"This I Believe" Literacy Narrative

Our 4th essay is the "This I Believe" Literacy Narrative. The essay should focus on what you believe about your chosen topic, which will somehow relate to writing, literacy, reading, or communication. It should be, in the words of NPR’s “This I Believe” web site, “a statement of your personal beliefs, of the values which rule your thought and action.” As the original invitation to this series puts it: We want to know what you live by, what made you believe that and how it has affected your growth.  This is a first person genre and should read like a narrative.
       
Much of your success with this assignment depends on choosing a good story to tell–one that has special meaning for you, one that is likely to entertain and educate a reader.  For models, review the pieces we’ve read by David Sedaris, Matt Groening and the other sample essay.  Listen/read some more of the "This I Believe" essays. Also, please remember that the experiences you select do not have to be a positive one.  Oftentimes, we come to understand just as much, if not more about ourselves, from negative experiences as well as positive.

This should be at least 4 pages long. Tell the story.  Take us there, the readers, much like we were viewing a film. 

Suggestions from "This I Believe" essay 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 belief was formed or 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.
• 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.
• Be positive, which is not the same as happy. 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. 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.