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How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks

Updated: July 11, 2022

Published: June 22, 2021

How To Write An Essay # Beginner Tips And Tricks

Many students dread writing essays, but essay writing is an important skill to develop in high school, university, and even into your future career. By learning how to write an essay properly, the process can become more enjoyable and you’ll find you’re better able to organize and articulate your thoughts.

When writing an essay, it’s common to follow a specific pattern, no matter what the topic is. Once you’ve used the pattern a few times and you know how to structure an essay, it will become a lot more simple to apply your knowledge to every essay. 

No matter which major you choose, you should know how to craft a good essay. Here, we’ll cover the basics of essay writing, along with some helpful tips to make the writing process go smoothly.

Ink pen on paper before writing an essay

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Types of Essays

Think of an essay as a discussion. There are many types of discussions you can have with someone else. You can be describing a story that happened to you, you might explain to them how to do something, or you might even argue about a certain topic. 

When it comes to different types of essays, it follows a similar pattern. Like a friendly discussion, each type of essay will come with its own set of expectations or goals. 

For example, when arguing with a friend, your goal is to convince them that you’re right. The same goes for an argumentative essay. 

Here are a few of the main essay types you can expect to come across during your time in school:

Narrative Essay

This type of essay is almost like telling a story, not in the traditional sense with dialogue and characters, but as if you’re writing out an event or series of events to relay information to the reader.

Persuasive Essay

Here, your goal is to persuade the reader about your views on a specific topic.

Descriptive Essay

This is the kind of essay where you go into a lot more specific details describing a topic such as a place or an event. 

Argumentative Essay

In this essay, you’re choosing a stance on a topic, usually controversial, and your goal is to present evidence that proves your point is correct.

Expository Essay

Your purpose with this type of essay is to tell the reader how to complete a specific process, often including a step-by-step guide or something similar.

Compare and Contrast Essay

You might have done this in school with two different books or characters, but the ultimate goal is to draw similarities and differences between any two given subjects.

The Main Stages of Essay Writing

When it comes to writing an essay, many students think the only stage is getting all your ideas down on paper and submitting your work. However, that’s not quite the case. 

There are three main stages of writing an essay, each one with its own purpose. Of course, writing the essay itself is the most substantial part, but the other two stages are equally as important.

So, what are these three stages of essay writing? They are:

Preparation

Before you even write one word, it’s important to prepare the content and structure of your essay. If a topic wasn’t assigned to you, then the first thing you should do is settle on a topic. Next, you want to conduct your research on that topic and create a detailed outline based on your research. The preparation stage will make writing your essay that much easier since, with your outline and research, you should already have the skeleton of your essay.

Writing is the most time-consuming stage. In this stage, you will write out all your thoughts and ideas and craft your essay based on your outline. You’ll work on developing your ideas and fleshing them out throughout the introduction, body, and conclusion (more on these soon).

In the final stage, you’ll go over your essay and check for a few things. First, you’ll check if your essay is cohesive, if all the points make sense and are related to your topic, and that your facts are cited and backed up. You can also check for typos, grammar and punctuation mistakes, and formatting errors.  

The Five-Paragraph Essay

We mentioned earlier that essay writing follows a specific structure, and for the most part in academic or college essays , the five-paragraph essay is the generally accepted structure you’ll be expected to use. 

The five-paragraph essay is broken down into one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. However, that doesn’t always mean that an essay is written strictly in five paragraphs, but rather that this structure can be used loosely and the three body paragraphs might become three sections instead.

Let’s take a closer look at each section and what it entails.

Introduction

As the name implies, the purpose of your introduction paragraph is to introduce your idea. A good introduction begins with a “hook,” something that grabs your reader’s attention and makes them excited to read more. 

Another key tenant of an introduction is a thesis statement, which usually comes towards the end of the introduction itself. Your thesis statement should be a phrase that explains your argument, position, or central idea that you plan on developing throughout the essay. 

You can also include a short outline of what to expect in your introduction, including bringing up brief points that you plan on explaining more later on in the body paragraphs.

Here is where most of your essay happens. The body paragraphs are where you develop your ideas and bring up all the points related to your main topic. 

In general, you’re meant to have three body paragraphs, or sections, and each one should bring up a different point. Think of it as bringing up evidence. Each paragraph is a different piece of evidence, and when the three pieces are taken together, it backs up your main point — your thesis statement — really well.

That being said, you still want each body paragraph to be tied together in some way so that the essay flows. The points should be distinct enough, but they should relate to each other, and definitely to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph works to advance your point, so when crafting your essay, it’s important to keep this in mind so that you avoid going off-track or writing things that are off-topic.

Many students aren’t sure how to write a conclusion for an essay and tend to see their conclusion as an afterthought, but this section is just as important as the rest of your work. 

You shouldn’t be presenting any new ideas in your conclusion, but you should summarize your main points and show how they back up your thesis statement. 

Essentially, the conclusion is similar in structure and content to the introduction, but instead of introducing your essay, it should be wrapping up the main thoughts and presenting them to the reader as a singular closed argument. 

student writing an essay on his laptop

Photo by AMIT RANJAN on Unsplash

Steps to Writing an Essay

Now that you have a better idea of an essay’s structure and all the elements that go into it, you might be wondering what the different steps are to actually write your essay. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Instead of going in blind, follow these steps on how to write your essay from start to finish.

Understand Your Assignment

When writing an essay for an assignment, the first critical step is to make sure you’ve read through your assignment carefully and understand it thoroughly. You want to check what type of essay is required, that you understand the topic, and that you pay attention to any formatting or structural requirements. You don’t want to lose marks just because you didn’t read the assignment carefully.

Research Your Topic

Once you understand your assignment, it’s time to do some research. In this step, you should start looking at different sources to get ideas for what points you want to bring up throughout your essay. 

Search online or head to the library and get as many resources as possible. You don’t need to use them all, but it’s good to start with a lot and then narrow down your sources as you become more certain of your essay’s direction.

