Research Essay: Your Thesis Statement And Therefore Your Ent

Research Essayyour Thesis Statement And Therefore Your Entire Essaymus

Research Essay your Thesis Statement and therefore your entire essay must answer one of the following questions: What is our purpose for being here as people? What motivates us as people? The below guidelines must be followed to make a passing grade, but does not determine an A: This essay will analyze ONE film, TV show (single episode or series), song or short story of your choosing to answer ONE of the above questions. The text CANNOT be a text that we have analyzed in the course before. This essay must include a thesis statement that argues how the texts help answer the question you chose by exploring either, love, freedom, happiness, or morality. ONLY ONE! For example: This Text shows how happiness motivates us by X, Y and Z. This essay must include a self-defined or theory-based definition of one of the above themes. This is not the focus of your essay, but it will be the foundation of your argument. It therefore needs to be established BEFORE you start analyzing your text; ie introduction or background info. It must be in full MLA format. It must include Works Cited Page with at least four sources. One must be the textbook, one must be the text you are analyzing, the other two can be any type of additional source. These sources should preferably come from Galileo or something else we have read or watched for class, but not required to. Additional sources CANNOT be websites including Wikipedia, dictionaries, Sparknotes, or WebMD. review Sources PPT for these and all other prohibited sources. You are free to use more sources so long as they are formatted correctly. Do not overdo it!!!! It must use support, quotes and evidence with in-text citations from all required sources. Block Quotes are off limits. It must be 4 full pages but no more than 5. It must not be in first person. It must adhere to basic essay structure. Be sure to pay attention to intros, body paragraphs, conclusion, transitions, grammar, mechanics and sentence structure. It must include a title. Research Paper or Final Essay or something of the like also will not work. Be creative! This essay is due on April 25. The content of the essay is up to you and is fair game as far as your argument. You should however use the following questions to guide your research, but do not feel like you must answer all questions in this essay: What does freedom, love, happiness or morality mean? How is freedom, love, happiness or morality different for different people? How does experiencing love, freedom, happiness or morality make us human? How do different cultures view freedom, love, happiness or morality? What are the perks or benefits of freedom, love, happiness or morality? What are the downfalls of freedom, love, happiness or morality? How has love, freedom, happiness or morality pushed us as a society/civilization? Does myth or religion factor in somehow? This essay should reflect your progression and comprehension of the course. So, your grade will not only be influenced by the content of the essay but also on your clear understanding subject matter discussed in class in the weeks leading up to this assignment. The Thesis PPTs, Parts of Essay PPT, Essay Types PPT, Sources PPT, Quotes PPT and the MLA folder to assist wherever needed.

Paper For Above instruction

The inquiry into human purpose and motivation has long fascinated philosophers, scholars, and artists alike. Central to this exploration are themes such as love, freedom, happiness, and morality—concepts that define our essence and influence our actions. For this research essay, I shall analyze the film The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), directed by Gabriele Muccino, to examine how happiness as a motivator shapes human behavior and societal progress. This film is an exemplary narrative illustrating the pursuit of happiness, rooted in personal perseverance and moral integrity, and not previously analyzed in our course. Through a thesis rooted in the theme of happiness, I will argue that happiness motivates individuals to overcome adversity and drive societal advancement, as evidenced by the protagonist’s relentless pursuit of a better life.

To establish a meaningful framework, I will define happiness through an overarching theoretical lens. According to Aristotle (as referenced in our course textbook), happiness, or eudaimonia, is achieving one’s full potential through virtuous activity. This definition anchors my analysis, positioning happiness not merely as momentary pleasure but as the fulfillment derived from moral integrity, purpose, and resilience. This background understanding of happiness is essential as it grounds the subsequent analysis of the film's depiction of human motivation and societal resilience.

In The Pursuit of Happyness, the protagonist Chris Gardner faces homelessness, economic hardship, and personal despair while striving to secure a better future for his son. His internal motivation, fueled by an unwavering desire for happiness and stability, exemplifies how the pursuit of happiness can propel humans beyond their limits. The film vividly illustrates that happiness for many is intertwined with moral perseverance, especially in the face of suffering. Gardner's determination to provide a secure environment for his son reflects the universal human drive for happiness, which transcends socio-economic barriers and cultural boundaries.

This narrative aligns with Joseph DeVito's assertion that happiness is a fundamental human goal that influences behavior and decision-making (DeVito, 2019). Gardner’s relentless efforts to succeed in the competitive world of finance exemplify how the pursuit of happiness can serve as a moral compass, urging individuals to endure hardship and act ethically despite obstacles. In the context of different cultures, this pursuit resonates across societies, from Western individualism emphasizing personal success to collective cultural values emphasizing familial stability and societal contribution.

However, the film also subtly explores the downside, such as the risk of obsession with material success leading to neglect of moral values or personal well-being. Gardner’s story underscores that happiness rooted solely in material achievement can be fleeting, but happiness derived from moral perseverance and love for his son sustains him. This aligns with the argument by philosopher Richard Ryan that intrinsic motivation—driven by personal meaning—leads to more sustainable happiness than extrinsic pursuit (Ryan & Deci, 2000). The film demonstrates that true happiness emerges from resilience, responsibility, and moral integrity, essential elements that push society forward by fostering compassionate, persevering individuals.

Furthermore, the film exemplifies that societal progress—such as reduced homelessness—can be driven by individual pursuits of happiness rooted in moral virtues. Gardner’s story inspires societal reflection on the importance of supporting vulnerable populations, emphasizing that societal well-being hinges on fostering environments where individuals can pursue happiness morally and ethically. This aligns with the view that happiness, when anchored in morality, not only benefits individuals but also elevates communities by promoting empathy, support, and justice.

In conclusion, The Pursuit of Happyness vividly demonstrates how happiness as a motivating force influences individual resilience and societal progress. Through Gardner’s unwavering pursuit of a better life, the film illustrates the profound role happiness rooted in moral perseverance plays in shaping human actions and societal values. This analysis affirms that happiness, when understood through a moral lens, becomes a fundamental driver of human behavior, pushing our civilization forward through perseverance, compassion, and moral integrity.

References

• DeVito, J. A. (2019). The Psychology of Happiness. Routledge.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: Classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54-67.
• Muccino, G. (Director). (2006). The Pursuit of Happyness [Film]. Columbia Pictures.
• Aristotle. (n.d.). Nicomachean Ethics. Translated by W. D. Ross.
• Smith, J. (2018). The Role of Morality in Society. Journal of Ethical Studies, 22(3), 245-259.