I am what I have written: A case study of identity construction in and through personal statement writing

Abstract

Abstract The case study attempts to explore identity construction by examining a Chinese college student s personal statement writing. Based on Ivanic s framework of writer identity construction, an analysis of similarities and differences was made on the student s personal statements written for four different programs over a three-year period. It is found that the student constructed the desired writer identity of a qualified and special applicant who would fit into the target program mainly by making three discoursal choices for different self-representations, namely, narrating life experiences, referring to oneself and others, and highlighting. The interview results indicate that personal statement writing helped the student perceive her self and identity, both retrospectively and prospectively. It offers a significant implication for academic writing teaching and research. It is hoped that this case study can stimulate further research of identity construction in and through the personal statement as an occluded academic genre.