Start Brainstorming

After research comes the brainstorming. There are a lot of different ways to start the brainstorming process . Here are a few you might find helpful:

  • Think about what you found during your research that interested you the most
  • Jot down all your ideas, even if they’re not yet fully formed
  • Create word clouds or maps for similar terms or ideas that come up so you can group them together based on their similarities
  • Try freewriting to get all your ideas out before arranging them

Create a Thesis

This is often the most tricky part of the whole process since you want to create a thesis that’s strong and that you’re about to develop throughout the entire essay. Therefore, you want to choose a thesis statement that’s broad enough that you’ll have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you can’t be precise. 

Write Your Outline

Armed with your research, brainstorming sessions, and your thesis statement, the next step is to write an outline. 

In the outline, you’ll want to put your thesis statement at the beginning and start creating the basic skeleton of how you want your essay to look. 

A good way to tackle an essay is to use topic sentences . A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement that is usually the first sentence of a new paragraph. This sentence introduces the main idea that will be detailed throughout the paragraph. 

If you create an outline with the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and then a few points of what you want to discuss, you’ll already have a strong starting point when it comes time to sit down and write. This brings us to our next step… 

Write a First Draft

The first time you write your entire essay doesn’t need to be perfect, but you do need to get everything on the page so that you’re able to then write a second draft or review it afterward. 

Everyone’s writing process is different. Some students like to write their essay in the standard order of intro, body, and conclusion, while others prefer to start with the “meat” of the essay and tackle the body, and then fill in the other sections afterward. 

Make sure your essay follows your outline and that everything relates to your thesis statement and your points are backed up by the research you did. 

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

The revision process is one of the three main stages of writing an essay, yet many people skip this step thinking their work is done after the first draft is complete. 

However, proofreading, reviewing, and making edits on your essay can spell the difference between a B paper and an A.

After writing the first draft, try and set your essay aside for a few hours or even a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes to review it. You might find mistakes or inconsistencies you missed or better ways to formulate your arguments.

Add the Finishing Touches

Finally, you’ll want to make sure everything that’s required is in your essay. Review your assignment again and see if all the requirements are there, such as formatting rules, citations, quotes, etc. 

Go over the order of your paragraphs and make sure everything makes sense, flows well, and uses the same writing style . 

Once everything is checked and all the last touches are added, give your essay a final read through just to ensure it’s as you want it before handing it in. 

A good way to do this is to read your essay out loud since you’ll be able to hear if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies.

Essay Writing Tips

With the steps outlined above, you should be able to craft a great essay. Still, there are some other handy tips we’d recommend just to ensure that the essay writing process goes as smoothly as possible.

  • Start your essay early. This is the first tip for a reason. It’s one of the most important things you can do to write a good essay. If you start it the night before, then you won’t have enough time to research, brainstorm, and outline — and you surely won’t have enough time to review.
  • Don’t try and write it in one sitting. It’s ok if you need to take breaks or write it over a few days. It’s better to write it in multiple sittings so that you have a fresh mind each time and you’re able to focus.
  • Always keep the essay question in mind. If you’re given an assigned question, then you should always keep it handy when writing your essay to make sure you’re always working to answer the question.
  • Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesn’t seem random.
  • Integrate your research thoughtfully. Add in citations or quotes from your research materials to back up your thesis and main points. This will show that you did the research and that your thesis is backed up by it.

Wrapping Up

Writing an essay doesn’t need to be daunting if you know how to approach it. Using our essay writing steps and tips, you’ll have better knowledge on how to write an essay and you’ll be able to apply it to your next assignment. Once you do this a few times, it will become more natural to you and the essay writing process will become quicker and easier.

If you still need assistance with your essay, check with a student advisor to see if they offer help with writing. At University of the People(UoPeople), we always want our students to succeed, so our student advisors are ready to help with writing skills when necessary. 

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How to Write a Timed Essay

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

This article was co-authored by Arash Fayz . Arash Fayz is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of LA Tutors 123, an academic consulting and private tutoring company based in Los Angeles, California. Arash has over 10 years of educational consulting experience, managing the tutoring of students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to score higher on standardized tests and gain admission to their target schools. He has a BA in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 21,683 times.

Whether it be in a class or for a standardized test, students are often required to write a timed essay. Writing a timed essay is as much about organization and time management as it is about the quality of writing. Visit Step 1 to get started.

Divide Up Your Time

Step 1 Figure out how much time you have.

  • Make sure the prompts wants you to write an essay and not just a simple short answer that could consist of a few sentences to one full paragraph.
  • Pick a position/argument to organize your essay. Think in terms of the pros and cons of the arguments and what supporting details lead you to the facts you'd like to present in the essay.
  • Jot down an outline on some scrap paper
  • Write the essay based on the outline! Don't ever write without some notes and knowledge of the subject at hand.
  • Proofread your essay. No reader ever wants grammatical and spelling errors to be present.
  • Submit on time.

Step 2 Organize your time for a 30-minute timed essay.

  • Read and understand the prompt = 1.5 minutes
  • Pick a position = 1.5 minutes
  • Jot down an outline = 2 minutes
  • Write = 21 minutes
  • Revise = 3 minutes
  • Submit = 1 minute

Step 3 Break down your writing time per paragraph.

  • Introduction: 3 minutes
  • Paragraph 1: 6 minutes
  • Paragraph 2: 5 minutes
  • Paragraph 3: 5 minutes
  • Conclusion: 2 minutes

During the Essay

Step 1 Focus on your outline.

Proofreading the Essay

Step 1 Double check the essay to proofread it.

Submitting the Essay

Step 1 Recognize who the essay must be turned into.

