1. Briefly summarize the Seligman Ted Talk, and at least two of the articles on happiness research.You can also find articles on your own, and you can use any article that you or other students
report on.
2. Having thought about the happiness articles and videos, brainstorm an argument you want to make about this topic. What is happiness, to you? Or which kinds of happiness most speak to you?
3. To get some personal data, try to practice at least one of the happiness “interventions” we discuss in class.
4. Then draft an essay with an introduction that mentions the articles and includes a thesis that states the main points of your argument.
5. The first part of the paper should review the Seligman Ted Talk and at least two Happiness articles and/or Ted talks you choose. What seem to be the strengths of these? Mention any
weaknesses they might have.
6. The second part should make at least three or four strong points about your own happiness, and ways that happiness depends on/overlaps with your relationships (with humans, with
pets, with the Natural world, with technology). Ideally, these points should include your own issues, beliefs, and practices, but also consider happiness issues for Americans in general. And this
part can include other research or evidence.
a. What do you think would make for an ideal way to live in order to be happy? How do you define happiness?
b. What obstacles do you find that prevent you (or most people) from being happy, or happier?
c. What about your current life habits works for you? What doesn’t work for you? Consider what interventions might work, and perhaps try one or two!
7. Finally, write a conclusion that shows where this argument might go. What implications can you draw from what you have written? What will you do, or not do? What would you like to say to your audience?
