In Pursuit of HappinessEnglish 2P: Unit 3 ERWC Module

Unit Goal: After reading and discussing articles, research results, and

comic strips about “happiness” students will be able to write an essay which describes views of happiness and states a position on the importance of pursuing happiness.

Position will be supported through the use of ethos, pathos, and logos.

Counterarguments will be integrated and addressed. Academic tone will be developed through the integration of

readings and experiences in the writing.

Today’s Objective

By annotating the article “In the Pursuit of Happiness” students will be able to identify the author’s main ideas, purpose and evaluate supporting details and evidence.

AGENDA: First, we will make predictions based on the article’s title

and vocabulary.

Then, we will read the text using questions to GUIDE our annotations.

Finally, we will create MARGINALIA to deepen our understanding of the author’s purpose, main idea, and supporting evidence.

PREDICT Before you read Darren M. McMahon’s text, “In

Pursuit of Unhappiness,” just read the title, and jot down what you think the author means by the title. Predict what the article might be about based on your understanding of the title. Read the opening paragraphs after discussing the title, and add any new information to your predictions.

1.What does the title “In Pursuit of Un happiness” tell you about McMahon’s position on what makes a person happy?

2.What do you think is the article’s purpose?

PREDICT The right laid out in our nation’s Declaration of

Independence - to pursue happiness to our hearts’ content - is nowhere on better display than in the rites of the holiday season.

Like the cycle of the seasons, our emphasis on mirth may seem timeless, as though human beings have always made merry from beginning to end.

That shift was monumental, and its implications far reaching. Among other things, it was behind the transformation of the holiday season from a time of pious remembrance into one of unadulterated bliss.

PREDICT For example, economists like Lord Richard Layard and

Daniel Kahneman have argued that the apparent stagnancy of happiness in modern societies should prompt policymakers to shift their priorities from the creation of wealth to the creation of good feelings, from boosting gross national product to increasing gross national happiness.

“Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so,” Mill concluded after recovering from a serious bout of depression. Rather than resign himself to gloom, however, Mill vowed instead to look for happiness in another way.

For our own culture, steeped as it is in the relentless pursuit of personal pleasure and endless cheer, that message is worth heeding.

PREDICT Based on the vocabulary choices made by the

author:

What do you think McMahon will have to say about the

American goal to be happy?

First read: ANNOTATE Underline sentences that help you understand the

author’s argument and purpose. Use the following questions to guide your annotations.

What is the author’s argument? Purpose? What evidence does the author use to support his

argument? Accomplish his purpose? What is the author’s tone? What word choices does

he make to communicate the appropriate tone? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Circle KEY WORDS or WORDS you do not understand.

Second read: MARGINALIA

SECOND READ: Explain your annotations:* Identify and Summarize Main Ideas: i.e. This explains that___. ✔ Evidence used to support argument:

i.e. This demonstrates/ illustrates/conveys.? Clarify questions and confusion:

i.e. I don’t understand ____. What does ___ mean? I wonder why____.

DISCUSS ARTICLEAfter finishing the article, discuss the following

questions with your classmates: What is the author’s argument? Purpose? How evidence does the author use to support

his argument? Accomplish his purpose? What is the author’s tone? What word choices

does he make to communicate the appropriate tone?

Do you agree with him? Why or why not?