Expert Q&A

Arash Fayz

  • Wear a wristwatch during your timed essay. Not every testing room will have a clock on the wall or a proctor who announces the time remaining at regular intervals. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't panic if you go over time on a particular section. You can make it up by going a little faster on the next section. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Pay special attention to the outlining at the beginning. If you have a solid structure and direction, the argument will seem focused and organized even if it has been written faster than you would do without a time limit. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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how to write an essay under 30 minutes

How to Write an Essay Fast: Tips and Examples

how to write an essay under 30 minutes

Almost every student has experienced a circumstance where they had just a few hours before the essay deadline. So, what is the best course of action in this case? We suggest that you should either begin writing right away or seek professional assistance. Hiring a pro to write your essay is an easy way out. You can just order essay from our research paper writing services , and in a blink of an eye, your piece is ready to be sent out on time. But, if you want to write it yourself, then you need to know how to write an essay quickly.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write an Essay Fast

The essay writing process isn't simple. Especially when you want to do it quickly under the pressure of upcoming deadlines, but don't panic! Whether you’re wondering how to write an essay in a day or just an hour, you can still write an engaging and good essay fast. Here are some tips to help you write a paper faster:

  • Make a plan for your writing process - The first and most important thing to do is to understand a thesis statement, spend 10-15 minutes planning your essay, and brainstorm some ideas about your main point.
  • Start essay writing - Start with a hook in the introduction; add three body paragraphs and explain your major point. Make a clear image of your ideas in the conclusion.
  • Edit your paper - Always keep the last 5 minutes for proofreading your essay; slowly read complex sentences to avoid any grammar mistakes; after editing, give the appropriate title to your work.

These are some useful short tips to do a paper fast. But if you don’t feel like doing any writing, you can use the help of qualified writing service to get yourself a solid essay.

How Can You Write an Essay as Fast as Possible

We discussed a few tips to write an essay fast, but they may still not be enough for everyone to do their essay quickly. There are many reasons why it can get difficult: you struggle to understand the essay topic and the main idea of it, you lack motivation, you overthink an essay prompt, you get constantly distracted, etc. Sometimes we all feel that way, and it's normal, but to make writing your last-minute essay easier, we should overcome those feelings.

So, let's dive deeper into how to write an essay fast to help you with the paper you completely overlooked.

How to Write an Essay Fast

Step 1. Get Rid of Distractions and Plan Your Time

One of the reasons why you can't focus on writing is a constant distraction. Our digital gadgets distract us not only from the essay writing process but from many important things in life. So when you need to focus, set your mind on it and keep the electronic devices away from the working space.

The next step is to manage time. If you want to learn how to write essays quickly, you need to know how to divide the time left correctly. If you have only 2 hours before your deadline, it's crucial to distribute it accordingly. You have to do it in three main parts: outline, body paragraphs, and conclusion paragraphs. Besides that, keep extra 10 minutes for proofreading and revising your essay. Spend 25 minutes on essay structure and half of your 2 hours on shaping the paper's body. Usually, body paragraphs are needed most of the time, but distribution is on you. Spend more of it on the part you struggle to write.

Step 2. Write First Ideas Which Spring up in Your Mind

While reading an essay question carefully, start making a note of the very first ideas that pop up in your mind. This way, you'll have a view of what to write about. Then start analyzing the thesis statement, highlight the major points of the key sentences you want to discuss and then choose which ideas fit best to them.

Don't overthink the statement. To write essays faster, you need to have a concise view of what you are writing about from the very beginning. You don't have much time, so do not spend any of it on overthinking.

Step 3. Elaborate a Plan to Write an Essay Fast

If you have ever had only an hour left to write your essay or are now in that situation, you're lucky to be here reading this. It's entirely possible to do your paper in an hour, and we'll show you an essential step-by-step plan on how to write an essay fast.

But before planning the whole essay, you have to choose your topic. This is a no-brainer, but people are often stuck at this point. If you have the freedom to choose your own topic, determine the kind of theme you are familiar with and can discuss without having to spend much time on research. But if you have several topics, choose the one on which you can deliver a more in-depth analysis.

Now let's move to the next steps on how to plan the process to write an essay fast.

Step 4. Conduct a Research

Conducting research may seem difficult when you have an hour for the whole essay, but don't worry. You can manage that too! You already have the topic and the thoughts around it, and now you need a little research. So be brief and concise, look for the specific information that you're definitely using in your paper, and don't waste time on general concepts. To write an essay fast, you have to conduct research faster.

While searching on the internet, save bookmarks of your needed pages. This will serve not to start looking for the information all over.

Do these tips to write an essay fast make enough sense for you yet?! Anyways, don't pressure yourself! If it's manageable for others to write essay fast, then it is for you too. So read through carefully, act according to this plan, and you'll make it.

Step 5. Make an Outline

Before you start writing:

  • Create an outline of your ideas, and organize your thoughts around the theme.
  • Write down your words on paper and determine how they are logically connected.
  • List your ideas and relate them to the larger concepts.

This way, you can have a general structure for your paper and step forward to write an essay fast. Regardless of how much effort and time you put into the work, it's useless if you can't organize your thoughts.

Now that you have an essay topic and the main idea around it, you can think of creating the thesis statement. Refer to the outlines you noted and try to express the major points of your essay with them. The statement will have two parts - outlining the topic and outlining the objective of your essay.

Now you are one step closer to mastering how to write essays quickly. Several steps to go, and you're all done!

Step 6. Write a Draft with Key Sentences for Each Paragraph

You should develop your arguments in the body and turn every idea you outlined before into separate paragraphs. Remember that each of the sections should have the same format. Start to incorporate your primary ideas into the opening sentence. After that, add your secondary supporting ideas to it. Also, do not forget to use proper sentence format.

You should clearly explain your topic in key sentences to strengthen the arguments. Every paragraph should contain supporting evidence, main points, and summarizing sentences.

Does it seem easier now to write an essay fast? Then, let us make it completely manageable for you with further steps.

Want to research how Steve Jobs revolutionized the world?

Discussing how Steve Jobs shaped modern technology makes a perfect research paper. Our writers are ready to make it even more perfect!

Step 7. Intro: Start with a Hook

After finishing the previous steps, then it is time to write an introduction. But how will you introduce something that hasn't been created yet? It may be unusual to write the beginning after you've already got the middle part, but it makes sense. Now that you have your thesis and arguments on paper, you can take the interesting elements and turn them into an attention-grabbing intro. Write a hook preceding it - it can be statistical information, a dialogue, a relevant anecdote, a quote, or just some fact, but it has to tie in with your thesis.

Also, if it's more comfortable to think of the hook first and then about the other parts, you're free to do so. Starting with the hook can help your creative process, but don't think too much about it. This way is more adjustable when you don't need to search for ‘how to write an essay quickly’ and have enough time to spend on it.

