This I Believe . . . Paragraph Writing Assignment
This I Believe is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives.
Writing samples of "This I Believe" essays written by teenagers.
For this assignment you are being asked to write a "This I Believe" paragraph. You will need to do some thinking about what you deeply believe about yourself and the world around you. You will produce two things: a paragraph and an image/object. Your paragraph will focus on one of the core things that makes you, you. We all have many beliefs but you will need to focus on just one.
Brainstorming Activities - These two activities will help you to develop some ideas for your paragraph.
***For each of these activities focus on why you chose the words, memory. Why do you remember what you remember? Does it have an impact, or not, on your beliefs.
Read together: "Find a Good Frog" by Delia Motavalli (Grade 9 student)
Activity One:
Activity Two: "Most Memorable"
Activity Three: Sentence Stems
Activity Four: Photo Writing Prompt - A picture is worth a thousand words . . .
For this activity you will:
Paragraph Writing
For the paragraph, you will need to:
Visual representation of your belief and story. It can be a photograph, artwork, or object.
What makes a GOOD paragraph?
To write a good paragraph you will need to do these five things:
This I Believe is an international organization engaging people in writing and sharing essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives.
Writing samples of "This I Believe" essays written by teenagers.
For this assignment you are being asked to write a "This I Believe" paragraph. You will need to do some thinking about what you deeply believe about yourself and the world around you. You will produce two things: a paragraph and an image/object. Your paragraph will focus on one of the core things that makes you, you. We all have many beliefs but you will need to focus on just one.
Brainstorming Activities - These two activities will help you to develop some ideas for your paragraph.
***For each of these activities focus on why you chose the words, memory. Why do you remember what you remember? Does it have an impact, or not, on your beliefs.
Read together: "Find a Good Frog" by Delia Motavalli (Grade 9 student)
- Your task: Highlight a line that stands out for you and explain why you chose it.
Activity One:
- For 2 minutes write a list of words that you think about when you think of you and your life.
- Feelings, symbols, names, events, anything that comes to mind
Activity Two: "Most Memorable"
- Most memorable:
- events in life so far
- stuffed animal or toy
- friends or family
- family experiences
- life lessons learned
Activity Three: Sentence Stems
- I know I am the way I am today because . . .
- I know I think about things the way I do because . . .
- I think most people would describe me as . . . .
Activity Four: Photo Writing Prompt - A picture is worth a thousand words . . .
For this activity you will:
- Select ONE photo to use as a writing prompt.
- Four tips for choosing a good photo to use as a writing prompt:
- The photo evokes an emotional response.
- The photo tells a visual story.
- Details draw your attention.
- The image intrigues you or reminds you of a moment in your life.
- Four tips for choosing a good photo to use as a writing prompt:
- In your writing journal respond to the following prompts:
- What is your personal connection to the photo?
- What caption would you give the photo - include as much basic information as possible (Who, What, When, Where, Why?)
- Write a question the photo brings to mind.
- Write a detailed observation about the photo?
Paragraph Writing
For the paragraph, you will need to:
- Begin with a belief statement, "I believe . . ."
- Write in narrative format. Tell a story from your life - how did you come to realize that this is one your core beliefs?
- End with a belief statement, "This I believe . . . "
Visual representation of your belief and story. It can be a photograph, artwork, or object.
What makes a GOOD paragraph?
To write a good paragraph you will need to do these five things:
- Have ONE main idea
- Topic Sentence - state your main idea
- 3-5 supporting details - quote, fact, example, experience . . .
- Closing sentence - ties your ideas together
- Proper writing conventions - indent the first sentence, spelling and punctuation, sentence structure, flow of ideas