Purpose

Each module unit takes the task of writing a good essay and breaks it down into smaller steps.  In this discussion, we will share our thoughts on our readings for this unit by relating the contents to our experiences and prior knowledge.  By sharing our interpretations on the readings, we will generate ideas for a good Essay thesis.  Doing so will be the first step in drafting a good essay final draft since a strong thesis tells the reader what the essay’s main argument will be.   In our discussion, you will also asked to support your thesis ideas with evidence from our assigned texts for this module.  That evidence will also serve to help you put together a comprehensive outline for your essay in the next assignment.

Main Post Prompt

This Forum is designed to help you plan Section 3 of your Research paper.  

You can’t do this forum unless you completed the previous assignment “Your fantasy atypical vacation plan.”  Please go back and complete that assignment before writing your main post.

Write three paragraphs (at least 200+ words) on the following:

Paragraph 1

1) Pick one of the following texts.  Summarize the main ideas in your chosen reading in your own words.   Please be careful to avoid plagiarism. 

•  
• Abigail Marsh TED talk  “Why some people are more altruistic than others”  (Links to an external site.)(audio) on kidney donors or transcript. (Links to an external site.)
• Hidden Brain podcasts:
• “You 2.0: The Value of ‘Deep Work’ in an Age of Distraction” (Links to an external site.) (July 25, 2017 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).
• “The Power and the Problem of Grit” (Links to an external site.) (April 5, 2016 audio) or transcript. (Links to an external site.)
• “Researchers Examine What Social Isolation Can Do To Men’s Health” (Links to an external site.) (August 21, 2018 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).
• “Our Better Nature: How the Great Outdoors Can Improve Your Life” (Links to an external site.) (September 10, 2018 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).

2) Support your summary with at least 1 quotation from your chosen podcast or reading. 

3) Provide an example from the experiences of a specifically named extreme sport athlete or adventurer that illustrates one of the main ideas you summarized.  You can use examples from our assigned readings:

•  
• Diary of the Wild Ones podcast Season 1, episode 20 “The Fastest Ever Unsupported Antarctic Traverse” (Links to an external site.) (9/9/2019 audio) or transcript.
• Rise of Superman Chapter 4 “The What of Flow” on wingsuit pilots of the Red Bull Air Force
• Rise of Superman Chapter 8 “The We of Flow” on Camp 4 climbers at Yosemite.
• Forbes article “Seven Extreme Athletes With a Cause” (Links to an external site.)

Paragraph 2

1) Pick a different reading from the same list for Paragraph 1.  Summarize the main ideas in this new reading in your own words.   Please be careful to avoid plagiarism. 

•  
• Abigail Marsh TED talk  “Why some people are more altruistic than others”  (Links to an external site.)(audio) on kidney donors or transcript. (Links to an external site.)
• Hidden Brain podcasts:
• “You 2.0: The Value of ‘Deep Work’ in an Age of Distraction” (Links to an external site.) (July 25, 2017 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).
• “The Power and the Problem of Grit” (Links to an external site.) (April 5, 2016 audio) or transcript. (Links to an external site.)
• “Researchers Examine What Social Isolation Can Do To Men’s Health” (Links to an external site.) (August 21, 2018 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).
• “Our Better Nature: How the Great Outdoors Can Improve Your Life” (Links to an external site.) (September 10, 2018 audio) or transcript (Links to an external site.).

2) Support your summary with at least 2 quotations from the new reading. 

3) Last, provide a new example from a specifically named extreme sport athlete or adventurer that illustrates one of the main ideas you summarized.  You can use examples from our assigned readings listed under Paragraph 1.

Paragraph 3  

1) Start by providing your Research Paper Section 3 one sentence thesis that fully answers the following question: 

Using two concepts from the Science of Happiness and / or flow states (described in the below assigned readings), argue that your atypical travel plan will bring you more happiness than the typical vacation you described in Section 1. 

•  
•  
•  
• Hint: All the assigned readings are specifically about the happiness that comes from doing meaningful activities in a manner that helps you grow and makes you feel deeply connected to the people around you and / or to your immediate environment.

2) End your main post with an interesting question for the class that stems from the ideas in your post.

Reply Posts (50+ words each)

Part 1:  What parts of the other student’s main post could you identify with?  What parts did you like?  Explain why you liked those ideas.

Part 2: Suggest improvements by referring to additional supporting examples from our class readings.  Or point out parts of the other student’s main post that you would like to see discussed in more detail, either with more explanation, clarification, or support.

Part 3:  End your reply post with an interesting question that is relevant to your discussion.

Grading

1. Point Value: 30 points
2. Requirements:

• 1 main post (200+ words) that fully responds to Dr. Kwa’s prompt
• 2 replies (50+ words each) to others’ main posts
• Very Important:  You are required to end all of your main posts and replies with a question that is related to your thoughts in your post. 

1. Originality: If your discussion forum plagiarizes ideas or wording from another student’s post or an outside source, you will receive “0” points for your plagiarized forum.  Claiming lack of understanding of plagiarism will not be an acceptable excuse for plagiarism in your post.  You will not be allowed to rewrite your plagiarized post.  Please make sure to give credit to other students by name should you discuss their ideas.

Discussion Formatting and Other Important Tips

•  Main posts should be titled “Main Post”
to distinguish them from replies
•  Paragraph formatting: Divide your post into separate paragraphs.  Skip a blank line between paragraphs, and do not indent paragraphs (e.g. business letters).

•  Make sure to answer all parts of Dr. Kwa’s instructions for each discussion.

•  Avoid recopying Dr. Kwa’s questions and writing in a question and answer format.  
Write in well-organized complete paragraphs.
• Must show language respectful of other students and Dr. Kwa.  Disagreement is fine; hurtful language is not.  Flaming posts will be immediately deleted from the forum.
• Must be proofread and reasonably grammatically correct.  I recommend that you first write your post in Microsoft Word, save it, and then cut and paste it into the forum.

•  
• Remember to capitalize “I,” beginnings of sentences, proper nouns etc.
• Use proper punctuation, including periods at end of sentences.
• Avoid all capitalized letters in words since this looks like screaming in written form.
• Avoid run-ons and fragments.
• Avoid abbreviations used typically when texting or writing casual emails.
• Always spell-check.