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ECPE Writing - Sample Article (Banning Cars from the City)

This is the fourth sample article that conforms to the writing section requirements of the ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English) of the University of Michigan.  My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in the piece of writing candidates compose. Examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words,

C2 Sample Essay 34 (Happiness)

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Writing at C2 level (Proficient User) on English language examinations is the same no matter the awarding body when it comes to writing essays. If you are a candidate giving an exam in English (IELTS, CPE, ECPE, CELP, LRN, ESB, TOEFL), make sure you read my earlier post What do I do with the sample writing found on this blog? to get the most out of the sample essays provided on Argute Legacy.  

The topic of this 650-word essay is to discuss why defining happiness is so difficult and what factors are important in being happy. If you are not taking an exam but need to discuss this topic, then read on and note down what you deem useful. If you intend to use this essay as part of an assignment, remember to paraphrase so as not to plagiarize.



The topic is similar to what candidates expect in any other C2-level examination in that examiners want to see a well-organized, coherent and cohesive discussion of the issue with arguments and examples written in approximately half an hour. Whether or not you agree with the viewpoint expressed, remember that what yields a higher score is the way a subject is argued, so if you see that you come up with more ideas for the side of the argument you disagree with during the brainstorming phase, it doesn't matter -- simply go ahead and plead that side of the argument.

This essay took longer than half an hour to write, so don't think examiners expect something of this length!


For those who'd like to read more sample essays and useful essay-writing posts, click on the image below.





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Happiness is considered very important in life. Why is it difficult to define? What factors are important in achieving happiness?





Many abstract concepts have been the center of contemplation throughout the ages by both erudite philosophers and laymen alike. After debates and controversy, deep reflection or careful drafting of ideas, it is certain that no definitive consensus can be reached regarding a number of these concepts, least of which in importance is not happiness. The reasons why settling on a definition everyone could agree with are varied and irrevocably linked, in my view, to the factors that determine what makes people happy.

          First of all, defining what brings us joy is challenging due to the fact that happiness is subjective per se. What makes one person feel ecstatic does not necessarily mean it does another. Take any example from the world of entertainment: I might enjoy horror movies or the theater, you cringe at the very thought of both. Your average marathon trainee feels elated with the idea of running for hours every day, while you yourself look forward with glee at a night spent at home with friends, banter and beers. Watching the Champions League football final is for some the highlight of the year, whereas others simply get excited with an upcoming sales season or a manicure session.

From all these cases, it is evident that if a definition were to be formulated, it would have to include the idea that happiness is the result of our leading a fulfilling life or what we feel makes us become better individuals, something which could not be more subjective. What makes one feel better is wealth, while to another riches do not bring happiness. Becoming more intelligent makes someone feel they are improving themselves and so they feel a sense of satisfaction which brings them joy, while another person might view studying and books a waste of time. Family for some is a lifelong goal which brings happiness, but could it be said that those who choose not to marry or have children lead a life fraught with misery? Being independent is the source of happiness for many, though others see it as stressful. In short, a logical conclusion would be to say that happiness lies in the fundamental sense of improvement a person feels, whether it is through the attainment of knowledge, money, children, greater freedom or a myriad other things, though these things are different for each person, which makes happiness subjective and a definition difficult to pinpoint.

However, the factors behind what things could make us happy can be narrowed down to our surroundings. To put it more plainly, our happiness depends on the socio-economic and even cultural state of affairs we find ourselves in, which give rise to our experiences, though this too is subjective. A person who has experienced the ravages of war finds happiness in a peaceful suburban neighborhood, where bombs have not destroyed the facades of buildings and relatives are out of harm’s way. Meanwhile, another person living in the same neighborhood is on the brink of depression, a victim of middle-class ennui, employee listlessness or stay-at-home melancholy. Another case in point is poverty and the gap between the rich and the poor in 18th century France which set in motion the revolution that gave joy to those who manned the guillotine and saw the heads of those who pompously replied “Let them eat cake” fall into the wicker basket. In this case, happiness to see a man die is the result of another man’s fulfillment, but all this depends on one’s perspective.

It seems a conclusion to this pursuit of a definition of happiness is pointless owing to the different perspectives or life experiences people have in addition to the surroundings they find themselves in. Happiness is difficult to define because it is subjective, and the reason why it is subjective is because the factors that lead to it are too varied and modified by the circumstances each person chances upon.





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Don't know where to start with essays? Read the first post in my essay-writing series by following the link (click on the image below).






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