This I Believe Essays - Writing and Sharing Workshop

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Mabel

A writing workshop centered on the “This I Believe” essay format, guiding participants to explore core values through personal beliefs. Prompts address whether there is a right way to write, what writers share in common, and how to follow or adapt writing rules. Participants study mentor texts, annotate style elements, and write journal entries, then collaborate to compile a clear list of essay qualities and share findings with the group.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages52

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Big Question

Is there REALLY a RIGHT way to WRITE?

This I Believe

About the “This I Believe” project

Mentor Text: I Believe in the Beatles

Read, annotate, and discuss

This I Believe Essays

Identifying beliefs and supporting statements

Journals

Date/rotation day, essay qualities prompt

Pod Share

Sharing entries and defining qualities

Qualities of a “This I Believe” Essay

| This I Believe Essay
| | --- | | | | | |
This I Believe A&A | | --- | | | | | | | | Big Question | | | --- | --- | | Is there REALLY a RIGHT way to WRITE?
Do all writers write the same? What do writers have in common? How can I be a writer like that?
Do I always have to follow all the writing rules? | | | | | | This I Believe | | | --- | --- | | [www.thisibelieve.com](www.thisibelieve.com)
National Public Radio-NPR
This I Believe is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives . Some 100,000 of these essays, written by people from all walks of life, are archived here on our website, heard on public radio, chronicled through our books, and featured in weekly podcasts . The project is based on the popular 1950s radio series of the same name hosted by Edward R. Murrow. | | | | | | Mentor Text: I Believe in the Beatles
| | --- | | [http://thisibelieve.org/essay/46931/](http://thisibelieve.org/essay/46931/)
Read it with a pen/highlighter in hand. Mark anything you notice and like about the style of writing. Think about the voice and writing style and what makes this essay work. Be ready to share a few specific lines | | | |
This I Believe A & A | | --- | | | | | | | | This I Believe Essays | | | --- | --- | | What are the writers truly trying to get at? What is the true belief?
How does the “I Believe” statement help them illustrate their belief? | | | | | | Journals | | | --- | --- | | Put Date and Rotation day at the top Title: This I Believe Essay Qualities
Explain your understanding of a “This I Believe” essay. What are some things you see in common with the writing style? What are some specific qualities of this type of an essay?
6 or more sentences | | | | | | Pod Share | | | --- | --- | | Share your journal entries
As a group, come up with a list of qualities that define a This I Believe essay. | | | | | | Qualities of a “This I Believe” Essay
| | --- | | | | |

FAQs

What is the purpose of a “This I Believe” essay?

It’s a personal essay that describes the core value guiding daily life, with writers sharing the belief behind their choices and experiences.

How can I analyze a mentor text for writing style?

Read the mentor essay with a pen, mark what you notice and like, and identify the voice and specific lines that make the essay work.

What should participants include in their journals for this activity?

They should write multiple sentences explaining their understanding of a “This I Believe” essay, including shared writing-style elements and specific qualities of the genre.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Mabel