The length of an academic essay varies depending on your level and subject of study, departmental guidelines, and specific course requirements. In general, an essay is a shorter piece of writing than a research paper or thesis. In most cases, your assignment will include clear guidelines on the number of words or pages you are expected to write.
Often this will be a range rather than an exact number for example, — words, or 10—12 pages. But keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity — focus on making a strong argument or analysis, not on hitting a specific word count. Table of contents Essay length guidelines How long is each part of an essay? Using length as a guide to topic and complexity Can I go under the suggested length?
Can I go over the suggested length? In an academic essay, the main body should always take up the most space. This is where you make your arguments, give your evidence, and develop your ideas. In an essay under 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 longer essays. Scribbr editors not only correct grammar and spelling mistakes, but also strengthen your writing by making sure your paper is free of vague language, redundant words and awkward phrasing.
See editing example. This should guide the development of your thesis statement , which identifies the main topic of your essay and sets the boundaries of your overall argument.
We don't want you, intrepid essay writer, to be put at the bottom of the pile because of poor essay writing. An introduction does exactly what its name implies: it introduces the subject of the paper to readers. But most importantly, it provides readers with a map to the overall paper. A good introduction captures readers' attention, tells them what the paper is about, and provides an outline of what is to come.
The introduction is quite possibly the most important part of an essay, but it can also be the hardest for some writers. Don't fret though; we're here to provide you with some tips and guidelines for writing introductions and staying on the top of the pile.
If you really want to draw readers in, you have to start your introduction with something attention grabbing. This can be a startling fact, an interesting anecdote, or a relevant quote from an expert. Refer to our article about front matter for more ideas for what to include at the beginning of your work.
You can even present the point you are going to argue against. You must provide your readers with a little background or basic information about the topic you are covering.
Start with the broader subject and lead your readers to your specific topic. This is especially important when writing a book report. Show them how your topic relates to the bigger picture. After providing your readers with some background, use your essay introduction to outline what you are going to discuss. Lay out your main points and arguments, preferably in the order in which you are going to discuss them. The most important thing to include when writing an introduction is your thesis!
A thesis statement is the main point of your paper; it is narrow, focused, and specific. A thesis can be something you are arguing for or it can be something you are arguing against. Whatever the case, be sure to include it. The thesis can come before your outline or at the very end of your essay introduction.
It will also, in some instances, add a stimulus to further thought. Since no two essays are the same, no single formula will automatically generate an introduction and conclusion for you. But the following guidelines will help you to construct a suitable beginning and end for your essay. The following strategies may help you move beyond merely summarizing the key points of your essay:.
Most of the advice in this handout pertains to argumentative or exploratory academic essays.
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