Essay Assignment #4:

“This I Believe”

English 104

Instructor Kathy Crutcher

Overview:

You’ve made it. You’ve examined where you’re from, where you are now, and where you’re going. Now this final essay will incorporate all three of these elements—your past, your present, and your future—by allowing you to reflect one of your guiding principles for the journey. We finish the semester by coming full-circle, returning anew to those questions we asked ourselves on the first real day of class: What do you believe? Where do those beliefs come from? How do those beliefs make you who you are?

Your job:

For your final essay, you will take inspiration from National Public Radio’s (NPR) series entitled, This I Believe. This radio project began in 1950 and is committed to “engaging people in writing, sharing, and discussing the core values and beliefs that guide their daily lives” (NPR). You can find out more about this project and read sample essays at: www.thisibelieve.org

Your essay will consist of your own life stories and reflections that somehow address the following questions:

• What is a strong belief you hold that guides your daily life?
• When did you first recognize this belief as a core value? Has this belief ever been challenged?
• How will this belief guide your life in the future?

Tips:

• Your essay should be focused on a story or series of related stories that convey a deeper message to your readers about what you believe.
• You should write a strong statement that completes the sentence, “I believe…” somewhere in your essay.
• Use first person—“I.” Avoid “you” or “we;” speak for yourself.

• Present your own beliefs positively, rather than criticizing others’ beliefs.
• Avoid organizing and developing your essay around direct answers to the questions above. You don’t want to rely on telling statements like, “A strong belief that guides my daily life is….” Instead, tell a story, set a scene, and use descriptive language to show your readers what you believe and why.
• You need to be careful to choose language that makes your voice and experiences unique. Choosing an obvious focus may lead to cliché and/or an unmemorable essay.
• You must also start your essay with a title that captures the spirit of your belief.
• See http://www.thisibelieve.org/essaywritingtips.html for more helpful tips!!

Grading Criteria:

• Do you have a strong, interesting focus?
• Do you fulfill your purpose by telling a story (or stories) that convey a deeper message about your beliefs?
• Do you use descriptive, sensory language?
• Do you develop your ideas with interesting, personal details?
• Do you have a unique style and voice?
• Do you make this essay MATTER to a broad audience?
• Do you include an “I believe” statement and a captivating title?

Nitty Gritty:

• 5 p. minimum, double-spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt. Times New Roman
• Sources are not required. You may choose to use sources if they help you reflect and tell your story. If you use a source, you must include in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
• Draft due (for in-class work-shopping and revision): Monday, December 8th
• Final draft due: Wednesday, December 10th. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• This project is worth 10% of your final grade. For grading criteria, see above as well as the SMH section entitled “Grading Criteria in UK Writing Courses,” pgs. UK 7-11
• Write with purpose, personality, and heart. Give it all you’ve got!