Now that you've created your aphorism meme, it's time to tell the story behind your belief. Your assignment today is to write a "This I Believe" essay that explains what personal experiences, influences, moments, etc. have lead you to this belief.
Before You Get Started
Read some examples of student written "This I Believe" essays before getting started. One of the links below read two essays:
Guidelines for Writing Your Essay
Before You Get Started
Read some examples of student written "This I Believe" essays before getting started. One of the links below read two essays:
- "This I Believe" essays written by students
- "Always Go to the Funeral"
- "Be Cool to the Pizza Dude"
- "America's Beauty Is In Its Diversity"
Guidelines for Writing Your Essay
- Be brief: Your statement should be about a page and a half in length. That's about three minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.
- State, explain, and provide examples that illustrate your belief: First, name or state your belief; you should be able to do this in a few sentences. Then take time to explain what this belief means to you. Finally, give examples that illustrate your belief. Through examples, make your belief concrete, explicit, and real.
- Be positive: Tell me what you do believe, not what you don't believe.
- Be personal: Make your essay about yourself; speak in the first person: “I believe” or “I feel,” etc.
- Do not speak in the second person: “You should believe” or “You should feel,”etc. Write using words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. Read your essay aloud to yourself several times, and each time edit it and simplify it until you find the words, tone, and story that truly echo your belief and the way you speak.
- Be specific: Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. You might consider the moments when your belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work or family, and tell of the things you know. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your ideas tie to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your belief.