Writing Assignment
For Unit 5, you will read Chapter 5, “Measuring a Society’s Progress” from the sociology
textbook, Sociology—A Global Perspective and then write a multi-paragraph definition essay
that presents your personal definition of happiness as well as discussing whether you have
achieved your definition.
The assignment will require the following paragraphs:
• An introduction paragraph that opens with an attention grabber, follows with context,
and concludes with a well-developed thesis sentence (Thesis statement = claim +
reasons)
• Two body paragraphs that elaborate on the criteria listed in thesis
• One body paragraph that answers the question: have you met your personal definition
of happiness? Explain how you have or have not met your definition of happiness in this
paragraph
• Use the MEAL plan to build the body paragraphs:
Main Idea
Evidence
Analysis
Lead-out
• Conclusion paragraph that provides a sense of closure on the issue and speaks to the
issue in a more global manner.
This paper focuses on your personal definition of happiness, so it is acceptable to use first
person pronouns.
This paper will require that it be formatted to MLA standards, and a template is provided in
this unit.
