who am i essay intro

Sample Essays on “Who Am I?” How to guide, with Outlines

Published by gudwriter on November 23, 2017 November 23, 2017

How to Write an Essay About Yourself

Many students, from high school to college level, do not know how to describe themselves. They mix up ideas as they do not really know what they need to include in their writing. The main aim of a who am I essay is to make the reader understand who you are and what you believe in. Remember, the essay doesn’t have to be always about the positive side- you can include your weak points as well in a creative way. You can also write about what makes you unique (unique skills, character, etc). If you need help, college admission essay writing services is available to assist you.

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Striking the balance makes your essay realistic and convincing.

Character : What are your character traits? Which habits define you?

Values : What is your value system? Here, you need to include things that inspire you. It is here that you state your beliefs, motivations, principles, and inspirations. The reader expects you to have either staunch stands on certain things and this is the part where you make them know. Do not highlight radical points, though.

Skills : What aptitudes do you have? And, what is the level in each skill? This may include communication, computer, education, languages, leadership, or anything else you find worthy.

Achievements :

Life experiences that influenced your life

Perhaps you would like to read an essay sample on what makes you unique ?

Who Am I Essay Example 1 Outline

Below is a layout you should follow when writing a personal essay to impress your professor.

• Hook – The Question – who am I?
• Brief summary: Well, I know quite much about myself: I am a social, kind, respectful, and principled young man.
• Thesis : I am a kind, friendly, respectful, and principled young person.
• Point : Social
• Illustration : Meeting new friends
• Logic : Makes me dynamic
• Thesis relation: A cheerful, social and accommodative person is how many people know me.
• Point : Respectful and law abiding
• Illustration : Want to get along with everyone- both juniors and seniors. Car seats, polite character
• Explanation : I know the limits
• Thesis relation : Every day, I want to be known as a person who is respectful even to those who least deserve it.
• Point : Hobbies
• Illustrations : Sports, chess, music
• Explanation : Clear my mind, get healthier.
• Thesis relation : Sportsmanship has taught me to be fair other people, diligent and focused.
• Point : I am not perfect- when I don’t hit my targets, obvious opposition from people who don’t love progress. My love for novelty makes me uncomfortable with normal rules.
• Illustrations : My mum says I am selfish and that I always want everything to go my way. Yet, I’m still the person you will find in doing voluntary community work to help people.
• Explanation : I guess my self-esteem is too high for people to put down. This rubs feathers with people who stand my path to success.
• Thesis relation : I’d be a liar to say I am a genius, flawless or immortal- and that’s who I am.
• Restatement of thesis
• Summary of essay
• Signing out

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Who Am I Essay Example 1

Who am I? Describing oneself is one of the most complicated tasks. In most cases, we always define ourselves using institutions, other people, or activities. Well, I know quite much about myself: I am a kind, friendly, respectful, and principled young person.

First, I am a sociable person. I love to meet people and make new friends. It’s not that I am an extrovert. However, I always work towards getting along with people. Of course, there are times I enjoy being alone for meditation . However, being around people makes me feel comfortable. I like to utilize every chance I get to make new friends. Interacting with people from different parts of the world makes me a diverse person. I am one of those people who believe that there is richness in human diversity. I am not quite selective of who I socialize with. A cheerful, cordial, and accommodative person is how many people know me.

Second, I am kind and respectful. Well, I appreciate that there is a thin line between being social and respectful. I want to treat everyone – junior or senior- with utmost reverence. In this regard, I am quite a listener. This didn’t start yesterday- I have always loved to give up my seats to elders in the train since I was young. Again, I am firm and at the same time polite. I love to make my points in a way that won’t hurt those around me. I always desire to be respectful even to those who least deserve it. Being respectful does not subtract anything from me after all.

Third, I have a great affection to team play. Well, I probably got this trait from my life as a sportsperson. I have been a school captain in Team Handball and Badminton. Today, I still participate in these games as a coach. I’m adherent to chess and I could become a grandmaster in the next few months. Sports and competitions have trained me to be fair, diligent, hardworking, and focused. As my hobby, chess clears my mind while athletics make me healthy. I’d definitely not tell who I am without mentioning sportsmanship. Actually, sports largely define me.

I am not perfect, though. I can be moody when I don’t hit my targets. My love for novelty makes me uncomfortable with normal rules. My mum says I am selfish and that I always want everything to go my way. Yet, I’m still the person you will find doing voluntary community work to help people. I guess my self-esteem is too high for people to put down. This rubs feathers with anyone who stands on the path to success. I’d be a liar if I said that I am a genius, flawless or immortal- and that’s who I am.

Anyway, it may be a little difficult to explain who I am. However, there are qualities that are an outright depiction of me. Respect, principles, sportsmanship, and leadership are some of them. As a quick learner, I love to change every behavior that doesn’t make me a better person. The desire to be good to everybody has made me who I am today and I intend to keep it that way.

Personal Essay Example 2 Outline

Introduction.

I give a description of myself in relation to my family background, personality, and how I view life.

Paragraph 1:

Family background

• Revolves around strong Christian faith since my parents are staunch Roman Catholic faithful
• I was born in Chicago, Illinois 21 years ago and I am the third born in a family of four children.
• I am a female of African American origin and I am very proud of my cultural background and family values

Paragraph 2:

My personality

• I am outspoken and like socializing and making new friends
• I value respect and believe it is two way
• I am hard working

Paragraph 3:

My view of life

• All humans are equal regardless of their cultural, racial and religious backgrounds as well as gender
• I am liberal in that I am open to learning new things such as new cultures, religions, and even languages
• Divergent views should be tolerated

I can summarize myself as someone who is respectful, accommodating, and open minded. I appreciate that as a human, I need others for my life to be complete. I believe my personality and world views are matching and thus I find life more sociable and interesting.

Personal Essay Example 2

My family background revolves around strong Christian faith since my parents are staunch Roman Catholic faithful. I was born in Chicago, Illinois 21 years ago and I am the third born in a family of four children. I am a female of African-American origin and I am very proud of my cultural background and family values. Like my parents, I have developed the habit and routine of going to church every Sunday in line with Christian doctrines. As a matter of fact, all the members of my family value attending Sunday masses wherever they may find themselves. I grew up in a working-parents family and I have grown to live in harmony with my siblings.

Regarding my personality, I am one person who is outspoken and likes socializing and making new friends. The number of friends I have in college is uncountable because I have no boundaries when it comes to building relationships. That notwithstanding, I value respect and believe it is two way. I expect that anybody I interact with should show me the same level of respect I show them irrespective of their background or status in the society. I am hard working because my parents taught me to loathe laziness since it is the beginning of poverty and miserable life. To me, respect and hard work go hand in hand. Working hard respectfully has opened many doors for me so far in my life.

My view of life is that all humans are equal regardless of their cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds as well as gender. This is why I have friends whose cultural and other backgrounds are diverse. I am also liberal in that I am open to learning new things such as new cultures, religions, and even languages. For instance, I can speak fluent French and Spanish yet I am American. I also believe that divergent views should be tolerated because this is part of enhancing human diversity. My parents had once tried to stop me from being too open minded but I persisted with it. Being open to new things, in my view, amounts to being accommodative to human diversity.

In conclusion, I can summarize myself as someone who is respectful, accommodative, and open minded. I appreciate that as a human, I need others for my life to be complete. When I show that I care for and accommodate different views, I find it easy working with others. I have thus managed to evade suffering any form of racial or cultural profiling because people find me easy to deal with. I believe my personality and world views are matching and thus I find life more sociable and interesting. It is my intention to continue leading this fulfilling life.

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Personal Essay Sample 3 Outline

I am a faithful Christian who is open-minded, friendly, and action-oriented.

Paragraph1:

In spite of being a staunch Christian, I am open to other people’s ways of worship and generally to other people’s way of life and opinions.

• I can listen to and understand what other people say and treat it as their opinion to which they are entitled whether or not I agree with it.
• I am able to live amongst people of various cultures.
• However, I do not let other people’s views or cultures affect my own.

I am a friendly person who highly values friendship.

• I have the habit of forming strong friendships both in our neighborhood and at school.
• I have quite a number of friends from various backgrounds because I do not choose friends based on their cultural backgrounds.
• I believe in genuine friendship and as soon as I detect that one is not a true friend, I drop them.

I follow my decisions and promises with actions as I believe that it is through actions that one can solve their problems and meet their life goals.

• I keep to my decisions once I make them.
• I have been able to accomplish many of my life’s endeavors especially in my academic life.
• I also know that keeping promises is one of the best ways of keeping relationships alive and healthy.
• I normally do all it takes to keep a promise irrespective of who I make it to.

I am an open-minded Christian who values relationships and I act on my decisions and promises. I am accommodative to diverse views and opinions even when they sharply contrast with mine. I pursue my life goals and keep relationships through action.

Personal Essay Sample 3

As a person, I feel growing over the years has significantly changed who I am. I have had to see and experience many things that I did not get to see in my childhood. I have also met many different people and visited many places. Some of the perspectives I held about people and certain things have certainly changed. In addition, I have undergone significant personal growth which has seen my personality transform as well. I have also become more decisive in my actions and in my relationships with others. I am a faithful Christian who is open-minded, friendly, and action-oriented.

In spite of being a staunch Christian, I am open to other people’s ways of worship and generally to other people’s way of life and opinions. I can listen to and understand what other people say and treat it as their opinion to which they are entitled whether or not I agree with it. This way, I have been able to learn a lot from others and widen my view of life and humanity. I am also able to live amongst people of various cultures. However, I do not let other people’s views or cultures affect my own as much as I may be accommodative to them. This is because I believe that the world has enough space for everyone to practice their own cultures and share their opinions without interfering with others.

I am also a friendly person who highly values friendship. From my childhood, I developed the habit of forming strong friendships both in our neighborhood and at school. I have carried this habit to my adulthood and I have quite a number of friends from various backgrounds because I do not choose friends based on their cultural backgrounds. However, I believe in genuine friendship and as soon as I detect that one is not a true friend, I drop them. To me, a friend should be like family that is always there for one in their better and tough days and moments. Out of this belief, I have helped a number of friends both in and out of school and shared with them some of my innermost secrets. I too have benefited from the loyalty of these friendships.

Further, I follow my decisions and promises with actions as I believe that it is through actions that one can solve their problems and meet their life goals. This virtue has helped me accomplish many of my life’s endeavors especially in my academic life. For example, since my middle school level, I decided that I would not consume television content during examination periods but maximally concentrate on the exams. I have kept to this decision and have thus posted good grades all through because I always have enough time to prepare for exams. I also know that keeping promises is one of the best ways of keeping relationships alive and healthy. I normally do all it takes to keep a promise irrespective of who I make it to. I do keep even as simple a promise as that of sharpening my younger sister’s drawing pencil every morning before she goes to school.