Step 8. Make a Strong Conclusion

Writing the conclusion paragraph is an important part of making a clear expression of everything you wrote above that. It is your opportunity to reinforce the thesis. Restate the arguments to leave the reader with something interesting to think about. It should be 3-5 strong conclusive sentences that place the whole information into a broader context. Don't forget to avoid introducing new points or ideas in your conclusion,

The introduction and conclusion is often the hardest part to write. So, you should save both for last, especially when you want to write an essay fast. It will take all of your time if you start thinking about them in the beginning when you haven't discussed any arguments yet. When you have the body paragraphs of your essay, it should be much easier to write a summarized conclusion and introduction.

Step 9. Check Everything

If you just typed ‘how to write an essay quickly’ and now reading this, then you already know you have to review your paper besides how much time you have before the deadline. So you always have to keep extra minutes to revise your work.

Check if there are any grammatical errors, if the paragraphs are in order - the main argument should be the first and last paragraph in your body, or if your work makes sense at all. These little elements affect the quality of your essay, especially the one you're writing in an hour.

This is the ultimate guide and your last step in learning to write an essay fast. Just don't panic and set your mind on doing it properly.

How to Write 500 Word Essay Fast

The essay writing process isn't so easy, especially when you want it done quickly. But it doesn't mean it's impossible. For example, have you ever wondered how to write a 500 word essay fast? If you are reading this article, you already have the answer. The previous examples we examined about writing papers faster are also adjustable to 500-word essays.

Let's do a small recap! First, decide on an interesting topic you want to write about, but don't overthink it. Instead, choose the one you know more about. Secondly, make a quick, basic outline of your thoughts and thesis statements. Then start working on your body paragraph, and lastly, do your introduction and conclusion. You can read above how to do each of these steps very easily.

In addition, you might be writing an SAT paper. In this case, you can apply these tips to the writing process with specific needs.

How to Write a Research Essay Fast

If you ever looked up 'how to write a research essay fast' and couldn't manage to find the solution through research, then we're here to help you out.

While writing a research paper requires a lot of effort—from developing a compelling thesis to locating relevant literature—doing so may be more fun if you select a topic you are passionate about. In addition, you have an opportunity to consider other people's discoveries and draw your own conclusions about what they signify.

Most essays have specifics that should be considered to be worth a good grade. If you don't know these needs, it can be difficult for you to complete the task properly. So then, what's your answer to it? Are you just sitting there wondering, 'how can I get research paper writing help ?' If you still haven't found the way, click on it, and there is your solution.

Pros and Cons of Writing an Essay Fast

As with everything else, writing your paper fast has its positive and negative sides too.

Let's start with the cons:

  • When writing fast, you may not leave yourself the time for proofreading and editing the work, which will lead to not a very good essay and a satisfactory grade.
  • Knowing that the deadline is coming closer can pressure you while preventing the creative process which can be destructive for your essay.
  • Time spent on each part of the paper may not be enough or correctly distributed, which can mess with essay structure.

Pros of writing essay fast:

  • The positive side of writing an argumentative essay fast is that now you know how to do it and don't need much time to waste.
  • You are always on time for deadlines when you know how to write a good essay fast.
  • Improves your time management skills.

So, It's entirely possible to write a good essay fast. For example, if you need to know how to write a process analysis essay, consider what we have already discussed above, and just like that, you are left with a great piece in a very short period!

There are many reasons why you can't finish your paper before the deadline. But it's not the end of the world, right? That's why essay writing services provide support for students. When you are in a position where you need to get your paper done fast by a professional, you can turn to EssayPro's cheap essay writing service. It's not a problem you have to worry about.

It doesn't matter if you need, for example, descriptive or expository essays, EssayPro's experts can provide both for you. You're just one click away from your perfect paper!

Need urgent writing assistance?

Contact our experts to get a perfect paper tailored to your requirements!

Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

how to write an essay under 30 minutes

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to Write a Good Essay in a Short Amount of Time

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 900,415 times.

Sometimes, you need to be able to write a good essay in a short amount of time for a timed exam, such as the Advanced Placement exams in high school. At other times, you might find yourself in the uncomfortable situation of having to write an essay fast because you procrastinated or let it sneak up on you. Although an essay written at the last minute will almost never be as good as an essay you spent more time on, putting together a decent essay quickly is still feasible. With a little planning and a lot of hard work, you can write an essay that’s good (or good enough!) in just a short time.

Doing the Prep Work for Your Essay

Step 1 Develop a plan.

  • Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses when devising your plan. [1] X Research source For example, if you are a good researcher but not great at editing, spend less time on the research section in favor of spending more time on the revising section.
  • Make sure to schedule breaks for yourself to refresh your brain and recharge yourself.
  • An example of a plan for a one-day essay writing project might look like this:
  • 8:00 – 9:30 – Consider an essay question and argument for the topic.
  • 9:30 – 9:45 – Take a short break.
  • 10:00 – 12:00 – Conduct research.
  • 12:00 – 13:00 – Outline the essay.
  • 13:00 – 14:00 – Take a lunch break.
  • 14:00 – 19:00 – Write your essay.
  • 19:00 – 20:00 – Take a dinner break.
  • 20:00 – 22:30 – Revise and copy edit your essay.
  • 22:30 – 23:00 – Print and prepare your essay submission. [2] X Research source

Step 2 Consider the essay question.

  • Make sure you understand what the question is asking for! If you provide a summary when the essay prompt asked you to “analyze,” you’re unlikely to do very well.
  • If you don’t have an essay topic, choose a subject that interests you and consider the essay question afterward. You are more likely to write a good essay on a topic that you’re interested in.

Step 3 Develop your argument or thesis statement.

  • If you don’t have much experience with your topic, it might be difficult to develop an argument. You can still consider your argument and then use your research to support or refute the claims you want to make.
  • A good exercise to help you quickly figure out your essay question and argument is to write “I am studying (choose a topic) because I want to know (what do you want to know) in order to show (this is where your argument goes).”
  • For example, “I am studying the medieval witch trials because I want to know how lawyers employed evidence in their cases in order to show that the trial process influenced modern medical techniques and legal practices.”
  • Consider counter-arguments in order to strengthen your essay.

Step 4 Research your essay topic.

