re write This I Believe Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been more urgent. Edward R. Murrow, 1950s news anchor and founder of This I Believe The first assignment for this class is a This I Believe essay. This I Believe essays are 500 word personal philosophies designed to be read on National Public Radio. They are not statements about who we are or how we should be; they are essays that allow you to present one of your own core beliefs and show how it has been formed by (or challenged and reshaped by) your experience. This I Believe was created and hosted by Edward R. Murrow in the 1950s, a decade marked by the Cold War, McCarthyism, and heightening racial tension. In the midst of an era where much trouble arose from fear and misunderstanding (e.g., where one lone senator managed to create a monopoly on the truth in a way that caused lasting damage to many individuals), Murrow recognized the need to help people appreciate what they had in common. By featuring the personal philosophies of real people, he hoped to point to the common meeting grounds of beliefs, which is the essence of brotherhood and the floor of our civilization. When NPR started airing This I Believe again a few years ago, they too hoped to enhance our ability to understand each other. They believed that a vital democracy requires direct communication, but they recognized that the sound-bite nature of our information-delivery systems and failure to appreciate others beliefs inhibit meaningful discussion. The producers believe that simply sharing personal beliefs in a positive, non-judgmental way is an excellent tool for creating genuine dialogue and understanding in our society. They say, Our goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs; our goal is to encourage Americans to begin the much more difficult task of developing sensitivity to beliefs different from their own. To me, that seems like a task worth participating in. For a complete history of This I Believe and to browse sample essays, visit the . Here are the things your essay should do: Make a clear, concise statement of belief. Use personal experience evidence and narrative techniques to demonstrate how your belief was formed, tested, or changed. Maintain a personal tone suitable to radio. (Remember that your audience is intelligent and well read.) Demonstrate readability. (The sentences should be crafted in such a way that they are easily read aloud. Pay attention to length, clarity, and rhythm as well as grammar and mechanics.) Demonstrate effective choices about stylediction, balance, emphasis, transitions, etc. Follow the guidelines on the This I Believe website. You will find these guidelines under the Write option on the website. You are encouraged to submit this essay to the program after your revision process. Good luck! http://thisibelieve.org/
