How to Write a Short Essay, With Examples

Parker Yamasaki

Writing clearly and concisely is one of the best skills you can take from school into professional settings. A great way to practice this kind of writing is with short essays. A short essay is any essay that has a word count of fewer than 1,000 words. While getting assigned a short essay might seem preferable to a ten-page paper, writing short poses its own special challenges. Here, we’ll show you how to write a convincing short essay in five simple steps.

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What is a short essay?

A short essay is any type of essay condensed to its most important elements. There is no universal answer to what a short essay length is, but teachers generally assign short essays in the 250- to 750-word range, and occasionally up to 1,000 words.

Just because the essays are short doesn’t mean the subjects must be simple. One of the greatest challenges of short essays is distilling complex topics into a few telling words. Some examples of short essay topics are:

  • The advantages and disadvantages of social media
  • The pros and cons of online learning
  • The influence of music on human emotions
  • The role of artificial intelligence in modern life
  • The ways that climate change affects daily life

Why write short essays?

Short essays have a number of advantages, including effective communication, critical thinking, and professional communication.

Effective communication: In the short essay, you don’t have the space to wander. Practicing short essays will help you learn how to articulate your message clearly and quickly.

Critical thinking: Writing a short essay demands the ability to think critically and identify key points that support the central thesis. Short essays will help you hone your ability to find the most relevant points and shed irrelevant information.

Professional communication: Whether it’s writing a persuasive email, a project proposal, or a succinct report, the ability to convey information effectively in a brief format is a valuable skill in the professional world.

Developing writing skills: As with all writing practice, short essays provide an excellent platform for you to refine your writing skills, such as grammar, sentence structure , vocabulary, and coherence. The more you practice crafting short essays, the more your overall writing proficiency improves.

How to write a short essay

The tactics you use for longer essays apply to short essays as well. For more in-depth guides on specific types of essays, you can read our posts on persuasive , personal , expository , compare-and-contrast , and argumentative essays. Regardless of the essay type, following these five steps will make writing your short essay much easier.

Don’t be afraid of learning too much about a subject when you have a small word count. The better you understand your subject, the easier it will be to write clearly about it.

2 Generate ideas

Jot down key points, arguments, or examples that you want to include in your essay. Don’t get too wrapped up in the details during this step. Just try to get down all of the big ideas that you want to get across. Your major argument or theme will likely emerge as you contemplate.

Outlines are especially helpful for short essays because you don’t have any room for excess information. Creating an outline will help you stay on topic when it comes time to write.

You have to actually write the essay. Once you’ve done your research, developed your big ideas, and outlined your essay, the writing will come more easily.

Naturally, our favorite part of the process is the editing . The hard part (writing) is done. Now you can go back through and make sure all of your word choices make sense, your grammar is checked, and you have cleaned up any unessential or irrelevant information.

Short essay examples

Why small dogs are better than big dogs (209 words).

Small dogs are beloved companions to many, and their unique qualities make them a perfect fit for some pet owners. In this essay, we explore why a small dog might be the right choice for you.

Firstly, the compact size of small dogs makes them ideal for people living in apartments or homes with limited space. As long as you can get your furry friend to fresh air (and grass) a couple of times per day, you don’t have to worry about having a big yard.

Secondly, small dogs require less food, which can be advantageous for those on a budget.

Small dogs are also easier to handle and control. Walks and outdoor activities become less physically demanding, making them a preferable choice for children, the elderly, or those with limited strength.

If you travel a lot for work or family, small dogs are much easier to bring along than their larger counterparts. Some travel companies make dog carriers that tuck neatly under a bus or plane seat.

In conclusion, small dogs offer a multitude of benefits, from their limited space requirements and economic advantages to their ease of handling and portability. These charming qualities undoubtedly make small dogs a cherished choice for pet owners seeking a new companion.

Why big dogs are better than small dogs (191 words)

Big dogs, with their impressive presence and gentle souls, have captured the hearts of countless pet owners. In this essay, we explore why big dogs are better pets than their smaller counterparts.

Firstly, big dogs exude an aura of protectiveness and security. Their size alone can act as a deterrent to potential intruders, making them excellent guard dogs for families and properties. Their mere presence provides reassurance and safety.

Secondly, big dogs tend to have more energy and strength, making them suitable partners for various outdoor activities and adventures. Hiking, jogging, or simply playing fetch becomes an enjoyable experience, fostering an active and healthy lifestyle for both pet and owner.

Lastly, big dogs often have a gentle and patient demeanor, especially when interacting with children and other pets. Their calm nature can bring a peaceful or grounding presence to otherwise chaotic homes.

In conclusion, big dogs possess a captivating blend of commanding protectiveness, physical capacity, and gentle disposition. These qualities make them exceptional companions, providing both security and emotional fulfillment. Big dogs are a great choice for potential pet owners looking for an animal with majestic appeal and a loving heart.

Short essay FAQs

A short essay is any essay that is shorter than 1,000 words. Teachers often assign short essays to teach students how to write clearly, coherently, and concisely.

When do you write a short essay?

Short essays help students practice effective communication, critical thinking, and persuasive writing. While short essays are often assigned in school, they are also useful in professional settings for things like project proposals or reports.

How do you format a short essay?

Short essays should be formatted according to your teacher’s guidelines or the requirements of your workplace. Check your assignment for the word count and stick to it. Make sure your essay flows logically from one idea to the next by presenting a clear thesis, using strong topic sentences, and providing a concise conclusion.

how short can a essay be

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How Long Should an Essay Be? Essay Length Guide & Tips

How long is an essay

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Have you ever wondered how long is an essay? The simplest answer is that it should be as long as specified in the requirements. However, when it comes to practice, everything isn't so easy. The length of an essay can vary greatly depending on its purpose, level of education, and specific assignment instructions.

How many pages or words do you have to write to achieve the perfect essay length? How to keep your writing clear, structured, and logical staying within the specified word limit? What is the length of different types of essays and how to achieve a perfect match of the paper content and length? Find the answer to these essential questions and discover real-life examples in this ultimate guide. If you need to write your essay and there are no instructions, StudyCrumb essay writers will guide you.

Importance of Essay Length

An essay length and word count are important because they help you achieve your goals. If you're writing a paper to impress an admissions committee, it should be long enough to give the committee the information they need. At the same time, it shouldn't be too long. Otherwise, it may seem boring or uninteresting. 

In addition to helping you achieve your goals, the length of an essay and word count can also help make sure your paper is easy to read and flows well. You also have to stay compliant with the specific writing requirements to get full credit for the paper. Staying within the word limit is one of them. You can use our free tool to count how many words your paper is to make sure you stay within limits.

What Impacts Essay Length?

So, how long your essay should be? The trick is that it depends. In general, academic papers are divided into three categories:

  • School essay
  • College essays
  • University papers.

