1. Canned Lesson
Writing Lesson

2. 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.
Directions for Writing: Now write an essay describing how to live a happy life, offering three suggestions on how to do this, and support your suggestions with experiences from your own life or others.

3. Step 2: State the purpose.
Think about 3 suggestions as to how you would live a happy life.

4. Step 3: Prepare the graphic organizer.
Now fold your paper into 4 squares.

5. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write one way you feel you could live your life to be happy.
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Write another way you feel you could live your life to be happy.
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.
Write another way you feel you could live your life to be happy.
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Summarize your 3 reasons.

6. Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer.
Unfold the paper and draw a box in the center. In the center box write a sentence to convey your stand.

7. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Write 3 details about this reason.
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Write 3 details about this reason
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Summarize your 3 reasons.
Write 3 details about this reason.

8. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

9. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Example: Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness, watching that spark as learning take place.
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own. ssssssssssssssss
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”

10. Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Congress can help or hinder families trying to raise their children
Step 3: Complete the graphic organizer.
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.
Example: To have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.
Give Me
Mine
Donations
Elaborate on one detail.
ELABORATE

11. A list of transition words is online!
Step 5: Add transitions.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
A list of transition words is online!
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

12. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
Each square will become a paragraph.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

13. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
The introductory paragraph (the center box) sums up each reason.
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” I find happiness by serving others through works and deeds. Only an unselfish person can find happiness. The happy person is not concerned with material possessions only, but the happiness of others.

14. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Do you want to know the secret of true happiness? I find happiness by serving others through works and deeds. Only an unselfish person can find happiness. The happy person is not concerned with material possessions only, but the happiness of others.
Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Information on hooks can be found online.

15. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Next Paragraph
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

16. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
For example, I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
This would affect my career choices. The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place. A dedication to my family by fulfilling my obligations would also bring long term happiness. A person who lives a happy life is also dedicated and faithful to friends, who enrich their existence.

17. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Next Paragraph
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

18. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
Moreover, a truly happy life would be one that is unselfish. This would require a dedication of time to people and issues that face our world today. A happy life involves contributing. Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own. Most importantly, a happy person is always willing to provide a sincere listening ear.

19. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
I agree with Abraham Lincoln who said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
Next Paragraph
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 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.
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Next Paragraph
In the same way, to have lifelong happiness, I would not be focused on material possessions.
We are living in a “Give Me” time with everyone looking for that one material possession that will bring lasting happiness. Television commercials promote the “mine” concept. Through donations to worthy causes we can find a path to a happy life. Americans have
a generous spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities each year.

21. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
For example,
Moreover,
Example: A truly happy life would be one that is unselfish.
Dedication of time
Contribute
Listening ear
Example: I would be happy if I served others through works and deeds.
Career Choices
Family Obligations
Friends
Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own.
The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness watching that spark as learning take place.
In the same
way,
For these
reasons,
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
To live a truly happy life I would 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.
Summary Paragraph
Americans have
a generous
spirit, contributing over
$679 million to charities
each year.

22. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper.
Summary
Paragraph
For these reasons, to live a truly happy life I would serve others through works and deeds. I would aim at unselfishness. My life would not be focused only on material possessions. Through this lifestyle I would be able to find true happiness.
The old saying is correct, “Happiness always comes from within.”
Ending PUNCH

23. Step 7: Vocabulary Review your paragraphs. Can you add adjectives
(describing words)
and interesting adverbs
(describing action words)?
ADJECTIVES
ADVERBS

24. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: AFTER: Habitat for Humanity is a
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.

25. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: A happy life involves contributing. AFTER:
A happy life entails
contributing.

26. Step 7: Vocabulary bad dreadful
Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the higher your score.
bad
dreadful

27. Step 8: Visual Expression
Use 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.

28. Step 9: Reread Your Work Reread 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

29. Sources for this presentation:
The Introductory Paragraph
Start With a Great First Sentence
By Grace Fleming
Jefferson County Writing Program