Writing Prompt - Expository Essay

Many US citizens do not exercise their right to vote at any level of government. They give up their right to important input on issues because they do not take the time to investigate the issues or go to the polls to cast a ballot for a candidate that may have similar values. Some think that one vote does not make a difference so why should they bother.Often elections are decided by a very small percentage of those eligible and registered to vote.

Your job is to explain the value of having and exercising the right to vote. Use the five-paragraph form for the explanation.

Be sure to think of reasons why it is important to vote. Think of the kinds of laws that effect the average individual. Think how the stated platforms of the various parties influence the outcomes of actions of lawmaking bodies.

Use a planner.

Be sure to state that it is important to vote in your topic sentence. That is the assignment. You do not have a choice.

Think of three good reasons why everyone should vote.

Once you have written them down, think about some supporting reasons or examples. If you can think of some examples from history, you might be able to include some concrete give examples from the past of how a law came about or was changed by the actions of the lawmakers. Or you can give examples from the present or recent times to explain how voting does make a difference. Feel free to reference things that have happened in your school that could parallel events in the local, state or national government. Think of some excuses that you might have heard and explain why they are not valid.

This is a difficult task, but it is not important if you put your mind to it.

Once you have the three reasons and have three supporting facts or ideas for each one, it is time to plan for the summary ending.

Be sure that you have a strong summary and restate, in an original manner, the main points of your essay. It is necessary to restate and remind people of the main facts that you brought out throughout the essay. It is necessary to remind them of the focus and the main points that you have brought out.

When you have finished the planner, it is time to write.

Try to think of a good opening sentence that clearly focuses in on the topic. Be sure that it is sufficiently broad to cover your points, but not so broad as to loose the interest of the reader right off the bat. Using something like, "voting is important." Does not create interest or clearly define the topic.

As you write, take time to phrase each sentence in your mind. Pay attention to the arrangement of the sentence that went before so that you are varying the sentence structure. Be sure that the subject and the verb agree. Try to write inactive voice as it is so much more powerful.