Audio Essays

Audio essays share information in a well-organized format and use evidence, often drawn from personal experience, to develop an idea. In contrast to academic essays, audio essays often take after the more literary personal essay. The writers of these essays rely heavily on firsthand experiences to develop their ideas, tying the credibility of the essay’s support directly to their identity and background.

As a reflection presented in the writer’s own voice, the audio essay frequently includes emotional appeals—appeals made all the more effective because the human voice communicates emotions so powerfully. The personal examples used as evidence in audio essays also frequently carry particular emotional power. Building on these appeals, the writers of audio essays frequently offer interpretations of the significance of their reflection for their listeners.

Elvia Bautista

Remembering All the Boys

Originally a national radio program hosted by Edward R. Murrow in the 1950s, This I Believe stated as its mission “to contribute to the improvement of society by enabling people to think about, express, and share their deepest beliefs.” Since its resurrection in 2004, the organization continues this mission by collecting international audio essays by men, women, and children from all walks of life in an attempt to inform the public about the diversity of values and beliefs that shape the lives of human beings all over the planet. Executive producer Dan Gediman says, “The goal is not to persuade Americans to agree on the same beliefs. Rather, the hope is to encourage people to begin the much more difficult task of developing respect for beliefs different from their own.”

Elvia Bautista lives in Santa Rosa, California, where she works as a caregiver for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Bautista stayed after her brother’s murder even though the rest of her family moved away. A high school drop-out, Bautista now speaks to young people about the dangers of gang life.

(Click on the screenshot below to play the audio essay.)

View transcript.

Source: thisibelieve.org/essay/21255/

Starting a Conversation: Respond to “Remembering All the Boys”

In the text boxes below, analyze Bautista’s purposes and composition strategies by responding to the following questions:

  1. Question

  2. Question

  3. Question

  4. Question

  5. Question