English 2 Happiness Essay

Common Core Essay Prompt:

In your study of the causes of happiness, you have begun to develop your definition of happiness and have
brainstormed what causes happiness. You have read and watched multiple perspectives on what happiness is
and how to achieve happiness. In consideration of what these many sources communicate about happiness and
what causes happiness, write a persuasive essay in which you answer this prompt:

What is happiness and how can happiness be achieved?

Be sure to:
1. Organize your ideas effectively and coherently in your writing, including an introduction that defines
happiness and a conclusion that leave your reader thinking
2. Discuss two ways to achieve happiness and develop your argument in your first two body paragraphs
3. Develop a counterclaim and discuss why it is invalid in your third body paragraph
4. Draw on textual evidence from at least two articles or videos. You may also provide personal stories as
evidence
5. Make use of transitional words/phrases to make your writing flow and your argument clear
6. Dont use dead words, (I, me, my, we, us, you, your, youre, yours), unless its in a direct quote

Formatting:
1. Outline and Rough Draft can be typed or neatly handwritten
2. Final draft must be typed, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font and submitted to
Turnitin.com

Points:
Outline- 20 points
Rough Draft- 20 points
Final Draft- 50 points
Total: 90 points

Due dates:
1. Outline- March 16th.
2. Rough Draft- March 20th.
3. Final draft- March 24th. Outline and rough draft will be collected with the final draft.
4. Final draft must be submitted to Turnitin.com by 11:59 p.m. on March 24th.

Outline Template for Essay

Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, copy all the bolded parts of this outline. Then, fill in the outline with
the information you plan to include in your essay. You can write this information as bullet points or sentences.
You will use this outline to write the rough draft of your essay. Do not write the outline in paragraphs!
Follow these directions!

Introduction:
1. Attention Getter: quote, question, fact, statistic, anecdote, etc. 1 sentence
2. Brief Summary: Explain your definition of happiness 2-3 sentences
a. Ex: My definition of happiness is ___________________, because . . .
3. Thesis: Your argument about how happiness can be achieved. You need to explain two different ways
that happiness can be achieved.
4. Ex: Happiness can be achieved by way #1 and way #2. 1 sentence
Body #1:
1. Topic Sentence: Introduce paragraph (1 way happiness can be achieved)
st
1 sentence
2. Evidence: Quote from an article, summary of an idea from a video, or personal story (you must use an
idea from one of the articles or videos at least twice in your essay) 1 sentence
3. Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the evidence. Explain how the evidence shows that way #1 is
a way to achieve happiness. 2-4 sentences
4. Evidence: Quote from an article, summary of an idea from a video, or personal story (you must use an
idea from one of the articles or videos at least twice in your essay) 1 sentence
5. Explanation: Your words/opinions, etc. on the evidence. Explain how the evidence shows that way #1 is
a way to achieve happiness. 2-4 sentences
6. Concluding Thought: Tie this paragraph back to your thesis/argument 1 sentence

Body #2:
1. Topic Sentence: Introduce paragraph (2 way happiness can be achieved)
nd
1 sentence
2. Evidence: Quote from an article, summary of an idea from a video, or personal story (you must use an
idea from one of the articles or videos at least twice in your essay) 1 sentence

3. Explanation: Explain how the evidence shows that way #2 is a way to achieve happiness. 2-4
sentences
4. Evidence: Quote from an article, summary of an idea from a video, or personal story (you must use an
idea from one of the articles or videos at least twice in your essay) 1 sentence

5. Explanation: Explain how the evidence shows that way #2 is a way to achieve happiness. 2-4
sentences
6. Concluding Thought: Tie this paragraph back to your thesis/argument 1 sentence

Body #3: Counterclaim

1. Topic Sentence: Introduce counterclaim.
2. Ex: Some people believe that happiness can be achieved by ___________________. 1-2 sentences
3. Evidence: Detailed summary of counterclaim. Counterclaim can be another way people can achieve
happiness that was discussed in one of the articles or videos. 1-2 sentences
4. Explanation: Your words/opinions as to why this claim is NOT as valid/good. Explain why this way of
achieving happiness doesnt work as well as your ways. 3-4 sentences
5. Concluding Thought: Tie this paragraph back to your thesis/argument 1 sentence

Conclusion:
1. Restate: In different words, remind the reader of your definition of happiness and the two ways
happiness can be achieved. 1-2 sentences
2. Tie to the bigger picture: think outside the small word of the sources and make a general
comment/connection that applies to society as a whole; make a personal connection. You could say
something about happiness in general. Leave your reader thinking! 3-4 sentences