Depending on the educational level, the length requirements will be different. In addition, there are 4 essential factors that determine the volume of an academic essay.

  • Essay type Different types of essays have different requirements regarding length and content, which are usually listed in your professor's syllabus or instructions.
  • Educational level For example, college students are generally expected to write longer papers compared to middle school essay.
  • Essay topic If your professor gives you a topic that requires research (like "How has technology impacted education?"), chances are your paper will go beyond the limits of a 1000 word essay . But if they want you to share your impressions on a movie, you can fit it into 275 words well.
  • Specific requirements your professor may have For instance, if they want a piece that's three pages, double-spaced, and includes footnotes, then those are the parameters you'll need to work within.

Essay Length Recommendations

It's important to know the length of your essay before you start writing so that you can decide on the word count for each paragraph and stay compliant with other recommendations of your professor. So, after we have discovered the main factors influencing the essay’s length, let’s find out how long should an essay be depending on the type of paper and educational level.

Average Essay Word Count and Page Count Directions

Feel free to use our converter to find out how many words fit on a page.

High School Essay

500-800 words are usually enough for a typical 5 paragraph essay in high school. This is the space you can use to fully express yourself and your ideas at a high-school level. The most important thing is that you have a clear thesis statement and a good introduction that draws the reader in. Make sure your conclusion is also solid and makes a strong point while tying everything together. If you're asked to submit a high school essay that is shorter than 500 words, it's likely that the teacher wants you to focus on a very specific part of the prompt.

>> Read more: How to Write an Essay?

College Admission Essay

The length of a college admission essay is often shorter than those written for high school. With this type of task, you have to stay within 650 words on average but it depends on the type of college you’re applying to, so make sure you check with the school directly before writing your essay (they will have recommendations on length). College admission papers can be either analytical or narrative—the length doesn’t change based on what type of essay it is.

Undergraduate College Essay

An undergraduate essay in college should be between 500-650 words, but it still depends on the paper type and topic to cover. The length of an undergraduate college essay varies depending on the type of paper being written as well as what type of school you're attending (public vs private). It also depends on whether you're writing an essay of any specific type – an argumentative piece or a narrative piece. In terms of writing style, this type of essay is more formal than what would typically be expected from a high school essay.

Graduate School Admission Essay

Graduate school admission papers should be between 500-1000 words, depending on what type of graduate program you're applying for. This essay is just the paper that matters most to the admission committee, so it's important to make sure that it's clear, concise, and well-written. The admissions committee will be looking for a strong introduction, a compelling thesis statement, and an effective conclusion. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs can be a little shorter than the body ones. To get an idea of graduate school admission essays length and logic, take a look at successful sample papers. 

>> Learn more: How to Write an Essay Fast?

Graduate School Essay

The general rule of thumb for all graduate school essays is that you should keep it under 1000 words. This is because the admissions committees are looking for a comprehensive review of your background and experiences that includes information about your academic, professional, and personal life. 500-1000 words for a graduate school essay is the academic average. Use up to four pages to fully explain your reasoning and express your ideas. Also, keep in mind that the length and content requirements are usually set by the school itself.

How Long Is Every Part of an Essay

As you know, every paper consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. But how many words should you write for each section? Keep in mind a simple yet general rule of 80/20. It means that your essay’s body should contain 80% of all your content. This is also the room for explaining your “why” and “how”, citing relevant studies, and providing argumentation. 

Now, let’s find out how to write each of the parts while keeping an average essay length and the required word count in mind. 

To ease your essay writing process, we advise preparing a draft. If you have never done it before, take a rough draft example .

Average Length of Essay Parts

How Long Should an Introduction Be for an Essay?

The introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It serves as the opening for your essay. The introduction should provide a brief summary of the topic, point out the significance of your topic, and give a preview of what you will discuss in your paper. If you are writing a normal essay with up to 550 required words count, your introduction should take approximately 100 words. Most general essays will have one or two paragraphs in their introduction section.

>> Read more: How to Start an Essay

How Long Should an Essay Body Paragraph Be?

An average length of a body paragraph is up to 150 words. It means that each you should take up four to six text lines (Times New Roman 12). Build up your body paragraphs in the next way to achieve the right lengths, keep your flow logical, and follow a word limit within an essay. Around 5-7 sentences are usually enough for a short essay paragraph, so:

  • Write a topic sentence to every paragraph.
  • Present a research-supported statement.
  • Offer your argumentation.
  • End with a transition phrase.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Good Body Paragraph

Deciding on the Number of Body Paragraphs in an Essay

So, how many paragraphs should you write to create a full-length essay that’s also compliant with your professor’s requirements? The answer is simple: You should write as many body paragraphs as it takes to get your point across. That means that if you have a lot of information to share, then you might want to add more paragraphs. If you don’t have much information, then you can keep the number low. Below is the average number of paragraphs (including into and outro) depending on the word count:

  • 275 words - 3 paragraphs
  • 550-words - 4-5 paragraphs
  • 1100 words - 6-8 paragraphs.

How Long Is an Essay Conclusion Supposed to Be?

As you know, a conclusion in an essay is its final part and it should never be longer than your paper’s body. Generally, it is necessary to write one paragraph for simpler and typical essays and two paragraphs for longer papers.

But the important thing is not to overdo it. If your conclusion is too long, the professor is likely to lower your grade — just because you failed to follow the academic writing standards (even if there are no complaints about your outro content). That’s why on average, a conclusion of an essay should be up to 100 words long.

Tips to Achieve the Required Length

So, at this point,  you know how long general essays should be and how many words in an essay are depending on its type. Now, let’s deal with the most challenging task and find out what you can do to make your essay longer or shorter, improving its quality along the way.

Making Your Essay Longer

Use the next 5 tips to transform a short essay into a longer one.

  • Add examples. You can use your own experiences. Use examples from other people or books that relate to the topic.
  • Add facts, statistics, and citations. Adding these kinds of details will help prove how well-informed you are on this topic and help back up some of your claims.
  • Use transitions but don't overdo them. They're useful for helping readers follow along with your paper. But too many transitions may sound just like an attempt to extend the paper’s volume.
  • Double-check your argumentation. Providing a clear argumentation is difficult. That's why you have to double-check your reasoning and make sure you hadn't combined two different arguments in a single paragraph. To fix such a mistake, add one more section to your paper’s body for each of the arguments you have. Such a simple tip will make your writing clearer too.
  • Read sample papers on the topic to grab more ideas. Chances are you've missed some important points. The papers of other students will help you fill the gaps and reasonably extend the word count.

Making Your Essay Shorter

Some students tend to write significantly more than an average essay word count. It may sound paradoxical but writing longer essays is easier than short ones. In the latter case, you should be as concise as possible. Here is how to make your essay shorter without losing the main ideas and disrupting the flow.