I am an open-minded Christian who values relationships and I act on my decisions and promises. I am accommodative to diverse views and opinions even when they sharply contrast with mine. I pursue my life goals and keep relationships through action. I also have many friends since I believe that genuine friendship is highly beneficial to humans. This personality and values enable me to live a fulfilling life as I am capable of accomplishing my goals and at the same time live harmoniously with others.

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How to Write a “Who Am I” Essay: Free Tips With Examples

11 December 2023

last updated

Essay writing is an exciting and challenging academic activity that 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 writing a paper. Ideally, educational departments and tutors provide instructions that dictate the approach that students should take when writing academic texts. In principle, a “Who Am I” essay should reflect the first-person language because this prompt requires learners to tell the audience about themselves. In this respect, writers can use narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical approaches in writing a paper. Hence, learners need to understand how to write a “Who Am I” essay to provide high-quality papers and achieve desired outcomes.

General Guidelines for Writing a “Who I Am” Essay

Essay writing is an academic activity that 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 essay structure , essay outline , and applicable academic writing rules. Basically, the only areas where essays seem to be different are essay 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. Therefore, in writing an essay on the topic “Who Am I,” writers should first understand what is required of them. Ideally, this type of essay asks authors to talk about themselves.

Differences Between a “Who Am I” Essay and Other Papers

In principle, essays that ask writers to talk about themselves 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. By considering that a “Who Am I” essay requires learners to talk about themselves, such a paper takes several forms. For example, these structures include formats of narrative, philosophical, college application, and autobiographical papers. Although an essay topic is in a question form, it does not necessarily mean that writers are unsure about themself. In turn, such a format means that they intend to answer this question in a paper by following a particular way to the audience’s benefit.

1. Narrative Format

A narrative essay is one where the writer’s focus is to provide the audience with a life story. Basically, this life story can take many forms, including personal or family experiences. In short, a “Who Am I” essay in a narrative format utilizes personal anecdotes as a means of communication. Moreover, one of the strategies for writing these essays is adopting a “show, not tell” strategy, which means using vivid descriptions rather than informative statements. Therefore, a narrative essay on the topic “Who Am I” should focus on the writer’s personal experiences that help the audience to understand an author. Since a topic is a question, one expectation is that students use personal anecdotes to provide an answer that benefits the audience more than them. When it comes to grading, what matters the most is whether writers have used narratives to educate the audience about who they are.

2. Philosophical Format

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. 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 that advance an understanding of human nature. On expectations, the essay’s content should not dwell on the writer’s demographical background or personal experiences but on who an author is in the context of human nature and its strengths and weaknesses. When it comes to grading, what matters is whether writers have applied a philosophical lens to describe themselves. In turn, a good example is unraveling what makes them strong, vulnerable, or weak.

3. College Application Format

College or university application is a type of essay that potential students write to the admissions board or committee of their choice institution. 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. To achieve this goal, learners provide essential details that are likely to advance their courses. For example, these details include personal attributes, academic performance (grades), work experiences, and future aspirations. 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 writers have emphatically made a case to college boards of why they are the best candidates for admission.

4. Autobiographical Format

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 – writers focus on what is relevant at any one given time. Therefore, when writing an autobiographical essay on the topic “Who Am I,” the expectation is that students provide details about themselves that help the audience to understand them better. For example, such details include their family lineage, demographical (race, ethnicity, gender, language, and nationality) background, academic credentials, and professional accomplishments. 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.

Essay Structures for “Who Am I” Papers

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. Also, when writing an essay on the topic “Who Am I” in narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical forms, a student must use a structure that is appropriate for that paper. Besides a structure and an outline, there are other features that students must consider when writing a “Who Am I” essay in one of the formats.

1. Narrative Outline Format for a “Who Am I” Essay

When writing a narrative essay on the theme “Who Am I,” a student must follow an outline below:

I. Introduction

• Topic introduction (Significance of a topic).
• Thesis statement .

II. Body Paragraph(s)

• Setting or background of an event.
• People involved.
• Short anecdote.

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. In the introduction, learners must briefly introduce themselves and clearly state a thesis of their papers. In the paper’s body, writers must use several paragraphs to tell the audience about themselves. Since the communication should be in a story form, authors can use each paragraph to tell a personal anecdote that enables the audience to understand them better. Besides, one of the features that writers must capture in the paper’s body is a “show, not tell” method, being an aspect of providing vivid details or descriptions. In turn, the most significant features that students should capture in the conclusion section are a restatement of a thesis sentence and a lesson learned. Also, the audience must see this lesson as a moral of a narrative story.

2. Philosophical Outline Format for a “Who Am I” Essay

When writing a philosophical essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students should follow an outline format below:

• Thesis statement (The question that a writer intends to answer).
• Clarification of this question.
• A reason why this question is critical.
• Answer a question through a topic sentence in one or several paragraphs.
• Qualify and defend a thesis in one or several paragraphs.
• Thesis restatement
• Summary of the main point(s) in the body paragraph(s)

Essential features. In each of the three sections, learners must address crucial elements. Firstly, the introduction must be opened with a thesis statement that introduces a question that an author seeks to answer. Basically, learners should make the audience understand a question and explain its importance to them (writers) and the audience. Then, students can use one or more paragraphs in the body section, depending on their paper’s length. In the case of a one-page paper, there should be only one paragraph that opens with a topic sentence. In turn, this sentence should answer a question that forms the essay’s theme. Moreover, learners need to qualify and defend their thesis. In the conclusion section, writers must restate a thesis and summarize the main points.

3. College Application Outline Format for a “Who Am I” Essay

When writing a college application essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students must follow an outline that helps accomplish their objective- convince the admission committee that they are the best candidates among many applicants. Hence, such an outline should be as follows:

• Thesis statement.
• First supporting idea.
• Second supporting idea.
• Third supporting idea.
• 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. Then, another essential feature is contextualizing an essay by stating the purpose of writing concisely. Basically, this statement is what should be a thesis of such a paper. In the main body, learners should use body paragraphs, each introducing a critical idea. However, if a “Who Am I” essay is a one-page document, authors should write specific ideas in a single body paragraph. Also, these ideas are what help writers to strengthen their cases before the admission committee. In turn, 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.

4. Autobiographical Outline Format for a “Who Am I” Essay

When writing an autobiographical essay on the theme “Who Am I,” students should follow an outline below:

• Introduce yourself to the audience.
• Early years.
• Future plans.
• Restate a thesis statement.
• Tie up all the experiences.

Essential features. Essential elements that students must address in the introduction of a “Who Am I” essay by following an autobiographical format are a hook that 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, components of a body paragraph should be details about the writer’s life, such as childhood, early education, cultural orientation, and aspirations. In the conclusion section, learners need to restate a thesis and tie up all the details about their life addressed in the main text.

Effective Writing Strategies

When writing a “Who Am I” essay in different formats, students should use strategies that guarantee a high-quality product. For example, the first strategy is utilizing transitions to create a natural and logical flow from one paragraph to the next or section to section. In this case, common transitions are “therefore,” “additionally,” “put differently,” “hence,” “thus,” and “however.” Then, another strategy is subjecting an essay to a peer review. Here, writers give the first draft to a friend, tutor, or mentor to read and identify errors and mistakes. Also, if there are any mistakes, students revise and edit their papers to eliminate them. In turn, another strategy is proofreading the final draft to ensure that mistakes are not made during typing, or writers must revise and edit it accordingly.

Example of a Narrative Essay: Who Am I?

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.

Example of a Philosophical Essay: Who Am I?

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.

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.

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.

Example of a College Application Essay: Who Am I?

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.

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. 

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.

Example of an Autobiographical Essay: Who Am I?

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.

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.

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 of a “Who Am I” Essay

A thesis statement appears in the introduction section of a “Who Am I” essay, thus setting the entire paper’s tone and theme. What follows is a body paragraph that opens with a topic sentence. Moreover, the body paragraph’s content revolves around a topic sentence that advances the essay’s central idea. 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.” Also, this aspect is evident in the body paragraph. In a narrative essay, it is an example of the nightclub commotion, and, in a philosophical essay, it is the habit of volunteering in healthcare settings. In a college application essay, the feature is evident in a story about working with medical personnel in first-aid simulations. In an autobiographical essay, it is about evening walks to appreciate nature.

Summing Up on How to Write a “Who Am I” Essay

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 that such a paper is different from a standard format. Moreover, the central point of difference is that such an essay requires students to use the first-person language in a paper, which can take formats of narrative, philosophical, college application, or autobiographical essays. In writing such an essay, 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;
• use 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.

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

Essay rubric: basic guidelines and sample template, persuasive essay rubric: grading template for excellent papers.

How to Write "Who am I" Essay | Start to End Guide

Introduction

Here is guide on how you can write a "who am i" essay, 1) write a solid who am i essay introduction, 2)get into details in body paragraphs.

• Keep your Audience in Mind. 
• Remember that the essay must be concise, clear, and informative. 
• The headings and subheadings ought to be succinct, enticing, and still easy to read. 
• Make sure that the tone of the essay is what sets it apart. 

3) Add a Strong who am I Essay Conclusion

5) recheck all requirements and proofread.

• Use concise, simple sentences when writing an essay.
• Your aspirations and passions and how they motivate you. 
• Write about an instance where hardship helped you grow.
• How is the quality of your life, as you currently understand it? How does it affect your education, community, and future? Your personal wishes and how they affect you should be addressed.
• Use an active voice and a clear structure to convey your ideas clearly. 
• Before beginning, ensure you fully understand the nature of the essay and other requirements.
• Check your essay's headings and subheadings to make sure you remain firmly focused on the topic.
• Connect the topic of the essay to your introduction, body, and conclusion.
•  In a few well-chosen words, the essay title should convey both the entire essay's main idea and its best qualities.
•  The essay must follow a distinct but simple tone and structure.  As a result, it is preferable to write an outline before beginning. 
•  Pay close attention to the conclusion because it will summarize the whole essay.
•  Before submitting your essay, double-check the word count required by the admissions committee.
•  Do not overdo anything, and keep it real; the simpler, the better. 
•  Do not use slang, swear words or a lot of informal knowledge.

