Topic outline
General
* * * This I Believe * * *
Writing a Creative Personal Essay
This course is based on the high school curriculum from thisibelieve.org.
Click on the picture above to hear the whole essay.
This is the type of essay you will be writing!
This is a two-week course presented as an online class.- Fully completed, this course is worth 12 units applied to a high school Language Arts credit.
- You will work independently on this project, but you should ASK QUESTIONS any time you need help.
- Just because you are working online, does not mean you are working alone.
- I'm here to help you -- just ask!
- Ask me in person -- ************
- Call me at work -- *************
- Email me -- ************
You must complete each of the sections below to receive credit for this course. Scroll down to find each section and assignments.
Topic 1
1. Create a Blog
You will create a blog of your own (using blogger.com) to be used for all assignments in this class.
Watch the video and/or download the instructions for help. Both links are below.- What do you need to do?
1. Create a blog -- use the links below for instructions.
2. Click on "Your Blog Link" and paste the url for your blog in the assignment.
Topic 2
2. What is a Personal Essay?
While many types of writing are personal, they are not all personal essays.
Different types of essays depend on the purpose of the writer. In this lesson, we will think about WHY an author writes, and how that makes a difference in what type of essay, article, or story the author chooses to write.
Click on the link below titled "Personal Writing vs. Transactive Writing" and use the arrows to guide you through the information.
When you have finished and feel you understand the information, complete the "Identifying Purpose Quiz" posted below. Feel free to use your notes to help with the quiz -- you should easily get 100%!- What do you need to do?
1. Watch the presentation using the first link below.
2. Take the quiz using the second link below.
Topic 3
3. Writing Prompts
You will choose one writing prompt to write about on your blog. For a reminder on how to post to your blog, go back to Section 1 and review the video or paper instructions.
Click the link below and see the 6 different writing prompts.
Remember, you are writing personal essays, so you should be focusing on your own belief or insight.
Sample: Writing Prompt Assignment (feel free to create your own or delete)
- What do you need to do?
1. Use the link below to choose a writing prompt.
2. Write a minimum of 100 words about your prompt on your blog.
Topic 4
4. Seeing is Believing- Click below to take a survey about 10 belief statements. Only your instructor will see this survey; it is really just to get you to think about what you think and feel. There are no right or wrong answers, so be honest with yourself.
What do you need to do?
Click here to take the survey.
- Now that you have had a chance to think about what you believe on a few statements, choose one of the statements you agreed with from the survey.
What Did You Think?
1. Life is fair.
2. If you smile long enough, you become happy.
3. Words can do more harm than violence.
4. Miracles do happen.
5. What goes around comes around.
6. How you act in a crisis/emergency shows who you really are.
7. Love conquers all.
8. "An eye for an eye" is a good way to lead your life.
9. People learn from their mistakes.
10. You can't depend on anyone else; you can only depend on yourself.
Think about the statement you have chosen and how you might explain your belief about this statement. Remember that believing something is not just saying it is true, but about acting in a way that supports that belief. Think about different stories, images, and words that communicate your belief.
You are going to create a digital poster to explain this belief to other people -- through YOUR eyes The poster will not be judged on artistic merit, but on content. In other words, your grade will depend on how well your instructor can determine why YOU believe in this statement, not by how cool the poster is.
To create your digital poster (on the computer), you will need to go to glogster.com and look around the site a little bit. See what other people have done to get an idea of how the website works. Then, you can register for free, or click on "try to create you own" without registering. Your poster will use words and images, even music if you like, to interpret and explain the belief you have chosen. When you are done, you will need to upload your poster using the link below.
Remember to put the statement somewhere on your poster! - What do you need to do?
1. Choose one of the statements above that you agreed with in the survey.
2. Go to glogster.com and create your poster.
3. Use the link below to upload your poster.
Topic 5
“blah” 5. Quotations to Consider “blah”
Many of our beliefs come from wise words we have heard from others: our parents; our grandparents; our aunts and uncles; our teachers; our friends. In this section, you will be reading and listening to other people's quotations to help you identify what you believe about your own life.
Think back to some of the "words of wisdom" you have heard in your life that have affected what you believe. You could interview your parents or other significant people in your life; ask them, "What is the most important message or belief you have for me as I become an adult and move forward with my own life?"
Now, review the quotes linked below for more beliefs.
From the quotes you heard from the significant people in your life, plus the quotes you read, choose 3 different sayings that you have found to be true in your own life. Post these three sayings on your blog. Then, write a minimum of 100 words about one of these sayings. This writing can be any type of writing -- a reflection, a story, a series of questions.
What do you need to do?