  • Remove irrelevant examples. You don't need to give several detailed examples for every point you make. Look at your thesis and ask yourself if every example supports that thesis. If not, cut it.
  • Make your paragraphs 4-sentences long. In this way, you will achieve a shorter essay volume and improve clarity at once.
  • Remove repetition. If something has already been said in the paragraph before, but it doesn't fit in the current context, get rid of it.
  • Make your introduction and conclusion shorter. An introduction is supposed to be interesting enough that readers want to keep reading. A conclusion is supposed to summarize everything you said. Don't reinvent the wheel in these sections.
  • Use a readability check tool. Transforming long and difficult-to-read sentences into shorter and clearer ones. It is one more way to make a long essay fit into the provided requirements.

Mistakes to Avoid When Adjusting the Length of an Essay

When adjusting the length of a paper, there are a few mistakes to avoid.

  • Adding unnecessary details. It's easy to think that you need to add more information when trying to make your piece longer. In reality, this is often not the case. Try balancing your explanations and keep them to the point in every sentence.
  • Cutting the necessary details. If you have too much information and need to cut it down, do so carefully. For example, if you have several suitable citations to include, use the most relevant or the most recent one instead of adding them all.
  • Writing “one more paragraph” for the sake of volume. This is a mistake because you can end up with a poorly-argued and too-watery piece.
  • Missing essential research. Missing essential research can be a big mistake because then you won't have enough information to write actually on the topic. In this case, your paper is likely to be too short.
  • Adding irrelevant citations. Irrelevant citations make your paper look like it was written by someone who doesn't know what they're talking about. They also make your essay look less credible than it truly is.

How Long Should an Essay Be Depending on Format?

So, how long are essays and how many pages should you write, depending on the formatting style you are required to follow? The trick is that different formatting styles may require you to use different fonts, sizes, and spacing. For example, if you write in MLA, you have to use Times New Roman 12, while APA usually requires you to use Arial 11. Both styles imply using double spacing. Now, let's discover how spacing and font size affect the paper’s length.

  • 275 words (Times New Roman 12, double-space) – 1 page
  • 550 words (Times New Roman 12, double-space) – 2 pages
  • 1100 words (Times New Roman 12, double-space) – 4 pages
  • 275 words (Arial 11,  double-space) – 1 page
  • 550 words (Arial 11, double-space) – 2 pages
  • 1100 words (Arial 11, double-space) – 4 pages

If your professor specifically required to use single spacing, it will take two times less space than when using double spacing.

Font and Size

Using the right font and size is important for getting the full grade for your paper and staying compliant with the professor's requirements. Agree, it will be disappointing to get a lower grade just because you've used another font that your professor asked you to use. Fortunately, the requirements for font and size aren't too diverse or complicated. So, here is a list of commonly used fonts and sizes for MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting styles.

APA style format :

  • Font: Times New Roman or Arial

MLA format essay :

  • Font: Times New Roman

Chicago format :

What to Do if There Are No Essay Length Requirements?

If you're writing an essay and there are no essay length requirements, don't panic! There are still some guidelines you can follow to make sure your essay has the right length.

  • Be guided by general academic writing rules. Generally speaking, it's a good idea to keep your papers between 500 and 1,000 words. If you're writing an essay for school or university, it should also be double-spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides of the page.
  • Consider paper type. Get back to the chart with essay types and recommended length we've provided above. Use this volume as a starting point.
  • Suggest the right volume depending on the topic. Some topics require several pages to be fully researched and explained. Others require stating your personal opinion that may fit well in two-three paragraphs.
  • Ask your professor. As for the simplest but still right solution, ask your professor for help determining what length would be best for your essay. If they give you some guidelines but don't specify exactly how long an essay paragraph or sentence should be, then follow those guidelines instead of worrying about word counts or page numbers.
  • Take a look at sample papers on similar topics. See how those students organized their thoughts into paragraphs and sections. You might even consider using their format as a starting point for your own piece.

Using Length to Determine an Essay Scope

It may seem that the length of your paper is just a formal requirement. In practice, it is a framework that helps you organize your essay sections. If you're writing a short essay, it's likely that you have a narrow focus and are only looking at part of the issue in question.

For example, if you are required to write a 550-words paper, you can immediately understand that you have to write an intro and conclusion (100 words each). Then, share the remained 450 words between three-four body paragraphs (100-150 words each). 

Next, everything becomes even easier. Outline the core ideas for each of the paragraphs. Support them with studies and citations and add your vision.

Bottom Line on How Long Is an Essay

So, now we have covered everything that matters for determining the right essay length and writing a full-credit paper following the requirements. In most cases, your professor will kindly provide you with a precise number of words you have to write. Otherwise, be guided by general academic writing rules for an essay type you are about to create. And keep the rule of thumb in mind. 

Regardless of your paper volume, it should be well-researched, clear, logical, structured, and reasoned.

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If you don't feel like sticking to instructions, we will always help you. Our professional college essay writers will write excellent work of any length. Just fill out an order on our website and get your essay done quickly.

FAQ About Essay Length

1. how long is an essay in middle school.

A middle-school essay is usually up to 550 words. An essay in middle school is typically short because the students are learning how to write, and they're not yet comfortable with long-form writing. These papers are typically short because they're meant to answer one question or dwell on a single subject being studied.

2. How long is an essay in sentences?

The length of an essay in sentences depends on the type of essay and the amount of information you have to cover. A 550-word typical essay usually consists of 15 sentences, given that the length of each sentence is approximately the same. However, if you are used to writing longer or shorter sentences, their total number may vary. So, the best tactic is to write sentences without clauses to keep them clear and understandable.

3. How long should a short essay be?

A short essay should be no longer than 550 words. The point of a short essay is to convey an idea in a precise and focused way, so it's important that you don't waste any words on unnecessary details. The best way to match the necessary word count is to write an outline before writing a final draft. In this way, you will know how much space each section will take up, at least approximately.

4. How many pages are in an essay?

The answer to this question depends on the topic, scope, and depth of your essay. In general, an essay of 2-3 pages is considered short; 4-6 pages is average; 7-10 pages is long. The amount of pages also depends on the spacing you are required to use. Using double-space between paragraph extends the page count twice.

5. How many words are in an essay?

There's no one answer to the question of how many words are in an essay. It depends on the type of essay you're writing and the formatting style you use, as well as your professor’s requirements. A standard word count for college essays is between 550-1100 words. However, some professors may request that you write more or less than this amount.

6. Can I go over the expected essay length?

The more compliant you are with the professor’s requirements, the more chances of getting full credit you have. So, don’t go over the expected length. Still, you can write up to 50-100 words more if the point you would like to add really matters for your reasoning.

