Essay Rubric: Grading Students Correctly
- 11 October 2020
- 2897 words
Essay writing is an exciting and challenging academic activity, and it helps students to develop essential writing skills, such as creative thinking, reflective, and analytical skills. When writing an essay on the topic “Who Am I,” students should understand what is required of them before starting a paper. Ideally, educational departments and tutors provide instructions, and they dictate the approach students should take when writing academic texts. In principle, such a work should reflect the first-person language because this prompt requires learners to tell the audience about themselves. Moreover, writers can use narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical approaches in writing such a composition. Hence, people need to understand how to write a “Who Am I” essay to provide high-quality papers and achieve desired outcomes.
General Guidelines
Essay writing is an academic activity, and it exposes students to conventions of formal writing and enhances their critical thinking, analytical, and reflective skills. Although there are different types of essays, there are no significant differences in their structures, outlines, and applicable academic writing rules. Basically, the only areas where papers seem to be different are topics and their content. For example, an argumentative essay advances the writer’s perspective on an issue, while a narrative essay provides the author’s life story. In the former, students intend to persuade the audience by considering specific arguments, and, in the latter, they inform readers about personal experiences with life lessons. However, when writing a paper on the topic “Who Am I,” writers should first understand what is required of them and then talk about themselves.
What Is a “Who Am I ” Essay and Its Purpose
According to its definition, a “Who Am I ” essay is a reflective composition where people write about themselves using their self, identity, values, beliefs, experiences, and personal characteristics. The main purpose of writing a “Who Am I” essay is to introduce an author of this paper to a reader by using his or her sense of self as a common ground and how it forms identity with other personal elements (Sawyer, 2020). In most cases, people write such compositions for educational or professional objectives, such as college admissions, personal statements, or job applications, to present their authentic selves to committee boards or employers. Moreover, authors must show what sets them apart from other individuals and write about their backgrounds, cultures, families, educations, significant life events, achievements, hobbies, qualities, strengths, passions, interests, influences, and other personal aspects (Sawyer, 2020). Hence, a “Who Am I ” essay serves as a meaningful expression of individuality and a reflection on the diverse components, and they contribute to one’s identity. In terms of pages and words, the length of a “Who Am I” essay can vary depending on the educational level and the specific requirements of the institution or course instructions, while general guidelines for each level are:
High School
- Length: 0.5-2 pages
- Word Count: 100-600 words
College
- Length: 2-3 pages
- Word Count: 600-900 words
University (Undergraduate)
- Length: 3-4 pages
- Word Count: 900-1200 words
Master’s
- Length: 4-5 pages
- Word Count: 1200-1500 words
Ph.D.
- Length: 5-6 pages
- Word Count: 1500-1800 words
“Who Am I” Essay vs. Other Papers
In principle, personal essays suggest asking writers to talk about themselves and tend to be different from standard formal papers. Basically, one point of difference is that students have to use the first-person language, which is discouraged in formal writing (Rowland, 2019). Since this type of work requires people to talk about themselves, such a paper takes several forms. For example, these structures include formats of narrative, philosophical, college application, and autobiographical compositions (Sawyer, 2020). To start a “Who Am I” essay, writers begin by using a strong statement, which sets the tone and then introduce the key themes or aspects of their identities they will discuss further. Although a paper’s topic is in a particular question form, it does not necessarily mean authors are unsure about themselves (Sawyer, 2020). Moreover, such a format means they intend to answer this question in a paper by following a particular way to the audience’s benefit. In a “Who Am I” essay, writers should write about their personal backgrounds, interests, passions, core values, beliefs, significant life experiences, personality traits, goals, and aspirations, tying these elements together to paint a comprehensive picture of their identities (Sawyer, 2020). As a quick overview, possible examples of characteristics that one can use for writing a “Who Am I” essay, include:
| Characteristic | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Personal Values | Start by talking about core principles, values, and beliefs guiding or directing your decisions and actions, such as honesty, integrity, and empathy, which occur during upbringing, experiences, and personal reflections. |
| Cultural Background | Provide your heritage, traditions, and cultural influences shaping your identity, including customs, languages, and societal norms inherited from your ethnic or cultural group. |
| Family Influence | Expand on some impacts of family members and upbringing on your personality and values, covering lessons learned from parents, siblings, or other relatives, as well as your family dynamics and environment. |
| Educational Journey | Include significant learning experiences and achievements defining you, such as formal education, important teachers or mentors, pivotal learning moments, and academic interests. |
