1. Expository 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, explain the situation, show organization, and 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 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.

6. 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. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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 Choices Family Obligations Friends ELABORATE

9. 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 Contribute Listening ear The choice one makes in a career, such as teaching, brings happiness, watching that spark as learning takes place. Elaborate on one detail. ELABORATE Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding way to contribute to others’ happiness, and your own. ssssssssssssssss

10. 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

11. Step 5: 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 takes 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! online

12. Step 6: 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.

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. Begin the introductory paragraph with a hook. Samples of hooks can be found online. online 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.

15. Step 6: 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, Next Paragraph Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

16. Step 5: From the graphic organizer to the paper. 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. Next Paragraph

17. Step 6: 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, Next Paragraph Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

18. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. 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. Next Paragraph

19. Step 6: 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, Next Paragraph Americans have a generous spirit, contributing over $679 million to charities each year.

20. Step 6: From the graphic organizer to the paper. 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. Next Paragraph

21. Step 6: 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, 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. For these reasons, 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 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.” Summary Paragraph Ending PUNCH

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

24. Step 7: Vocabulary BEFORE: 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 Remember: The more sophisticated vocabulary you use…the better your paper. bad dreadful

27. Step 8: 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, and adverbs