  • Since you don’t have a lot of time to write, focus on one or two places where you can do research. For example, the library and internet offer many different options for sources. [5] X Research source
  • Just make sure that you use reliable sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, government and university websites, and newspapers and magazines written by professionals. Don’t use personal blogs, obviously biased sources, or sources that don’t have professional credentials.
  • You can draw upon information you know to speed up the research process. Simply find a (reliable!) source to support it and include it in your sources. [6] X Research source
  • Doing preliminary research online can point you to sources in a library such as books and journal articles. It can also point you in the direction of web sources including newspaper article archives or other research on your topic.
  • If you're reading books, "gut" the book to get through it quickly and move on to other sources. To "gut" a book, skim the introduction and conclusion to find the main arguments, and then pick a few details from the body of the book to use as evidence. [7] X Research source
  • Take notes on your research sources. These will show that you’ve legitimately researched the topic while giving credit to the person who forwarded the idea. [8] X Research source This is especially important if you plan to use direct quotes and will also help you add footnotes and bibliographic information to your essay without having to look them up in the sources.

Step 5 Write an outline of your essay.

  • Structure your outline as you will your essay, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
  • The more detail you put into your outline, the easier and more quickly you can write the essay. For example, instead of just writing a basic paragraph about the body, flesh it out into bullet points or sentences that presents argument and supporting evidence. [10] X Research source

Writing an Untimed Essay

Step 1 Set a fixed amount of time to write.

  • Nothing will keep you from finishing an essay on time like goofing off online or ending up watching eight straight hours of Cartoon Network. Turn the TV off, switch your phone to silent, and exit out of Facebook and other social media/chat sites.
  • Make sure you have all your material nearby when you start to write. Getting up to fetch a book or a piece of paper or a snack will eat into your precious time.

Step 2 Write a catchy...

  • The most important part of your introduction is your argument or thesis statement. This tells the reader the point your trying to make in the essay. [13] X Research source
  • Write a “hook” that will grab the reader’s attention to start, then introduce the argument with a few relevant facts woven into the narrative. End by stating how you will demonstrate your points. [14] X Research source
  • An example of a hook could be, “People say Napoleon had a complex because of his size, but he was actually an average height for the time in which he lived.”
  • It's sometimes helpful to write the introduction after you have written the body so you know how to introduce the topic and your arguments best. [15] X Research source
  • A good rule of thumb is to not have the introduction be more the 10% of your essay. Thus, for a five page essay, you shouldn’t write more than one paragraph. [16] X Research source

Step 3 Write the body of the essay.

  • Pick two to three main points to help make your argument or thesis statement. Any fewer and you won’t have enough evidence for your argument and any more may make you not explore each point thoroughly enough. [18] X Research source
  • Keep your evidence to support the main points concise. Going off on explanatory tangents will cost you precious time.
  • Support your main points with the evidence compiled during your research. Make sure to explain how the evidence supports your claims! [19] X Research source
  • If haven’t reached your word limit, pick a main point and conduct more research on it to expand on your point. [20] X Research source

Step 4 Write as clearly as possible.

  • Avoid "fat" language when you write. Text that includes long prepositional phrases, passive verbs, and paragraphs that don't further your argument waste time that you could spend writing or revising your essay.

Step 5 Allow yourself to “free-write” to optimize your time.

  • Free-writing can also help you overcome writer’s block that results from not knowing how to say something. If you’re struggling with getting the wording of an idea just right, write it as well as you can and come back to it later.

Step 6 Write the essay conclusion.

  • The essay conclusion should also be relatively short. Aim for the conclusion to be 5-10% of your essay’s total length.
  • Aim to do more in your conclusion than just restate your thesis and the evidence you used. You could acknowledge the limitations of your argument, suggest a direction for future research, or expand the relevance of your topic to a wider field.
  • Just as you drew in reader with good introduction, end your conclusion with a sentence that make a lasting impression on your reader. [24] X Research source

Step 7 Revise and proofread your essay.

  • Re-read the entire essay. Make sure that you are still arguing the same thing at the end of the essay that you are at the beginning. If not, go back and adjust your thesis.
  • Make sure that your paragraphs build on one another and don’t feel haphazard. You can use transitions and strong topic sentences to help you draw connections between your paragraphs.
  • Spelling and grammar are the easiest mistakes to revise, but they cost you a lot of reader goodwill if you don’t fix them. [25] X Research source

Writing a Timed Essay

Step 1 Plan your work.

  • Read the prompt carefully! If the question asks you to take a position, take one. If it asks you to evaluate the events that led to the downfall of Rome, don’t just give a summary of Roman history. [26] X Research source
  • Jot down an idea map. You probably won’t have time to make a formal outline. However, having an idea of the main points that you want to touch on and how they relate will help you structure the essay. If you can’t figure out how to connect your main points, that’s a sign you need to think a little bit more before you start writing.
  • Figure out your argument. Once you’ve noted down some main points, figure out what you want to say about them. Even timed essays need a unified argument or thesis.

Step 2 Time your writing strategically.

  • For example, you wouldn’t want to spend the same amount of time and effort on a 3-paragraph essay question worth 20% as you would a 2-page essay question worth 60%.
  • If you see a question that you feel will be more difficult for you, it could be a good idea to tackle it first. This will get the hard stuff out of the way while you’re still fresh.

Step 3 Cut the fluff.

  • If you notice that your introductory paragraph starts with something broad or hugely general, such as “Throughout the history of time, humans have been fascinated by science,” cut it.
  • Don’t put anything in a timed essay that doesn’t support your point. If you are talking about the importance of religious belief in modern society, don’t dilute your point by also referencing socialism, Hollywood, and banana farming.

Step 4 Explain connections between evidence and claims.

  • Claim. This is the main argument of the paragraph. It is probably located in your topic sentence.
  • Evidence. This is the supporting detail that proves your claim.
  • Explanation. This connects the evidence back to your claim and explains why the evidence proves what you say it does.
  • If anything in your paragraph doesn’t fit one of these three elements, it’s a good sign you don’t need it in the paragraph.

Step 5 Leave time to revise.

