McLean
English 101A, Fall 2011--Chabot
Essay Assignment # 1: Happiness and the Here and Now
Essay Length: 3-4 pages (at least 6 well-developed paragraphs), typed and double-spaced
Due Dates: Complete, typed first draft due in my office, room 452C, at the time of your
scheduled Conference with me: Sept 8-15.
Complete, typed final draft: Thursday, September 15 or
Monday, September 19.
In Chapters 2 and 3 of The Geography of Bliss, Weiner writes about two countries—
Switzerland and Bhutan—where being fully present (enjoying, and paying attention to, the
present moment) seems to be a key component of people’s happiness. Instead of constantly
being distracted by worry, competition, technology, etc., the people of both countries, in their
different ways, seem to have a gift for, in Weiner’s words, “patience” (Switzerland), or
“attentiveness” (Bhutan)—in other words, for being able to be calmly present in the here and
now.
Assignment: Write about the idea of “being in the here and now” in the chapter of
The Geography of Bliss that you chose to focus on, and relate it to own personal “Here and
Now” experiment.
This, your first essay of the semester, has two parts. Ultimately, you will tie both parts
together, coming up with a thesis that unifies your paper, and relating the two parts to each other.
For the first part of your essay, choose either Chapter 2 or Chapter 3 to focus on, and
carefully explain what Weiner says about happiness in that country and how it relates to the idea
of being present in the here and now. You will need to bring in short quotes from the chapter
you have chosen, and discuss them as you explain these ideas.
In the second part of your essay, you will describe your own “Here and Now”
experiment, and relate it to your discussion of Weiner’s chapter. Go alone to public park or
some other beautiful or peaceful place. Put away/turn off any technology, books, newspaper,
music, food, drinks, gum, or other distractions. Sit there for twenty minutes, and just notice what
happens. No judgment—there is no “right” or “wrong” response; just give yourself the
opportunity to be calmly present in the moment for twenty minutes, and if your mind starts to
wander away, try to gently bring it back to where you are, observing the scene peacefully. See
what comes up in terms of your state of mind, your thoughts, feelings and observations. After
your twenty minutes is done, write down what you experienced—what you saw, heard, felt, and
how it was for you. What connections, or contrasts, can you draw between what you experienced
and what Weiner discusses in your chapter of the book? In your essay, describe this experience
in detail and relate it to what you discussed about your chosen chapter of The Geography of Bliss.
Your essay must have:
1) An introduction with a hook, background information, and a clear thesis. Your thesis
should make an argument that ties the whole paper together. Find the unifying idea
that connects everything you say.
2) At least 4 body paragraphs that support the thesis. At least two of the body
paragraphs should focus on your chosen chapter of the book, explaining carefully how
happiness in this country relates to the idea of “being in the here and now.” At least
two of the body paragraphs should discuss your own “Here and Now” experiment,
describing what you did, how it felt for you, and discussing how that connects to the
ideas you talked about in the book. Each body paragraph should contain P-I-E: that
is, a Point clearly related to the thesis, Illustration(s) (quotes and/or examples) that
support the Point, and plenty of Explanation both of what the quotes/examples say
and of what they mean or show, and how they relate to the thesis.
3) A conclusion paragraph that restates your main point and leaves the reader thinking
about the issues you have discussed (so what? Why should we care?).
4) Proofread your essay carefully and correct grammar, punctuation, quotation, and
formatting errors before turning it in. Make sure it has a title (not “Chapter 2” or
“Essay #1), and that it is a minimum of 3 complete pages (not 2 ¾) and at least 6
paragraphs, as part of your proofreading process.