Essay 1 Pre-writing

Theme discussion Answer the following questions in your group: What issues (problems) were in the readings? Do they affect few or many people? Does everyone agree about these issues? What are some related or similar issues? How do these issues affect our lives?

Did your group talk about: Cultural attitudes Happiness and success (the same?) Your opinions versus your parents Is marriage necessary? Who decides what is beautiful? Media vs. reality (love, money, success) Optimism vs. Pessimism Should hope come from religion?

Interesting essay topics? Think about some of the issues, problems or conflicts your group has discussed. Which ones would make an interesting essay topic? Does everyone agree about these issues?

Topic ideas Does happiness matter? How is success measured? GDP vs. Gross National Happiness: which measures success better? Does religious faith help you become successful? Han vs. happiness: is Korean culture unhappy? What is "the road to success"? Is it the same for everyone? What factors contribute to hope or hopelessness? Should everyone get married and have children? why or why not? Is anger helpful? What makes a healthy relationship? Compare success and failure. Which is more important physical or emotional health?

Methods of Organization Chronological Organization – forward or backward Show changes in ideas, events, or experiences over time. Example: “In this essay I will outline how American attitudes toward beauty have changed over the last century.”

Methods of Organization Logical Shows comparison, contrast, or development of ideas and arguments. Example: “In this essay I will argue that American standards of beauty are unhealthy and unrealistic.”

Methods of Organization Functional (How-to...) Shows steps of a process Example: “In this essay I will demonstrate four easy steps to stay beautiful and remain healthy.”

Methods of Organization Which method of organization is best for your topic? Chronological Logical Functional (How-to)