I believe everything happens for a reason
ell a story about you: Be specific. Take your “invisible” belief and make it visible. Consider moments when belief was formed or tested or changed. Think of your own experience, work, and family, and tell of the things you know that no one else does. Your story need not be heart-warming or gut-wrenching—it can even be funny—but it should be real. Make sure your story ties to the essence of your daily life philosophy and the shaping of your beliefs.
Name your belief in your thesis statement: If you can’t name it in a sentence or two, your essay might not be about belief. Also, rather than writing a list, consider focusing on one core belief. This will organize your essay around a central thesis statement and help you create a structure for the rest of the essay content.
Be positive: Write about what you do believe, not what you don’t believe. Avoid statements of religious dogma, preaching, or editorializing. You are more than welcome to discuss your religious beliefs in the essay- but you need to make them concrete. Discuss how they manifest in your behavior, how they developed, or how they have been tested. Be specific and concrete instead of abstract.
Be personal: Make your essay about you; speak in the first person. Avoid speaking in the editorial “we.” Tell a story from your own life; this is not an opinion piece about social ideals. Write in words and phrases that are comfortable for you to speak. Your CEC will work with you to revise your essay and you are always welcome to send me a copy to review as well.
(Borrowed in part from thisibelieve.org)
