TOW #10

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Arthur C. Brooks, writer for the NY times, released an article about gratefulness. He claims that even if you are not grateful, pretend to be until it starts happening. In "Choose to Be Grateful. It Will Make You Happier," Brooks uses scientific facts as well as personal anecdotes to express how acting grateful will lead to a better and happier life. The beginning of the essay introduces how acting grateful and thankful, even if it isn't always true, can create a more positive life. However, Brooks takes this accusation one step further, and backs it up with scientific evidence. He writes, "gratitude stimulates the hypothalamus (a key part of the brain that regulates stress) and the ventral tegmental area (part of our “reward circuitry” that produces the sensation of pleasure)." Including this piece of information brings his theory from being theoretical to being actual. By including evidence of how gratitude creates pleasure, as well as other case studies, Brooks appeals to logos, which creates a more logical connection for his audience. People are much more likely to trust theories like Brooks' when it is supported with science. Along with including scientific facts, Brooks also includes personal anecdotes to show how his theory has proven to be true in his own life. He shares a story about how a letter he received full of criticism and complaints about his book. Brooks decided to reply with a letter that expressed to his criticizer how grateful he was for him to take the time to read his book and send him a list of ways he could improve it. The criticizer later replied with a much friendlier and warmer letter and both him and Brooks were left feeling satisfied. This anecdote takes Brooks theory and shows the audience that it is proabable, because it has worked in a real life situation. Brooks acted grateful even when he wasn't and both him and the person who wrote the letter were leading happier lives. Both the use of scientific facts and personal anecdotes helped Brooks prove that acting grateful and thankful can create a more positive life.