Simply HappyPrompts - Model Essays - Tutorials
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Prompt 1 - Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People are never satisfied with what they have; they always want something more or something different. Tutorial Screencast - Model Essay Prompt 2 - People have different ways of escaping the stress and difficulties of modern life. Some read; some exercise; others work in their gardens. What do you think are the best ways of reducing stress? Use specific details and examples in your answer. Tutorial Screencast - Model Essay |
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...more writing prompts for Simply Happy!
About Me - Tell about the things you do regularly that make you feel happy.
Descriptive - Describe the people from your culture in terms of happiness. Do you come from a very happy culture or a less happy culture. Use specific details in your explanation. Narrative - Tell about a time in your life where you were the most happy. What contributed to this happiness? How was this period of time different from other, less happy, years? Problem / Solution - A friend of yours doesn't seem to be very happy. What kind of advice would you give him, or her, to help increase their level of personal happiness? |
Abstract - Agnes Repplier said, "It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere." What did she mean? To what extend do you agree, or disagree, with this statement?
Hypothesis - Some social science experiments have suggested that the 'happiest' countries are also the poorest. Do you think that happiness levels in a rich country would increase if the country became less wealthy? Examine both the short term and the long term consequences of this hypothetical situation. Support an Opinion - Do you agree, or disagree, with this statement. Happiness levels in your country are lower than they ever have been before. Use specific details and examples to support your answer. |
Note for Teachers - The purpose of our 30 minute timed writing prompts is to engage learners in a carefully crafted exercise that will improve fluency of both thought and pen. Quality writing effectively expresses how a person feels, or thinks, in response to any given topic. This doesn't just happen, but requires consistent and meaningful practice (time on task)... the aim and focus of our Daily Writing Prompt website. A guide to constructing a 5 paragraph essay, along with a model passage for students to study and dissect can also be found on this page.
Model Essay - How humans act and why they do the things that they do is always of great interest and discussion. Over a lifetime, people consistently acquire more and more things. Some would say too many things. These people would claim that human desires for more of anything is unreasonable and undesirable. Others would say that longing for a better life is an appropriate human response. While naturally there are some adverse consequences that follow constant discontentment, people never fully being satisfied by what they have is to be expected because desires for more are a natural part of being human that is intensified by modern commercialism and justified by advancement of new technology.
Human beings are hard-wired for desire. Cognitively and biologically the human body and mind include mechanisms for satiation and hunger. We cannot eat once and never need to eat again; nor be accepted once and never need acceptance again. Thus our bodies require that we consistently pursue additional resources both physical and social. Human wanting is a natural result of who we are and what we need. Avoidance of this natural phenomenon would be unnatural and undesirable. For example consider the anorexic who doesn’t conform to the natural appetites for food. The fact that this person stops wanting to consume additional nutrients is not only undesirable it is dangerous and must be corrected. Wanting more of the right things is an important part of being healthy and happy.
Humanity is inundated by messages of what they are missing. Advertisements and marketers are consistently pointing to holes in our possessions and lifestyles. These commercials claim that if we just have or do one more thing our lives will be so much better and propel us to be dissatisfied with what we have and desire to have more. An example of this that we can all relate to are the commercials that interrupt children’s TV shows. These commercials features new toys and products that are being used by happy children—children whose lives seem more complete than the lives of those children who are watching the show and commercials. With sufficient time and exposure the children are convinced that they absolutely must have the product that is depicted. Naturally it is not only children susceptible to this unavoidable marketing; adults fall victim too.
Advancements in civilization create new needs. Unlike other animals, human beings innovate and solve problems that are common to other humans. These innovations make life better, faster or more comfortable. What an individual had before may have been good enough before there was something else; however, after the introduction to these means to a better life humans become foolish if they refuse to seek after them. Imagine if an individual insisted on continuing to only use a horse and cart to move themselves, their families and their belongings. While it was appropriate for a person to be satisfied with his horse and cart before, after the automobile was introduced and enabled speed and comfort and eliminated the problems of animal transport, humans should seek these advantages out as they become reasonably available.
