who will be part of a team to colonize Earth's moon. This oral exercise prepares them for subsequent written work. As Bean (1996, 7) states, "Good writing...grows out of good talking." While the content of this exercise is original, the framework is adapted from similar ones found in many discussion books. For teachers, this exercise is important because it paves the way for future assignments that build on the self-assurance students have acquired around developing and stating opinions publicly, weighing data, creating support, and defending their decisions. (Contains 3 figures.)