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Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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How Short Can an Essay Be

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Posted on May 17, 2022

Categories Writing , Education

In the academic world, there are many different types of essays that can be assigned to students. But among all these different types of essays, there’s one that stands out for its brevity – the short essay. A typical short essay usually consists of 500 words or less, making it the perfect assignment for busy students who want to get their thoughts and ideas down on paper without having to write a long paper. In this blog post, we’ll go over what makes a successful short essay and give you tips on how to make your short essay writing easier. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What Is an Essay and What Are Its Components

An academic essay is a short, formal piece of writing about a subject. Because the word ‘essay’ has become more broadly used in other types of media (for example essay documentary films) we need to differentiate the term.

It’s one of the core types of academic writing, and comes from the French essayer , meaning “to try.”

Essays are common in elementary, middle, and high school, as well as in college and graduate school. They’re usually 5-10 pages long, but can be shorter or longer depending on the assignment.

A typical essay consists of three parts: an introduction (introductory paragraph), a body, and a conclusion. The introduction introduces the topic and states the thesis (thesis statement) or main point of the essay. The main body contains the evidence that supports the thesis. This evidence can take many forms, including examples, statistics, expert opinion, and personal anecdotes. The conclusion summarizes the thesis and the main points of the essay.

Although essays can vary in length and complexity, they all have some basic components. Understanding these components will help you write better essays.

The Different Types of Essays

There are many different types of essays you may be asked to write in school or as part of a standardized test. Each type of essay has its own structure and purpose. When writing essays, you need to know the differences between each type of essay and how to approach them.

  • The most common essay type is the narrative essay . In a narrative essay, sometimes called a descriptive essay, a story is told, usually from the author’s point of view. It can be about a personal experience or an event that you witnessed. When writing a narrative essay, it’s important to use descriptive language to make the story come alive for the reader.
  • Another common essay type is the persuasive essay . In a persuasive essay, the writer tries to convince the reader to agree with his or her opinion about a topic. To do this, he or she presents evidence and supports his or her arguments with reasoning.
  • A third type of essay is the expository essay . It provides information about a topic without taking a position on it. This type of essay is often used in informational texts such as textbooks or encyclopedias.
  • A fourth type of essay is the argumentative essay . In an argumentative essay, the author takes a position on a topic and attempts to persuade the reader to come to the same side by offering reasons and evidence why his or her side is correct.

How to Determine the Word Count for an Essay

Many people wonder how short an essay can be when they get one for class. The answer to this question is that there’s not always a definitive answer.

The length of an essay depends on a number of factors, including the essay topic, the purpose of the essay, and the audience. For example, if you’re writing an essay for a class, or college essay, your teacher or professor will likely specify a certain word count or page count.

On the other hand, if you’re writing an essay for a contest or a job application, the length may be more flexible. Ultimately, in this case, it’s up to you to determine the ideal length for your essay.

How to Test Whether an Essay Is the Right Length

There are a few general guidelines that can help you assess whether your essay length is too short or too long.

  • First, consider the purpose of the essay . For example, if you’re writing a persuasive essay, you should make sure that your arguments are clear and concise. On the other hand, if you’re writing a personal narrative, you may have more leeway to include additional details and anecdotes.
  • Second, think about your audience . Are you writing for a general audience or for a specific group of readers? Remember that shorter essays are better for some audiences than others.
  • And finally, you should use the word counter tool in a word-processor program to make sure that your essay is at least at the recommended length.

If unsure, the best way to determine if your essay is the right length is to look at previous papers by other students with similar topics or grades on the same assignment.

You can also ask your professor what his or her expectations are regarding word count or word limit for the essay you are doing. Many professors give students a general guideline (1 page = 500 words or 2 pages = 1000 words) so they know where they stand when writing their own paper.

When It Comes to Essays, There Is a General Guideline for the Number of Pages, Depending on the Type of Essay

When it comes to essays, there’s a general guideline for the number of pages, depending on the type of essay, when it comes to how short an essay can be.

For example, a one-page short essay can be between 200 and 800 words. A two-page essay can be between 400 and 1,600 words, and a three-page essay can be between 600 and 2,400 words.

However, this is only a general guideline, and the actual number of pages will depend on the assignment. For example, a five-paragraph essay is usually shorter than a term paper.

Also, some instructors may have different page requirements for their students. Therefore, it’s always important to check with your instructor before you begin an essay assignment.

The precise length of an essay can also depend on your topic and style. Some topics can be covered in a single paragraph, while others require several pages.

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The most important thing to remember is that no matter how long or short your essay is, you should always make sure that it gives a complete answer to the question or prompt.

Also, you should thoroughly revise and proofread all written work before submitting it so that you can ensure that everything has been covered accurately and comprehensively.

By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your next essay is the perfect length for the assignment.

The Benefits of Writing Concise Essays

In general, essays are expected to be concise and to the point. However, there are advantages to writing a concise essay even if the assignment allows for more words.

  • For one thing, a shorter essay is often easier to read and understand than a longer one. This is because readers can quickly see what the writer is getting at.
  • Also, a shorter essay is less likely to contain errors because the author has less material to revise.
  • Finally, short essays are usually more persuasive than their longer counterparts . This is because the reader is more likely to remember the main points of a shorter essay and is, therefore, more likely to be convinced by them.

In conclusion, there are several advantages to writing a short essay, even if the assignment allows for more words. Keeping these advantages in mind will help you write clearer and more effective essays.

Some Tips to Help Writing in a Concise Way

When it comes to essay writing, “concise” is almost always better. A concise essay is easier for the reader to understand and follow. It’s also usually better organized and more clearly written.

Importantly, note that concise can apply to a long essay every bit as much as a short essay! It’s a question of writing style and craft.

In addition, concise essays are usually graded better than long-winded essays. So if you want to improve your essay writing skills or just increase your chances of getting a good grade, learning to write concisely is a good place to start.

Here are a few tips:

  • Use specific and concrete examples instead of generalizations. This will make your essay more understandable and easier to follow.
  • Revise ruthlessly . Every word counts in a concise essay, so make sure each word carries its weight. If something doesn’t add anything meaningful to your argument, for example, filler words, delete it.
  • Use transition words and phrases to move smoothly from one point to the next. This will ensure that your thoughts are well structured and that your reader can follow your train of thought.

With practice, concise writing will become second nature to you – and your grades will reflect that! So don’t be afraid to start today. Your future self will thank you.

Where to Find Examples of Concise Essays

If you’re looking for examples of short essays, there are a few options.

  • One way is to look online for essay examples . There are many websites that offer free essay samples, so you should find some that fit your topic. Use keywords such as “examples of concise essays.” This should give you a variety of results.
  • Another option is to look at student writing portfolios . Many colleges and universities offer these online, and they can give you great examples of concise, well-written essays.
  • Finally, you could also ask your teacher or professor for examples of concise essays they’ve liked in the past. If you can get a feel for what’s worked well for other students, you’ll be better equipped to write a successful short essay yourself.

