“This I Believe” Essay Learning Activity
this
i
believe
A public dialogue about belief – one essay at a time
Essay Assignment
English I
Mr. Fine
Background: From 1951 – 1955, Edward R. Morrow hosted This I Believe, a daily
radio program that reached 39 million listeners. On this broadcast, Americans, both
well known and unknown read 3-minute essays about their personal philosophies
of life. They shared insights about individual values that shaped their daily lives –
everything from perseverance to the importance of truth, equality, and ethics.
Assignment: You will write your own This I Believe essay. This assignment invites
you to create a statement of a personal belief, a value that rules your thought and
action. This is a tough job because it requires you to reveal some of your own beliefs
to yourself and others. Only you can write this essay. Only you can effectively
express it aloud. When you set them down in words, your ideas may provide untold
meaning to yourself and others.
The Specifics:
-
Be brief: Your statement should be between 400 – 500 words
(approximately 1 ½ – 2 pages, typed, double spaced).
-
Be passionate: Make sure your essay is about something you care strongly
enough about to elaborate and expand on powerfully and movingly. The
reader needs to experience what you know, feel what you feel, and
understand where you’re coming from.
-
Name your belief: Your essay must be focused on one core belief that is
clearly stated then expanded upon.
-
Be specific: Your story may be heart-warming, gut wrenching, or even 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.
-
Write with stylistic sophistication!!! Write in a way that shows off your
skill using a variety of exciting choices that expand on and reinforce your
meaning – helping to add to the beauty and power of your writing.
Tips for Writing Your This I Believe Essay:
-
Introduction: Begin with a powerful hook. Like all good writing, you want
your essay to grab the readers’ attention. This could be a bold statement,
metaphor, description of a person or setting, etc.
-
Body: Use details to support your personal philosophy. Be specific, and use
details to draw the reader into your experience. Use dialogue, rhetorical
questions, anecdotes, personal experiences, examples, and/or statistics so
your reader can better relate to what you are writing about.
-
Conclusion: Summarize the main idea that you believe in a creative and
effective way that will bring your personal essay full circle and leave your
reader satisfied.
-
Be positive: Avoid preaching. Tell what you do believe, not what you don’t.
Avoid speaking int the editorial, “we.” Speak in the 1st person and make your
essay about you.
-
Be personal: write in words and phrases that would be comfortable for you
to speak, but still appropriate for this important task. 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.
Due Date:
*Edward R. Morrow once said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this
kind been so urgent.” This statement remains ever as true today. Your belief, simply
and sincerely expressed, will help you and others become better citizens of the world!
*CCSS.W.9-10.1a Introduce precise claims in an analysis of substantive topics or
texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
*CCSS.W.9-10.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events
using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
*CCSS.W.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
*CCSS.L.9-10.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
“This I Believe” Essay Learning Activity Rubric
1
2
3
Thesis/Focus
Belief statement is not
evident.
Multiple beliefs are listed
with little development.
Core belief is clearly
stated with evidence of
development.
Tells a story that is
connected to the belief.
Purpose
Tells a story that is not
connected to the belief
or does not tell a story.
Tells a story that is
somewhat connected to
the belief, but is difficult
to follow.
OrganizationTransition
Demonstrates limited
or no organization;
does not stay on topic;
limited or no
transitional devices.
Demonstrates ineffective
organization; attempts to
refer to a single topic;
transitional devices are
limited.
Demonstrates
organization; maintains
focus throughout; uses a
variety of transitional
devices.
Details/
Elaboration
Lacks details for the
belief or details do not
enhance the belief.
Limited use of details;
details tell rather than
show.
Effective use of relevant
details support the
belief; details mostly
show rather than tell
Point of View
Uses second person
(you) point of view.
Inconsistent use of firstperson point of view.
Writer’s Craft
- Vocabulary
- Voice
- Tone
- Style
• Weak vocabulary;
word choice interferes
with meaning.
• Lacks writer's voice.
• Tone is unclear or
negative.
• Limited or no use of
sentence variety.
• Basic or limited
vocabulary; some
incorrect word choice.
• Emerging sense of
voice.
• Tone preaches or
judges.
• Ineffective use of
sentence variety.
Mostly consistent use of
first-person point of
view.
• Consistently varied and
effective use of
vocabulary; clear and
appropriate word
choice.
• Strong sense of voice.
• Tone is mostly
personal and positive.
• Effective use of
sentence variety.
4
One core belief is
explicit and developed
throughout essay.
Tells a story that is
grounded in the events
of everyday life; links to
the essence of daily life
philosophy and to the
shaping of personal
beliefs.
Demonstrates unique or
effective organization;
maintains focus
throughout; uses a
variety of transitional
devices
uniquely/effectively.
Unique, rich, insightful,
and effective use of
details to support belief;
details effectively show
rather than tell.
Consistent use of firstperson point of view.
• Rich vocabulary, vivid
language; sophisticated
word choice.
• Powerful sense of
voice throughout piece,
appropriate for purpose.
• Tone is consistently
personal and positive.
• Effective use of
sentence variety to
enhance voice and
meaning.
Mechanics
Errors seriously
interfere with meaning.
Many errors that
sometimes interfere with
meaning.
Some errors that do not
seriously interfere with
meaning.
“This I Believe” Essay Rubric
Overall Score: ________
Few errors that do not
interfere with meaning.