What is YOUR definition of “happiness?”

he following is the prompt that your paper will be about:

Think about what you have read or watched; the conversations you’ve had with your classmates; the attitudes you discovered; the discussion by Gen Kelsang Nyema, the Buddhist nun (6.17); and the thoughts of Rashmi, the graduate student from Sri Lanka (6.14). Then write an 850-1000 word essay in which you define what you think happiness is and why you think of it the way you do. Think of this as an essay appropriate for a college class in philosophy, sociology, psychology, or even freshman composition. Because this assignment asks you to define happiness, you may want to take a look at Strategies for Writing Definitions (18.18).

The above prompt means that this essay is an Argument of Definition. This paper is designed to make an argument establishing a definition. Definitions can be found in a dictionary, but that type of definition is rarely used in our minds; therefore, definitions are subjective and open to differing understandings and contexts. All definitions, though, rely on conditions that someone, something or some idea can either fit into or not fit into. This is where the argumentation comes in. If you are going to establish a definition, you need to provide backing that your definition is legitimate. Your purpose is to create a definition through argument. In this case, you are defining “happiness.” Also, as the prompt says, you are defining happiness from YOUR own perspective. What is YOUR definition of “happiness?”

For this assignment, there will be three drafts The first draft is the outline for the paper, for which there is an example below. The outline is not what will end up being 850-1000 words, but drafts 2 and 3. Once your outline is completed, you will research for and complete your second draft, which should be a completed version of your essay which will be peer reviewed by some of your fellow classmates. The third draft, which is the Final Draft, will be the final version of the essay that I will grade, and it should include revisions based on feedback from your peers. Again, it is only the second and third drafts that will be 850-1000 words, not the outline.

As mentioned, you will be doing research for this paper. There are helpful materials in the textbook reading and on Canvas. The sweet spot for a paper of this length is 3-5 sources and 6-10 in text quotes and/or paraphrases.

The following is a basic outline of this kind of essay:

Thesis: Here is where you make your argumentative claim establishing a definition.

Example: A successful educational system is one that uses resources efficiently, has a clear yet flexible plan, and yields satisfactory results.

Body Paragraph 1: Explain the first condition of your definition using at least one good example to clarify the condition you are putting forth.

Example: Any successful enterprise needs to use resources efficiently.

– Efficient use of resources suggests intelligent use of money.

– Money isn’t the only resource that is used more intelligently within a successful enterprise.

– Possibly most importantly, efficiency necessitates good use of time.

Body Paragraph 2: Argue the next condition of your definition using at least one good example to clarify the condition you are putting forth.

Example: While inefficient use of resources can hold a successful school system back, few things can limit success to the level that an unclear, inflexible plan can.

– A clear, flexible plan is one that is strong and forward thinking.

– Not only is a clear, flexible plan strong and forward thinking, it is also flexible enough to adapt tochange.

– A clear, flexible plan is a must for any successful enterprise, including an educational system.

Body Paragraph 3: Explain the next condition of your definition using at least one good example to clarify the condition you are putting forth.

Example: It is clear that, with efficient use of resources and a clear, flexible plan, a satisfactory set of results could be found.

– Clearly, for an enterprise to be considered successful, it has to yield a satisfactory results.

– In order set up satisfactory results, an educational institution must come up with a well designedprogram of learning.

– Of course, a well designed program of measurement needs to be paired with the program of learning to determine the success

of the program.

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