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How Long Is A Short Essay And Should You Write It? (Answered)

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by  Antony W

February 16, 2023

how long is a short essay

We’ve taught you how to lengthen an essay with the intent of making sure your work is as comprehensive, relevant, and in-depth as possible. However, that doesn’t rule out that essays can also be short.

So the question is this:

How long is a short essay exactly?  

Let’s get one thing out of the way first:

There isn’t a strict rule on word limit in essay writing. How much you can write depends on the prompt, the complexity of the topic, the depth of your research, the type of the essay, or your professor’s preferences.

But can an essay still be as short irrespective of these conditions? Yes, it can.

How Long Is A Short Essay And How Many Words Should It Be? 

A short essay should be at least 500 words long .

That’s a one-page document single spaced, or two pages with double-spacing, provided you use the standard formatting required in academic writing.

You go over 3 pages, and your paper is no longer a short essay. 

Keep in mind that even shorter essays must adhere to the standard outline for it to be considered at essay.

A writer must include an opening paragraph, a body section, and a conclusion.

For a 500-word essay, you’ll end with about 3 to 5 paragraphs. There’s a lot you can write in 500 words. Split into 5 paragraphs, you do have ample space to state your claim, defend and prove it, and provide a reasonable conclusion.

Since a short essay is by no means an extensive paper, it should be to the point.

Start with a hook; let your reader know what to expect from the paper even before getting to the body paragraphs. Follow up with background information and lay a framework for effective investigation of a topic or claim.  

You won’t go deep into research because you don’t have enough room to introduce, develop, and summarize your ideas, but you still should remain as relevant and accurate as possible.

When it comes to writing 3 to 5 paragraphs, it’s important to find a good balance between sections so that you end up with a well-written paper.

It makes a lot of sense to write about the same word count for the opening paragraph and the concluding statement, keeping in mind that both cannot be more than one paragraph. Then throw a big chunk of the word count to the body paragraphs. 

Are you feeling stuck on writing your essay and are wondering where to get expert help? Don’t worry, because we have your back. At Help for Assessment, we can help you write a killer essay that will impress your professor and earn you the grades you want. Learn more about our essay writing service here and get started by placing an order.

Short Essay vs Short Answer 

While not a concrete conclusion, some students can easily confuse a short essay with a short answer. But there are differences between the two, as illustrated in the table below.

Writing either of these shouldn’t be difficult or intimidating. The secret to getting the writing right is to not overthink what to write.

Write naturally instead.

Let your ideas flow naturally, so you can provide valuable information that will be hard for a reader to resist. 

Does Short Mean Low Quality? 

No, just because an essay is short doesn’t mean it’s a low quality assignment.

As long as you can make every word count and pay close attention to sentence structure, tone, grammar, and writing style, your short essay should tick.

Remember, the guide for writing a comprehensive essay remains the same. Therefore with a short essay, the only difference is the length of the paper.

While it’s a challenge explaining your ideas broadly to explain your ideas or defend your claim in a short essay, you can summarize your thoughts and still communicate your message.

If it helps, go straight to the point, by providing a clear, immediate response to a question asked or the argument presented.

Can The Body Section Of A Short Essay Be One Paragraph? 

Short essays, especially the ones that are only 300 words long can have at least 3 paragraphs. For you, this means having an opening paragraph, a body paragraph, and a concluding paragraph. 

It’s fine to make the body section of such a short essay one paragraph, not the entire assignment. Provided you stick to the outline, all you have left to do is to present your claim, defend it, and summarize it in a way that makes sense. 

We still recommend breaking the body section into paragraphs if you have more than one idea to present. This ensures clarity throughout your document.

Conclusion 

Short assignments are the kind of response papers that you’ll write often in college.

Your professor will teach you something in class, and then you’ll have to write a response to what they’ve taught or what you’ve read.

Although a short essay won’t demand that you do a lot of in-depth research, your instructor still expects you to demonstrate your knowledge of the topic. This begs for some research, although not as extensive as you would when writing a standard (old /regular), 3 to 6 pages.

Then when introducing, supporting, and summarizing your ideas, do so only in a few words as this is mandatory. 

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About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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How long should a short essay be? Find out

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By now, you already understand that an essay could be short or long, depending on many factors that control essay length . Although we also know that essays are not as extensive as research papers, we can further break down essays into long or short.

If you are here because of the imminent confusion the length of essays brings, you are better off reading this article to the end. It is the only reliable, in-depth, and most elaborative guide to writing an excellent short essay � any short essay. We talk about short essay answers, college admission essays, personal statements, personal profile essays, short biographies, summaries, and other short papers.

Although we covered the ideal length of a comprehensive essay , in this guide we delve deeper specifically on a short essay.

We demystify everything from the definition of short essays, how to write the short papers, and other aspects related to short papers. And because today is your lucky day, we will also provide examples to illustrate further how to write a short essay and score the best grades.

What is a short essay?

An essay refers to a piece of formal prose writing that highlights the author's arguments, claims, counterarguments, and opinions, mainly dealing with a single subject. Essays are meant to persuade the readers using selected research evidence. Essays can either be formal or informal, depending on the audience. However, they are primarily formal.

Although there is no code as to what is a short essay, we can insinuate based on word count or essay length what a short essay is and what it is not.

A short essay, also called a brief essay, refers to an essay with a word count of between 200 to 500 words or one/two typewritten pages in length. It is a complete essay with a brief thesis statement, hook sentence, introduction background, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Sometimes, short essays might require the use of one or two external scholarly sources to support the thesis statement or the main argument.

You can be assigned to write a short essay in high school, college, during undergraduate, or when you are pursuing your graduate school. Graduate school essays, graduate school admission essays, and exam answers in graduate school exams are examples of advanced short essays.

A short essay is focused, clear, and has a direct line of argument. A short essay also has a shorter deadline, mostly in hours or within a day, except for the admission essays. In addition, short essays answer questions or topics that are assigned. Finally, the introduction and conclusion should be no more than one paragraph in a short essay.

Regardless of the length of your essay, remember that the introduction and conclusion comprise 10% of the total word count, and the body paragraphs make up the rest of the 80% of the word count.

Short Essay Format

Unlike an extended essay where you go broad in terms of explanations and evidence presented, in a short essay, you have to limit the words you use in your arguments and presenting ideas. In addition, it follows a specific structure that can either be five paragraphs or three paragraphs.

General Format of a short essay

A typical essay has three parts: Introduction, main body, and a conclusion. Let's explore what goes to each point.

Introduction

The introduction is the most significant component of a short essay. You should limit yourself to one short paragraph, comprising 10% of your entire paper. It should grab the attention of your readers and pique their interest to read the essay. It should also be the point where you declare the essay topic. Keeping it concise, clear, and informative carries the day.

The first sentence of your short essay should be a hook. It could be a claim of the urgency of the topic, a statistic, fact, or quote. The body sentences should give adequate background, explore the problem or issue at hand, and transition to the thesis statement.