  • Does the essay actually demonstrate and support what your thesis says is the main argument? It’s not uncommon for ideas to evolve as you write. If this has happened, tweak your thesis accordingly.
  • Do the paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the next? Timed essays don’t have the same standards that regular essays do, but your reader should still be able to follow your argument in a logical progression without feeling yanked around or lost.
  • Do you offer a conclusion that sums up your argument? Don’t leave the essay hanging without a conclusion. Even if it’s very brief, a conclusion will help your essay feel complete.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Transition words such as "furthermore", "indeed", and "in fact" can make your flow better. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Don't fluff up your essay too much. A reader will want you to get to the point as quickly as possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • When starting a new paragraph, don't forget to indent. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to write an essay under 30 minutes

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  • ↑ https://www.savethestudent.org/extra-guides/how-to-write-a-3000-word-essay-in-a-day.html
  • ↑ https://www.writingsimplified.com/2011/06/how-to-write-essay-fast.html
  • ↑ https://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/2011/08/slowpoke.2.html
  • ↑ https://amst522.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/how-to-gut-a-book-or-the-best-advise-my-grad-school-advisor-ever-gave-me/
  • ↑ https://classroom.synonym.com/write-effective-essay-fast-4252.html
  • ↑ https://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/2011/08/slowpoke.html
  • ↑ https://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic1/timed-essays-top-5-tips-for-writing-academic-essays-under-pressure/

About This Article

Megan Morgan, PhD

If you need to write a good essay in a short amount of time, try to plan your argument and avoid distractions while you're writing. Before you start your essay, decide your thesis statement or the main argument you want to make. This will help you narrow down your research and write the essay quicker. Find a quiet place to work, turn your phone off, and avoid any other distractions. Make sure you schedule short breaks to avoid burn out. If you get stuck, write whatever you can, even if you think it’s really bad or doesn’t make sense. It will be much easier to edit once you’ve gotten the words on the page. Make sure you leave a few hours to revise and spellcheck your essay. For more tips from our Teaching co-author, including how to write a timed essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write an Essay in 30 Minutes?

If you’re looking for tips on how to write an essay in 30 minutes, you’ve come to the right place. The best way to make this process easier is by following some of the most important steps: outline your essay. Make sure to spend a particular amount of time on each paragraph. If you find that you are going over your time, you’ll know where to make a few adjustments. This will help you avoid spending too much time looking up information.

Create an outline

The first step in writing an essay is to create an outline. Outlines are a great way to stay organized and focus on the topic at hand. They also help you develop a strong thesis statement and begin research. An outline always begins with a thesis statement or summarizing sentence that conveys the central idea of the paper. You can brainstorm ideas and revise them later. Generally, you should begin by writing a summary sentence and then write your entire essay from this outline.

Once you have your outline, begin dividing the ideas into categories. For example, a literary essay might group the ideas under themes, while a history essay might have three main themes. Once you have a general outline, you can break it up into body paragraphs, longer sections, and different parts that each cover one of the themes. You should also check your outline for repetition or relevancy to your thesis statement.

Your essay outline should provide boundaries and structure. Once you have an outline, it is easy to write an essay. Your outline does not need to be long. You can write in full sentences or use shorthand. What matters is that you understand your topic well enough to construct an outline that will be both clear and coherent. When writing your outline, save the introduction and concluding paragraphs for the end, and you will be on your way to completing the assignment in less time.

When planning your essay, you must come up with a thesis statement that conveys your argument and guides your essay. Creating an outline will save you a lot of time later. You will need about 15 minutes to write the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. You should also leave 5 minutes for proofreading. Don’t worry about the title, as you can fix that later. It’s best to have a title after you’ve completed writing the essay.

Avoid writing too many cross-outs

When you have 30 minutes to write an essay, you have to divide your time into various tasks. Allot five to ten minutes to plan your essay, 15 to 20 minutes for writing, and five to ten minutes for quick editing and revisions. Do not underestimate the power of planning. Create a good outline, and review your essay at least once before the deadline. This way, you can save valuable time by focusing on important areas of your essay.

Avoid writing too many paragraphs

Most SAT essays require students to write five paragraphs in 30 minutes, and while this may seem impossible, it’s not too far off. With a little planning and time management, a five-paragraph essay should be easily achievable. First, you must know how to answer the question, which will probably be directed by a question. The question could be a prompt or a quote that includes a question.

To estimate the number of paragraphs needed, think about the main points of the body text. Each of these should have at least one paragraph, though important points may require more. Ideally, a paragraph should contain at most three ideas, with a maximum of five paragraphs. However, if you have a long essay, you may need to break it up into a schematic view to determine how many sentences are necessary.

Avoid procrastinating

Good habits make life easier, and they also help you become more successful. Developing good habits is crucial for a healthy lifestyle and education. Here are some tips to help you avoid procrastinating when writing an essay in 30 minutes. Procrastinating is an unhealthy habit that can lead to frustration, poor quality work, and caffeine dependence. Therefore, you should be proactive in avoiding procrastination.

Set realistic goals. Setting too high goals may lead to procrastination. Make your deadline realistic and set yourself a timer. Having a deadline that is too close to a particular date or time will motivate you to put in the effort necessary to meet it. Aim for a deadline so that you know exactly how long it will take. You can always reschedule it if you feel you’ll be able to complete it in time.

Another way to avoid procrastinating when writing an exam essay is to make a time schedule. Make a note of how much time you have to write the essay. It will be easier to schedule your day accordingly. During the last few days before the deadline, you will be aware of how much time you have left for completing the task. Also, write down the dates of when you will submit the essay.

Self-discipline is essential for overcoming procrastination. Self-discipline is an essential skill that will allow you to overcome any problem that arises. Regular exercise and healthy food habits will also improve your discipline. This type of discipline can be beneficial in many other areas of your life. If you can stick to these habits, your life will be a happier, healthier place to be.

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how to write an essay under 30 minutes

Writing Under Time Pressure: Crafting Quality Content

When it comes to the art of writing under time pressure, there's an intriguing aspect of human communication that's worth noting: the average person speaks at a rate of about 125 to 150 words per minute. This seemingly mundane statistic takes on great significance when we consider that, in the realm of timed essays, every minute counts. Whether you're facing a standardized test, an entrance examination, or even a workplace challenge, you'll find yourself racing against the clock to articulate your thoughts effectively. In this race, time may not be your greatest ally, but fear not! We are here to provide you with the finest tips on how to write an essay under the constraints of time.

