Expository Writing

Step 1: Read the prompt carefully before you begin.

• Writing Situation: Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” How do you think you would live a happy life?

• Think about how you will state the purpose or thesis, explain the situation, show organization, and offer persuasive evidence to validate arguments and conclusions as needed.

Step 2: State the purpose.

Think about 3 suggestions as to how you would live a happy life.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

In the center box write a sentence to convey your stand.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Write one way you feel you could live your life to be happy.

Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.

Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.

Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.

Write another way you feel you could live your life to be happy.

Write another way you feel you could live your life to be happy.

To live a truly happy life I would I serve others through works and deeds, aiming at unselfishness; my life would not be focused on material possessions. Through this lifestyle I would be able to find true happiness.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Write 3 details about this reason.

Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.

•Dedication of time

•Contribute

•Listening ear

Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.

•Give Me

•Mine

•Donations

Summarize your 3 reasons.

Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.

•Career Choices

•Family Obligations

•Friends

Write 3 details about this reason

Write 3 details about this reason.

To live a truly happy life I would I serve others through works and deeds. I would aim at unselfishness. My life would not be focused on material possessions. Through this lifestyle I would be able to find true happiness.

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Elaborate on one detail.

Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.

Career ChoicesFamily Obligations

Friends

ELABORATE

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Example: Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.

Dedication of time

ContributeListening ear

The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness, watching that spark as learning take place.

Elaborate on one detail.ELABORATE

Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own. ssssssssssssssss

Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.

•Give Me

•Mine

•Donations

Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children

Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.

Elaborate on one detail.

Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

ELABORATE

Step 4: Add transitions.Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.

•Career Choices

•Family Obligations

•Friends

Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.

Dedication of time

Contribute

Listening ear

Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.

Give Me

Mine

Donations

To live a truly happy life I would I serve others through works and deeds. I would aim at unselfishness. My life would not be focused on material possessions. Through this lifestyle I would be able to find true happiness.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.

Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.

Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

For example, Moreover,

In the same way,

For these reasons,

A list of transition words is

online!

Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper.

Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.

•Career Choices

•Family Obligations

•Friends

Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.

Dedication of time

Contribute

Listening ear

Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.

Give Me

Mine

Donations

To live a truly happy life I would I serve others through works and deeds. I would aim at unselfishness. My life would not be focused on material possessions. Through this lifestyle I would be able to find true happiness.

I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.

Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.

For example, Moreover,

In the same way,

For these reasons,

Each square will become a

paragraph.

Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

Step 6: Vocabulary

Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives (describing words) and interesting adverbs (describing action words)?

ADJECTIVES ADVERBS

Step 6: VocabularyBEFORE:Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.

AFTER:Habitat for Humanity is a powerful way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.

Step 6: Vocabulary

BEFORE:A happy life involves contributing.

AFTER:A happy life entails contributing.

Step 6: VocabularyRemember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.

bad

dreadful

Step 7: Visual ExpressionUse metaphors and similes to give your essay more visual expression.

Television commercials promote the “mine” concept.

Television commercials promote the “mine” concept making us as greedy

as a pig.

Step 8: Reread Your WorkReread your work to make sure you have:

Stated the topic

Given your reasons in the introductory paragraph

Have paragraphs that support each reason

Elaborate on a reason in each paragraph

Have a summary paragraph that restates your reasons

Begin each paragraph with a transition word

Include adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors