ICC English

“This I Believe” Assignment

Based on a popular radio show from the 1950s, “This I Believe” is an invitation to twenty-first century Americans to examine their belief systems and attempt to articulate the core values that guide their daily lives. As we read the novel A Separate Peace, a book whose central character continually struggles to reconcile his beliefs with his actions, each of you will concurrently compose a “This I Believe” essay. Below I have copied some “advice” for writing a “This I Believe” essay from the program’s website, in addition to the dates we will spend working on the project over the next couple of weeks. My hope is that you will find this assignment challenging, enlightening, and, ultimately, rewarding.

Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.

Be brief: Your statement should be between 350 and 500 words. That’s about three minutes when read aloud at your natural pace.

Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Also, rather than writing a list, consider focusing on one core belief, because three minutes is a very short time.

Be positive: Please avoid preaching or editorializing. Tell us what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Make your essay about you; speak in the first person.

Be personal: Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. We recommend you 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.

In introducing the original series, host Edward R. Murrow said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent.” We would argue that the need is as great now as it was 50 years ago. We are eager for your contribution.

from thisibelieve.org

“This I Believe” Schedule

1/6 Introduction to “This I Believe” – Read Essays Online / Identify compositional elements of the essays that will help when writing your own. (Turn this in at the end of class.) / Begin formulating ideas (core beliefs) for you own essay – a list of these ideas is due on 1/10.

1/10 “This I Believe” Ideas due. You will turn in a list of at least three “core beliefs” and a brief explanation of how you might illustrate each in an essay. (“Ground it in the events of your life.”)

1/17 Work on “This I Believe” essay in library.

1/19 Work on “This I Believe” essay in library.

1/23 Turn in “This I Believe” essay.