1. “This I Believe”

2. A Little History Created in 1951 on National Public Radio (NPR)
People were cautious sharing their beliefs (Communist witch hunts)
This program gave them an outlet
Americans, famous and not, read 5-minute personal essays on the radio
Still popular today
Taught in all 50 states and over 50 countries

3. What a “This I Believe” Essay Is…
Personal Essay
About life
Significant to the writer
Focuses on insight and a resulting belief

4. What a “This I Believe” Essay is NOT
Personal narrative
Memoir
Persuasive speech
Rant
Joke

5. Nonfiction Writing Nuances

6. Some Nonfiction Modes Memoir Autobiography Personal Essay
Personal Narrative
Nonfiction Narrative

7. Memoir, Autobiography, & Personal Essay
Memoir – Collection of one’s OWN memories, framed around a specific phase or experience in one’s life.
Example: Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel
Autobiography – A timeline that runs from birth to present time, covers ALL experiences, written by oneself
Example: Agatha Christie by Agatha Christie
Personal Essay – Describes a strong value that has deep personal meaning to the writer
Example: “This I Believe” essay

8. Personal Narrative & Nonfiction Narrative
Personal Narrative – Telling a brief story about one specific event (“So, this one time…”)
Example: Feature articles in magazines
Nonfiction Narrative – Full length book about a real event, written in narrative form to entertain readers
Example: Into the Wild and In Cold Blood