Test for Pursuit of Happyness
For your test on the movie, you will be working with one other classmate to write an in-class five paragraph essay (typed or written). This will be a test grade; here are your requirements:
1. You and your partner need to work together to write a five paragraph essay. It's up to you and your
partner to decide how you'll write this essay. You can take turns, dictate to each other, etc.
2. Choose one of the following prompts to write an essay on:
A. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "the American Dream" in the book to the movie.
1. Consider the American dreams of the characters in the book to the movie
2. Were they the same in any way? Different?
3. End results of each?
B. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "The Price of Happiness" in the book to the movie.
1. Consider the sacrifices of the characters in the book to the movie
2. What did they have to give up? Was the movie different than the book in this regard?
3. Was it worth it in the end for the characters? Etc.
C. Compare and Contrast the Theme of "Weight of Love" in the book to the movie.
1. Consider the relationships in the book and in the movie
2. What effects did they have on the characters in each and their pursuits of happiness?
3. What role did the relationships in the movie and book play in their American dreams?
3. Your essay will be graded on the same aspects as your other papers: grammar, formal tone,
analyzing vs summarizing, etc.
4. Follow this essay guideline for your four paragraphs (6-8 sentences per paragraph):
I. Introduction
A. Generalization
B. Thesis
II. First Body Paragraph
A. Compare/Contrast
III. Second Body Paragraph
A. Compare/Contrast
IV. Third Body Paragraph
A. Compare/Contrast
V. Conclusion Paragraph
A. Summarize your thesis and two body paragraphs briefly
B. End with a lasting statement