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How to Write a Who I am Essay with an Example

The greatest achievement one could have among the ancients was that of acquiring the knowledge of the self. But then, how can one get to this level of achievement? A great aid to generating self-knowledge is through the writing of an identity essay or ‘who am I essay’. In this article, we will learn how to write the ‘who am I essay’ through describing an ideal outline for this kind of essay, and by going through an example. In this case, the article will focus on using one’s experience and understanding of his/her physical build, personality, religious experience, education and of immediate relationships as a resource for generating material for writing this kind of essay.

Defining the ‘Who Am I Essay’

The ‘Who am I essay’ is a kind of writing that helps one to understand who they are from a certain perspective or perspectives and to communicate this perspective to others for the sake of enhancing dialogue and personal improvement. This is shown by how the preparatory and the writing phases are used to:

• Focus on key areas,
• Gather information,
• Analyze and investigate this information and
• Finalize, detailing and packaging of this information in the essay
• Give who am I essay examples

Page Contents

Beginning on the ‘Who Am I Essay’ Sample

When beginning who am I essay sample, the first thing to consider is the key areas, statement about myself that one intends to focus on with regard to the essay. One often does this by using a pen and paper and doing a pre-draft of ideas and associated concepts. In this case, the areas under consideration are those of:

• Physical build – For example, what body type does one have?
• Personality – A good source of personality information is the Myers Briggs Type Indicator
• Religious experience – Does one have this kind of experience? What are the major convictions that one holds with respect to religion?
• Education – How much has one been exposed to the disciplines and ideas deemed necessary in their contexts?
• Immediate relationships – Can one identify the key relationships that define them? How do they come out in real life, and what inferences can one make of them?

Each of these elements will form the main points of the main argument in your paper, but one needs to generate content for each of them so that the sample of the ‘who I am essay’ can be persuasive and convincing.

Gathering Information for the Who Am I Essay Example

Define and research on each of the key focus points of autobiography essay that are meant to be part of the main body of your argument. The best thing to do in this case is to generate a number of critical questions that will help you to understand the role that each of these points plays in the shaping of your identity. For example, how does one’s physical build affect how they perceive themselves? How do other people respond to other people’s physical appearances? These questions are best recorded on index cards that can be pinned on a board. Write the following on each card:

• The key focal point
• References of what credible sources on the focal point
• One line statements of your analysis/reaction
• A prompt question to further your research and thought process

Go through the same process for each key point and now stick the cards on the board in clusters that make the most sense to you.

Analyzing and Investigating Material for the Sample Who am I Essay

Check and see if each of the key points is clear, backed by evidence and analyzed appropriately. One important but easily neglected aspect is that of looking at contrary evidence and material. Make sure that each key point has been subjected through a contrary evidence perspective. The ‘who am I essay’ is an analytic-descriptive kind of paper, and hence one should always be critical of the ideas being considered.

Given the key conclusion from each of the key points considered, try to visualize and link the conclusions together to form a thesis statement of who you are. Now go through the entire process again and determine if the argument is flawless and or needs some more work to be complete. Then consider your reactions to the outcome of this entire process.

Take some time off to review and review the process. If any new ideas come up, repeat the process above till you are confident of the thesis of your ‘who I am essay’.

Writing the Who I am Essay Sample

One’s writing task is ¾ complete if the preparations are right. Now that we have the thesis, the key points and the supporting and contrary evidence where applicable, we are ready to sit down and prepare the first draft of our ‘who am I essay example’.

The structure of the essay follows the typical structure of having:

• An introduction
• The main argument or body
• The conclusion

Introduction for Our Sample Who I am Essay

A good introduction begins with a gripping statement about what you’ve discovered in the preparations that you’ve just had. Then give an overview of how this opening is connected to the question at hand – that of identity. It may be necessary to give some key definition and the scope that the paper will take. This scope is often defined by the key points that need to be considered. It is important at this point to consider any objections that may have been offered against the key point or thesis. Then finish the introduction with a thesis statement.

One could write for example:

“A most prevalent event in my life is that strangers will often approach me for directions. And I have often wondered how total strangers come to the conclusion that I may be friendly enough to oblige. But from my experience, I’ve met less friendly people who’ve even declined to be of help when I’ve approached them. Question is if how I look has something to do with my approachability. In this paper, we will consider how aspects like physical build, personality, religious experience, personality and immediate relations with others define who I am. It is matter perhaps beyond a reasonable doubt that the above factors play a role in defining my identity.”

The Main Argument(s)

It’s now time to deal with each of the key points separately. The starting of each paragraph forms a statement of the key point. Once the key point has been stated, it’s time to cite some evidence, both pro and against. Once the evidence has been analyzed and you make a research then one can infer a conclusion that can sum the paragraph and key point.

“Different body types have their unique features that determine who we are. Berne (2017) and Cheiro (2014) describe psychosomatic tests done to different groups of subjects and showed that there are three basic body types; cerebrotonic ectomorphs, endomorphs, and mesomorphs. Each of these body structures has unique features that distinguish each person and that in effect define the person. While Anderson (2016) and Lobengula (2014) show that some of the results in the above experiments were inconclusive, Vicot et al (2016) have shown that some of these objections were based on false premises. Therefore I deem it reasonable that I should qualify as a viscerotonic endomorph with a friendly disposition to others.”

The logical argument is thus built with each of the remaining key points going through similar treatment. Given that each of the paragraphs is meant to flow smoothly into the next and preceding arguments, one should take special caution that the arguments are not just relevant, but the fit into each other logically and generate an aesthetic that best describes who you are. This means using proper transitions and checking iteratively that the flow of the argument is well crafted.

Concluding the Sample Who Am I Essay

After every, the introduction has been given and each of the main points given a comprehensive treatment, the time has come for finishing up the argument and stating it in a way that can give the audience indication that the argument has been completed and a prompt for further engagement is given. The overall process is touched upon and shown how it was effective in answering the question of ‘Who am I?’ Each of the main points is then reiterated and possible implication of the ideas of personal identity that has emerged is discussed and finally, the ‘who am I essay’ is completed with an expression regarding probable future trends.

Summary of a Who Am I Essay and Essay Example

This article has described the need, the processes involved, and the techniques used when writing a sample ‘who am I essay’. It has discussed the way one comes with a thesis that best describes who they are and how the ideas about the self are developed and criticized with the intention of one acquiring an identity that is both balanced and open to growth and development. It is not difficult to imagine some of the effects that precede not knowing who they are. Relationships are never optimized, and satisfaction with one’s life is low. Therefore, it is always preferable that the serious student who wants to learn how to write who am I essay should endeavor to find out who they are and the best way for doing so is through writing the who am I essay examples.

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17.3: Starting the "Who I Am" Story

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Your Who I Am story should start to answer the question “who are you?” However, this story should only focus on one characteristic or aspect of your personality. Think back to Skip and the Who I Am story from the beginning of this chapter. His story helped prove he was ready to be a leader and ready to run a corporation.

As with most other types of writing, brainstorming can be a useful tool. To begin, you might just think about all the ways to finish the sentence “I am . . .” The word you choose to finish this sentence then becomes the subject of your Who I Am story. If a subject is not jumping out at you, think about the way your mother, best friend, significant other, or pet might describe you. Think about a characteristic that only the people closest to you see—for example, has anyone ever told you “when I first met you, I never would have guessed that you were so funny (or competitive or happy)”?

Once you have a characteristic in mind, keep brainstorming and think of one specific example or event that illustrates this characteristic. This example will become your story. Again, much like a topic, sometimes an example, or story, will just jump to mind. However, if you cannot think of an example right away, look through some old pictures, scrapbooks, or yearbooks. Reread journals or listen to favorite songs. All of these things can spark memories, and one of these memories can become the example or event on which your Who I Am story will focus. This event does not have to be exciting or flamboyant. Simple but heartfelt stories often are the most effective. Many things can be faked in life, but sincerity is generally not one of them.

Writing the “Who I Am” Story

Once you have the topic, just start writing. Writing a story is not like baking a cake—there is no formula or recipe that guarantees a perfect story. But here are some steps to consider:

1. Ask some questions about the event you are going to write about. 

When did this event take place? What are the starting and ending points? Where did this event take place? Who was there? Was there a conflict? A resolution?

2. Write down everything you remember.

Of course, there are numerous ways to write a first draft, but for a Who I Am story, simply writing down everything you remember about the event is a good place to start. Usually, it is better to have more writing than what you need. So start by writing everything down in chronological order. Do not worry about any rhetorical strategies or making it sound good. Think about the concept of fabula and just write down the entire series of events or actions.

3. Go do something else.

Once you have the entire story written down, set it aside. Go take a nap or play with your dog, and come back to the story later. Then reread it and see if you left anything out. Time permitting, go through this process of putting the story aside and then rereading it several times.

4. Summarize the main point of the story in one or two sentences.

Go through the story and eliminate everything that does not relate to this main point. Do not worry about length right now. Focus on quality and creating a unified story.

5. Think about creating a dominant impression.

Is the story sad, thoughtful, sarcastic, or humorous? If you have trouble deciding on a dominant impression, think about setting the story to music. What song would you pick—Mozart’s “Moonlight Sonata,” something by the Violent Femmes, a sultry jazz tune—and what emotion does this song conjure up?

6. Keeping the main point and dominant impression in mind, add details and expand the most important parts of your story.

Real time should now become narrative time. Add concrete details and imagery. Imagine the different senses to which the story could appeal. We are a very visual culture, but go beyond describing what things look like—consider incorporating smells or sounds. Think about the way something feels when touched. Also think about how these details can help draw a reader in. Consider this an example from a student’s Who I Am story:

At the beginning of every school year, I am obligated to introduce myself to a new sea of adolescent hormones swimming with impulsiveness, curiosity, and unfiltered tourette-like verbal ejaculations. Sure, I could stand before the little urchins, and with trident in hand, I could dictate the rules of my class and cast off a long list of life experiences that made me the immortal that stands before them or I could let them place their expectations upon me creating an environment of perceived equality. Being a believer in a democratic classroom, I always opt for the latter.

Look at the way this student builds on the details: the words “sea,” “swimming” and “trident” work beautifully together. And look at the choices the student made: using the words “adolescent hormones” and “urchins” instead of students; “unfiltered tourette-like verbal ejaculations” could have simply been opinions or obnoxious comments. The story includes a lot of visual elements, but the phrase “verbal ejaculations” also appeals to the ears. These words, phrases, and ideas all work together to, as clich.d as it sounds, paint a picture of the author of this story.

The author of this story is a student, but she is also a middle-school teacher. The main point of the story is to show who she is as a teacher. Everything in this paragraph relates to that main point. We do not know the color of her hair, whether she is wearing a shirt or a sweater, or if she is tall or short. After all, none of these things relate to the point of this story. Great detail and description and emotions are very important to the Who I Am story. But they need to be the right details, descriptions, and emotions, and they need to be used at the right time.