| Personal Interests | Write about hobbies and activities you are passionate about and how they shape your identity, including sports, arts, reading, gaming, volunteering, and other pursuits bringing joy and fulfillment. |
| Life Experiences | Incorporate key events or experiences having a major impact on your life, like travels, significant personal achievements, challenges faced, or moments of realization and growth/ |
| Strengths and Skills | Present unique abilities and strengths distinguishing you from others, covering your talents, technical skills, soft skills, like adaptability, communication, and teamwork, and personal strengths, such as determination, creativity, and resilience. |
| Goals and Aspirations | Define long-term objectives and dreams motivating and driving you to move forward, which include career goals, personal aspirations, and life goals, as well as the plans and efforts you are making to achieve them. |
| Personality Traits | Cover distinct characteristics and behaviors defining your individuality, such as being outgoing, introverted, humorous, analytical, or compassionate, and how these traits influence your interactions and decisions. |
| Overcoming Challenges | Add difficulties or obstacles you have faced and how you have overcome them, consisting of personal, academic, or professional challenges, the strategies you used to address them, and the lessons learned from these experiences. |
Narrative Type
A narrative essay is one where the author’s focus is to provide the audience with a life story. Basically, this life story can take many writing forms, including personal or family experiences (Griffo et al., 2021). In short, a “Who Am I” essay in a narrative format utilizes personal anecdotes as a means of communication. To start an essay about who you are, writers begin with an engaging hook, such as a compelling quote, an interesting anecdote, or a thought-provoking question, followed by a thesis statement, which introduces the main themes or aspects of their identities they will explore later. Moreover, one of the strategies for writing these papers is adopting a “show, not tell” strategy, which means using vivid descriptions rather than informative statements (Warner, 2020). Therefore, a narrative essay on the topic “Who Am I” should focus on the writer’s personal experiences and help the audience to understand an author. Since a topic is a direct question, one expectation is that students use personal anecdotes to provide an answer, and it should benefit the audience more than them. When it comes to grading, what matters the most is whether students have used narratives to educate the audience about who they are.
Philosophical Type
Philosophy is a discipline that focuses on unraveling the mysteries of life and nature. As such, a philosophical essay is one in which students engage the audience in a topic of discovery (Rogers, 2018). In this case, one can argue that the essay’s type is informative. Since the topic “Who Am I” denotes an aspect of an investigation, learners who use a philosophical approach focus on telling the audience things about themselves and advance their understanding of human nature. The best philosophical answer to “Who Are You?” is: “I am a being in a constant state of becoming, shaped by my experiences, actions, and reflections.” On expectations, the paper’s content should not dwell on a writer’s demographical background or personal experiences but on who an author is in the context of human nature and its strengths and weaknesses (Schwartz et al., 2017). When it comes to grading, what matters is whether writers have applied a philosophical lens to describe themselves. In turn, a good example is writing about what makes them strong, vulnerable, or weak.
College Application Type
College or university application is a type of essay that potential students write to admission boards or committees of their choice institutions. Basically, a “Who Am I” essay for colleges aims to convince and persuade the board or committee that applicants have all that it takes to be a student (Sawyer, 2020). To achieve this goal, learners provide their personal essential details that are likely to advance their courses. For example, these details include personal attributes, academic performance (grades), work experiences, and future aspirations (Sawyer, 2020). Therefore, the expectation of a college application essay on the topic “Who Am I” is that it should inform the audience what makes writers outstanding and appropriate students for a higher learning admission. When it comes to grading, what matters the most is whether authors have emphatically made a case to college boards of why they are the best candidates for admission.
Autobiographical Type
By definition, an autobiography is a life story that captures the subject’s entire life. However, since it is hardly possible to write an individual’s life story – every detail about themselves since they were born – authors focus on what is relevant at any one given time (Rowland, 2019). Hence, to write a “Who Am I” story, writers narrate key events and experiences that shaped their identities in the past, describe their personal values and passions to readers, highlight significant relationships and influences they had, and reflect on how these elements contribute to who they are today. Moreover, when writing an autobiographical essay on the topic “Who Am I,” the expectation is that students provide details about themselves, and they need to help the audience to understand them better. For example, such details may include their family lineage, demographical (race, ethnicity, gender, language, and nationality) background, academic credentials, and professional accomplishments (Sawyer, 2020). In this case, indicating one’s marital status and life’s philosophy are also crucial details in such an essay. On grading, the thing that matters the most is whether authors have offered a wholesome picture of who they are, from childhood to a present moment.
