Smith-Soeten 1

Erin Smith-Soeten

Professor Beadle

English 115

19 September 2019

Project Space Essay

When reading an article, what typically draws you into reading it? Authors and

journalists often use methods of rhetoric including ethos, the author's credibility, pathos,

emotion, and logos, logic, to grab the reader's attention. A good article will generally have at

least two of these methods, however a great article tends to have all of them with one leading the

driving force and focus of the essay. After reading and analyzing the articles “What Suffering

Does” by David Brooks, “Living with Less. A Lot Less” by Graham Hill and “How Happy Are

You and Why?” by Sonja Lyubomirsky, Lyubomirsky has the best evidence out of the three

articles because she uses logos by using statistical scientific data in her argument, that happiness

is a mindset above all else.

Lyubomirsky uses logo by using data and statistical evidence to prove and conclude her

arguments throughout the article. While all three articles had the use of logos, Lyubomirsky was

the strongest. Lyubomirsky uses logos by providing a pie chart on “What Determines

Happiness.” This graphic depicts that 50 percent of our inherent happiness is due to our genetic

makeup, 10 percent is due to our circumstances, and 40 percent is due to purposeful activity and

our mindset. She later describes how this graphic shows that happiness is not an inherent thing

we have; “To understand that 40 percent of our happiness is determined by intentional activity is
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to appreciate the promise of the great impact that you can make your own life through intentional

strategies that ​you​ can implement to remake yourself as a happier person” (Lyubomirsky 185).

Yes there are many factors out of our control that affect our happiness, 40 percent is based on

our own mindset and it's crucial to know. This evidence is the foundation of her article, with this

message that happiness isn't inherent is repeated throughout the article, to really solidify the

message. On the contrary, Brooks uses logos by stating outside evidence from Paul Tillich, a

famous philosopher; “people who endure suffering are taken beneath the routines of life and find

they are not who they believed themselves to be” (Brooks 285). This evidence isn't as strong as

Lyubomirsky’s since this is an idea or personal opinion from Tillich whereas Lyubomirsky has

statistical evidence she helped conduct first hand. Hill uses logos by stating the environmental

damage that having too many possessions creates. The Natural Resources Defense Council states

that consumerism is one of the leading causes of environmental damage, such as smog produced

by factories, or the food that is wasted everyday (Hill 310). While this is a very concrete reliable

source that Hill uses, it doesn't state much about how there are many sides to consumerism of the

positives and negatives. Hill and Brooks’ evidence and logic is inconsequential in comparison to

the amount of effort and thoroughness Lyubomirsky has within her article.

In addition to logos, Lyubomirsky also uses her background and credible sources to better

construct her article. This method is called ethos. Lyubomirsky has a Ph.D in psychology and has

written a multitude of books on happiness and how we can increase our own, despite our other

determining factors of surroundings and circumstance; “ She has also published more than eighty

articles and book chapters” (Lyubomirsky 179). Lyubomirsky talks about her research over the

years and the best findings she has, in addition to studies she has done comparing and contrasting
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people of similar and different situations. Lyubomirsky is a credible source because of her

background and immense knowledge on this field of study. The authors of the other two articles,

Brooks only has a B.A. along with his credibility of being an author, and Hill talks about his

own personal journey and credibility. The two authors write more about personal experience and

credibility rather than using data from outside sources, whereas Lyubomirsky’s purpose is to use

her credible background and knowledge to inform the reader that in order to be truly happy,

despite circumstance, one must act upon their happiness and change their perception and action

towards their hardships.

Pathos is also present within Lyubomirsky’s article, through her describing real life

stories of people in uncontrollable circumstances still with a happy outlook on life. Lyubomirsky

throughout her article, describes different real life examples and stories of people’s journey and

struggles with happiness. This method of rhetoric is called pathos, to try and attempt to grab the

reader's attention by stating something that will incite emotion within the reader. She compares

the differences and similarities between people of different backgrounds and factors.

Lyubomirsky talks about a woman named Angela who is one of the happiest people she knows

despite her rough childhood being physically and mentally abused by her mother as a child.

Lyubomirsky goes on to explain Angela’s circumstances stating that, “Angela is currently as a

single mother. Things are hard financially… Still, with all that has happened and all the

challenges that have coke to pass, Angela considered herself a very happy person” (Lyubomirsky

180). She also depicts a man named Randy who is similarly bright and happy despite his

multiple losses as a child, and his wife cheating on him and leaving him; “He picked himself up

after the divorce, moved to another city, found work as a safety engineer, and eventually
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remarried” (Lyubomirsky 181). Lyubomirsky appeals to our emotions and our ability to relate to

others by sharing these deeply personal stories, and the people still being able to persevere and

change their view on life to increase their happiness. On the other hand, Brooks believes that

finding holiness is the solution. He explains holiness as “seeing life as a moral drama, placing the

hard experiences in a moral context” (Brooks 286). Brooks explains how in times of hardship

people tend to turn to religion to help grieve or come to terms with what has happened. Hill talks

about his own personal hardships, such as going through a divorce and losing everything in

addition to the loss he experienced as a kid (Hill 311). He then further explains how living with

less not only will increase your happiness but is also better for the environment. While these are

two strong arguments, Lyubomirsky has more to her article, and has greater evidence by giving

more than one specific situation and story. There are many factors to one's happiness and

Lyubomirsky hits all of them with her multiple point of view stories and conditions within the

article.

Lyubomirsky’s article is more on the basis of happiness and the basic building block idea

of the other two articles. Sonja Lyubomirsky, has the best evidence out of the three articles

because she incorporates logos, ethos, and pathos incorporated throughout her article stating that

happiness is a mindset above all else. While all three articles have great use of rhetoric,

Lyubomirsky is a more convincing article. Brook’s purpose is to inform the reader about this in

order to have a more fulfilling and happy life they must accept that hardships and suffering is

apart of life. Hill’s purpose is to inform the reader of the positive impact taking up a minimalist

lifestyle will have. All three articles stress the importance of one's happiness and how you are the
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one in charge of how you react to what life throws at you. Taking all these steps will ensure a

more happy outlook.

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Works Cited

Brooks, David, “What Suffering Does.” Pursuing Happiness, edited by Matthew Parfitt and

Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford St. Martin’s, 2016, pp. 284-287

Hill, Graham. “Living with Less. a Lot Less.” Pursuing Happiness, edited by Matthew Parfitt

and Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford St. Martin’s, 2016, pp. 308-313

Lyubomirsky, Sonja.“How Happy Are You and Why?” Pursuing Happiness, Mathew Parfitt and

Dawn Skorczewski, Bedford St. Martin’s, 2016, pp. 179-197