8. Make certain the story shows and does not tell.

The ultimate success of the Who I Am story depends on how well you show, not tell, who you are (i.e. use more indirect characterization than direct characterization). Have faith in your words and in the story you are telling. Trust that the story works and do not end the story with a statement like “clearly this event shows that I am a trustworthy person.” Let the story do its job. Consider two more paragraphs from our middle-school teacher’s story:

On the first day of class last year, I allowed students to take seats at their leisure. I sat on my desk and when everyone was settled, I quietly commanded their attention by placing a large black top hat upon my head. Conversations abruptly stopped as my curious audience took notice. ‘If I were to say that hats are a metaphor for the different roles we play in our lives, what do you think that means?’ I was met with blank stares. ‘What if I said that I play many roles every day? I am a teacher, a mother, a daughter, a coworker, and a friend. Are the expectations for those different roles the same or different?’ A hand raises and a girl with pale skin, lively eyes and thick auburn hair answers, 'Of course they’re different. I don’t act the same around my friends as I do in front of my parents!’ She has a smug ‘as if’ expression.

‘You’re absolutely right,’ I acknowledge. ‘Now what if I were to ask you to define the expectations of my role as your teacher?’ Eyebrows rise as the class considers this. ‘I’m going to pass out sticky notes and I want each of you to write down a word or phrase that describes what my job is as your teacher. When you are done, I want you to place your note on the strip of blue paper that runs up the wall in the back of the room. Each of you should place your note above the note of the person that went before you so that we create a column of sticky notes. Does everyone understand?’ A thin-faced, black boy with large eyes and bright teeth pipes up, “So we get to tell you how to do your job?’ I thoughtfully pause before answering, ‘Well . . . yah!’

What do we learn about the author from reading this passage? What kind of teacher is she? We could describe her as creative, brave, caring, and dedicated. We could decide that she is not afraid to take some risks. We know that she loves her job. Does she directly state any of these things? No. But her story shows that she is all of these things.

9. Look at the introduction of your story.

Will it grab a reader’s attention? Think about sitting in a doctor’s office or waiting for your car to be repaired. You pick up a magazine and start to thumb through it. How long do you give an article to grab your attention before turning the page? Some people flip to the next page if the title of the article does not interest them; other more generous readers will read the first sentence or two before deciding to continue reading or to move on to the next page. Something in the opening paragraph, hopefully in the first sentence or two, should grab the reader and make him or her want to read on. Here is an example from another student’s Who I Am story:

I thought by the time I was thirty I would know what I wanted to be when I grew up. But here I am on the eve of my thirty-first birthday, and I am still searching, searching for where I fit into the world, amidst all the titles I have been given such as Sydney’s Mom, Tripp’s Wife, and Janice’s Daughter. Then there are all the roles I play: maid, chef, bookkeeper, personal shopper, and teacher. Of course that’s just what I do and who I do it for. The real question remains, when you take all of that away, who am I?

This is the first paragraph of the student’s Who I Am essay, and it does several things nicely. The conversational tone draws us in. We almost feel as if we are getting to peek inside the author’s head. “Tripp’s Wife,” “Janice’s Daughter,” “chef,” “personal shopper” are lovely specifics, and equally important, these are specifics to which most peoplecan relate. Perhaps we are Bob’s son or Suzie’s boyfriend instead of a daughter or a wife, but we can still see the similarities between the author’s life and our own. And because of that, we want to know how she answers the question “who am I?”

10. Treat this story like any other paper.

Have a solid organizational scheme (chronological often works well), keep one main idea per paragraph, use transitional phrasing, vary the sentence structure, and make sure the ideas flow into each other. Reflect on word choice and  particularly verb choices. Just think, for example, of all the different synonyms for the word walk. A character could strut, saunter, stroll, sashay, or skip. She could mosey, meander, or march. Powerful verbs are a great way to add panache and detail to a story without making it wordy or slowing the pace.

11. Proofread, edit, and proofread again.

Give the story to a friend and ask them to read it. Do not tell them what the paper is about or what you are trying to accomplish. Instead just ask them what they learned or what three words they would use to describe your story.

12. And the last bit of advice—have fun.

The best storytellers enjoy telling stories. When you are telling a story, pick a story that matters to you and a story that you really want to share. Let your love for that story come through, and let others see you through your story.

How to Write a Who Am I Essay

Many students have challenges describing themselves in an academically sound manner. They mix their thoughts and don’t know how to order their thoughts correctly when writing a who am I essay. Others have difficulties choosing the information to include in their papers. This assignment’s purpose is to help you let your readers understand who you are and what you believe in.

Also, this paper shouldn’t necessarily focus on your positives. You may also highlight your weaknesses, provided you do this discreetly and creatively. For instance, you may talk about what angers you quickly. This post discusses professional life hacks for writing the best narrative essay about yourself. Read on to understand how to write a narrative essay that fetches the best grades.

Table of Contents

What Is a Who Am I Essay ?

Let’s start our discussion on a defining note. A who am I essay is an academic assignment you write for college, your bio, or yourself. When writing this paper for your autobiography or yourself, your project has no specific goal. Instead, it only analyzes yourself to show your audience who you are. Additionally, you don’t have to follow stringent academic rules and requirements, being able to write it whichever way you wish.

However, writing about yourself for work or college purposes differs. This essay can be a part of your job interview or college admission process. It allows your potential employer or admissions committee to examine your personality, tastes, and likes more closely. It convinces readers that you are the best person to take an employment or admission slot. Thus, write it to make the best impression you can about yourself.

Unlike other formal academic papers, a who am I essay allows you to use the first-person language. This assignment has different formats: narrative, philosophical, college application, and autobiographical.

Narrative Format 

The who am I essay type focuses on providing your readers with your life story. The narrative can take various forms, like your personal or family encounters. The best strategy for drafting this paper is “showing” instead of merely telling your readers about yourself. This technique uses clear descriptions instead of rigid and formal informative statements. You may also utilize personal anecdotes to drive your points home.

College Application Format 

The who am I essay format lets you write to a college’s or university’s admissions board. Here, you get a golden chance to convince the board you have everything the college wishes to see in a new student. You must supply all the necessary information that advances the college’s course. For instance, tell the committee about your personal qualities, academic achievements, work experience (if any), and future dreams.

Autobiographical Format 

An autobiography essay format is a life story capturing your entire life. However, pay attention to how you include details in this paper because telling everything about your life in a short paper like this is impossible. Thus, summarize your life’s main events and experiences. This essay type requires excellent summarizing skills that can tell much using a few words.

Your main goal is to offer readers sufficient details to understand who you are. Some details to include in a who am I essay are your family lineage, demographical (race, ethnicity, sex, language, and nationality) background, academic qualifications, and professional achievements.

Philosophical Format

The who am I essay form engages your reader in a discovery manner because philosophy attempts to unravel life’s and nature’s mysteries. Therefore, some argue that this essay is more informative than a narrative essay type. Its investigative nature requires you to focus on telling your readers facts about yourself that advance your understanding of human nature.

Who Am I Essay Ideas

Having a sweet personality is great because it makes college boards and potential employers scramble for you. However, they won’t fight for you if they don’t know about you. This paper opens the door for college admissions committees and prospective employers who long to see you live. Here are tips and ideas to help you compose a compelling who am I essay.

• Show your character

Your paper should clearly demonstrate your character traits. It must also show the habits that define you.

• Share your values

Remember to include your value system. Your assignment must feature the things that motivate your behavior. Show readers your personal inspiration, principles, and beliefs. Inform your audience about your firm convictions but without going to radical extremes.

• Prove your skills and potential

A perfect who am I essay must also highlight your personal skills and potential in different areas. Show the reader your aptitudes and each skill’s level. You may feature computer proficiency, educational levels, leadership skills, excellent communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Besides, show your readers where all these abilities are taking you. Demonstrate how you intend to harness them to move to your dream future. Remember to show how these things contribute to the college community’s development. When writing to a prospective employer, mention how you can use your capabilities to improve the workplace and help the company grow.

Always remember that honesty is the best option. All hiring officers and college admissions board members are busy. They review thousands of cover letters and application essays. Therefore, never take them for kids who can’t discern lying applicants. Including exaggerated facts in your who am I essay will definitely backfire in your face. So, be honest as possible regardless of how you want to show your ambition and market yourself.

• Don’t boast

Being confident of your skills and capabilities doesn’t mean you become boastful. Learn how to balance confidence with humility. Your desire to make a positive impression shouldn’t make you arrogant. Remember, your readers are adults who have read thousands of who am I essays for many years. Thus, they know how to detect and reject an empty braggart.

• Be creative

Creativity should define your approach to a who am I essay. This task falls outside academic writing’s stringent rules that usually suppress creativity. It allows you to break most of the suppressing rules and unleash your creative genius. You aren’t obligated to cite anyone and can freely express your opinions about yourself without worrying about who agrees or disagrees with you.

• Be a bit “cosmetic”

You must be as honest as possible. However, be a bit “cosmetic” where necessary. What does this mean? It would be best if you expressed your weaknesses without sounding helpless. Learn how to hide or smooth your shortcomings while highlighting your strengths.

• Share your position

Admissions board members and hiring officers would like to know about your thinking processes. An excellent who am I essay doesn’t need extra references. So, don’t fear to assert yourself in this writing piece.

• Share an interesting narrative

Know how to share a fascinating narrative that excites your audience but be selective about what to share and what to keep private. When you’re writing for your tutors, childhood memories and encounters would do good. However, they may not interest an admissions officer or hiring manager unless you were a genius child in something.

• Share your passion

Lastly, be generous with writing about your personal passion. Clarify what fills you with positive energy. Let the reader know what turns on your world and unleashes your potential.

Who Am I Essay Outline

Your who am I essay needs an outline to hold your thoughts. It takes the following shape:

• An Introduction Paragraph
• A hook to attract and keep your reader’s attention and interest.
• A short summary.
• A thesis statement.
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3
• A Conclusion
• It restates your thesis statement.
• It summarizes your essay.

How to Start a Who Am I Essay

Starting a who am I essay is easy with the proper guidance. You only need to understand your assignment’s question. Next, determine the format you wish to use for presenting your ideas or marketing yourself. Afterward, choose the life experiences and the details you want your readers to know about you. Go ahead and formulate a thesis statement that holds together all the other ideas about you.

When composing this assignment, use first-person language and personal anecdotes to spice it up. You should also utilize vivid descriptions to let your essay show and not just tell your story. Ensure to write your paper to fit your assigned word count. Don’t exceed because you feel you have too much information to tell about yourself because your readers don’t have the time to read all of it.