Outlining “Who Am I” Essay Structures
Academic writing standards require students and researchers to adopt a structure and an outline appropriate for their text when writing any academic paper. Typically, essays assume a three-component structure of introduction, main text (body), and conclusion (Warner, 2020). When writing a paper on the topic “Who Am I” in narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical forms, a student must use a structure that is appropriate for a particular composition. Besides a structure and an outline, there are other features students must consider when writing a “Who Am I” essay in one of the formats.
Narrative Format
When writing a narrative essay on the theme “Who Am I,” a student must follow an outline below:
I. Introduction
- Hook
- Topic introduction (Significance of the topic “Who Am I”)
- Thesis statement
II. Body Paragraph(s)
- Setting or background of an event
- People involved
- Short anecdote
- Climax
- Ending
III. Conclusion
- Lesson learned
Essential features. Students must address all the critical features in a “Who Am I” essay as applicable in these three sections. For the introduction part, learners must briefly introduce themselves and clearly state a thesis of their compositions. In the paper’s body, they must use several paragraphs to tell the audience about themselves (Warner, 2020). To explain who you are in an essay, writers highlight important identity aspects, including their backgrounds, experiences, values, passions, and traits, integrate them into their narratives, and illustrate how these elements shaped who you are today. Since the communication should be in a story form, authors can use each paragraph to tell a personal anecdote, and it enables the audience to understand them better (Rowland, 2019). Besides, one of the features writers must capture in the paper’s body is a “show, not tell” method, being an aspect of providing vivid details or writing descriptions. In turn, the most significant features students should capture in the conclusion section are a restatement of a thesis sentence and a lesson learned. As a result, the audience must see this lesson as a moral aspect of a narrative story on the topic “Who Am I.”
Philosophical Format
When writing a philosophical essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students should follow an outline format below:
I. Introduction
- Thesis statement (The question that a writer intends to answer)
- Clarification of this question
- A reason why this question is critical
II. Body Paragraph(s)
- Answer a direct question through a topic sentence in one or several paragraphs
- Qualify and defend a thesis in one or several paragraphs
III. Conclusion
- Thesis restatement
- Summary of the main point(s) in the body paragraph(s)
Essential features. In each of the three sections of a “Who Am I” essay, learners must address crucial writing elements. Firstly, the introduction must be opened with a thesis statement that introduces a specific question, and an author seeks to answer it. Basically, they should make the audience understand a reviewed question and explain its importance to them (writers) and the audience (Rogers, 2018). Then, they can use one or more paragraphs in the body section, depending on their paper’s length. In the case of a one-page essay writing, there should be only one paragraph, which opens with a topic sentence. In turn, this sentence should answer a specific question and form the paper’s theme. Moreover, writers need to qualify and defend their thesis. In the conclusion section, they must restate a thesis and summarize the main points.
College Application Format
When writing a college application essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students must follow an outline that helps accomplish their objective – to convince the admission committee they are the best candidates among many applicants. Hence, such an outline should be as follows:
I. Introduction
- Hook
- Thesis statement
II. Body Paragraph(s)
- First supporting idea
- Second supporting idea
- Third supporting idea
III. Conclusion
- Restate a thesis
- Reflect on the main ideas
- Closing remark
Essential features. When writing the introduction for a “Who Am I” essay in a college application format, students should provide a hook to grab the attention of the audience. For example, this aspect should be an interesting fact or a quote from a famous personality (Sawyer, 2020). Then, another essential feature is contextualizing a paper by stating the purpose of writing concisely. Basically, this statement is what should be a thesis sentence of such a composition. In the main body, authors should use body paragraphs, each introducing a critical idea. However, if a “Who Am I” essay is a one-page document, they should write specific ideas in a single body paragraph. These ideas are what help writers to strengthen their cases before the admission committee. Moreover, such elements can be personal attributes, academic performance, or work experiences. In the conclusion section, learners need to restate a thesis and reflect on the main ideas, closing with a remark that impresses the audience.
