What is the length for writing an essay?

The answer lies here. We have summed up everything that you need to know about the correct length of an essay so that next time you write one that scores the highest grade and impresses your professor well and good.

How Long should an Essay be?

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The answer to this question isn’t a definite one. There is no ideal length of an essay because the word limit usually depends on the level of your study. Depending on the standard you are in, your essay can range from a minimum of 300 and can go up to a maximum of 3000. On a relative sense, an essay should always be way shorter than a thesis or a research paper.

Depending on the level you are studying in, we have ready answers for all your questions about the ideal length of an essay.

How long is an essay in middle-school?

A middle school essay follows the standard essay structure and has five paragraphs that start with an introduction, followed by three body paragraphs and ending with the conclusion paragraph.

How long should an essay in high school be?

An ideal high school essay should be somewhere in between 500 to 1000 words. Like middle school essays, a high school essay too has 5 paragraphs.

How long are essays in college?

College application essays are generally a short personal piece where you state your motivations and interests. The word limit for the same is 250 to 600 words. In the case of an undergraduate college essay, the length would depend on the institution and department you study in. However, the usual length is between 1500 and 5000 words.

How long should essays in graduate school be?

Since a graduate school application comes with a personal statement on the details of your academic achievements, the limit of a graduate school admission essay is 600 to 1200 words. However, we suggest that you try to wrap it up within 1000 words. As for the length of a graduate school essay, the essays are generally longer and almost like a research paper. The limit is somewhere between 2500 to 6000 words.

How Many Pages should be an Essay Written in?

At times, you may find that the guideline for the length of the essay is given in the form of number of pages that you need to write. In that case, there is no need to be worried. Just remember that one page is equal to 250 words. If you are asked to write 4 pages for your essay, then the calculation is simple. The limit is 1000 words. 

However, the standard number of words for one page may be more or less than 250 words. In that case, you may end up making a mistake in the calculation and write essay either too much or too less. So, if you haven’t been given the page range, then we suggest you check the words permitted in one page by the school/college you study in.

In middle school, the standard length of an essay is within 2 to 4 pages. In the case of high school, essays are usually kept between 3-5 pages. However, depending on the topic, the teacher can even ask for an essay of 5-7 pages. For a paper in a college, the professors can ask for an essay of 10 to 12 pages. However, you must not assume that because this length can differ from one university to another.

Here is a quick guide on how to fit your essay in pages to keep within the limit.

• In case of a one-page essay, stick to the usual structure of an essay, i.e. one paragraph for the introduction, 3 paragraphs for the body and one paragraph for the conclusion.
• For a 5 page essay, try to finish the introduction within three-fourths of the first page. If that is not possible, make sure that you do not cross one page. Devote one page for each of the body paragraphs. After you are done with the body in three pages, finish off the conclusion in about 3/4^th of the final page.
• For a 10 page essay, write an introduction of about one and a half pages. Give each of the three body paragraphs 2 and 1/2 pages. Just like the introduction, keep the conclusion within 1 page and 1/2 pages.
• For a 15 page essay, the introduction should be of about 1.5 to 2 pages. Each of the body paragraphs can be given 4 pages followed by a conclusion of approximately 2 pages.

How Many Paragraphs should be there in an Essay?

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Every essay follows the same structure of 5 paragraphs in total. The first paragraph is the introduction which must also include the thesis statement. However, if the essay is a complex one, you may introduce your argument and lay out a background over more than one paragraph. After the introduction, you are supposed to write the body which can be broken into parts and written in three paragraphs. Finally, the essay conclusion length should be of one paragraph.

That brings us to the question - How big is each paragraph? The calculation is actually pretty easy. Just divide the maximum word limit by the number of paragraphs. For example, if the upper limit of an essay is 1000 words, then each paragraph comes to 200 words when divided by 5. Try to keep the introduction and conclusion paragraphs with 150 words so that you can use the extra word count in the body sections.

When it comes to the length of paragraphs, then the most important thing that you need to remember is that each section of the essay should be in proportion to the other parts. An essay tends to get longer as you move from the introduction to the body paragraphs. However, the length of the conclusion should be in parity with the introduction and not the body paragraphs. Remember that the main body should take up the greater moiety of the essay. So, do not compromise with your arguments and ideas in the body. Try to fit in as much evidence in this section as possible.

If you are wondering how many sentences should there be in an essay, allow us to tell you that it depends on the length of the piece you have been assigned to write. A standard sentence should not be longer than 12 to 15 words. Therefore, for an essay of the average length of 500 words, it should have not more than 35 sentences.

What would be the Consequences if You Wrote Under the Suggested Length?

In contrast to crossing the maximum word limit, most teachers give a red ink when they find out that the essay is below the minimum word count. So, try not to write below the suggested length if you do not want to lose valuable marks.

To meet the minimum length of the essay, try to look for more evidence and examples to strengthen your points. Explain and analyse each example in detail to develop your points clearly. At the same time, do not use unnecessary words or lengthy sentences to make your essay longer.

If your essay is just less by just 50 or 100 words than the suggested minimum mark, then do not stretch an argument that you have already explained.

What would Happen if You Go over the Suggested Length?

Most teachers allow you to go beyond the upper limit by 10%. For example, for an assignment of 500-1000 words, you could write a maximum of 1100 words. However, we would still suggest that you do not just assume this concession and check with your instructor about the rule of the institution you study in. Unless it is absolutely necessary, try to stay within the word count. Unless you do not have to complete an argument, do not make it longer than the said limit. Understand one thing clearly – a lengthy essay will take more time to check. Therefore, the teacher checking your paper can get annoyed after a point of time, thus grading you with a low score.

To keep the word count in check, sift through the essay and keep only what is relevant to your argument. Read it over and over again to see what parts you can omit. Do not beat about the bush and cut straight to the point. Check whether the sentences are too long. However, do not omit the necessary evidence to keep your essay within the limit. And even if you do, then make sure that you revise the transitions and fit the points accordingly.

The word count set by your teacher tells you how much information you should fit into the essay. Use this limit as a guide to developing your essay and do justice to the topic. If the word limit is less, then your essay must be focused and straightforward. For a longer essay, you should take a broader approach to address the complex argument. In the end, remember that quality is more important than quantity. So along with focusing on the word count, strive to put across a strong argument to make your essay the perfect blend of quality and quantity.

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