The main body comprises 80% of the entire paper. Depending on the preferred format, it can either have three or five short paragraphs.

The body paragraphs should each contain a unique idea that supports the thesis. The first paragraph should have the strongest argument supported with proper facts. Also, ensure that you use a quotation, summary, or paraphrased ideas from other sources. As you write the paragraphs, ensure that you link them together using connectors or transition words and conjunctions to make the text coherent, clear, and relatable. A good flow is desirable for the main body.

This is the final part of your short essay; it should equally comprise 10% of the total word count. Therefore, it is best to maintain it as one paragraph.

This section summarizes your entire paper offer insights to your readers about the significance of your subject or topic. Finally, the conclusion should satisfy your reader and offer some sense of closure.

Three paragraphs short essay format

As the name suggests, the 3-paragraph short essay format comprises an introduction paragraph, a body paragraph, and a concluding paragraph.

The first paragraph, the introduction, states the essay's main idea. Then, in the second paragraph, you will support the main idea and summarize the main points of your short essay in the third paragraph.

Since it is rather a short essay, in most cases, the first sentence serves as the hook and sometimes the thesis statement. You can launch to the main points directly without bothering with the introduction and conclusion.

In most cases, you will write a three-paragraph short essay when responding to essay questions. It can be the essay-type questions assigned in an exam or a stand-alone short essay assignment. You can answer the question without sticking to the formalities and conventions required for a comprehensive essay .

Not much distinguishes a short answer from a short essay since both have a few sentences and paragraphs. However, the latter will probably be a paragraph long. And if you notice that your short essay goes to something like 600 to 900 words, you can write it in the five-paragraph format .

Five paragraphs short essay format

In a 5-paragraph short essay, you can keep your essay shorter but still adhere to the conventions of a formal structure. You will have an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

Although you will have five paragraphs, you must balance them to ensure they address the points they should. For example, the three body paragraphs must support your thesis. Each has a topic sentence, supporting ideas, and a concluding sentence. You must also use transition words and connectors to maintain flow within these paragraphs.

At the end of your essay, you will write the conclusion. The conclusion should restate your main idea in your own words . If assigned to write an essay between 600 and 900 words or three pages, you can format it as a 5-paragraph short essay and develop the paragraphs.

How to write a short essay step-by-step

You can be assigned to write a short essay. It can be an admission essay, descriptive essay, argumentative/persuasive essay, thematic essay, or synthesis essay. If that is the case, you need to follow the following steps to write a good short essay that will attract better grading from your professor.

Step 1: Identify your topic

In most cases, when assigned a short or brief essay, you will be provided with an essay prompt that details the instructions and sometimes how the essay will be assessed. Reading through the prompt helps you identify the essay question, topic, and scope.

After reading the prompt, you can either pick the listed topics or choose an interesting topic that meets the requirements.

Most students who fail do not take their time to read the essay prompt or do it hurriedly, missing the important elements.

At this point, if you have questions about the topic you have chosen or understand the instructions, it is best to contact your professor.

Step 2: Research widely on the topic

With the topic at hand, it is time to find more information. You can only do that through researching on the internet.

Do not go for a too broad topic. Instead, choose a narrow topic. The topic can come from the question.

You can read materials that can make you understand how to contextualize your essay. As this essay is short, you will need a few sources. But the preliminary research aims to familiarize, develop ideas, and take a stance.

A good topic could be: "The rise of Broke Millenials in contemporary American society."

Step 3: Develop and narrow your main argument

In a short essay, there is no wasting of words. Therefore, you need to focus on a central idea. With the light of research, you already would have developed an insightful mind and taken a stance.

You will choose the angle of analysis for your essay depending on the topic and available information.

If you write a short essay for an in-class assessment or college application, ensure that your chosen main argument answers the prompt or questions.

Step 4: Carefully select 1-2 reliable sources

As you were researching, you were expected to take notes and organize your research because that is the drill everywhere when writing an essay.  

For high school, college, master's, and graduate essays, you must support your ideas with high-quality scholarly articles , scholarly books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible website content information. For a short essay, you can use either one or two sources.

You can get scholarly articles from databases such as JSTOR, PROQUEST, LION, or Google Scholar. Use articles from reliable websites if your instructors allow using web content. In this case, focus on magazines, organizational, government, or media websites.

Step 5: Create an outline

As you compose your short essay, you must map how you will approach the essay. Creating an outline before writing a short essay helps you organize your paragraphs. You can number your paragraphs and list the transitions to be used. An essay written after outlining is well-organized, convincing, and flows well.

As you outline your essay, ensure that you write a convincing and arguable thesis statement. Having a solid thesis statement in short/brief essay will determine your paper's tone, direction, and scope. In addition, the statement should sum up the central argument or the stance you have taken in the essay.

An example of a thesis statement: "Even though immigrants are being mistreated at the US border, USA is a country that has more to boast about thanks to early immigrants, and immigration laws should be reviewed."

Step 6: Write the first draft

Begin developing the paragraphs of your essay. First, you can write the introduction paragraph, which should explain the topic of your essay.

Make a specific statement about the essay topic and your main argument, and give facts (more like a mini background statement).

Explain what the essay discusses and give evidence you will use when writing. Go direct to the point without wasting time. Write the thesis in the second or third sentence in your introduction to orient the readers into your body paragraphs.

The introduction and the conclusion should be shorter, not more than 10% of the total word count. For example, the introduction of a short essay can have 6-7 sentences, while the conclusion can have 3-4 sentences.

Your body paragraphs should develop your main argument. Ensure that each paragraph focuses on one point. Prove the claims of the paragraphs using quotes, facts, and examples from your selected sources. Ensure that the paragraphs have a brief topic and concluding sentences.

As you write, include in-text citations if necessary. Ensure that you write short sentences in an active voice. For example, you can begin sentences with a subject and their action.

The conclusion for a short essay should restate your main claim in your own words and reverberate the evidence provided in the essay.

Step 7: Polish your essay

After writing your short essay, take a short break to break the monotony. Then, after a while, come back and edit, proofread, re-write, and polish your essay. You can use the third eye to see for you what your subjective eyes might miss.

Therefore, you can use an online proofreader or ask your friend to read your first draft to spot mistakes and errors. In addition, criticisms from the third-person help you hone your writing skills.

If it is a short exam essay, ensure that you polish everything.  

Step 8: Revise the first draft into a final essay

With the feedback on your rough draft, get back to work again, this time with an objective mind. Correct the mistakes, realign the paper's contents, and ensure that everything flows to turn it into a final draft.

Shortening your essay is necessary, especially with a strict word limit. If you are below the word count, ensure you also lengthen your essay . If the essay is okay, ensure it has the right format and citation style, then submit it for grading.

Short Essay Example

Short essays can be between 1-2 pages and sometimes 3. Below are some good examples of short essays that can inspire your research and writing.

