Scholarship Essays as Narrative Devices in Modern Novels
In the landscape of modern fiction, particularly in young adult and coming-of-age literature, the scholarship essay has evolved beyond a simple plot device—it has become a powerful narrative tool. These essays, often written by characters seeking entry into elite schools or programs, serve not only as mechanisms to drive the story forward but also as intimate windows into the characters’ souls. They provide authors with an opportunity to crystallize themes, develop characters, and explore tensions around identity, privilege, and aspiration.
This blog post explores the multifaceted role that scholarship essays play in modern novels. By examining how these essays are used as narrative devices, we uncover the emotional, psychological, and thematic richness they bring to storytelling.
1. A Mirror to the Inner Self
Scholarship essays are uniquely positioned to offer a raw, unfiltered look into a character’s mind. When a character is tasked with writing about their struggles, goals, or values, readers gain access to a self-reflective monologue that often contrasts with the persona the character presents to others in the narrative.
In Admission by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the story follows a Princeton admissions officer, but the narrative is interwoven with excerpts of students’ application essays. These essays become literary snapshots of diverse lives and dreams. They reveal far more than grades and test scores—they convey resilience, insecurity, and human vulnerability. For readers, they become emotional entry points that deepen character understanding.
In Frankly in Love by David Yoon, the protagonist Frank Li faces the classic challenge of writing a college scholarship essay while balancing cultural expectations and personal desires. His essay forces him to confront who he is, who he pretends to be, and who he wants to become. The essay-writing process becomes a catalyst for self-discovery—something many readers can relate to.
2. Showcasing Identity and Cultural Conflict
Many modern novels use scholarship essays to explore racial, ethnic, gender, or class identities. When characters are asked to explain "where they come from," the resulting essays often tackle complex cultural and social issues. These moments reveal the tension between authenticity and performance: Should the character tell the truth about their background, or write what they think the admissions committee wants to hear?
In I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, Julia’s academic goals are shadowed by her working-class immigrant upbringing and the burden of family expectations. When she writes about her life in scholarship applications, she must navigate her pain and pride simultaneously. Her essays become acts of both confession and resistance.
Similarly, in American Street by Ibi Zoboi, Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian immigrant, attempts to use her academic achievements as a path to stability. Her attempts to articulate her story on paper highlight the disparities between the immigrant narrative and American academic ideals. The process of essay-writing becomes a metaphor for shaping one’s identity in a foreign world.
3. Tension Between Truth and Performance
A recurring theme in novels that feature scholarship essays is the duality between truth and strategy. Characters often question how honest they should be. Do they present the raw, uncomfortable realities of their lives? Or do they curate their narratives to appear more palatable or impressive?
This internal conflict is dramatized in The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart, where the protagonist uses writing—including essays and letters—as a way to challenge institutional norms. Frankie’s voice is sharp, questioning, and rebellious. Her "applications" to be seen and taken seriously in male-dominated spaces metaphorically parallel the scholarship essay. In this case, the written word becomes a weapon against conformity, not just a means to gain approval.
In Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds, Jack King writes essays that swing between vulnerability and humor. He attempts to use wit and sincerity to stand out, but his process is fraught with anxiety over how he is perceived. This tension echoes a broader truth about the modern scholarship system: it often requires a performance of trauma or perseverance in exchange for opportunity.
4. Driving Plot and Character Development
Scholarship essays are often introduced at pivotal moments in a novel to move the plot forward or force a character to confront their personal truths. These essays become turning points—emotional climaxes that signal growth or change.
In The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, Starr Carter’s public testimony and eventual advocacy are not framed as traditional essays, but they echo the purpose and structure of one: a personal narrative that highlights injustice, resilience, and identity. While not submitting a scholarship application per se, Starr’s reflections and public declarations serve a similar function. They solidify her evolution from passive observer to active voice, using her story as a force for change.
In Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi, Penny Lee’s experiences at college—her first real taste of independence—coincide with her aspirations as a writer. While she doesn’t write a formal scholarship essay, her internal writing voice mirrors what such an essay might contain: fragments of truth, emotion, ambition, and vulnerability. Through these internal monologues, readers witness her emotional growth and increasing self-awareness.
5. Meta-Narrative Techniques: The Essay Within the Novel
Some authors take the use of the scholarship essay further by embedding entire essays or excerpts directly into the narrative, often in italics or separate chapters. This stylistic choice draws attention to the essay as a meta-narrative tool—a story within the story.
In Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, the narrative centers around a Chinese-American family and the academic pressures placed on the children. While the novel does not feature formal scholarship essays, characters’ internal thoughts often read like personal statements: emotional reckonings with identity, grief, and expectation. The novel’s structure—layered, introspective, emotionally candid—feels like an extended meditation on the questions one might be asked in an application: “Who are you?” “What defines you?” “Where are you going?”
Authors who include scholarship essays explicitly in the text give readers a sincere and often raw break from traditional narrative format. These moments can be emotionally jarring or deeply moving, forcing a pause for reflection.
6. Emotional Catharsis and Narrative Resolution
A well-written scholarship essay in a novel often serves as a moment of emotional catharsis for the character. After a journey filled with uncertainty and self-doubt, writing the essay can symbolize clarity and empowerment. It’s where the character synthesizes their journey and expresses hope for the future.
In Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America, edited by Ibi Zoboi, several short stories feature teens preparing college or scholarship essays. Each story highlights different aspects of Black youth identity, and the act of writing becomes a tool for emotional healing and self-definition. These essay moments, fictional though they are, resonate as triumphs of voice and visibility.
In This Is My America by Kim Johnson, the protagonist Tracy Beaumont writes weekly letters to an organization in hopes of getting legal help for her wrongly accused father. These letters mimic the tone and intent of a scholarship essay—fighting for a future through words. Her persistence, intellect, and emotional clarity eventually lead to a breakthrough in the case, tying the act of writing to real-world justice and change.
Conclusion: Writing the Self Into Existence
In modern novels, the scholarship essay has transcended its traditional function as a mere stepping stone to college. It has become a literary device that captures voice, conflict, growth, and identity. These essays give characters room to reflect, challenge societal expectations, and assert their dreams on their own terms.
Whether explicitly included in the text or represented through internal dialogue and letters, scholarship essays are tools through which modern fiction explores the intersection of education, emotion, and narrative voice. They remind readers that behind every application is a person with a story worth hearing—not just to get into college, but to exist fully, truthfully, and unapologetically.
In the hands of a skilled writer, a scholarship essay becomes more than just a personal statement—it becomes a declaration of presence, of purpose, and of power.
