Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
This I Believe Assignment
In introducing the original radio series in the 1950s, host Edward R. Murrow said, “Never
has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent.” I believe this is true
in 2012, and the need to share our core beliefs is equally important.
This assignment is nothing less than a statement of your personal beliefs, of the values
which guide your thought and action. This is not an easy task. You are at a point in
your lives where some of your beliefs are being challenged, some of your beliefs are
just becoming clear to you, and some of your beliefs are being reinforced. Consider
any or all of the following questions: What is a core belief you have that guides your
decision-making? What do you know about life? What is the most important value
that guides your daily life? Think of your own experiences, school, work, and family.
Consider where you are right now, not where you think you should be or what you are
supposed to think, feel, or value. Think about who you are.
As we embark upon our study of important ideas and how skilled writers express their
ideas, this assignment gives you the opportunity to create a powerful personal
statement. You are, in a sense, arguing for what you believe. This essay may serve as
a touchstone for many of the arguments you will be creating throughout this course.
This should be the assignment that makes you struggle, think, and shine.
As preparation, please access www.thisibelieve.org and listen, read, and respond to a
variety of essays. Complete the response sheet supplied, which asks you to focus on
characteristics of three essays of interest to you.
Due Dates:
Tuesday, Sept. 11: Response sheet due – notes on 3 “This I Believe” essays of your
choice.
Wednesday Sept 12/Thursday Sept 13 – Draft of opening paragraph only
Tuesday, Sept 18: Rough draft of complete essay is due for peer review in class
Friday, Sept 21: Final draft due
Specifics:
 Your first-person essay should be approximately 350-500 words, typed, doublespaced.
 You should be able to name your belief in a sentence or two. This means that
you are focusing on a core belief.
 Use specific examples from your own experience to support this core belief.
You will be assessed according to the AP Generic Writing Rubric.
Exploring thisibelieve.org
Please take some time to browse through this website. Sample different topics and different
writing styles and then select THREE essays of interest to you. Please answer these questions for
each one:
Essay #1 Title:
Writer: (Name, age, other info supplied?)
Topic:
What is the core belief expressed in this essay? (What do you think is the writer’s essential
‘takeaway’ message?) State this belief in a single sentence.
How would you describe the tone of this essay? Is it informal? Serious? Humorous? Somber?
Reflective? Include some quotes to support your ideas on tone.
Essay #2 Title:
Writer: (Name, age, other info supplied?)
Topic:
What is the core belief expressed in this essay? (What do you think is the writer’s essential
‘takeaway’ message?) State this belief in a single sentence.
How would you describe the tone of this essay? Is it informal? Serious? Humorous? Somber?
Reflective? Include some quotes to support your ideas on tone.
Essay #3 Title:
Writer: (Name, age, other info supplied?)
Topic:
What is the core belief expressed in this essay? (What do you think is the writer’s essential
‘takeaway’ message?) State this belief in a single sentence.
How would you describe the tone of this essay? Is it informal? Serious? Humorous? Somber?
Reflective? Include some quotes to support your ideas on tone.