The document provides guidance for writing an essay for the "This I Believe" project. It instructs writers to tell a specific, personal story from their own life that connects to and illustrates their core belief. Essays should be between 350-500 words, focus on one main belief, speak in a positive tone, and use personal language. Key points of effective essays are an authentic voice, narrative coherence, and communicating a belief's broader relevance. Writers should edit ruthlessly to stay concise and emphasize the most important elements.