Personal Definition of Happiness

Reflecting on CBS 60 Minutes video, "The Pursuit of Happiness" and Paul Solman's, "What Makes Us Happy," write a well-organized and well-supported essay in which you identify how you define happiness. A well-organized essay has a beginning, middle, and an end. The beginning, or introduction, should include an opening sentence to grab your reader’s attention. Follow the opening sentence with a brief background on the topic or situation. In this case, it might be brief summary of happiness in society today. You may wish to consider the many issues raised in the video and the reading. The last sentence of the introduction is the thesis statement. The thesis states the main point of the essay, which in this case, would be a statement affirming your definition of happiness. A well-supported essay includes supporting points, details, and examples. For this essay, you must decide the best way to organize the body of the paper. Is your definition of happiness based on three concepts? Is health important? Family? Love? Success? Will you divide the body of your paper into three or more paragraphs, one for each of these concepts? In any case, each body paragraph must support (explain) your reasoning (rationale) using specific details. Remember that each issue must be supported with an explanation as to why you define happiness in this way. Each body paragraph must have a topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph, which in this case would be each concept. The conclusion typically summarizes the main points of the essay and/or closes with a lasting impression that connects the reader to their world. Does our society need to consider some changes in the ways we define what it means to be happy? What suggestions do youoffer to your reader? Be sure to proofread your essay and edit for proper grammar, punctuation, diction (word choice), and spelling, as errors in sentence skills will lower a final grade. A grade will be determined based on the Module 4 SLP expectations and the Trident University General Education rubric for English. Papers must be double-spaced in Times or Times New Roman font (12 cpi) with standard one-inch margins. The first person "I" is not used in a formal essay, nor is the passive "you." In place of "you," "one" may be used. No secondary sources are to be used in the process of writing this first paper; it is to be entirely written based on one's point of view and supported with body points and details. Expectations •Write an essay (no less than three pages in length) that defines happiness. •Include an introductory paragraph with thesis statement. •Include body paragraphs (each with a topic sentence that states the point of the paragraph) that support the thesis through examples and details. •Include a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and/or leaves the reader with a lasting impression on the issue. •Proofread your essay for errors in grammar, diction (word choice), punctuation, and spelling.