Final Essay
Themes in Lit.
The Credo Paper
OBJECTIVE: To produce a paper detailing an affirmative statement of personal belief
(or a credo). Many of the essays and short stories that we have read in this course have
been, in a sense, credo papers. Spence values freedom but realizes that an individual will
always have to live with restrictions. Boatwright values the ability to be whom she wants
while still respecting God and her family. Angelou values pride in her self and her
community, no matter what an outsider might believe. Now, it is your turn to craft your
own credo.
SUBJECT: A belief related the theme that you have identified in your independent
novel
STRUCTURE: Take the form of a formal paper or a narrative. There is no set amount
of paragraphs required, but you should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.
LENGTH: 2 pages
AUDIENCE: Write this paper with a larger public in mind than just your teacher. An
option after completion of this paper will be to submit it for reading on National Public
Radio. Also, many of you may wish to turn this into a college essay. Keep these
audiences in mind (along with me as I will be grading it) as you write. In any case, this is
a formal essay, and, though short, it needs appropriate diction, a clear structure, and
unifying devices. However, I hope that I do hear your own, individual voices singing
through in your essays.
SAMPLES: Access http://thisibelieve.org/ for samples.
Please have fun with this paper. This is your opportunity to detail your own belief, so do
so in an engaging and interesting manner.
DUE DATES
Prewriting:
ONE paragraph summary including your “I believe…” thesis statement of your credo
Prewriting Due date: ________________________
Your FINAL credo paper is due on: _______________________
Good luck
How to get started… The Credo Essay
Source: This I Believe
Edited by: Jay Allison & Dan Gediman
Tell a story: Be specific. Your story need not be heartwarming or get-wrenching--- it
can even be funny—but it should be REAL. Consider moments when your belief was
formed, tested or changed. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life
philosophy and to the shaping of your beliefs.
Be brief: Your statement should be between 35-500 words. The shorter length force you
to focus on the belief that is central to your life.
Name your belief: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be
about belief. Rather than writing a list, consider focusing on ONE core belief.
Be positive: Say what you do believe, NOT what you don’t believe. Avoid statements
of religious dogma, preaching, or editorializing.
Be personal: Make your essay about you; speak in the first person. Try reading 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.
Now, you try…
* Try to list 3-4 beliefs you feel strongly about and try to live your life by…
_________________________
____________________________
_________________________
____________________________
* Now, focus on ONE of those—what is MOST important to YOU: _______________________
* Think of a true story to tell… it should enable you to share your belief. Summarize it
below in 3-5 sentences:
Sample “I believe…” thesis statements
I believe I have a personal responsibility to make a positive impact on society.
(Anthony Fauci)
I’ve always been an optimist, and I suppose that is rooted in my belief that the power of
creativity and intelligence can make the world a better place. (Bill Gates)
The simplest way to say it is this: I believe in my mother. (Benjamin Carson)
I believe that families are not only blood relatives but sometimes just people that show up
and love you when no one else will. (Cecile Gilmer)
I believe that freedom is contagious. (Harold Hongju Koh)
I believe that friendship, which grows out of love and true humility, is the most important
thing in life. (George Mardikian)
I believe that those few who have harmed us, and who will do so again, are not so
powerful that we must abandon the very thing that makes it worth being an American.
(Michael Mullane)
I believe that a little outrage can take you a long way. (Cecilia Munoz)
I believe in empathy. (Azar Nafisi)
I believe that society can remain good only as long as we are willing to fight for it—and
to fight against whatever imperfections may exist. (Jackie Robinson)
I believe in life. I believe in liberty. I believe in the pursuit of happiness.
(Andrew Sullivan)
I believe in the power of love to heal. (Jackie Lantry)
I believe it is possible for ordinary people to achieve extraordinary things.
(Jody Williams)