In what ways and to what extent do people have control over their own happiness? Explain why and how and support your position

In what ways and to what extent do people have control over their own happiness? Explain why and how and support your position with evidence from 3-4 of the texts studied in this unit, which you will put into conversation.

2. Review the Introduction, Chapter 1, and Chapter 2 in They Say, I Say by Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein. Review also the TSIS template handout for putting texts into conversation with each other.
3. Develop an initial thesis that answers your chosen prompt in a direct and concise manner, while also establishing an original and thoughtful position.
4. Choose the 3-4 texts you will use, based on which one will help support your position through evidence that agrees, disagrees, or both agrees and disagrees (qualifies) with your position. (HINT: Well-supported positions will offer evidence that does all three!) These texts include:
The Social Dilemma directed by Jeff Orlowski (required)
“Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation?” by Jean M. Twenge (required)
“Mr. Happy Man” directed by Matt Morris
Extracts from The Art of Happiness by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
5. Reread/rewatch your chosen texts to gather evidence. Remember that each paragraph of your essay must incorporate evidence from at least 3 different texts. Remember, too, that you must provide both quotes and paraphrased evidence in each paragraph. Finally, remember that your chosen evidence must be directly connected to each other in a way that agrees, disagrees, or qualifies your position and that you must explain those connections by entering the conversation yourself.
In other words, your evidence must be chosen very carefully and intentionally, showing a close reading/viewing of the texts and a deep understanding of them.
6. After you have established your evidence from your sources, add 2-3 sentences that address the “trend” or “big idea” from the texts you have chosen. What are the IMPLICATIONS of your evidence in relation to your argument? See this organizer for visual assistance.
7. Develop 2-3 supporting ideas (assertions/topic sentences) based on the trends you’ve established. These provide reasons why you have taken the position you have in your thesis.