Sample a short essay on the Effects of Road Rage

Below is a sample short essay of 900 words. Look at it to familiarize yourself with the process of writing a short essay. The instructor wanted more sources to be used. The sample essay is about the effects of road rage .

Sample short essay

Sample Personal Statement (Geology Student)

We indicated that personal statements are examples of short essays. In this sample adopted from Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, we show you how to write application essays and personal statements that will wow your markers.

Personal statement sample

Final Remarks

Related Read: How to write an informative essay.

You will encounter a short essay as an assignment in high school, college, and university through graduate school studies. It is a brief essay meant to test your grasp of essay writing and course concepts.

It can be a response or reaction essay. The discussion posts in class are perfect examples of short essays within the class context. These short essays should integrate ideas from the class, class readings, and notes from class while at the same time borrowing ideas from secondary sources.

Be extra careful with your choice of words, phrases, and expressions . And observe the eight steps we have highlighted above when writing your next short essay.

We have expert model essay writers who can write your essay fast if you are stuck with writing a short essay. The highly skilled and sought-after professional writers are at your service any moment, any day!

If an essay is troubling you, we have writers you can hire to help you write it.

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How Long Is a Short Essay: How to Write a Short Essay

As a student, you have probably been in a position where you do not know how to write a specific essay given by your professor. Further, it can be pretty hectic if the deadline is fast approaching and you have not yet figured out how long the short essay needs to be.

You’re unsure how many paragraphs the short essay should have, how to write, and how many sentences this essay type has. Luckily we’ve done some research and compiled everything you need to know.  

Here is how long a short essay is, plus other tips to help you create a good piece.

How Long Is a Short Essay

Generally, a short essay is a piece of writing typically between 300 and 500 words long, although it can go to 750 words. The length of the paper is dependent on the requirements of the assignment and its purpose.

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This means it will be two pages if double-spaced and one page if single-spaced, but all in Times Romans of 12pts font

Despite being short, there are no strict rules for the exact length. However, it should be written in simple language and contain only one main idea or argument developed in detail. It should also include several examples that support or illustrate the main idea and some key references and citations if needed.

Also see: Is it wrong to pay someone to write your essay? 

In addition, it can also be as long as 1,000 words, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be asked to write an essay that long unless you are writing for a class in creative writing. For most college-level courses, you will be required to write shorter articles rather than longer ones. The length of an essay depends on your instructor’s preferences and what they expect from their students.

Overall, your instructor determines the length of your essay. They will ask you to stick with the 500 standard or go lower or exceed it.

How to Write a Short Essay

Short essays are brief, and their lengths are one of the challenges you will face because you have to balance each point, so you do not exceed the word count. However, here are some of the best tips on how to write a short essay;

Researching helps you gather the necessary information about your topic. You can use books, the internet, interviews, newspapers, or journals to get the information and data you need.

brainstorming helps you to refine your information. This is where you look at each piece of information and decide which to use because the essay cannot accommodate everything due to its length.

This step involves deciding how to arrange your essay. Generally, you will have an introduction, the body, and the conclusion.

The writing process involves developing the points into longer information. Depending on the length, each point can go into a separate paragraph so that readers aren’t confused.

The introduction will be a general overview of the piece and your thesis. The body includes every point you discuss, while the conclusion comprises a wrap-up of the entire essay.

As you write, ensure you use examples and evidence to support every claim and make your writing authoritative.

This is the last part of the writing process. It entails going over your writing to correct any mistakes. These errors may be grammatical, structure, and flow.

An important tip is to edit your work a day after writing, but if you are pressed for time, you can give yourself a few minutes before going back to edit your work.

Other tips that will help you in writing include;

  • In the introduction, be specific, stay on point, and provide minimal contextual detail
  • In the body, stay on topic and deal with points in their order of importance
  • Remember to cite your sources where need be.

How Many Paragraphs in a Short Essay

The average length for a short essay is five to seven paragraphs long, comprising an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

In an academic setting, a paragraph is typically five to seven sentences long, but there are no hard rules about length. In general, shorter paragraphs are easier to read than longer ones, so keep them relatively short.

A good rule of thumb is that each paragraph should focus on one idea. This means that a reader will get one point in each paragraph. Following this procedure helps avoid confusing the readers.

How Many Sentences in a Short Essay

A short essay can have varying sentences, but typically it will have three to eight sentences per paragraph, with the entire paragraphs being five to seven.  

However, the number of sentences depends on many factors, including the essay’s purpose and paragraph’s length.

The best way to determine how many sentences to include in your essay is to read other pieces written by experts or published online by reputable sources. This will give you an idea of how long an effective paragraph should be and how many paragraphs are necessary for each topic.  

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Can Essays be Short: How Long and some Topic Examples

Can Essays be Short: How Long and some Topic Examples

Tips to Write a short Essay

Tips to Write a short Essay

An essay is a type of writing that involves the expression of information and the opinion of the student. It is mostly written in middle school and high school.

Essays are also written as part of college courses. There are times when they are written in the business world as reports.

how short can a essay be

At first, a student might tend to think writing a short essay is a walk in the park and it takes a very short time. In reality, short essays can be more demanding just like long paper assignments.

The opinions you have and your thoughts must be summarized neatly.

People Also Read: How to Write an 8-Page Paper: Time Needed for Fast Research

Can Essays be Short?

An Essay can be short if the arguments being presented are few and the points to be proven are short. This can also be when a teacher wants you to put down full information within a short time. Also, an essay can be short when the audience wants shorter pieces but still with an impactful and informative content.

As such, a reader will not perceive a short essay as one with invaluable information. As a writer, you can express yourself with important information without the need for numerous pages of content and within a short time. 

a student writing essay

How Long is a Short Essay?

Just because the essay you are writing is short does not mean there should be no striking information. These types of essays should still be able to catch the attention of the reader.

A short essay should be between 200-500 words, with a strict word count that should give accurate information within a short time. 

After doing proper research and planning, this type of essay should take a student 45 minutes to 1 hour to finish. It features 5 paragraphs an introduction, the thesis, the main body, and a conclusion.

The main body contains the core ideas of the essay and therefore should have about 3 paragraphs.

Short essays still need proper formatting of headings and subheadings to break down vital information to avoid confusing the reader. In addition to this, use shortlists and bullets to make a precise point within the essay.

The major essence of this type of essay writing is to make learners put ideas and arguments into one piece given a limited word count, space, and time.

The topic and the requirements of your teacher are the factors that will determine the length of your short essay. With a good topic that has ideas, this word count is enough to convey your message effectively.

Depending on the instructions of your teacher, two pages are enough if the spacing is double and one page if the spacing is single. Nevertheless, these elements can have different formatting styles depending on the instructions given by the teacher.

People Also Read: Can you do a Research Paper in a Day or Write a 10-page Essay

How to Write a Short Essay

Do not be tempted to think that short essay writing does not involve extensive research. A good writer must get all the relevant sources such as journals and books.

writing a short essay

Your source of information should be up to date. Recent sources are more accurate and not outdated facts.

