Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a deadline to submit an essay?

No. We welcome your essay at any time.

How long should my essay be?

Between 350 and 500 words, or about three minutes when read aloud at your natural speaking pace.

How can I improve my essay before I submit it?

First, make sure your essay is framed in a concrete belief or conviction (we receive many wonderful essays that contain no statement of belief). Then, tell us a compelling story about how you came to hold that belief, or a time that belief was challenged, or how that belief shapes your daily activities. Try sharing one belief instead of composing a list of all of your beliefs.

How do I know you received my essay?

When you successfully submit your essay through our website, you will see an on-screen message that your essay was received. In addition, you should receive a confirmation email.

Can I submit an essay via regular mail?

Our preference for accepting essay submissions is through our online submission form. We are no longer accepting essays by U.S. Mail. To have your essay included in our online Essay Collection, please submit your essay on-line.

What happens to my essay after I submit it?

A team of essay reviewers reads every essay that is submitted to our project. At the completion of our review process, which takes about eight weeks, your essay will then be entered into our online database (found at www.thisibelieve.org). You should receive an email that lets you know when we have completed review of your essay and when your essay has been placed in the online Essay Collection for everyone to read.

I have submitted an essay, but now I can’t find it. How do I find my own essay?

You can search for your essay on our website by following these directions. While at thisibelieve.org, mouse over the top header “Explore,” then scroll down and click on “Advanced Search,” On this page, fill in your first name and last name in the appropriate fields. If you have a common last name, you may need to fill in the City and State fields, but generally a simpler search is best. You will notice that only your first name will be seen on the web page with your essay. We do not publish last names or other personal information on our website. The only exceptions to this rule are essayists who have granted permission for use of their last name or essayists from the original 1950s series.

Can I fix typos in my essay after it has been submitted?

This I Believe is not able to make any corrections to essays after they have been submitted to our project. Please be sure to proofread your essay carefully before submitting it to us.

Can I submit my essay to other publications after I have submitted it to This I Believe?

Yes. This I Believe does not own the copyright to your essay. We simply ask that you submit your essay elsewhere with a title of your own choosing. Please do not name your essay “This I Believe” or include that in the title, as that name is copyrighted by our organization.

Can my child submit an essay?

We welcome essays from young people; however, their parents must be a part of the submission process. You can read the details on our submission agreement.

When can I hear new essays?

This I Believe is currently featuring a new essay each week on The Bob Edwards Show, on both public and satellite radio. These essays are from the original This I Believe radio series of the 1950s, hosted by Edward R. Murrow. This I Believe ended its broadcast of contemporary essays on NPR in April 2009; however, we continue to feature many of those essays on this website and in our free weekly podcasts.

How can I contact the author of my favorite essay?

We do not share personal contact information about our essayists. However, you may share your thoughts about a specific essay or your comments about the series by visiting our contact page.

How can I get a transcript of an essay?

You can print transcripts of the essays from our Web site. Simply click on the “Print Essay” icon at the bottom of the web page featuring the essay you like. Essays may be printed for personal use or use within a single classroom; however, if you wish to reprint an essay, we ask that you contact us to request permission to do so.

How can I get a book or audio recordings of the 1950s essays?

A hugely successful series of books and recordings was created under the title of This I Believe in the 1950s. These are available from many online sources of used books and vintage records. Twenty of the 1950s essays are included in our first book, This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women, which is available in hardcover, paperback, and audiobook editions from amazon.com.

How can I obtain resources to bring This I Believe into my classroom, civic group, or place of worship?

Visit our Educators and Communities, and House of Worship pages to learn more about the materials we have available.