Autobiographical Format
When writing an autobiographical essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students should follow an outline below:
I. Introduction
- Hook
- Introduce yourself to the audience
- Thesis statement
II. Body Paragraph(s)
- Early years
- Education
- Culture
- Future plans
III. Conclusion
- Restate a thesis statement
- Tie up all the experiences
Essential features. Key elements that students must address in writing the introduction part of a “Who Am I” essay by following an autobiographical format are a hook, which grabs the readers’ attention, a brief self-introduction, and a thesis statement. In this case, writers should use several body paragraphs in such a paper. However, if an essay is a one-page document, authors should use one body paragraph. Moreover, writing components of a body paragraph should be details about the writer’s life, such as childhood, early education, cultural orientation, and aspirations (Rowland, 2019). To conclude a “Who Am I” essay, writers restate a thesis, tie up all the details about their lives addressed, and end with a memorable closing thought or reflection on their journeys and future aspirations.
One-Page Narrative Example
Topic: Who Am I as a Person
I. Introduction Sample
Adults say that adolescence is a period of development full of dramatic episodes. For me, it is a stage that saw my childhood friends become a significant influence on my worldview. The topic “Who Am I” focuses on investigating aspects of my life that define how I see myself and how others see me. As such, I can say that I am an individual who loathes social gatherings but is always willing to let my friends push me out of my comfort zone.
II. Example of a Body
For me, friendships are not only social relationships but concepts that define how I view and relate to the world. Since when I was a child, I have never been a person who loves social gatherings. I get irritated quickly when people try to dictate what I should be doing or saying at any particular moment. For example, on one occasion, I caused a violent commotion when a friend tried to make me dance with a stranger in a nightclub. However, life is not that easy. We cannot avoid social interactions. For this reason, I have a few friends who are also introverts but who are willing to push themselves to the edge. As a result, they always come up with plans to take themselves outdoors to, at least, interact with others as human beings.
III. Conclusion Sample
When I look at my life, I can confidently say that I rarely interact with people. However, I always let my friends push me from my comfort zone. In turn, what I have learned so far in life is that close friends fundamentally and significantly influence how individuals see the world around them.
One-Page Philosophical Example
Topic: Who Am I in Essense
I. Introduction Sample
Although I am an insignificant player in the theatre of life, I hope to become an influential person one day. Basically, the question “Who Am I” underscores the fact that human nature is complicated, and it takes an entire lifetime for individuals to understand themselves fully. In particular, the essence of this question is that, despite sharing humanity’s title, people from all walks of life express themselves in diverse ways.
II. Example of a Body
On the question “Who Am I,” I can confidently say that I am an individual in the process of “becoming.” For example, when it comes to talking about human beings and the world, the discourse that attracts a significant audience is a discussion about men and women who have made a mark in the world. Moreover, these aspects include war heroes, successful businesspersons, influential political leaders, and controversial personalities. In this case, my contribution to the world stage can only be defined as insignificant. Nonetheless, I do not allow this reality to define my self-concept. I believe that “human life is a journey of a thousand miles,” and even those that we celebrate today are once insignificant personalities. Besides, I believe that a secret is to remain focused on what one desires to be in the coming future. In turn, I have a habit of volunteering in healthcare settings because I would love to become a nurse after college.
III. Conclusion Sample
Life is like a river that can carry an individual to familiar or strange destinations. In my case, I am hopeful that it will relocate me from a place of insignificance to a place of significance. For this reason, I always remain cheerful, optimistic, and hopeful, and, one day, I will be influential like those we celebrate today.
One-Page College Application Example
Topic: Who Am I for My Admission
I. Introduction Sample
Ever since I was a child, I have always loved to visit hospitals and other healthcare settings. Also, I believe this is why I love sciences and why I have always performed remarkably well in these subjects. In turn, my present application is an effort toward a realization of my dream to become a healthcare professional.
II. Example of a Body
My healthcare career journey started when I was a child, and all along, I have maintained this pursuit. When you look at my GPA, I have performed remarkably well in sciences, which, I believe, makes a perfect case for a healthcare career. Besides education, I have had opportunities to work closely with medical personnel in diverse settings, including first-aid simulations in community healthcare centers. Moreover, I have volunteered in local hospitals, experiences that I consider to have shaped my perspectives on patient care significantly. In this case, I believe that you should consider my application because I am a self-driven individual who always looks for opportunities in challenges. Hence, my admission into a Bachelor of Nursing Degree will orient me to nuisances of healthcare delivery. With such knowledge, my dream to become a healthcare professional would be within reach.
