Reaching 100 Is Easier Than Suspected

Ben Amato | Educational consultant

Expository Writing--ELA Standards 1, 3 and 4

"The trick is growing up without growing old."
Casey Stengel

People live longer today. There are over 55,000 Americans who are over 100 and that number is expected to grow. Today's lesson looks at the ways you can improve your chances of reaching the century mark.

Television Component
The CW 11 News at Ten had several stories about living longer and healthier. View the story about germs that exist at the gym and how to avoid infection. Watch the video twice and then answer the multiple choice questions. Then watch the video about living to 100.

Newspaper Component
Today's Newsday contains the article "Reaching 100 Is Easier Than Suspected." Read the story and then using the facts and details within, complete the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle.

Language Arts Component
Critical lens
"To resist the frigidity of old age, one must combine the body, the mind, and the heart. And to keep these in parallel vigor one must exercise, study, and love."
Alan Bleasdale

Situation
The secret to long life centers upon the lifestyle we choose. Based upon the article and the videos you have studies, write an Expository Essay about living longer.

The Nature and Structure of an EXPOSITORY ESSAY

An EXPOSITORY ESSAY is a form of writing in which things are explained and described. The goal of this style is to inform the reader of some event, issue or discovery. Typical of all formal styles of writing, this essay will follow a set pattern of 3 paragraphs.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

Expository essays begin with the TOPIC, where in short, direct sentences the issue or event is explained. Details about the SETTING and CAST are presented next. These sentences tell WHO the major players are and WHERE the story is being played out. The final sentence of this section is where the writer presents his/her OPINION on the issue. This is a "grabber" that makes the reader want to read the rest of the essay.

BODY PARAGRAPH

This section concerns the details of the story. Using the information from the article and interviews, the writer should present the facts in a strong, direct manner. It is best to arrange details in an ORDER OF IMPORTANCE. Place the more significant details at the start of the essay and the lesser ones later in the paragraph. The aim of an expository essay is to inform the reader, but the writer should also try to bring the reader to their opinion by using logic and the evidence.

This section may be longer than just one paragraph, depending on how many facts and details are gathered from the article and television news story. Use the Comprehension Crossword Puzzle and the answers to the Multiple-Choice Quiz as a resource so you can make sure all the important facts have been included.

CONCLUSION

The final section of an expository essay should drive home the opinion of the writer. Repeat the TOPIC in a short, clear phrase and then answer a few questions expressing your own thoughts on the situation. How important is exercise? How can people change and develop health promoting habits? How can people avoid infection and ill heath? End this section with a personal look to the future? How will you live well and prosper?