Your first formal writing assignment for the 2014-2015 school year will be to write a "This I Believe" essay. Writing this essay will allow you to go beyond a personal narrative and shape your story into a personal belief or credo.
Requirements (taken from the "This I Believe" essay collection book and the website):
- Name your belief (focus on ONE belief, not many)
- Be positive - be FOR something, not against it
- Focus on the "I" in the title rather than sermonizing to a "we."
- Tell a story about you and be personal
Avoid (also taken from the "This I Believe" essay collection book):
- self-righteousness
- prescribing for others (telling people how THEY should live)
- cliches and restatement of someone else's or group's beliefs
- disguised attack
For those who feel especially inspired, it is possible to submit your essays to the "This I Believe" website for the possibility of being published.
"To make such an earnest, exposed statement is itself an act of bravery." - Jay Allison
Explore the "This I Believe" website
Writing Guidelines
This I Believe podcasts and texts of essays
Read and grade Mrs. Shaum's "This I Believe" essay:
Happiness is a Grand Piano
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