Preparation for This I Believe Statement Prompt
You will be writing a This I Believe Statement based on the following prompt.
Beginning in 1951, radio pioneer Edward R. Murrow asked Americans from all walks of life to write essays about their most fundamental and closely held beliefs. Today, This I Believe is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays that describe the core values that guide their daily lives. Write a This I Believe statement based on the following guidelines:
Tell a story: Be specific. Take your belief out of the ether and ground it in the events of your life. Consider moments when your belief was formed, 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 concise: Your statement should be between 350 and 500 words. That’s about two to 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.
Complete the outline to prepare for the summative assessment.
This I Believe.org
This I Believe – Youth Voices
Rubric
Plan and Organize
This is meant as a rough outline to aid in your thinking and help you organize your ideas. Use bullets, numbers, notes to yourself, colors, images – whatever helps you get your ideas out of your head and into the page.
Introduction:
Context/background/
This is where you introduce yourself to your reader – not literally but by establishing your style, voice, and tone. These three elements, along with your story give your reader a clear picture of who you are.
Story idea: Your significant moment/event when this belief was formed, reaffirmed, or challenged/tested (brief):
Your Statement of Belief. (Thesis)
Body:
Supporting paragraphs: Your Three reasons, advantages, or benefits for living by this belief.
Use concrete details in each of your supporting paragraphs for the anecdote to come alive to your reader. Concrete details are sensory-based details. Use crisp, descriptive specific sensory language.
Use elements of figurative language to create a clear picture of this abstract idea.
. Avoid being vague. Vagueness is a story killer.
Label each detail as: setting detail, character detail, plot detail, dialogue, imagery, or Figurative Language (be sure to label what element of figurative language you’re using.)
1st Supporting point (topic sentence one)
2nd Supporting point (topic sentence two)
3rd Supporting point (topic sentence three)
Conclusion:
A concluding paragraph should be a bookend to your introduction. Remind your readers of your belief and leave them with some positive words of wisdom, a challenge, or connect your belief to the bigger picture of human experience.
Wrap up your story
PLEASE DO THE PLANNER AS WELL