Who Am I: Example of Essay

Nothing inspires you to write a better who am I essay more than a perfect example. Here is an excellent body paragraph sample to inspire your writing.

Friends are more than social relationships to me. They are concepts that define my worldview and relationship with the world. Since childhood, I have never been someone who likes social forums. The very thought of people dictating what I should do or say at any particular moment irritates me. For instance, I caused a violent commotion when a friend tried making me dance with a stranger at a birthday party. However, life is hard enough, and we cannot avoid social interactions. Therefore, I have a few introverted friends willing to push themselves to the edge. Consequently, they always devise plans to take ourselves outdoors to interact with other humans.

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How to Write Who Am I Essay

Table of Contents

You might think of this task as rare, but you’d be surprised to learn how many times people are asked to write a who am I assignment. If you thought that writing an essay about yourself was only given at school or as part of an admission application, you are very wrong. The who am I question is asked many times in a life of a person, both for work and studies.

Tips for Writing an Essay About Yourself

Naturally, the instructions, requirements and rules will differ based on the situation, so you might want to note them down before you get started. However, there are some things that are common and apply to all essays of this type. So, in addition to the instructions you should look at and control while writing, there are some tips that will help you make the process easier.

Follow a Structure

There’s no better way to follow a structure than by producing a quality, organized who am I essay outline beforehand. This outline will help you organize your content and the structure, with it providing the reader with a coherent, understandable and concise explanation of who you are.

Choose a Main Line

What does this mean?

It means that you need to have a focus in your essay. Whether it is a thing you enjoy doing, a relationship you want to discuss, or a key feature of your own character – this has to be present throughout the entire essay.

Select a Style

What style are you planning to use in your writing? Your story cannot be too varied. We recommend using artistic techniques of the literary genre, such as allegories, metaphors, etc. You can even use humor to make the essay more interesting for the reader.

Be Objective

The goal of this essay is to reveal the personality of the writer. But, this doesn’t mean that you should brag about your traits and fail to mention the negative characteristics. We are all humans, so naturally, no one is perfect. Trying to camouflage this behind your greatest traits can leave a bad impression. So, attempt to be objective in your writing.

Postpone the Revelation

One great idea in essay writing is to postpone the intrigue, the revelation. To keep the reader interested until the very end, keep something to yourself until you get there. Introduce it at the start, but do not go explaining it completely right away. Do it gradually and finish at the conclusion.

Who Am I Essay Samples

Now that we’ve shared some short tips for students who are asked to write such essay, it is time to present you with an excellent example of what this essay should look like. Whether you need it for college or for high school, one of the best ways to learn something is by seeing good examples of it.

Consider this sample your secret assignment helper in writing your own who am I essay. The example is written by experts of AssignmentMasters essay writing service .

Example of Who Am I Essay Introduction

People keep asking me the same question: who and what are you? It was not so long ago that I understood that I don’t have a clear answer to it. At least not yet. I am a human being, so I am as complicated as the next guy. But, my complications are nothing like those of the other guy. They are completely unique. I find some happenings admirable and very pleasant, while others find them terrible. The things they see as great; I can see as outraged. I guess it is all a piece of the puzzle that is called personality. Perhaps this essay will demonstrate mine.

Main Body of the Who Am I Essay Example

To be able to answer the question about who I am, I began with asking people around what they think of me. I am not certain that this helped me get a correct picture, and in some way it confused and worried me, but it certainly gave me a different perspective of myself. What others see in me is something I often know of, but sometimes fail to notice. The latter applies to my errors, which I believe is only natural.

I am an animal lover, a technology addict, and a person who is really fond of travelling. In fact, I am so connected with dogs and other animals, I find it outrageous that I cannot ask them about their opinion about me. So, what’s left for me was to ask my friends and family. And not so long ago, I did.

When I spoke to my computer science teacher and shared my love of technology, she evaluated my work as above average. I expected much more from her, but it surely got me motivated to become better. She simply said: ‘There is plenty of room for improvement, but if you continue with the same enthusiasm, I see a bright future for you.’

As it turns out, I accept things quite literary. With her argumentation, I got it clear that I am not as great as I believed, but my love of technology can be seen instantly. I saw no reason to reconsider my chosen path and my hobbies. As it turns out, I am on the right path. But, I am either not talented, or not attentive enough.

That is when I talked to my father. To tell the truth, my father is my idol and the person I trust most, so naturally I approached him with my troubles. I went to him asking if I should try to pursue something else since this is not a thing I am great at, or try more. To my surprise, my father was completely on the side of the teacher. But, not in a bad way.

This is when I learned some things about myself. My father explained to me that a single barrier or complaint does not mean that I should give up. I never gave up easily as a child, so why would this make me?

He said that it doesn’t mean that my teacher was wrong. On the opposite, he believed that my potential was far from what I showed in life. Apparently, I am ‘too careful to show my strengths’. By trying not to make an error, I don’t take enough risks. I follow guidelines as given and rarely stray from them. It is not my biggest trait, but I do find dedication and persistence to be a good thing. At least I did until this point.

My mother sees my inability to show my computer knowledge as laziness. I do not agree with her, but it is an opinion I gladly accept. Sometimes people see you as you wouldn’t want to see yourself. That does not make their opinion wrong.

Example of Who Am I Essay Conclusion

So, what’s the final say? Who am I?

I am not the greatest or the worst. I am human and I need to try harder. I am a great representative of the humans of my time and my generation. I realize that, in some cases, my strict policy to follow rules and instructions is stopping me from being great. To be truly seen by a teacher, I should work on my own in addition to working with the class. The true potential is built not only by curriculum, but by personal efforts, too.

Did this example and the tips above helped you find the answer to this question? It is now time to sit down and write it. We hope that your essay is a revelation of the greatness that you are!

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• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Who Am I — Who Am I: Creative Writing

Who Am I: Creative Writing

• Categories: About Myself Who Am I

About this sample

Words: 1040 |

Updated: 21 November, 2023

Words: 1040 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Prompt examples for the "who am i" essays, "who am i" essay examples.

• Self-Reflection and Identity Explore the concept of self-reflection and the journey to discovering one's identity. How has self-awareness evolved throughout your life, and what factors have contributed to your understanding of who you are?
• Emotions and Self-Perception Discuss your emotional landscape and its impact on your self-perception. How do you experience and express emotions? How do they shape your self-image and interactions with others?
• Self-Esteem and Self-Obsession Examine the dynamics of self-esteem and self-obsession in your life. How has your self-esteem evolved over time, and how does it relate to your self-obsession or self-care? Share personal experiences that illustrate this evolution.
• Social Interactions and Introversion Reflect on your social interactions and introverted tendencies. How do you navigate social situations, and what happens when you step out of your comfort zone? Discuss the balance between introversion and extroversion in your life.
• Leadership and Taking Charge Describe your experiences with leadership and taking charge in various situations. How do you approach leadership roles, and what qualities make you effective in these roles? Share examples of when you've assumed leadership and its impact on those around you.

Who am I: Creative Essay

Works cited.

• Akhtar, S., & Akhtar, F. (2016). A critical study of self-concept and self-esteem. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 21(7), 15-22.
• Benson, K. (2007). The power of personality types in career success. Journal of Employment Counseling, 44(3), 98-104.
• Cassidy, S., & Eachus, P. (2002). Developing the computer user self-efficacy (CUSE) scale: Investigating the relationship between computer self-efficacy, gender and experience with computers. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 26(2), 133-153.
• Costa, P. T., & McCrae, R. R. (1992). Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.
• Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 49(3), 182-185.
• Friedman, H. S. (2010). Personality, disease, and self-healing: An integrative perspective. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(1), 5-9.
• Howard, L. W., & Ferris, G. R. (1996). The employment interview context: Social and situational influences on interviewer decisions. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26(24), 2153-2174.
• McAdams, D. P. (1993). The stories we live by: Personal myths and the making of the self. Guilford Press.
• Swami, V. (2008). The influence of body weight on self-perceptions and partner preferences. Sex Roles, 58(9-10), 651-654.
• Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124-1131.

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Essay Sample: Who Am I?

26 March, 2020

7 minutes read

Author:  Richard Pircher

This essay sample is written by Handmadewriting staff as an example of a reflective essay. It will demonstrate how to craft such an essay step by step on a simple yet popular topic.

The question of who am I seems to be the simplest question one can answer. Yet, when I took the time to try and figure out Who am I, I found this question is the one that requires critical thinking. In general, the answer to this question is that I am a regular person who loves spending quality time with the people I appreciate.  In addition, I dedicate myself to completing my duties, and I have a dream of becoming a great person. However, there are so many other things that make me a person. I always try to use every opportunity to have more free time for my hobbies.

For one to be a great person in life, it is critical that they ask themselves this question, especially given that it is a question that helps a person be in a position of evaluating themselves. Overall, the question of who am I is possible to give an answer by categorizing the general characteristics of an individual’s life into three divisions.  The three categories are spiritual, personal traits and how I perceive life and the society around me.

Me as a Spiritual Identity

In terms of the spiritual division, I would consider myself as a relatively spiritual person basing on the life that I have been nurtured through. The matter is that all my life, I have been raised up by parents who are staunch Christians and who have taught me the importance of leading a spiritual life. When I was young, I could describe my life to be majorly guarded by religion since what I remembered most of the time is going to church, singing gospel songs and praying.

Whenever I was in trouble, I never thought of any other solution rather than to pray to God for help. For example, I was taught in my early life that God was the solution and provider of everything that mankind ever needed. As a result, I have lived to believe this up to now. Moreover, I can also attest that it’s through religion that all my morals are based. Nonetheless, it will be a lie if I say that I still hold spirituality dear as I used to when I was growing up. And to be honest, it’s dismal for me to admit it.

As one grows and discovers many things around the world, especially during the teenage period, we start questioning the very ideals we were taught, and in my case, spirituality. In other words, my high school moments changed me a lot. Though I eased on the issue of divinities, I still try to hold spirituality dear to me, and I can confirm that I am more independent in making spiritual decisions compared to when I was young. This is due to the shifts and turns that have taken place in my life since I was young. From my religious journey, I deemed it important to learn other religious views in order to be familiar with some of them. I strongly believe that it is very wrong to spread rivalry among religions.

Furthermore, I feel like we all have the right to worship in any dominion or religion we consider to be the closest to heart and soul. Through my study of different religions, I have become a person who loves and always supports diversity in different sectors.