III. Conclusion Sample
Applying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing is an effort to realize my lifelong dream of becoming a healthcare professional. As you consider my application, I implore you to consider the far I have come in preparation for this career. Thus, given an opportunity to study a program in your college, I will learn to become an effective healthcare professional.
One-Page Autobiographical Example
Topic: Who Am I in My Life
I. Introduction Sample
People say that the only way to know an individual is to know a personal heritage. As an African American, I take pride in being part of a race, being so rich in culture, and one that leans on traditions. Talking about “Who Am I,” I can confidently say that I am a child of a world that takes pride in cultural heritage.
II. Example of a Body
I was born about three decades ago in a town famous for its natural beauty. As a whole, the State of Virginia is more rural than urban. Basically, this characteristic has played a significant role in defining my naturalist tendencies. Also, I am a lover of nature. For example, I habitually take walks every evening just to see nature – trees, birds, and butterflies. About education and career, I attended an Ivy League college and have built a career as a legal practitioner. In my family, I have three siblings – one sister and two brothers. In turn, I am yet to marry as my career seems to take all of my time. What I prize the most is the fact that I am an African American young adult with a promising career in a world that seems intolerant to successful individuals of African heritage.
III. Conclusion Sample
Being a successful African American in a world that seems to prejudice successful people of African heritage is a blessing to me. When I look at my life journey, I can only say that my cultural heritage is among the things I prize the most.
Defining Characteristics
A thesis statement appears in the introduction section of a “Who Am I” essay, thus setting the entire paper’s tone and writing theme. What follows is a body paragraph, which opens with a topic sentence. Moreover, the body paragraph’s content revolves around a topic sentence, which advances the composition’s central idea (Sawyer, 2020). Then, one of the defining characteristics of examples of “Who Am I” essays for different formats is the use of the first-person language. Basically, this aspect helps writers to “show, not tell,” and is evident from writing the body paragraph. In a narrative essay, it is an example of the nightclub commotion, and, in a philosophical piece, it is the habit of volunteering in healthcare settings. In a college application paper, the feature is evident in a story about working with medical personnel in first-aid simulations. In an autobiographical composition, it is about evening walks to appreciate nature.
Effective Writing Strategies
When writing a “Who Am I” essay in different formats, students should use good strategies, and they should guarantee a high-quality product. In this case, the first strategy is utilizing transitions to create a natural and logical flow from one paragraph to the next or section to section. For example, common transitions are “therefore,” “additionally,” “put differently,” “hence,” “thus,” and “however” (Warner, 2020). Then, another strategy is subjecting a paper to a peer review. Here, writers give the first draft to a friend, tutor, or mentor to read and identify errors and mistakes. Besides, if there are any mistakes, students revise and edit their papers to eliminate them. Another strategy is proofreading the final draft to ensure mistakes are not made while typing words, or writers must revise and edit it accordingly. In turn, some sentence examples of strong starters for beginning a “Who Am I” essay include:
| Starter | Explanation |
|---|---|
| From an early age, I have always been intrigued by … . | Introduce a long-standing interest or passion shaping your identity. |
| Growing up in [place], I learned to appreciate … . | Provide context about your upbringing and its impact on your values and perspective. |
| One of the most defining moments in my life was when … . | Put the reader into a specific, impactful experience influincing who you are now. |
| If there is one word that could describe me, it would be … . | Focus on a key characteristic or value describing your identity. |
| My family has always taught me the importance of … . | Highlight the influence of your family and their values on your development. |
| As a [role/identity], I have faced many challenges, including … . | Determine your personal struggles and how they have shaped your character. |
| What truly sets me apart from other individuals is my passion for … . | Emphasize a unique interest or talent being central to your identity. |
| I have always been driven by a desire to … . | Write about your motivations and goals giving insight into what drives you. |
| My cultural heritage has played a significant role in … . | Explore the influence of your cultural background on your beliefs and behaviors. |
| Reflecting on my life journey so far, I realize … . | Summarize key aspects of your life and identity. |
Five-Step Writing of a “Who Am I” Essay in 100 Words
Writing a “Who Am I” essay in less than 100 words requires conciseness and clarity. Here are the 5 steps to achieve this objective:
1. Identify Key Points: Choose 2-3 main aspects of your identity to focus on (e.g., a value, a passion, a key experience).
