Moneyhappinessessay - CAN MONEY BRING HAPPINESS? PDF

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CAN MONEY BRING HAPPINESS?...

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ENGL 100

PERSUASIVE ESSAY PREWRITING ASSIGNMENT TEMPLATE Directions: Download this document, complete the 4 steps, save your work, and submit the completed assignment. To complete the 4 steps, fill in the fields below with information as described in the Persuasive Essay Prewriting Template Assignment Instructions. Be sure to complete each component of the planning to ensure that your content is correct.

Step 1: Argument Essay Thesis Statement and Planning Directions: Complete all of the elements of the planning; otherwise, the content of your piece will not be accurate. My Topic: Can Money Buy Happiness? Topic: You will choose 1 from the following topics for your Persuasive Essay: • • • • • •

Should children participate in chores at home? Should schools teach financial literacy? Do all students need to learn a foreign language? Should households be required to recycle? Is dieting healthy? Can money buy happiness?

My Attitude: Most people think money can buy happiness, research shows this to be true but it isn’t the actual money that is the cause. My Purpose: To inform. My Thesis Statement: I will argue that money can buy people happiness as

supported by both scientific research and my personal experience My Audience: Everyone Outline: I.

Everyone’s lives depend on the choices they make as well as goals that they set for themselves. a. Some believe that romantic relationships bring happiness and satisfaction, while still others find it in fame and wealth. b. Though the end goal for most people is different, several believe that money will bring them closer to it.

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ENGL 100

II.

III.

I will argue that money can buy people happiness as supported by both scientific research and my personal experience a. Buying’ time gives people a better sense of well-being than acquiring material things. b. people need money to be happy, not necessarily because of money itself but rather because of feeling more secure and relaxed to be their true self.From personal experience money is a vital key to happiness. a. When my bills are covered I don’t have to worry. b. I have the opportunity to experience things I normally wouldn’t. More money in one’s bank account has nothing to do with happiness a. What we choose to spend the money on is key. b. We will have a increase in a fulfilled type life. Step 2: Persuasive Essay First Draft

Everyone’s lives depend on the choices they make as well as goals that they set for themselves. Though the definitions will differ, most people want to live a happy and content life. But what exactly is the meaning of a happy and content life? Some believe that romantic relationships bring happiness and satisfaction, while still others find it in fame and wealth. Though the end goal for most people is different, several believe that money will bring them closer to it. In this essay, I will argue that money can buy people happiness as supported by both scientific research and my personal experience. Studies show that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between financial gain and happiness. In his article, Nield (2017) refers to a study, which has found that money can buy happiness if we spend it on making more free time. This analysis shows that ‘buying’ time gives people a better sense of well-being than acquiring material things. On another hand, Rampton (2017) suggests that happiness is significantly correlated with income up to approximately $75,000 in annual salary. After that, the author states, “there tends to be little correlation between income and happiness” (Rampton, 2017, para. 1). This implies that the standard understanding of the relationship between money and happiness is wrong. Most people claim that more income implies more satisfaction. However, the research shows that people only need to pass a certain threshold; after that, they carry about their income less. This figure is not random. Having approximately $75,000 in annual income gives one freedom to be their true self. In his 1943 paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation”, Abraham Maslow stressed that “healthy human beings have a certain number of needs, and that these needs are arranged in a hierarchy” (Burton, 2012, para. 1). The psychologist famously proposed that higher Page 2 of 5

ENGL 100

needs come into an individual’s focus only once their most basic needs, such as food, shelter, safety, and stability, is met. Thus, the empirical evidence, as well as psychological studies, seem to be unanimous that people need money to be happy, not necessarily because of money itself but rather because of feeling more secure and relaxed to be their true self. My personal experience also tells me that money is a vital component of happiness. There are several primary reasons that support this statement. First, money tends to aid in allowing me to enjoy various experiences that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Also when I have money to cover life necessities then I worry less about coming up with ideas on how I am going to pay bills so that brings happiness. Gordon (2017) suggests that experiences help to put a positive spin on our recollections. She argues that we can put a positive spin on any experience, even if it did not seem to be perfect at the moment it was taking place. Material things, on the other hand, get worn out and forgotten over time. In addition, experience is less subject to comparison with other individuals. Gordon (2017) proposes that, when focusing on gaining material things only, it is always possible that someone else will have something that’s more expensive, better, faster, larger. Experiences, on the other hand, are hard to compare. Thus, money invested in a good vacation may bring someone a personal satisfaction. Second, money allows individuals a opportunity to invest in oneself. Money gives provides a freedom to be their true self. Ever wanted to learn French? You can go to France for summer and study a language there. Always dreamt of playing the piano?You can hire a private tutor and learn how to play in a no time. Money assists an individual to focus more on getting in tune with themselves and pursuing their dreams. In conclusion, the objective of this essay is to support the argument that money can buy happiness as suggested by scientific studies and my firsthand experiences. However, I have shown that money is not a goal. More money in one’s bank account has nothing to do with happiness; instead, what matters is how the money is spent. In my opinion, spending money on experiences and self-development, instead of material things, is exactly what will help us to build a better and more prosperous society.