Me as Personality

Regarding my personality, I think that I am a very friendly person deducing from how I relate to my peers, children and older people. Personally I like being optimistic, and I like talking about positive things in life since I believe that people have the capacity to do great things as long as they believe in themselves. Among other things, I am slow at judging people on the decisions that they make. Besides, I like treating people equally since I believe everyone has the right to be perceived so. But still it this does not mean that I am a very indulgent and naive person.

When I am wrong, I become angry, just like anyone does, and there are moments whereby I find it hard to manage my anger. Therefore, I can assert that this is the greatest challenge that I am facing. That’s why I am doing my best to learn how to make rational decisions when I am angry. I have healthy self-esteem, I am confident, and I do not easily shy away from talking to people either individually or in a group. Generally, I can say that I am a kind and loving person – someone who always advocates for the right things to be done in society.

Me as an Insightful Person

Lastly, speaking of my perception about the world and the society around me, I think that I am an open-minded individual who believes that the world is a good place to live in, only it has been destroyed by people. Therefore, it is our call as human beings to do out best and make contributions to turn the world into a much better place. I believe that change starts with an individual, but many people are afraid of this change. When evaluating the society I am living in, I believe that its imperfections is a result of human acts. Hence, a solution to the faults within the contemporary society can be implemented by teaching children to become people of integrity when they grow up. All in all, everything of the above mentioned is me – it is what I stand for.

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“Who Am I?”, Free Essay Sample

November 18, 2023 Gloria Kopp Writing Samples 4

Who am I? At first glance, it’s a simple looking question and seems equally simple to answer. Most often, I’ll start answering this question by listing off things about myself – my age, what I do for a living, how many children I have, and so on. But do those things truly define who I am? What about my hobbies, interests and personality? Once I started thinking about this ‘simple’ question a little more, I quickly realized, it’s a lot more complicated than I thought – and I found it to be a difficult one to answer.

The Contextual Nature of Who I Am

See, who I am can also depend on where I am, what I’m doing, who I’m with, among other things. Who I am is always changing in some ways. Some people will never see certain sides of me, but each of the many sides of my character make up who I am. In some situations, and with certain people, I’m totally outgoing, but pair me up with different people and I’m shy as a mouse. Those people who’ve only seen my shy side would never believe that ‘who I am’ is someone who can belt out Miley Cyrus’ ‘Party In the U.S.A’ at Saturday night karaoke like no one’s business!

Core Beliefs and Unchanging Aspects of My Identity

But there are also, I believe, the fundamental things in our character that truly define us that will never change, no matter how old we get, or who we’re with. I am someone who believes that everyone should live their lives – as long as they aren’t hurting anyone else – doing whatever makes them happy. I’ve never, and will never, push my own personal beliefs on anyone. And, even when I don’t see eye-to-eye with someone else on a topic, I realize that it’s not my place to impose what I believe in their life.

The Evolving Self

So maybe that’s who I am? But that can’t be it, right? There’s got to be more to me than just my ‘ability’ to leave other people alone, doesn’t there?

In reality, it’s a complex question to answer. And, I could answer as truthfully and thoroughly as I possibly could today, but by tomorrow, that answer could be totally different. I’ve heard so many stories of individuals who ‘became different people’ after a life-altering event – birth of a child, a loved one dying or a close-call for themselves. Experience can change everything, and often does. I know for myself, I’m not the same person I was when I was a teenager, or even in my 20’s or 30’s – not in every single way, at least!

The Private and Public Selves

Although we often feel like who we are is largely ‘decided’ and defined by others and how they view us, we are the only person who is with ourselves at every moment of our lives from when we’re born to our death. I am the only person experiencing this completely unique perspective of being me. It’s also been said before that who you are when no one is watching will truly define who you are as a person. So, it’s really up to each person to recognize who they are when there are no eyes on them, and create their own definition.

Conclusion: A Continuous Journey of Self-Discovery

Who I am is an always-changing, learning and evolving person. I’m willing to learn from my experiences, apply them to my life and hope that they make me a better person. And, if I can help do the same in someone else’s life, that just adds so much happiness to who I am as a person involved in their life. No, not everyone I know will see my best Miley Cyrus impression, but maybe that’s not the side of who I am that they need to see.

If you’re struggling to write this essay on your own, check out my review of the top essay writing services . I’ve handpicked only the very best companies known for their good writers and original work.

4 Comments Posted

this is a complicated question. looking forward to learn more of who we are.

Nicely explained but If i am asked”who am i?” i would say really dont know

I’m so disappointed to talk about my self….what make me to a different who I am.

Who am I? Big question it is, no one could know the answer of this.

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Some “Who Am I Essay” Essay Ideas Worth Considering

Table of Contents

An introductory essay is typically written before the start of a new semester. Therefore, composing your essay in the most appealing way possible is essential.

In an essay introduction, you are supposed to give us a glimpse of who you are and what you are about.

It can be a personal story or a piece about your feelings about a subject. For instance, some people might write about their experiences, while others might write about their philosophies.

Let’s consider some tips and samples of how to write a “ Who am I” essay

Some Essential Tips on How to Write an Essay About Yourself

When you write an essay about yourself, there are a few things to remember. The first thing is to plan out your introduction .

The introduction is the opening paragraph of the essay. It should immediately grab your reader’s attention and create a question that they would like to read the rest of the essay to answer. Other tips are:

1. You Are NOT a Robot

The main point should be that you are not a robot and that your thoughts and feelings make you who you are. Don’t get stuck on the things you have and what you’ve done in life. That doesn’t say much about who you are as a person.

2. Avoid Ideas That Are Too Easy

After all, you are a person, and your life isn’t as easy as it might seem after years of school. You don’t want to look or sound like a fool. The more meaning you can make out of the things you do every day, the better.

3. Be Entertaining

It’s hard to write about something that doesn’t entertain you. People generally don’t like boring works of fiction; they are more interested in people who enjoy what they do. Find humor in the ordinary.

3. Use Long Sentences

Add a few paragraphs that sound like dreams to show that you are not a robot. You might say it’s sometimes hard to explain your feelings.

The best way to learn about someone is to watch how they respond to things. Pick a few frequent incidents or things to illustrate your character’s core.

Your task is to write about everyday events in a way that intrigues the reader. It’s all about having the correct view. You have to say different things about who you are as a person and put them in a specific order.

4. How Do You Fit In?

How do you fit in with your friends, family, and people in your immediate area? How do you fit into the world?

What do you want to do with your life? If that question is too broad for your work, you can talk about the things you like. Don’t forget to explain why you want the things you do and what they mean to you.

5. Avoid Abstract Words

Writing something as vague and point-of-view-based as an essay about yourself is easy to get lost. People usually pick a few themes that show who they are and try to explain them all.

That would be very hard for the reader to understand. Also, it would be hard to write and move between these themes. Most people who read your essay will be strangers or people you hardly know.

You should instead choose a theme: how do you want to be seen? Once you’ve answered that question, you’re ready to go. Stay true to the theme, and your work will make sense and earn you a good grade. Let’s examine a sample essay on Who am I?

Sample: Who Am I Essay

I live in California and am in the fifth grade. We have four people in our family. My mother is a teacher, and my father is an architect.

Two of my siblings are older than I am. I consider myself to be a tranquil and shy person. People frequently assume from this that I am unable to communicate confidently.

However, it is untrue because I am very knowledgeable about various topics. But before I talk, I want to consider the surroundings and the circumstances. I want to be humble and considerate enough to respond to queries when someone approaches me.

Most essential, I feel at ease around people I know, allowing the information to be delivered to be easily understood. I make an effort to concentrate while studying or engaging in any other activity so that my attention is on what I’m doing.

My hobbies are essentially reading, painting, singing, playing sports, and many other things that excite me. In every activity I participate in, I try to offer my all. Additionally, I think that all activities take total concentration and effort to learn new information and master crucial skills.

I don’t like or am afraid of things like bugs, heights, and slimy animals. But I’m also working on getting past these anxieties.

I firmly believe in having great dreams and establishing personal objectives. I have a lot of goals and activities I want to do consistently in life. It entails looking after my parents, siblings, and neighbors.

The most crucial thing is that I commit to serving others. Nothing is more fulfilling than lending a helping hand. I must thoroughly educate myself on what I want to do.

In addition, I enjoy learning something new every single day. I focus on acquiring critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, analytical, and communication skills while studying. In addition, I pride myself on being on time and very punctual.

I am happy because I am very friendly to everyone around me. Spending time with pals makes you feel more comfortable. Additionally, it offers the chance to participate in their life. We all hang out and enjoy excellent meals cooked at home or occasionally out at restaurants.

We occasionally take trips or picnics with friends and family. I am fortunate to go to lovely places and gain new knowledge there. In addition, I enjoy doing crafts projects at home. My creativity and imagination will be improved, enabling me to produce better results.

The who am I essay is quite helpful in identifying the subjects in which you are interested. The essay tells you who you are and where you’re headed in life. There you have it. You have learned to write the who am I essay for yourself!

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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Disclaimer: This paper has been submitted by a student. This is not a sample of the work written by professional academic writers.

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Abstract art, there is no one wrong answer to what it is. You cannot come up with a deeper meaning until you take some time and look. I Characterize my life just as that, an abstract canvas; ironically being that abstract art is my favorite. Some blank spots still yet to be drawn out; no real meaning to it yet. Not everyone will understand me, but if you really take the time, most everyone can come up with a little more in-depth look at it. With every day, every look, and every experience I learn a little bit more about myself.

So who am I? If I were, to be honest, I have had the hardest time answering this question. My life has been relatively easy over the years. I have not had to pay for much, have a beautiful house, and mostly everything I ask for. Yes, I have had some rough patches in life but who doesn’t? It has been all the self-taught moments in my life that have made me who I am today.

It always seemed like other people had a better understanding of who I was than I did. Mainly everyone in my life has put me up to the standards of this “perfect girl”, I never really knew who that was supposed to be. My parents have always had high expectations for me, getting great grades and going to college. I am the person that never got in trouble, never lied, never did anything wrong. Hence the “perfect girl”. I never saw myself just like that. Growing up in this generation society puts a high expectation to over yourself.

Social media is crazy when dealing with self-confidence. Everyday people, like myself, are scrolling through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and many others and all see what they consider the perfect people. I have had a struggle with this for a while in the past. Therefore, while everyone saw me as the perfect girl I saw myself as the opposite.

Since I am a relatively quiet person, always the one to sit back and just listen. I have actually found one hobby that lets me break out of that, art. When I cannot get the words out I can always draw, paint, color and that creates more of who I am than words ever will. I found out that it is okay to be a little abstract because the meaning to your life will not just appear you have to take a deeper look into it and you will find what your purpose is.