- Value: Compassion
- Passion: Music
- Experience: Volunteering
2. Write a Strong Opening: Start with one sentence capturing the essence of who you are.
- Growing up in my African American neighborhood, I learned to appreciate music and volunteering as my passion and way of life.
3. Provide Brief Details: Give one or two sentences for each aspect you chose, providing specific but concise details.
- My parents always wanted to educate me as a good person, so they decided to send me to a local piano school. I remember this time as a significant part of my childhood because this musical instrument taught me not only how to press the piano keys but also how to communicate with other people, helping them in difficult times.
4. Conclude Effectively: End with one sentence putting your points together and leaving a lasting impression.
- At the same time, I realized giving back and supporting my community could sound like the music I love with all my heart.
5. Edit for Clarity: Remove any unnecessary words or details to stay within the limit of about 100 words.
- Growing up in my African American neighborhood, I learned to appreciate music and volunteering as my passion and way of life. My parents always wanted to educate me as a good person, so they decided to send me to a local piano school. I remember this time as a significant part of my childhood because this musical instrument taught me not only how to press the piano keys but also how to communicate with other people, helping them in difficult times. At the same time, I realized giving back and supporting my community could sound like the music I love with all my heart.
A final example of writing a “Who Am I” essay in less than 100 words is:
Growing up in my African American neighborhood, I learned to appreciate music and volunteering as my passion and way of life. My parents always wanted to educate me as a good person, so they sent me to a local piano school. I remember this time as a significant part of my childhood because this musical instrument taught me not only how to press the piano keys but also how to help people in difficult times. At the same time, I realized giving back and supporting my community could sound like the music I love with all my heart.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Lack of Focus: Writing a disorganized “Who Am I” essay without a clear central theme or message.
- Overgeneralization: Being too vague and not providing specific examples or details.
- Clichés and Stereotypes: Using overused phrases and stereotypes that do not truly represent your unique identity.
- Neglecting Structure: Failing to organize your paper with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Ignoring Prompt Instructions: Not addressing the specific requirements or questions of an essay’s prompt.
- Excessive Self-Praise: Overemphasizing achievements without demonstrating humility or reflection.
- Being Too Negative: Focusing excessively on failures and challenges without highlighting growth and learning.
- Lack of Personal Voice: Writing in a way that does not reflect your true self or personal voice.
- Grammar and Spelling Errors: Failing to proofread and correct mistakes in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Ignoring Feedback: Not seeking or considering feedback from others to improve your composition.
Summing Up
Essay writing is an exciting and challenging academic exercise for students across all levels of education. Although there are different types of essays, structure and outline formats remain the same: introduction, body, and conclusion. In essence, what students need to understand is the essential features that enrich the content in the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. When writing an essay on “Who Am I” students need to know – this composition is different from a standard format. Moreover, the central point of difference is that such works require students to use the first-person language in a paper, which can take formats of narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical essays. In writing this type of document, students must master the following tips:
- Use the first-person language.
- Make use of personal anecdotes.
- “Show, not tell” by providing vivid descriptions.
- Develop a thesis in the introduction.
- Include topic sentences to introduce ideas in a paragraph.
- Observe a maximum length requirement and a minimum length requirement of a “Who Am I” essay by considering a word count.
References
Griffo, R., Lemay, E., & Moreno, A. H. (2021). Who am I? Let me think: Assessing the considered self-concept. SAGE Open, 11(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211004278
Rogers, L. O. (2018). Who am I, who are we? Erikson and a transactional approach to identity research. Identity, 18(4), 284–294. https://doi.org/10.1080/15283488.2018.1523728
Rowland, A. M. (2019). 7 steps to your best essay: An undergraduate’s guide to excellent academic writing. Independently Published.
Sawyer, E. (2020). College admission essentials: A step-by-step guide to showing colleges who you are and what matters to you. Sourcebooks.
Schwartz, S. J., Meca, A., & Petrova, M. (2017). Who am I and why does it matter? Linking personal identity and self-concept clarity. Self-Concept Clarity, 145–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71547-6_8
Warner, J. (2020). Why they can’t write: Killing the five-paragraph essay and other necessities. Johns Hopkins University Press.
