This I Believe

This assignment asks students to select a strongly held personal belief and craft a persuasive essay in favor of their beliefs. This project also requires an accompanying reflection essay.

This I Believe Objectives

• Tell a story about yourself: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events that have shaped your core values. 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—and it can 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 of belief should be between 400 and 600 words. That’s about three minutes when read aloud at a natural pace, or about two pages—maybe slightly more or less.
• Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about a belief. Also, rather than writing a list, focus on one core belief.
• Be positive: Write about what you do believe, not what you don’t believe.
• Be personal: Make your story about you; speak in the first person, “I.” Tell a story from your own life. Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to write and speak.