Writing Under Time Pressure: Short Description

In this comprehensive article, our professional essay writers will delve into a multitude of proven strategies and techniques that will empower you to compose compelling essays under pressure. We'll provide you with a rich toolkit of tips for timed essay practice, an outline, and a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section, all aimed at empowering you to master how to write a timed essay when seconds are slipping away. From time management to structuring your essay effectively and conquering writer's block, our goal is to ensure your words shine brightly even within the confines of strict time constraints.

Understanding What Is a Timed Essay

A timed essay is the written equivalent of a sprint in the world of academic and professional writing. It's a structured challenge where you're tasked with crafting a thoughtful and coherent essay within a limited timeframe, often under exam conditions or tight deadlines. The catch? Time is your most precious resource, and the clock ticks relentlessly as you brainstorm, outline, write, and revise your composition.

This unique form of writing evaluates not just your knowledge of the subject matter but also your ability to think on your feet, organize your thoughts swiftly, and communicate effectively under pressure. It's an art form that demands practice, strategy, and the ability to keep your cool when the seconds are slipping away.

How Long Should a Timed Essay Be?

The ideal length of a limited-time essay can vary depending on the specific instructions you receive, but a general rule of thumb is to aim for a concise yet comprehensive composition. In many cases, you may be given a suggested word count or a specific number of paragraphs to include. However, when no such guidelines are provided, it's wise to aim for an essay that is around 300 to 500 words, typically consisting of an introduction, three to four main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This length allows you to present a well-structured argument or discussion without delving too deeply into unnecessary details. 

Furthermore, while crafting your essay, it's crucial to pay close attention to how to avoid and fix plagiarism in your essay . Plagiarism involves using someone else's ideas, words, or work without proper attribution, which can have serious academic consequences. To steer clear of plagiarism, always cite your sources properly, whether you're quoting directly or paraphrasing. Additionally, familiarize yourself with your institution's guidelines on academic integrity and plagiarism prevention.

Remember, quality is more important than quantity when it comes to timed essays. It's essential to focus on clarity, coherence, and relevance within the constraints of your allotted time.

How to Prepare for a Timed Essay: 9 Key Tips

Preparing for a timed essay is not just about mastering the content; it's about honing your time-management, organizational, and writing skills to perform at your best under pressure. Here are some essential tips on how to prepare for a timed essay effectively from our expert custom essay service :

how to prepare for timed essay

Timed Essay Format Outline

When time is of the essence, having a clear and efficient essay format outline can be a lifesaver. Here's a straightforward timed essay outline from our assignment writing services that you can adapt to various essay topics:

I. Introduction

  • Hook or Attention-Grabber
  • Thesis Statement (Your main argument or position)
  • Preview of Main Points

II. Body Paragraph 1

  • Topic Sentence (First main point)
  • Supporting Evidence or Example
  • Explanation or Analysis
  • Transition to the Next Paragraph

III. Body Paragraph 2

  • Topic Sentence (Second main point)

IV. Body Paragraph 3 (Optional)

  • Topic Sentence (Third main point)

V. Counterargument (Optional)

  • Acknowledge opposing viewpoints
  • Refute counterarguments

VI. Conclusion

  • Restate Thesis Statement
  • Summarize Main Points
  • Concluding Statement or Call to Action

how to write an essay under 30 minutes

Tips on Timed Essay

Our skilled writers who you can easily order essay online from, have some timed essay tips that will help you enhance your performance in these papers. When unsure how to focus when doing a timed essay, remember that practice is key to success! So, make it a habit to practice writing under time constraints to build your confidence and proficiency.

tips on timed essay

How Do You Write a Timed Essay?

When you're racing against the clock to compose an essay, effective time management and focus are essential. Here are tips on how to write a timed essay and tackle each section of your outline under pressure:

1. Use Abbreviations:

  • Employ common abbreviations (e.g., 'govt' for government) to save time when typing or writing.
  • Ensure your abbreviations are clear and widely recognized to prevent confusion.

2. Skip Tricky Parts Temporarily:

  • If you encounter a particularly challenging section, don't get stuck. Move on and return to it later.
  • Prioritize completing the parts you're confident in first to maximize your word count.

3. Write in Bullet Points (if allowed):

  • When time is tight, bullet points can be more efficient than full sentences. Check timed essay samples to see how it works.
  • Use bullet points to outline your ideas or evidence quickly, then flesh them out when you have more time.

4. Keep Sentences Short and to the Point:

  • Avoid lengthy, convoluted sentences. Aim for clear and concise communication.
  • Shorter sentences are often easier to construct and comprehend under pressure.

5. Embrace Imperfections:

  • Accept that you might make minor errors or overlook refinements in a timed essay.
  • Prioritize getting your ideas down over perfection.

Can You Write an Essay in 40 Minutes?

Yes, you can write an essay in 40 minutes, but efficiency and focus are key. A well-planned outline, concise writing, and a clear thesis statement will be your allies. Practice is essential to hone your skills and improve your time management. Remember, while quality is important, meeting the basic requirements of the essay prompt should be your primary goal when time is limited.

Which Step Should You Skip When Writing an Essay During a Timed Exam?

When writing an essay during a timed exam, it's often necessary to skip the step of extensive revision and rewriting. In this high-pressure situation, you should prioritize the completion of your essay within the allotted time. Instead of going back to revise and rewrite extensively, which can consume precious minutes, focus on proofreading for glaring errors. This means checking for spelling and punctuation errors and ensuring that your sentences are clear and comprehensible. While revision is crucial for refining a paper's quality, during a timed essay exam, it's more important to ensure you address the core components of the prompt and manage your time effectively.

Is the SAT Essay Timed?

Certainly, the SAT Essay is a timed section of the SAT exam. Test takers are given a total of 50 minutes to complete this optional essay component. During this time, you'll need to read a provided passage, analyze the author's argument, and construct your own well-organized essay response. Effective time management is one of the crucial study tips to ace your exams and to have enough time to plan, write, and revise your essay within the 50-minute window.

