English 101: Short Paper #1 2-3 pages Due Wednesday, February 15th

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. -Siddhartha Gutama Option #1 Personal Beliefs From your list of beliefs, pick the one that make you the most passionate. Your thesis should clearly, eloquently, and (most importantly!) passionately iterate your personal philosophy of life. You can also choose to focus on a particular political/social issue. Here are some examples:  I believe what we say matters. Words create; words destroy; words can make or break lives. What we say has power, the power to change the world for better or worse.  This I believe: struggle is a part of life. Suffering is painful, but it helps us grow as individuals and connect and empathize with others. As Frederick Douglass states, without struggle, there is no progress. The body paragraphs will include stories from your own life or from the lives of those around you that illustrate how you came to these beliefs as well as examples of how you enact these beliefs in your daily life. Each paragraph must begin with a topic sentence that furthers your belief system. The rest of the paragraph must correspond to the topic set forth in the opening sentence. Make sure that everything connects; keep your paragraphs focused. Cut or connect unrelated material. This paper will be organized thematically or topically. Option #2: Narrative of Belief For this option, you will write a chronological narrative that discusses how you have come to your personal belief system. One option is to begin with childhood and move into adulthood, showing how your beliefs have changed over time. Use the Langston Hughes essay as an example. For instance, the narrative could show your progression towards belief or disbelief in god, or it could explore how you came to formulate your personal political views. Do not include every detail; instead highlight the key moments and epiphanies in your life that reveal how you came to your personal belief system. This paper will probably be organized chronologically, but it may also be organized thematically.