1. Interview a significant person in your life and record their "words of wisdom."
2. Read through the quotations provided in the link below.
3. Choose 3 sayings that have proven to be true in your own life.
4. Post these 3 sayings on your blog.
5. Write a minimum of 100 words about 1 of the sayings you chose.
Topic 6
6. Lessons Learned
Truth and belief are often hard to define.Sometimes it is easier to think of lessons we have learned to understand what we believe. In this section, you will read about what others have learned and think about lessons that you have learned in your own life.
What do you need to do?
1. Read the document "What Others Have Learned" from the link below.
2. Think of 3 things you have learned from your life.
3. In your blog, write the 3 things you have learned in your life and explain the circumstances that led to your learning (the way Jim Allen does with the Charlie Brown examples). Minimum 30 words each.
4. Extra Credit: Add photos to your blog to further illustrate your learning/lesson.
Topic 7
7. Exploring Sample Essays
In this section, you will go to the "This I Believe" website and listen to at least 3 of the 5 chosen essays (linked below). You will then explore some essays on your own and choose one to share. You should post a link to your chosen essay on your blog and write one paragraph (minimum 50 words) about why you think this is a good essay.
Keep in mind some of the elements that make a good personal essay:
- it is about a subject the writer cares strongly about
- the author makes the reader relate to the subject, even if the reader has never experienced it before
- the author is able to relate his/her small personal experience to the bigger world and back again
- the author uses many specific details to help the reader relate to the experiences and emotions being described
- the author uses all senses to describe his/her experiences: sight, sound, taste, smell, touch
- when finished reading, the reader is able to summarize the main idea of what the author believes
- What do you need to do?
1. Listen to AT LEAST 3 of the essays linked below.
2. Go to thisibelive.org, click on "explore," and find one essay to share.
3. Post a link to the essay on your blog.
4. Write two paragraphs (minimum 50 words each).
- The first paragraph should summarize the essay, explaining the author's main point and supporting details (minimum 3 details).
- The second paragraph should explain why you chose the essay. In other words, what makes this essay a "good" essay in your eyes?
- it is about a subject the writer cares strongly about
Topic 8
8. Great Beginnings
Getting started is one of the hardest things about writing.
- How do authors get going on what they choose to write about?
- And how do they hook the reader into wanting to read more?
- How do storytellers get listeners to keep listening?
- What do you need to do?
1. Read through the First Lines linked below.
2. Choose one first line that you think would capture your interest.
3. On your blog, post the line and briefly explain why you want to keep reading (minimum 30 words).
What do you need to do?
1. Click on the "Creating First Lines" link below.
2. Read the instructions on each page and answer the questions asked.
- How do authors get going on what they choose to write about?
Topic 9
9. Time to Write!
You have now worked multiple times on coming up with ideas about personal essays. Check out your blog and see how many different things you have created!
Now, it is time to write a rough draft of your "This I Believe" essay. You will work with your instructor directly on your rough draft, second draft and final draft.
But, before you start, carefully read the tips and instructions in the guide below. It will really help you get started and do the job right. If you're ever looking for inspiration, listen to a few more essays on thisibelieve.org. There is also a feed on the right side of this course moodle that is constantly updated with new essays from thisibelieve.org.- What do you need to do?
1. Read the tips and guidelines in the link below.
2. On your blog, write the one tip or guideline you think is the most helpful.
3. Explain how this tip will help you (minimum 30 words.)
What do you need to do?
1. Download the grading rubric to understand the essay expectations.
What do you need to do?
1. Choose a belief that is important to you that you want to write about.
2. Choose how you are going to start the essay (question, quote, description, etc.)
3. Review the rubric (posted above) to guide you through writing the essay.
4. Write your rough draft and upload the Word document here.
5. Receive feedback from your instructor and upload your second draft.
6. Receive feedback from your instructor and upload your final draft.
Topic 10
10. Time to Record!
Just like the writers you've heard on the radio version of "This I Believe," you are going to record your own voice reading your final essay. Once you have completed your final essay and uploaded it, you may begin work on recording it.
This is your final assignment. Once it is uploaded, you have successfully completed this course!
To record an audio file, you will use a software called Audacity. If you do not have a copy of Audacity on your computer, you can download it for free at the Audacity website. Click here to download the free software.
Once you have the Audacity software, watch the tutorial below for how to record your essay and how to save it and upload it to this moodle.- What do you need to do?
1. If you don't have Audacity software on your computer, download it here.
2. Watch the video tutorial, linked below, to learn how to use Audacity.
What do you need to do?
1. Using Audacity, record your essay.
2. Export your recording to an MP3 file.
3. Upload your MP3 file using the link below.
Topic 11
FOR INSTRUCTORS:
The links below will download files detailing the standards taught in this lesson for the state of Minnesota in Language Arts and in Technology.