I chose this scholarship because I would like to get a good start in life. I may not know where I am going to college yet, but I believe, I can get on the right foot right after high school with a push of a scholarship.

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Essay on Who Am I for Students and Children

500+ words essay on who am i.

In this world, many people surround us. Though we all apparently look similar, yet we all are unique in our own ways. The uniqueness gives us an identity. I am a teenage girl. I am like most teenage girls but I am also different from others. Those differences make me who I am.

I am a girl in mid-teenage. From childhood, I always loved to interact with people. I like to know people and make friends. I am a social person and go out with my friends and family. Also, I like to visit new places. Nature attracts me. Therefore, whenever I get the vacation I always insist on my friends and family for a getaway in nature’s lap.

Travelling gives me immense pleasure. I always capture beautiful moments and places in my camera. Whenever I am sad, I revisit my photo album to look at the beautiful places and moments. The thought of those happy moments and beautiful places makes me happy.

I am serious and disciplined about my studies and read many books other than my textbooks. Reading autobiographies and detective storybooks are what I like. I am involved in extra curriculum activities. I am learning music and love to sing.

Also, I listen to all genres of music but Hindustani classical , semi-classical, Bollywood songs are my favorite. Melodious songs are close to my heart. I always participate in musical and cultural events organized in my school. I also take part in the inter-school competition and have been a winner at an inter-school competition a couple of times. Those are cherishable and proud moments of my life.

Every person is a mix of good and bad qualities. I am not an early riser by nature. I understand that waking up early is very important to become productive. Still, during my holidays I take the liberty of waking up late.

I am an ambitious person and a dreamer. My dream is to become a teacher. I think a teacher is a big motivator and guide. I would like to motivate people and guide them to do good for society.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Me in several roles

While growing up I have realized that I am an individual but I play several roles throughout the day. As per these roles, my behavior and attitude keep altering. This variation adds various shades in my personality.

In my home firstly, I am a daughter. I try to listen and follow what my parents teach me. When I do well in studies, they become proud. Yet when I do not obey them, they scold me. I get lots of love, care and attention from my parents.  I also care, love, and respect them. My parents are my first identity in this world.

Secondly, I am a sister. I have an elder brother. He takes care of me and guides to follow the path to success. My brother is also my friend. We spend quality time together playing, laughing at jokes together, and watching our favorite cartoon shows. The love, care, the fight makes a beautiful bond between us.

Thirdly, I am a student. Our teachers always try to guide us to realize our path of life. They want us to be sincere in studies and build a successful career . They also instill in us the values of a good human being. I try to be a sincere and obedient student and always do my homework and do well in studies. I also respect my teachers and am an obedient student. My teachers are patient and they always guide me to overcome my mistakes.

Fourthly, the role that we all love is that of a friend. I have many friends. I love moving out and spending time with my friends. We help each other in times of need. We live happy moments together. Friendship is very beautiful. I love to make my friends feel special, and never miss wishing them on their birthdays.

Conclusion             

Life is full of experiences. Every moment we meet different people and face different situations. In this course of life, we not only get to know different people, but we also get to know ourselves in different ways.

As we grow, our likes dislike interest changes. Our perception and outlook toward life also change with time and experience. Thus, the search to the answer to the question of who I am is a lifelong process.

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Who Am I Essay

Introduction on who am i essay.

Who am I? This is a question that keeps bothering you at times. Isn’t it? You want to know what I am and what are qualities that make you unique from others. Before someone asks about you, there has to be a proper understanding of who you are and the things that you do are different. The reason is that when such questions are prompted, you must be in a position to speak fearlessly about yourself without hesitation. Most of the time, you just speak in short sentences about yourself, which includes, name, class, or place that you belong to. But there are people who might be interested in knowing more about you than the brief introduction. It can include your likes, dislikes, passions, goals, dreams, etc. Therefore, you need to analyze yourself and come up with things that you are good at. In this particular who am I essay, you have to speak about yourselves and the things that you like to do. Here is an example for you. 

Who Am I Essay Example

I am in grade 5 and live in California. We are a family of four members. My father is an architect and my mother is a teacher. I have two siblings who are older than me.  I am someone who is an extremely shy and quiet person. This often makes people misunderstand that I cannot speak confidently. But, it is not true as I have immense knowledge on different things. However, I like to assess the place and situation before speaking. When someone approaches me, I would like to be humble and kind enough to answer their questions. 

Most importantly, I’m comfortable with people whom I know, so that the information being conveyed will be interpreted easily. While studying or participating in any activities, I try to focus so that my concentration is towards the things that I’m doing. My hobbies are basically reading, drawing, singing, playing sports, and many more things that fascinate me. I try to give my best in all the activities that I participate in. Moreover, I believe that all the activities require complete focus and dedication in order to gain knowledge and develop essential skills. I dislike or have fear of certain things like slimy creatures, cockroaches, and heights. But, my focus is also towards overcoming these fears. 

I have a lot of belief in dreaming big and setting goals for myself. There are many things that I would like to achieve and do systematically in life. It includes taking care of my parents, siblings, and people around me. The most important thing is to dedicate myself to the service of others. There is nothing more satisfying than helping others. Therefore, I have to educate myself really well on things that I want to do. Apart from this, I am keen on learning new things each and every day. While learning, I pay attention to developing important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, decision making, analytical and communication skills. Moreover, I’m very punctual and like to do things on time. 

I am extremely friendly to all the people around me which makes me a happy person. There is a sense of happiness in spending time with friends. This also gives an opportunity to be part of their lives. We all hang out together and eat delicious food prepared at home or sometimes visit restaurants. Occasionally, we go for a picnic or tour with friends and family members. I am fortunate enough to see beautiful places and learn new things from there. Besides this, I like to do crafts activities at home. This will enhance my creativity and imagination to do something better. 

Hence, the who am I essay is extremely beneficial in extracting the areas that you are interested in. Sometimes, we might not express all this information when you try to communicate with others. This also gives an opportunity to explore your likes and dislikes. 

Also explore: Personality essay and friendship essay .

We hope you found this who am I essay helpful. For more essays, check Osmo’s essays for kids .

Frequently Asked Questions on Who Am I Essay

How can you write a who am i essay in less than 100 words.

Here is an example of a who am I essay in less than 100 words: I’m the youngest member of my family, but I have several other roles to play. I’m a good and responsible daughter to my parents, a good sister to my siblings and a supportive and understanding friend. I set goals for myself and work hard to achieve them. I love to play basketball and I am learning to play the piano too. My hobbies include reading, baking and listening to music. Like everyone I too have bad habits, but I constantly work towards making myself better person.

How to write a good essay on yourself?

Some of the steps to write a good essay about yourself are 1. Describe yourself in detail with honesty. 2. Write about your hobbies and interests. 3. Include your achievements but avoid boasting about yourself. 4. Use personal experiences and examples. 5. Add some personality and creativity to make the essay more interesting.

Who Am I Essay for Students: Exploring Self-Identity

It was a sunny day when little Arjun, a student of third grade, came home with a creased brow. “Ma,” he began hesitantly, “our teacher gave us an assignment to write a ‘Who am I’ essay. I’m not sure what to write.” His mother, always the guiding star, smiled warmly and said, “Arjun, this is an opportunity for you to discover yourself and introduce your essence to the world.”

Much like Arjun, several students across the nation grapple with the profound question: “Who am I?” This theme is not just a mere topic for an essay but an existential question which can be delved into at any age, by children and adults alike.

Who Am I Essay for students: An Exploration of Self

The “Who am I” essay for students is a reflective and introspective exercise. It is not simply about listing out facts about oneself but is more about understanding one’s identity, characteristics, values, and beliefs.

Self-awareness: The essay can be a starting point for students to introspect and understand their feelings, passions, aspirations, and fears.

Enhanced Writing Skills: Such introspective topics hone their expressive and descriptive writing skills .

Development of Critical Thinking: Delving deep into the subject encourages students to think critically about their role in the world, their aspirations, and their relationships with others.

Guidelines to Frame the ‘Who Am I’ Essay for Students

Introducing Oneself: Begin with basic details like name, age, school, and interests.

Sharing Experiences: Narrate a memorable incident that had an impact on you.

Values and Beliefs: Discuss what you stand for and why.

Dreams and Aspirations: Talk about what you aim to become and the milestones you’ve set for yourself.

Concluding with Reflection: Summarise what you’ve learned about yourself while writing this essay.

Diving Deeper: “Who Am I as a Person?”

Going beyond the scope of the classroom, the question, “Who am I as a person?” nudges one to evaluate their evolving identity in the larger framework of society and personal relationships.

Who Am I Questions for Students to Ponder:

What are the qualities that define me?

What are the values I hold dear?

How do my actions reflect my beliefs?

How do I handle challenges and adversities?

How do my friends and family perceive me?

Reflecting on these questions allows students to shape their identity consciously, ensuring that they grow into well-rounded and grounded individuals.

The Influence of Culture and Tradition

India, with its rich tapestry of cultures , traditions, and philosophies, plays a significant role in shaping the identity of its young minds. When students contemplate the question, “Who am I?”, it is crucial to acknowledge the impact of our cultural heritage. The festivals we celebrate, the stories we grew up hearing, and the traditions we observe at home influence our values, beliefs, and understanding of ourselves. Incorporating these cultural nuances in the essay provides depth, showcases pride in one’s roots, and paints a vivid picture of one’s upbringing.

The Digital Era and Self-Identity

The identity puzzle has taken on a new dimension in the digital age, which is characterised by social media, online interactions, and boundless information. Students today view themselves through the vastness of the virtual world as well as the lens of their close surroundings. This section could highlight the positive influences of the digital age – like global connectivity, exposure to diverse ideas, and self-expression – while also delving into its challenges, such as constant comparison, identity distortions, and peer pressures.

Introducing Oneself: Start by painting a brief picture of your life. Please introduce yourself by sharing your name, age, and school, but don’t stop there. Delve deeper and tell us about your background, the languages you’re proficient in, and any unique quirks or habits that make you stand out. Perhaps there’s a cherished nickname your siblings have given you or a lifelong hobby that has defined your interests since childhood?

Sharing Experiences: Instead of just recounting any incident, pick a transformative experience. Perhaps it was the first time you faced failure or an unexpected act of kindness you received. Delve into the emotions you felt, the lessons you learned, and how it shaped your perspective.

Values and Beliefs: Here, expand beyond just listing them. Talk about the origins of these values. Did a specific event inculcate them? Were they passed down from your grandparents? For instance, if respect is a value you hold dear, narrate an incident where this value played a pivotal role.

