This I Believe

I am assigning a "This I Believe" essay for second quarter.

Your essay will be between 350-500 words -- the original essay guidelines from the 1950s are delineated here, whereas the current guidelines are spelled out here. The guidelines themselves have not changed; it's simply a matter of style and specifics. Both are worth reading.

There are several ways that you may participate:

1. You may submit your essay in paper form any time before the end of first semester. It should be typed, double-spaced and with a correct MLA heading. The essay will be evaluated for the strength of the idea, the clarity of style, and the naturalness of voice. 50 points.

2. All of the above applies, but you may post your essay to the blog for 60 points.

3. You may write a blog post about a This I Believe essay that you have encountered on the website, on the radio (here in the LA area, NPR is broadcast on 89.3 KPCC and 89.9 KCRW FM), or through the podcast, and of course, you may respond to any essay that a classmate submits. Such blog posts are worth a nickle, or 5 points, and count toward your first semester blog grade.

4. You may read your This I Believe essay at our This I Believe Bonanza during the last week of the semester, January 25-29, 2010. Reading your essay at the Bonanza is worth another 10 points.

Here's the rub: the essay is worth 50 points, so as you can see, there are opportunities to earn extra credit. Post to the blog! or read it at the Bonanza!

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