As humanity continues to improve the way we do things and these improvements are more effectively communicated, our natural desires for more result in a certainly level of dissatisfaction. Coming to terms with this natural conclusion can lead towards some positive results. First when they understand that inherent desire is normal and expected, individuals can be more thoughtful about exactly what these wants and desires are and whether they advance or diminish happiness. Companies can strive towards better meeting the wants and needs of consumers. Finally as a society, we can better regulate how these natural desires are manipulated and work towards true and fair marketing practices.
Human beings are hard-wired for desire. Cognitively and biologically the human body and mind include mechanisms for satiation and hunger. We cannot eat once and never need to eat again; nor be accepted once and never need acceptance again. Thus our bodies require that we consistently pursue additional resources both physical and social. Human wanting is a natural result of who we are and what we need. Avoidance of this natural phenomenon would be unnatural and undesirable. For example consider the anorexic who doesn’t conform to the natural appetites for food. The fact that this person stops wanting to consume additional nutrients is not only undesirable it is dangerous and must be corrected. Wanting more of the right things is an important part of being healthy and happy.
Humanity is inundated by messages of what they are missing. Advertisements and marketers are consistently pointing to holes in our possessions and lifestyles. These commercials claim that if we just have or do one more thing our lives will be so much better and propel us to be dissatisfied with what we have and desire to have more. An example of this that we can all relate to are the commercials that interrupt children’s TV shows. These commercials features new toys and products that are being used by happy children—children whose lives seem more complete than the lives of those children who are watching the show and commercials. With sufficient time and exposure the children are convinced that they absolutely must have the product that is depicted. Naturally it is not only children susceptible to this unavoidable marketing; adults fall victim too.
Advancements in civilization create new needs. Unlike other animals, human beings innovate and solve problems that are common to other humans. These innovations make life better, faster or more comfortable. What an individual had before may have been good enough before there was something else; however, after the introduction to these means to a better life humans become foolish if they refuse to seek after them. Imagine if an individual insisted on continuing to only use a horse and cart to move themselves, their families and their belongings. While it was appropriate for a person to be satisfied with his horse and cart before, after the automobile was introduced and enabled speed and comfort and eliminated the problems of animal transport, humans should seek these advantages out as they become reasonably available.
As humanity continues to improve the way we do things and these improvements are more effectively communicated, our natural desires for more result in a certainly level of dissatisfaction. Coming to terms with this natural conclusion can lead towards some positive results. First when they understand that inherent desire is normal and expected, individuals can be more thoughtful about exactly what these wants and desires are and whether they advance or diminish happiness. Companies can strive towards better meeting the wants and needs of consumers. Finally as a society, we can better regulate how these natural desires are manipulated and work towards true and fair marketing practices.
Model Essay - Many people are worried about the stress-inducing effects of modern society. Experts warn that bodies under constant stress may increase chances of serious physical and mental consequences like disease and death. As a result, many people are interested in determining the best way to reduce stress. Some would say that quiet activities like reading or meditating are best to calm the body and mind. Others would say that a more active way of dealing with stress is ideal. While there may be times when more passive stress relievers like reading are necessary, for most people exercise is the best way to reduce stress because it triggers the body’s own stress reducing chemicals, it leads to social engagement and it physically and emotionally prepares individuals for additional periods of stress.
Exercise satisfies the body’s own mechanisms for reducing stress. When our body is stressed it wants to run, or engage in utilizing its power in what is called the fight or flight response. Exercise mimics these natural responses and allows for the body to release chemicals that calm, comfort and excite the human body. When I was a student during exam periods, I tried to never miss a daily workout. While my education was stressful for my whole body only my brain was engaged in combatting this stress. Working out allowed the muscles and bones their turn to work through stress and tension. After my workouts, I was better able to focus and attack the cognitive stresses I was facing because my body was relaxed.
