“The Pursuit of Happiness: Examining the Role of Religion, Gratitude, and Wealth in Achieving True Happiness”

Synthesis Paper Assignment (200 points) – Due May 7th 1:00PM
At this point, we have explored the class topic from a variety of different angles, lenses, and perspectives. The Synthesis Paper requires you to “synthesize” your sources in the paragraphs, which means to connect them on a single point or topic of discussion.
PURPOSE: To respond to the class topic with an argument you can support and defend using the class sources and sources you find yourself.
Take a stance on the course topic (happiness) and use the sources to defend and support your response:
Develop a position you have arrived at through your reading and reflection on your course topic. Your thesis is an opinion statement presented as an argument. Your thesis should be specific.
Use the sources to support your thesis. You will want 3-5 sub points to develop in the body of your paper (stated in your topic sentences). Consider connecting happiness to a secondary topic (religion, gratitude, psychology, mental wellness, physical wellness, wealth etc).
Present your position in a fair-minded, evidence-based manner. Persuade. Don’t attack.
Requirements:
The paper is a 4-6 page “argument” related to the class semester topic and questions. The Title page and References page does not count toward the page length.
Make sure your tone is professional, informed, and reasonable. 
SORCES: 
Link
Link
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/jan/10/why-its-time-to-stop-pursuing-happiness
religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world
Do not use first or second-person pronouns.
We will use APA format for this paper to get used to multiple formatting types.
Provide a References page with your source citations documented according to APA standards. Provide at least one parenthetical citation for each source within the document wherever you use each source, whether you quote or paraphrase from it.
Integrate your sources smoothly by using a signal phrase to introduce quotes and proper context to introduce paraphrased information.
Integrate or “synthesize” your comments so that you are using sources to compare, contrast, support, or disagree with one another and with your own views. You can do that by bringing multiple sources into a single paragraph or by moving between paragraphs but using new sources and information to clarify, extend, contrast, support, or disagree with what has been said previously in the paper, referring back to evidence. The goal of this paper is higher-level synthesis or connection between various sources and your own thesis.