Dreams and Aspirations: More than just stating your dreams, describe the path you envision to reach them. What steps have you already taken? Mention people who inspire you in this journey and how you plan to overcome potential challenges.

Concluding with Reflection: This is not just a summary but a synthesis of your revelations. Talk about your anticipations for the future based on what you’ve discovered about yourself. How has writing this essay impacted or altered your self-view?

The Role of Education in Self Discovery

Education plays a pivotal role in a child’s journey of self-discovery. Schools, in particular, serve as a nurturing ground for children to explore their identity. While the curriculum equips them with academic prowess, extracurricular activities, peer interactions, and guidance from teachers mould their personalities.

For parents seeking a wholesome environment for their child’s overall development, EuroKids is a beacon of excellence. Renowned for its balanced approach to learning, EuroKids appreciates the uniqueness of every child. Beyond academic achievements, they foster a space where children can be themselves, ask questions, explore their interests , and importantly, embark on the journey of ‘Who am I?’

Identity is not a stagnant concept but a dynamic, ever-evolving realisation. The ‘Who am I’ essay is not just a piece of academic work but a testament to this ongoing journey of self-discovery. As our children venture into this introspection, they not only gain clarity about their current selves but also pave the way for future introspections. Witnessing this journey is both an honour and a responsibility for parents. Parents can ensure that their children stand before the world with authenticity, pride, and an unchanging sense of self by providing them with the tools, atmosphere, and, most crucially, confidence.  Who am I? is a straightforward but meaningful question that nicely combines introspection on our past, acceptance of our present, and hopes for the future. And as we all discover, the answer is a delightful blend of experiences, values, dreams, and the myriad influences that surround us.

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Jessica Grose

Get tech out of the classroom before it’s too late.

By Jessica Grose

Opinion Writer

Jaime Lewis noticed that her eighth-grade son’s grades were slipping several months ago. She suspected it was because he was watching YouTube during class on his school-issued laptop, and her suspicions were validated. “I heard this from two of his teachers and confirmed with my son: Yes, he watches YouTube during class, and no, he doesn’t think he can stop. In fact, he opted out of retaking a math test he’d failed, just so he could watch YouTube,” she said.

She decided to do something about it. Lewis told me that she got together with other parents who were concerned about the unfettered use of school-sanctioned technology in San Luis Coastal Unified School District, their district in San Luis Obispo, Calif. Because they knew that it wasn’t realistic to ask for the removal of the laptops entirely, they went for what they saw as an achievable win: blocking YouTube from students’ devices. A few weeks ago, they had a meeting with the district superintendent and several other administrators, including the tech director.

To bolster their case, Lewis and her allies put together a video compilation of clips that elementary and middle school children had gotten past the district’s content filters.

Their video opens on images of nooses being fitted around the necks of the terrified women in the TV adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It ends with the notoriously violent “Singin’ in the Rain” sequence from “A Clockwork Orange.” (Several versions of this scene are available on YouTube. The one she pointed me to included “rape scene” in the title.) Their video was part of a PowerPoint presentation filled with statements from other parents and school staff members, including one from a middle school assistant principal, who said, “I don’t know how often teachers are using YouTube in their curriculum.”

That acknowledgment gets to the heart of the problem with screens in schools. I heard from many parents who said that even when they asked district leaders how much time kids were spending on their screens, they couldn’t get straight answers; no one seemed to know, and no one seemed to be keeping track.

Eric Prater, the superintendent of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, told me that he didn’t realize how much was getting through the schools’ content filters until Lewis and her fellow parents raised concerns. “Our tech department, as I found out from the meeting, spends quite a lot of time blocking certain websites,” he said. “It’s a quite time-consuming situation that I personally was not aware of.” He added that he’s grateful this was brought to his attention.

I don’t think educators are the bad guys here. Neither does Lewis. In general, educators want the best for students. The bad guys, as I see it, are tech companies.

One way or another, we’ve allowed Big Tech’s tentacles into absolutely every aspect of our children’s education, with very little oversight and no real proof that their devices or programs improve educational outcomes. Last year Collin Binkley at The Associated Press analyzed public records and found that “many of the largest school systems spent tens of millions of dollars in pandemic money on software and services from tech companies, including licenses for apps, games and tutoring websites.” However, he continued, schools “have little or no evidence the programs helped students.”

It’s not just waste, very likely, of taxpayer money that’s at issue. After reading many of the over 900 responses from parents and educators to my questionnaire about tech in schools and from the many conversations I had over the past few weeks with readers, I’m convinced that the downsides of tech in schools far outweigh the benefits.

Though tech’s incursion into America’s public schools — particularly our overreliance on devices — hyperaccelerated in 2020, it started well before the Covid-19 pandemic. Google, which provides the operating system for lower-cost Chromebooks and is owned by the same parent company as YouTube, is a big player in the school laptop space, though I also heard from many parents and teachers whose schools supply students with other types and brands of devices.

As my newsroom colleague Natasha Singer reported in 2017 (by which point “half the nation’s primary- and secondary-school students” were, according to Google, using its education apps), “Google makes $30 per device by selling management services for the millions of Chromebooks that ship to schools. But by habituating students to its offerings at a young age, Google obtains something much more valuable”: potential lifetime customers.

The issue goes beyond access to age-inappropriate clips or general distraction during school hours. Several parents related stories of even kindergartners reading almost exclusively on iPads because their school districts had phased out hard-copy books and writing materials after shifting to digital-only curriculums. There’s evidence that this is harmful: A 2019 analysis of the literature concluded that “readers may be more efficient and aware of their performance when reading from paper compared to screens.”

“It seems to be a constant battle between fighting for the students’ active attention (because their brains are now hard-wired for the instant gratification of TikTok and YouTube videos) and making sure they aren’t going to sites outside of the dozens they should be,” Nicole Post, who teaches at a public elementary school in Missouri, wrote to me. “It took months for students to listen to me tell a story or engage in a read-aloud. I’m distressed at the level of technology we’ve socialized them to believe is normal. I would give anything for a math or social studies textbook.”

I’ve heard about kids disregarding teachers who tried to limit tech use, fine motor skills atrophying because students rarely used pencils and children whose learning was ultimately stymied by the tech that initially helped them — for example, students learning English as a second language becoming too reliant on translation apps rather than becoming fluent.

Some teachers said they have programs that block certain sites and games, but those programs can be cumbersome. Some said they have software, like GoGuardian, that allows them to see the screens of all the students in their classes at once. But classroom time is zero sum: Teachers are either teaching or acting like prison wardens; they can’t do both at the same time.

Resources are finite. Software costs money . Replacing defunct or outdated laptops costs money . When it comes to I.T., many schools are understaffed . More of the money being spent on tech and the maintenance and training around the use of that tech could be spent on other things, like actual books. And badly monitored and used tech has the most potential for harm.

I’ve considered the counterarguments: Kids who’d be distracted by tech would find something else to distract them; K-12 students need to gain familiarity with tech to instill some vague work force readiness.

But on the first point, I think other forms of distraction — like talking to friends, doodling and daydreaming — are better than playing video games or watching YouTube because they at least involve children engaging with other children or their own minds. And there’s research that suggests laptops are uniquely distracting . One 2013 study found that even being next to a student who is multitasking on a computer can hurt a student’s test scores.

On the second point, you can have designated classes to teach children how to keyboard, code or use software that don’t require them to have laptops in their hands throughout the school day. And considering that various tech companies are developing artificial intelligence that, we’re meant to understand, will upend work as we know it , whatever tech skills we’re currently teaching will probably be obsolete by the time students enter the work force anyway. By then, it’ll be too late to claw back the brain space of our nation’s children that we’ve already ceded. And for what? So today’s grade schoolers can be really, really good at making PowerPoint presentations like the ones they might one day make as white-collar adults?

That’s the part that I can’t shake: We’ve let tech companies and their products set the terms of the argument about what education should be, and too many people, myself included, didn’t initially realize it. Companies never had to prove that devices or software, broadly speaking, helped students learn before those devices had wormed their way into America’s public schools. And now the onus is on parents to marshal arguments about the detriments of tech in schools.

Holly Coleman, a parent of two who lives in Kansas and is a substitute teacher in her district, describes what students are losing:

They can type quickly but struggle to write legibly. They can find info about any topic on the internet but can’t discuss that topic using recall, creativity or critical thinking. They can make a beautiful PowerPoint or Keynote in 20 minutes but can’t write a three-page paper or hand-make a poster board. Their textbooks are all online, which is great for the seams on their backpack, but tangible pages under your fingers literally connect you to the material you’re reading and learning. These kids do not know how to move through their day without a device in their hand and under their fingertips. They never even get the chance to disconnect from their tech and reconnect with one another through eye contact and conversation.

Jonathan Haidt’s new book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” prescribes phone-free schools as a way to remedy some of the challenges facing America’s children. I agree that there’s no place for smartphones on a K-12 campus. But if you take away the phones and the kids still have near-constant internet connectivity on devices they have with them in every class, the problem won’t go away.

When Covid hit and screens became the only way for millions of kids to “attend” school, not having a personal device became an equity issue. But we’re getting to a point where the opposite may be true. According to the responses to my questionnaire, during the remote-school era, private schools seemed to rely far less on screens than public schools, and many educators said that they deliberately chose lower-tech school environments for their own children — much the same way that some tech workers intentionally send their kids to screen-free schools.

We need to reframe the entire conversation around tech in schools because it’s far from clear that we’re getting the results we want as a society and because parents are in a defensive crouch, afraid to appear anti-progress or unwilling to prepare the next generation for the future. “I feel like a baby boomer attacking like this,” said Lewis.

But the drawbacks of constant screen time in schools go beyond data privacy, job security and whether a specific app increases math performance by a standard deviation. As Lewis put it, using tech in the classroom makes students “so passive, and it requires so little agency and initiative.” She added, “I’m very concerned about the species’ ability to survive and the ability to think critically and the importance of critical thinking outside of getting a job.”

If we don’t hit pause now and try to roll back some of the excesses, we’ll be doing our children — and society — a profound disservice.

The good news is that sometimes when the stakes become clear, educators respond: In May, Dr. Prater said, “we’re going to remove access to YouTube from our district devices for students.” He added that teachers will still be able to get access to YouTube if they want to show instructional videos. The district is also rethinking its phone policy to cut down on personal device use in the classroom. “For me,” he said, “it’s all about how do you find the common-sense approach, going forward, and match that up with good old-fashioned hands-on learning?” He knows technology can cause “a great deal of harm if we’re not careful.”

Jessica Grose is an Opinion writer for The Times, covering family, religion, education, culture and the way we live now.