Writing a Personal Narrative about Fitting In
Your Personal "This I Believe" Essay
1. While the examples you’ve been given can serve as a model, it is essential that each of you write about a personal belief or philosophy that you feel strongly about.
2. Tell a story. Personal experiences are the corner stone of a good essay. Your story doesn’t have to be a heart breaker or even a major event, but it must be something that has affected how you think, feel, and act.
3. Be concise. Avoid repetition. This essay should be between 500 – 650 words. When read aloud, it should take roughly four minutes.No, you will not have the present them. Yes, they should still be written in MLA format with a GREAT title, interesting hook, and standard sentence and paragraph structure.
4. Name your belief. It is essential that you can name your belief in a sentence or two. Focus on one belief only.
This is your thesis and should go at the end of your first paragraph.
5. Be positive. Avoid preaching or persuading. You aren’t trying to change the way others think or act. Write about what you believe and why it is imporant to you, not what you don’t believe or use this as an oppurtunity to condem anyone elses beliefs. For example: If you had a life changing experince with waffles and want to write about that-great! This is not an essay about your love of waffles and why people who prefer pancakes are wrong or why pancakes should be illegal.
6. Use the first person. Speak for yourself. Avoid using we or you.
7. Let your voice shine. Use language that sounds like you. Read it aloud as your revise. Keep making changes until your essay sounds like you and captures the essence of your belief.
