Smith 1

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title:Why We Should Boycott Spending

Introduction Paragraph:When I returned from a couchsurfing excursion through Europe, it was not long before I had to return and do something with all of the things I had left at my parents’ house. Let me tell you, there is no more appropriate hell for a former shopping addict turned aspiring minimalist than having to sell every little item you own. It was clear how my past of overconsumption was harmful to myself, and I began to think about how my habit of shopping hurt other people and the earth. Not many people in America are minimalists. But even those people who do not consider themselves to shop all the time end up buying more things than they really need. People everywhere, in the United States and beyond, should boycott unnecessary spending because it is hurting ourselves, each other, and the earth.

Outline:

I. Introduction

II. We should boycott spending because it is hurting ourselves.

III. We should boycott spending because it is hurting each other.

IV. We should boycott spending because it is hurting the earth.

V. Conclusion

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title:Cooling the Flames of Aggression

Introduction paragraph:Just driving on the highway, one can feel the aggression in the air: people are speeding in their cars, cutting people off, and sometimes honking their horns because they are offended at an error of a fellow driver. Aggression also manifests its hoary head in the way people speak to each other, too busy to pause to give a kind glance because we are so dissatisfied and busy with our day to care. Aggression is most intensely seen in violent acts of terrorism and gun-shootings on every level of life. Perhaps before we can even speak about how to soothe our angry souls, we need to first simply agree to address this in society and why. People should learn to cope with their aggression because it is not our enemy, society will be less violent, and fewer people will feel despair.

Outline:

I. Intro + thesis

II. People should learn to cope with their aggression because it is not our enemy.

III. People should learn to cope with their aggression because society will be less violent.

IV. People should learn to cope with their aggression because fewer people will feel despair.

V. Conclusion

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title: Choosing Goodness

Introduction:It is easy to despair in the state of the world today. We have made poor choices when it comes to privileging profit over general well-being and when deciding to harm the earth because of that greed. I can despair in my own life because it all can seem so hard. I would like everyone to have access to clean water and fresh air, to not have to be afraid of bombs or radiation or other kinds of pollution and violence. But there are beautiful aspects of the world as well, and many times our happiness and hope derive from making a choice to shift perspectives. Humans should see the world as good because simple experiences in the earth and our bodies reveal this goodness and because it can cure us of our hopelessness.

Outline:

I. Introduction + thesis

II. Humans should see the world as good because simple experiences in the earth reveal this goodness.

III. Humans should see the world as good because simple experiences in our bodies reveal this goodness.

IV. Humans should see the world as good because it can cure us of our hopelessness.

V. Conclusion

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title: Hard Work with Non-Attachment

Introduction: I remember in grad school when I felt anxious about my dissertation. I just wanted to finish it so that I could graduate and get on with life. Thinking back, I am not sure why I was in such a rush. In fact, I wish I would have slowed down and spent more time thinking about my dissertation topic in the first place. My interests in scholarship have changed, and perhaps being less attached to my goal would have allowed me to discover my real interests sooner and helped me not be so stressed out with completing it. People should work hard without being attached to their goal because it will help people be more successful, enjoy the journey, and be more creative.

Outline:

I. Introduction + thesis

II. People should work hard without being attached because it will increase success.

III. People should work hard without being attached because the journey can be enjoyed.

IV. People should work hard without being attached because they can be more creative.

V. Conclusion

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title: Anger Babies

Introduction:Whenever I get angry, I feel horrible about it. Usually when I explode (or implode), my emotions rise quickly, but then I regret this. I always want to be calm and composed, but that is not the reality. After reading Nhat Thich Hanh's book on Anger, I realize that my regret lacks self-compassion. In his book, there are many metaphors, but the one that speaks most to me is his analogy to mothering an angry child. People should think of their anger as a baby because self-compassion can help us be more authentic, keep relationships from being compromised, and the metaphor teaches us to be good mothers to ourselves, which we all need, even as adults.

Outline:

I. Introduction + thesis

II. People should think of their anger as a baby because it can help us be more authentic.

III. People should think of their anger as a baby because it will help our relationships.

IV. People should think of their anger as a baby because this teaches us to be good mothers to ourselves.

V. Conclusion

Sally Smith

ENG 122-13

Professor Schilling

18 August 2017

Writing Assignment #2 (Introduction Paragraph + Title)

Title: Living in the Present Moment

Introduction:Our minds can be consumed by our fantasies, by our desires or worries about the future or regret about the past. I can walk through a park for an hour and realize I have not noticed one lush tree or the stormy blue sky. Where have I been? Not here. Once I began to realize how much my busy mind was distracting me from my environment, I felt that I might enjoy life more if I was more mindful of the present moment. It is not easy, but every now-and-then I am able to wake up and concentrate on putting all of my attention on what is going on in this moment. People should practice being present in the NOW because the past and future do not really exist, one will no longer miss what is good about life, and it will reduce suffering.

Outline:

I. Introduction + thesis

II. People should live in the NOW because the past and future do not exist.

III. People should live in the NOW because one will experience what is good about life.

IV. People should live in the NOW because it will reduce suffering.

V. Conclusion