Life Motto Assignment: Part 1

A motto is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or

intention of a person, social group or organization.

Directions: Below are the mottos of several important individuals. Please read each
motto and, on the lines provided, write about how the motto motivated, influenced and
affected the life of the person who believed it.

1. “I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I

may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our
happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our
circumstances.” -Martha Washington
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

2. “Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage

unless you're scared.” -Eddie Rickenbacker
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. “It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely
uneducated.” -Alec Bourne
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

4. “Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and organize.” -Albert Gore, Jr.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

5. “When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.” -Walter Lippmann
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Life Motto Homework: Part 2

Directions: In the space below, record five mottos that describe your general motivation
and intention in life. At this point in the assignment, you may create your own mottos or
use quotes from books, songs, movies, the Internet, or any other place you can find a
motto that fits your life. If you do record a motto that was created by someone else,
give them credit by citing them as the source. Please remember to be thoughtful and
serious…”I like big butts and I can not lie” is fun as a song lyric but pathetic as a motto.

Motto #1:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Motto #2:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Motto #3:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Motto #4:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Motto #5:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Creating Your Unique Motto: Part 3

Directions: Using the five mottos that you brought in to class, you will create your own
motto! Follow the steps below to help you organize your thoughts and create your
personal motto.
Step 1: What themes do the mottos you chose discuss? (Ex: Courage, Faith, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________

Step 2: What are your personal attitudes toward these themes?

______________________________________________________________________

Step 3: Brainstorm several statements about the themes and your attitudes towards the
themes. Remember: write down whatever comes to mind…don’t judge yourself…if you
tell yourself, “that statement is stupid” just tell yourself to shut up.

Step 4: Pick your favorite statements and share them with a few people at your table.
Do they understand your theme? Can they tell what your opinion of the theme is?
Does the statement make sense to them? After getting constructive criticism, rewrite
your favorite statement into the perfect motto on the line below.

______________________________________________________________________

Step 5: Create a colorful 8.5x11 poster on which your motto is written neatly, largely
and darkly (they will be up around the room and we want others to be able to read
them).

Your poster is due on _______________.