Make sense of all the ideas you have by knowing the particular point you want to explore. Since it’s a short essay, ensure that sentences are not only well-defined but also accurate.

After brainstorming your ideas, outline them systematically to avoid losing ideas when you start writing.  An outline with thoughts and arguments can make it easy to write short essays that have a broad topic.

Within the short word count provided, discuss the main ideas without leaving crucial points out. Therefore, your outline should figure out the information to be covered in each of the paragraphs.

Having done that, writing is going to be very easy because of ready sources and outline. Editing and proofreading is very important. Impeccably articulated ideas are nothing if the short essay is full of spelling, grammar, and other orthographic errors. For proper continuity and flow, students should ensure that all the paragraphs are connected logically using the right transitions.

A typical short essay usually features an introduction, followed by the thesis then the main body. Below breakdown of these stages of writing will enable you to arrive at an elaborate structure of writing that is easy for your tutor to understand:

Introduction

Whether you are writing an academic paper or a simple essay, first impression is paramount. Start your short essay by writing an introduction that attracts the audience.

Your focus as a student is to craft a catchy introduction that will intrigue the readers and make them eager to read on.

A good introduction should not be more than 5 sentences. Make it concise and informative for the reader to capture the main idea easily.

Start with a sentence persuading the audience to get a grip on the worthiness of your essay.

This is the last part of your introduction section.

Here, ensure that the focus is on the problem you intend to explain to the readers in the main body. Also, include a claim showing that you are going to explore the problem.

A good thesis provides a basis for the readers to be able to contend with your reasons and therefore it should sound contentious. Phrase your thesis in a precise and clear manner so that readers can figure out your principal idea easily. 

The Main Body of your Essay

Follow the five-structure format of a good short essay. However, 3 of these paragraphs are solely for the main body.

example of short essay

Here, discuss all the key ideas providing relevant facts and evidence. The first paragraph should contain the principal argument supported by suitable facts. If you have essay arguments that you feel the supportive facts are not effective, place them at the bottom paragraph.

Use linking words, conjunctions, and vocabularies appropriately to ensure your body contains a cohesive text. In the end, you will achieve a flowing essay where the ideas appear gradually from the strongest to the weakest.

Finally, Conclude

Place your analysis results in the final paragraph as a conclusion. In this part, try to prove how the major ideas you have discussed in the main body are in line with the thesis statement.

To please your tutors, do not write a conclusion that only summarizes your writing. Have a reply to all the questions that were raised at the beginning of the essay.

This will leave readers who have a fresh view of the subject. It simply means that you began the essay by drawing the readers’ attention, and conclude by making them satisfied with the information they have read.

People Also Read: Write an Essay about Family: From Introduction to Conclusion

Examples of Short Essay Topics

For a good short essay, the toughest huddle is arriving at the right topic. Broad topics will be the best option for composing an informative research essay.

Below are interesting 2022 topic examples you can write about:

1. What the Ukraine invasion by Russia means to the rest of the world

2. The changes brought about by TikTok

3. How about the government imposing heavy taxes on junk and fatty snacks to combat rising cases of obesity?

4. When is the ideal age for students to think about dating?

5. How nuclear weapons are destabilizing peace and stability in the world

6. Athletes Vs footballers, who makes the most money?

7. Introduction of sex education in high schools as a mandatory subject.

8. The entire world population should be Covid-19 vaccinated

9. How difficult and boring a week can be without the internet and technology?

10. A cursory analysis of the relationship between the United States of America and Russia

Josh Jasen

When not handling complex essays and academic writing tasks, Josh is busy advising students on how to pass assignments. In spare time, he loves playing football or walking with his dog around the park.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Short Essay, With Examples

    There is no universal answer to what a short essay length is, but teachers generally assign short essays in the 250- to 750-word range, and occasionally up to 1,000 words. Just because the essays are short doesn't mean the subjects must be simple. One of the greatest challenges of short essays is distilling complex topics into a few telling ...

  2. How Long is an Essay? Guidelines for Different Types of Essay

    The introduction should be proportional to the essay's length. In an essay under 3000 words, the introduction is usually just one paragraph. In longer and more complex essays, you might need to lay out the background and introduce your argument over two or three paragraphs. The conclusion of an essay is often a single paragraph, even in ...

  3. How Long is a Short Essay in Words? ️ Writing Guidelines

    A short essay is 500 words long, which is about two pages with double spacing and one page with single spacing. That number is based on the assumption that you use Times New Roman font (12pt) with standard margins. Various formatting styles have different requirements for those elements. Hence, always check if you must adhere to a particular ...

  4. How Long Should an Essay Be? Essay Length Guide & Tips

    A short essay should be no longer than 550 words. The point of a short essay is to convey an idea in a precise and focused way, so it's important that you don't waste any words on unnecessary details. The best way to match the necessary word count is to write an outline before writing a final draft.

  5. How Short Can an Essay Be

    For example, a one-page short essay can be between 200 and 800 words. A two-page essay can be between 400 and 1,600 words, and a three-page essay can be between 600 and 2,400 words. However, this is only a general guideline, and the actual number of pages will depend on the assignment. For example, a five-paragraph essay is usually shorter than ...

  6. How Long Is A Short Essay And Should You Write It? (Answered)

    Short essays, especially the ones that are only 300 words long can have at least 3 paragraphs. For you, this means having an opening paragraph, a body paragraph, and a concluding paragraph. It's fine to make the body section of such a short essay one paragraph, not the entire assignment.

  7. How Long is a Short Essay?

    Not much. That's why if you've been tasked with writing a short essay you're probably better off sticking with the 5 paragraph format. The 5 Paragraph Short Essay. The 5 paragraph short essay allows you both to keep your essay short and to adhere to the formalities of the essay structure—with introduction, body, and conclusion.

  8. How long is a short essay, and how do you write one?

    Short Essay Example. Short essays can be between 1-2 pages and sometimes 3. Below are some good examples of short essays that can inspire your research and writing. Sample a short essay on the Effects of Road Rage. Below is a sample short essay of 900 words. Look at it to familiarize yourself with the process of writing a short essay.

  9. How Long Is a Short Essay: How to Write a Short Essay

    Here is how long a short essay is, plus other tips to help you create a good piece. How Long Is a Short Essay. Generally, a short essay is a piece of writing typically between 300 and 500 words long, although it can go to 750 words. The length of the paper is dependent on the requirements of the assignment and its purpose.

  10. Can Essays be Short: How Long and some Topic Examples

    An Essay can be short if the arguments being presented are few and the points to be proven are short. This can also be when a teacher wants you to put down full information within a short time. Also, an essay can be short when the audience wants shorter pieces but still with an impactful and informative content. As such, a reader will not ...