Exercise often allows for positive social engagement. Some exercises require interaction with other people such as sports like soccer or basketball. Even running which is done alone, increases the chances that a person will be seen or see other people. This social aspect of exercises enhances its ability to reduce stress because when we feel connected with others we are less anxious. Returning to my workouts as a student, I would often meet friends to play basketball. While we didn’t do a lot of socializing during the game, before and after we played we would often talk about other aspects of our lives. We would share tips and strategies for working through problems and offer to help one another in ways that we could. This socialization as much as the exercise but without the exercise, it likely would not have happened.
Exercise strengthens the body and mind which enables both to be more resilient in the future. As the common saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not only do we release stress when we workout but we become better able to face it in the future. When we exercise our body not only remains healthy it becomes stronger and our mind learns to endure temporary discomfort to meet its longterm goals. In college those of us who regularly exercised were better able to remain successful through the entire course of study. We were less often sick and in the last few weeks of the semester instead of being distracted or overstressed, we were able to maintain our efforts towards our success. When people asked me how I found time to exercise while studying, I would ask them how they found time not to.
Maximizing the likelihood that we will be prepared for future challenges, enabling relationships that can be leveraged against challenges, and facilitating the stress-reducing chemical processes of the body are all reasons why exercise is the best way to reduce stress. Understanding the healthful effects of exercise should lead to several important changes. Individuals should reserve even a short amount of time each day for exercise. Even on days when there are challenges that seem more important, individuals should not pass over opportunities to exercise. Institutions like schools and businesses should invest in facilities that improve the opportunities for members of their community to engage in healthful exercise. Finally, society as a whole will benefit as people engage in exercise before more harmful ways of dealing with stress like drugs and alcohol.
Exercise satisfies the body’s own mechanisms for reducing stress. When our body is stressed it wants to run, or engage in utilizing its power in what is called the fight or flight response. Exercise mimics these natural responses and allows for the body to release chemicals that calm, comfort and excite the human body. When I was a student during exam periods, I tried to never miss a daily workout. While my education was stressful for my whole body only my brain was engaged in combatting this stress. Working out allowed the muscles and bones their turn to work through stress and tension. After my workouts, I was better able to focus and attack the cognitive stresses I was facing because my body was relaxed.
Exercise often allows for positive social engagement. Some exercises require interaction with other people such as sports like soccer or basketball. Even running which is done alone, increases the chances that a person will be seen or see other people. This social aspect of exercises enhances its ability to reduce stress because when we feel connected with others we are less anxious. Returning to my workouts as a student, I would often meet friends to play basketball. While we didn’t do a lot of socializing during the game, before and after we played we would often talk about other aspects of our lives. We would share tips and strategies for working through problems and offer to help one another in ways that we could. This socialization as much as the exercise but without the exercise, it likely would not have happened.
Exercise strengthens the body and mind which enables both to be more resilient in the future. As the common saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Not only do we release stress when we workout but we become better able to face it in the future. When we exercise our body not only remains healthy it becomes stronger and our mind learns to endure temporary discomfort to meet its longterm goals. In college those of us who regularly exercised were better able to remain successful through the entire course of study. We were less often sick and in the last few weeks of the semester instead of being distracted or overstressed, we were able to maintain our efforts towards our success. When people asked me how I found time to exercise while studying, I would ask them how they found time not to.
Maximizing the likelihood that we will be prepared for future challenges, enabling relationships that can be leveraged against challenges, and facilitating the stress-reducing chemical processes of the body are all reasons why exercise is the best way to reduce stress. Understanding the healthful effects of exercise should lead to several important changes. Individuals should reserve even a short amount of time each day for exercise. Even on days when there are challenges that seem more important, individuals should not pass over opportunities to exercise. Institutions like schools and businesses should invest in facilities that improve the opportunities for members of their community to engage in healthful exercise. Finally, society as a whole will benefit as people engage in exercise before more harmful ways of dealing with stress like drugs and alcohol.