This+I+Believe+Project

= = = THIS I BELIEVE. . . . = = = = A unit where students will explore one of their core beliefs and how it may work in their lives, now and in the future. =

http://www.npr.org/thisibelieve/about.html
= APPLICATIONS (RHETORICAL STRATEGIES) FOR YOUR BELIEF EXPLORATION: =

=== 7.) What is an appropriate metaphor or analogy for your statement or some key part of it? (Examples of metaphors/analogies: "Leaders are like masters of a 3-ring circus." "Life is a 1-way, non-stop flight.") ===

[[image:original_rules-to-live-by-reclaimed-framed-canvas.jpg width="335" height="308" align="right"]]
== Expand on your "This I Believe" paragraph by working it into one of the frameworks above. Let that framework open and close the essay. In the middle, work in 2 other rhetorical techniques or applications. ==

Ms. H's sample paper:


=== For Part 2, you'll be expanding your exploration about your belief statement, reaching out to others you know and onto the web. The purpose for this exercise is to practice the skills of researching, incorporating quotes and outside information into your own writing, and using internal citations. ===

=== 2. Initiate discussions with 2 people about your belief. This may be family members, friends, co-workers, teachers -- anyone with whom you would feel comfortable. Ask them questions that will prompt them to share with you their own ideas about your belief. Try to have a little conversation about it, looking for key points on which they may either agree with you or have different points of view. Immediately after your conversation, jot down 2-3 important statements they made, trying your best to get a few of the words down exactly as stated. Summarize or paraphrase other things they said, if you don't remember statements word-for-word. ===

=== 3. Think about what kind of sources you might investigate that will give you mainstream views on your topic. Also think of or search for possible organizations that would be involved with your belief in direct ways. Begin to investigate. Look for CREDIBLE websites and news sources, vetting them for reliability before using them. If a website is not an established organization, use the "About" link to check out who is behind the website, what their credentials are, and what their purpose is. It's okay to use biased sources so long as you note their bias in your paper ..... but be sure that they are "experts" and knowledgeable about the subject. ===

=== 4. Take notes from 2 sites that you find interesting. This might be direct statements about your belief, data or statistics, anecdotes, trends, or references to people or other sources that work with your topic. If you write down anything word for word, QUOTE it, noting exactly whose words you are using. Are they the words of the writer of the article, or is the writer quoting someone else? Be very careful. Be sure to note what source you got the information from! This is key. If you can't identify where you found a quote or piece of data, you may not use it! ===

=== 5. Begin to assemble your paper, keeping in mind the information you've gotten from all 4 of your sources. Begin with an introduction paragraph that introduces your belief statement and why it is important to you. Then move from paragraph to paragraph by looking at various angles about your belief. Think about ways to logically explore the information, either using an "agree/disagree" format or one that focuses on sub-topics related to the belief and how it plays out in our culture. Use TRANSITIONS in your topic sentences for each paragraph that help lead the reader into each new point or perspective. ===

=== 6. As you use ideas and quotes from your primary and secondary sources, be sure to CITE each one correctly, using LEAD-INS to the quotes and paraphrases, and then following up with a parenthetical note for your online sources if necessary. For each citation, you must include the author, source, title of page or article, and date. If you've used a source that has page numbers, provide the page number for any direct quotes. See the SAMPLE PAPER for how to do this if you're not sure. ===

=== 7. End the paper with a conclusion that tells us what you've learned about how your belief exists within the larger scope of our culture. What might this mean for your own future as you hold this belief or wish to make it happen in the world? Has speaking to others and doing research changed how you feel about your belief? Do you feel more or less hopeful about it? More or less convinced that it is important? ===