This I Believe: This assignment was adapted from a program on NPR called “This I Believe.” ”The world is tearing itself up because of one thing, and that is belief. The idea is that rather than screaming about it, we ought to just listen. . . . It rather idealistically and rather quietly suggests another way to talk to each other.”—Jay Allison, Series Host and Co-Producer.
What’s Their Story? For this assignment, you will “listen” to stories about what others believe. Focus on stories that tie to the course material. That is, the topics should address some aspect of interpersonal connections and/or relationships.
Before you post your assignment, you will need to do the following:
- Visit https://thisibelieve.org/ (Links to an external site.)
- Search for a podcast of stories on a theme of interest to you. That is, pick a podcast that speaks to you. Sotires should revolve around or be about relationships in some manner. Link to stories/themes: https://thisibelieve.org/
themes/ (Links to an external site.) - Choose at least 3/three stories to analyze.
- Listen to each story and take notes.
- Once you have taken notes about the stories, you will write an essay response. Upon completion, your essay should
- have a clear (and brief) introduction, a body and a clear (and brief) conclusion format.
Body of Essay Instructions
In the body of your post, you must include:
Paragraph 1: Start with information/history about the website and its purpose (be brief). Link to information: https://thisibelieve.org/
Paragraph 2, 3, & 4: Analysis of each story:
- Start with a brief overview of the story for the reader.
- Summarize of the author’s core belief and the way this belief has shaped life in the past or present.
- Answer each of the following questions in your 1-2 paragraph summary of each story:
- How do they establish their own unique voice through each essay? Explain what you got out of the essay/story.
- What did you have in common with the essay/story? What connection do you have to the belief? If you did not have any thing in common or connect with story, explain how you responded emotionally and intellectually to these experiences.
- What experiences have shaped the lives of each? How does each respond, physically or emotionally, to these experiences?
- Include working hyper-links to the essays you used for this assignment at then end of each paragraph of explanation.
Yes, do not use any outside sources please. Use Only from the three stories that you will choose from the link that the instructor gave us.
I will add the quotes from the book after you finish writing. 🙂
only organize the essay as the instructor said and summarize the three
stories.
Answer preview
My beliefs are also similar to those found in the stories. I believe in forgiving those who wrong us. While at elementary school, there was a bully who used to pick on me because I was small. When the bullying became intense, I reported him to my teacher. During questioning, I discovered that his parents have recently divorced, and he was undergoing a difficult time in his life at the moment. I forgave him because issues beyond his control were affecting him, and I learned to forgive and be compassionate because the behaviors people might exhibit might be a result of difficult circumstances they are facing. I also believe in remembering those people who were dear to us and have died. I lost my childhood friend after completing elementary school, and even though I remember him by looking at the pictures we took together in our childhood.
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