References Burton, N. (2012). Our Hierarchy of Needs. Psychology Today. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com Gordon, A. (2017).

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ENGL 100

Can Money Buy You Happiness? Psychology Today. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com Nield, D. (2017). Study Shows Money Really Can Buy Happiness – If You Spend It the Right Way. Entrepreneur. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://entrepreneur.com/article/30981 Step 3: Persuasive Essay Rewriting Everyone’s lives depend on the choices they make as well as goals that they set for themselves. Though the definitions will differ, most people want to live a happy and content life. But what exactly is the meaning of a happy and content life? Some believe that romantic relationships bring happiness and satisfaction, while still others find it in fame and wealth. Though the end goal for most people is different, several believe that money will bring them closer to it. In this essay, I will argue that money can buy people happiness as supported by both scientific research and my personal experience. Studies show that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between financial gain and happiness. In his article, Nield (2017) refers to a study, which has found that money can buy happiness if we spend it on making more free time. This analysis shows that ‘buying’ time gives people a better sense of well-being than acquiring material things. On another hand, Rampton (2017) suggests that happiness is significantly correlated with income up to approximately $75,000 in annual salary. After that, the author states, “there tends to be little correlation between income and happiness” (Rampton, 2017, para. 1). This implies that the standard understanding of the relationship between money and happiness is wrong. Most people claim that more income implies more satisfaction. However, the research shows that people only need to pass a certain threshold; after that, they carry about their income less. This figure is not random. Having approximately $75,000 in annual income gives one freedom to be their true self. In his 1943 paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation”, Abraham Maslow stressed that “healthy human beings have a certain number of needs, and that these needs are arranged in a hierarchy” (Burton, 2012, para. 1). The psychologist famously proposed that higher needs come into an individual’s focus only once their most basic needs, such as food, shelter, safety, and stability, is met. Thus, the empirical evidence, as well as psychological studies, seem to be unanimous that people need money to be happy, not necessarily because of money itself but rather because of feeling more secure and relaxed to be their true self. My personal experience also tells me that money is a vital component of happiness. There are several primary reasons that support this statement. First, money tends to aid in allowing me to enjoy various experiences that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Also when I have money to cover life necessities then I worry less about coming up with ideas on how I am going to pay bills so that brings happiness. Gordon (2017) suggests that experiences help to put a positive spin on our recollections. She argues that we can put a positive spin on any experience, even if it did not seem to be perfect at the moment it was taking place. Material things, on the other hand, get worn out and forgotten over time. In addition, experience is less subject to comparison with other individuals. Gordon (2017) proposes that, when focusing on gaining material things only, it is always possible that someone else will have something that’s more expensive, better,

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ENGL 100

faster, larger. Experiences, on the other hand, are hard to compare. Thus, money invested in a good vacation may bring someone a personal satisfaction. Second, money allows individuals a opportunity to invest in oneself. Money gives provides a freedom to be their true self. Ever wanted to learn French? You can go to France for summer and study a language there. Always dreamt of playing the piano?You can hire a private tutor and learn how to play in a no time. Money assists an individual to focus more on getting in tune with themselves and pursuing their dreams. In conclusion, the objective of this essay is to support the argument that money can buy happiness as suggested by scientific studies and my firsthand experiences. However, I have shown that money is not a goal. More money in one’s bank account has nothing to do with happiness; instead, what matters is how the money is spent. In my opinion, spending money on experiences and self-development, instead of material things, is exactly what will help us to build a better and more prosperous society.

References Burton, N. (2012). Our Hierarchy of Needs. Psychology Today. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com Gordon, A. (2017). Can Money Buy You Happiness? Psychology Today. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com Nield, D. (2017). Study Shows Money Really Can Buy Happiness – If You Spend It the Right Way. Entrepreneur. Retrieved 31 March 2018, from https://entrepreneur.com/article/30981

HONOR STATEMENT Read and sign this honor statement prior to submitting your assignment: By typing my name in the space provided, I certify that all words and ideas in my writing assignment are mine alone, and, if I used another person’s words or ideas (by summarizing, paraphrasing, or directly quoting), I gave credit to that author, and I also put quotation marks around any direct quotations.By signing my name, I also understand that, if I have copied someone else’s ideas or words, I have plagiarized, and I understand that the penalty for plagiarism is course failure. Student Name: Jessica Jordan L31700814

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