This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women

“At a time when the tide runs toward a sure conformity, when dissent is often confused with subversion, when a man’s belief may be subject to investigation as well as his action […]

It has the ring of a 2006 mayday call of distress, yet it was written in 1952.”

Terkel opens his Foreword with a quote from the original series’ narrator, immediately creating a sense of continuity between the 1950s series and the present day. This illustrates not only the pedigree of the This I Believe concept, but also emphasizes the continued relevance of the project’s message and mission. This quote also highlights parallels between the socio-political situation of America during the Cold War, and during the post-9/11 War on Terror (See: Background).

“Take a moment, then, to consider the beliefs that guide the lives of others, beliefs that may confirm your own, or challenge them, or even open your mind to something new.

When you are done, think about this: What would you say?”

This quote uses the second person pronoun “you” to directly address the reader, and the imperative mood to invite the reader to participate in the proposed thought experiment. This encourages engagement, which is a major goal of the text, by inviting the reader to ponder the books’ essays and how they relate to their own beliefs. The final rhetorical question encourages the reader to pause and consider The Influence of Personal Beliefs on Behavior, and sets the stage for the guidance in the later Appendixes on how to write their own essay.

“Give, give, give—what is the point of having experience, knowledge, or talent if I don’t give it away? Of having stories if I don’t tell them to others? Of having wealth if I don’t share it? I don’t intend to be cremated with any of it!”

Allende uses tripling—threefold repetition—to state important points in an impactful and emphatic rhythm e.g. “give, give, give” and “experience, knowledge, or talent.