1. Directions: Respond to the following questions in full sentences
Directions: Respond to the following questions in full sentences. Take your time on these questions and respond to them fully.
How do you think most people form their beliefs about life and the world? Explain.
What is one lesson that you’ve learned in life? Explain how you learned this.
If you were to live your life by one motto, what would it be and why? Explain.
Warm-up

2. Introduction to Personal Essay Writing
This I Believe
Introduction to Personal Essay Writing

3. From 1951 to l955, Edward R. Murrow hosted This I Believe, a daily radio program that reached 39 million listeners. On this broadcast, Americans—both well known and unknown—read five-minute essays about their personal philosophy of life. They shared insights about individua lvalues that shaped their daily actions. A first volume of This I Believe essays, published in 1952, sold 300,000 copies—more than any other book sold in the U. S. that year except for the Bible. In fact, these Murrow broadcasts were so popular that a curriculum was developed to encourage American high school students to compose essays about their most significant personal beliefs. Sixty years later, This I Believe, Inc., is continuing the mission of inviting Americans of all ages and all walks of life to examine their belief systems and then write and share a 500-word personal essay, a “This I Believe” essay.
This I Believe

4. Types of Personal Writing
Personal Narrative - focused on an important event
Personal Memoir - focused on an important relationship between the writer and a person, place, or object
Personal Essay - focused on a belief or insight about life that is important to the writer.

5. Personal Essay combines narrative and memoir
personal belief based upon both experiences and relationships
life has taught writer his/her values

6. Types of Personal Writing Pair Work
With a partner, read your assigned story. Then on ONE sheet of paper with both of your names on it, follow the directions for your type of story.
Personal Narrative – Make notes on the story as you read it. Then, in a paragraph, explain what the story was about and tell what the author’s purpose was in telling it.
Personal Memoir – Make notes on the story as you read it. Then, in a paragraph, explain what the memoir was about and tell what the author’s purpose was in writing it.
Personal Essay – Make notes on the story as you read it. Then, in a paragraph, explain what the essay was about and tell how the author conveyed his/her point. Also say what the elements of narrative and memoir are.

7. Directions: Refer to your notes from last class to answer the following questions. Be sure to write in full sentences.
What is a personal memoir?
What is a personal narrative?
What is a personal essay?
What are the main qualities of a personal essay?
Warm-up

8. Personal Essay Transactive Writing Sharing a personal belief.
Reflect on life experience.
Informal.
Written in 1st person.
Trying to persuade.
Cite facts and
evidence.
Formal.
Written in 3rd person.

9. Interesting Hook Question – gets reader thinking
Ex: When was the last time you went without a meal?
Quotation – Introduces topic
Ex: “Be careful were the last words my father said to me whenever I left the house.”
Strong Statement – gets reader’s attention
Ex: “If you eat enough cabbage, you’ll never get cancer.”
Description – Of a person or setting)
Ex: “Michael once mowed the lawns around Municipal Hall wearing a frilly apron, high heels, and nylons, with a pillow stuffed under his sweater so he looked pregnant. And it wasn’t even Halloween.”
Interesting Hook

10. Tips to Remember Introduce belief in first paragraph. Stay on topic.
Tell personal stories that taught you belief.
Tell about relationships that taught you belief.
Use ALL senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell
Tips to Remember

11. Main belief of writer:
Personal experiences (narrative) of how he/she was taught it:
Important relationships or places (memoir) mentioned:
Hook author uses:
List of sensory language:
Closing Reflections:

12. Group Work Choose a group. Read your assigned essay.
You will create a poster that includes the following:
Title of essay.
Main belief of writer.
Personal experiences (narrative) of how he/she was taught it.
Important relationships or places (memoir) mentioned.
Hook author uses.
List of sensory language.
Closing Reflections.
Summary of essay.
Drawing that depicts main idea.
Be sure you use color to make your poster appear presentable.

13. Refer to your notes from last class to answer the following questions:
Name and explain the four types of hooks you can use for your essay.
Name and explain three “Tips to Remember” from your notes last class.
Warm-up

14. Dialogue Conversation between 2 or more people.
Using dialogue is descriptive!
She yelled at me. (boring)
She screamed, “Alicia! Get down these stairs before I ground you for a month!”
The guy was excited about college. (boring)
Jude screamed when he got his acceptance letter, saying, “This is the day I’ve dreamed of forever!”
You have to use quotes!

15. How do we punctuate these sentences with dialogue?
James said Please coach can I play
Kendra sighed Oh well, maybe I’ll make it next time
The woman screamed Watch out as she crossed the street
Lynda fell and yelled Help as she tumbled down the stairs
How do we punctuate these sentences with dialogue?

16. Sensory Language Before the game, I felt so nervous.
When I walked into the concert, it was really loud.
The sound of my alarm was annoying.
When I heard the news, I was excited.
Sensory Language

17. Conclusion Summarize main idea that you believe.
Don’t say “What I am trying to say…” or “What I really mean is…”
Leave readers with clear idea of what your essay was about.
Go back to the opening to bring essay full circle.
Conclusion