Closing Remarks

In the realm of timed essays, preparation is your ally. Armed with a clear plan on how to write a strong timed essay, efficient strategies, and practiced skills, you can confidently face the ticking clock and emerge with well-crafted essays that shine under pressure. If this still feels overwhelming, you can always submit a ‘ write my essay online ’  request, and we'll handle any assignment for you. Regardless of your approach, embrace the challenge, dedicate yourself to practice, and master the art of writing within constraints!

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Sometimes, we have no choice but to do our best and write an essay in under 30 minutes. It sounds like a real hassle, and at times, it can be. There are many steps to write an essay, but even if you know them, the real thing you need to nail is how to write your essays faster. If you’re wondering how to write an essay quickly, or how to finish an essay in under 30 minutes flat, you’re in luck because we have compiled an excellent list of tricks to help you.

how to write an essay under 30 minutes

Tips to Write an Essay in Under 30 Minutes

To know how to write essays faster, read on:

Read the Essay Question

The most important thing you need to do before starting your essay is finding out precisely what topic you’ll be writing on. Read the question and then re-read it. This will help you understand better. Taking a pencil and underlining the keywords also helps. Keywords include actions words, like “describe” or “inform” that tell us the writing style we need to adopt, and other essential words or phrases like the subject under discussion, which is essentially the topic of the essay.

Research Your Essay

If you’re not cooped up in an exam hall and have internet access, you may find yourself researching the topic at hand. If you choose to do this, make sure you stick to the exact amount of time you have allowed yourself for it, be it 3, 5, or 10 minutes. The best way to do this is by searching up the underlined keywords from your question. For example, the question may be “describe the effects of climate change on polar bears,” in which case your online search keywords might be “climate change polar bears.”

Using only the keywords and cutting out extra words can help you type faster, and get better, accurate results. Don’t worry about perfect grammar during research-none of it really matters when you’re performing an online search!

Some students simply don’t have the time to do a research-based essay. While some essays are doable, others are more demanding, and finishing them before the due date can prove to be a real challenge. In such cases, many students go over well-known essay writing service ratings and choose a third-party academic writer to pen their essay for them. Before selecting a writer, though, it is important to go over their essay writing services reviews and see which writer best fits your criteria. Also, don’t forget to ask for prices beforehand!

Make a Plan Before You Start Writing

First, you need to know exactly how much time you have and divide it according to what you need to get done. When working within a 30-minute time-frame, consider dividing up your time like this: allot 5-10 minutes for planning and outlining 15 to 20 minutes for writing, and the remaining 5 minutes for quick revisions and editing.

Do not underestimate the power of planning and editing. If you start writing with a decent essay outline in place, your work will finish faster because you’ll have a clear idea of exactly what needs to be done. Finish off by taking the time out to review your essay-it can do wonders for your final product.

Set a Timer and Dissect Your Essay

If you’re still wondering how to write an essay fast , follow this advice: set a timer, especially if you have multiple things to do, like research, planning, and editing, apart from writing the essay itself. As highlighted in step 2, decide how long you want to spend on each task, and then set timers accordingly, so you don’t bleed into another time slot. Time management can make or break your essay, so be sure to do your best to keep those minutes under check!

How To Make Your Essay Stand Out

These are the tips that will help you complete your essay within 30 minutes. However, there is more to essay writing that just managing your time efficiently. Here are some professional tips on how to write an essay:

Brainstorm Your Thesis

Deciding on a solid thesis statement is vital because it sets the tone for your essay. The thesis statement contains the essence of the rest of your essay, so choose it wisely. A good thesis statement takes the question or topic at hand head-on without beating around the bush.

Write an Interesting Introduction

The thesis is generally a part of the introduction, namely the first line after your essay’s “hook,” which is a sentence used to grasp the reader’s attention. But there is more to an introduction than just the hook and thesis statement. Use the introduction to tell your reader the basics of the topic you’ll be covering so that when they read the body paragraphs, they’ll know what to expect from the rest of the essay.

Write Your Body

The body paragraphs tell the tale of your essay. They contain all the essential substance and context, and really help flesh out your writing. Your first body paragraph should discuss your strongest point alongside some examples to make it clearer to the reader. Try ending the paragraph with a one-liner conclusion that ties your paragraph back to your thesis statement. You can have as many body paragraphs as you need, but the typical amount is three, especially if you’re working within a tight time frame.

Conclusion Time

A good conclusion summarizes the essay and reinforces the statement. If your topic demanded you to “describe” and not “argue,” you may want to avoid giving a biased opinion in your conclusion.

Use these steps to write an essay to help you finish your work in 30 minutes. The additional writing tips will help you have the best essay of them all!

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  • How to Write an Incredible Persuasive Essay in 30 Minutes

December 23, 2014 - Posted to Writing tips

Content t h a n k  y o u

Writing a persuasive essay doesn’t have to be a huge chore, so don’t make it one! If you do not have c clear understanding of how to write a persuasive essay, read on and learn, my friend.

This short little guide will take you step-by-step down the field and through the goal line!

Getting a Persuasive Writing Idea

If your instructor provides the topic, you really have no choice, but, in most instances, the topic will be general and you can pick something specific within that area. For example, your topic might be in the area of government spending, but you get to pick the spending area. So, what should the government spend less on or what should it spend more on? Come on – they’re your tax dollars – how should they be spent?

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Any persuasive ideas you come up with will fall into two categories.

First, if your instructor insists upon a lengthier piece of writing, in which you back up your opinion with factual data, you are writing persuasive papers, not essays, and you will have to do some research for that data. The research does not count in my 30-minute guide – only the actual writing – just so we are clear on that! Second, you may be asked for a shorter piece – a persuasive essay – one-to-two pages in which you express your strong opinions on a particular issue. For this writing, you really may not need to do any research at all. You simply need to have an opinion and reasons for that opinion.

The Brainstorming Process

Now that you have a topic, you are ready to get your opinion and reasons clear in your head. Are you in favor of granting work visas to illegal immigrants or not? Do you think the Electoral College is antiquated or not? Is biogenetic engineering ethical? Has the war on drugs failed?

You have to have reasons for your opinion, and you should list these in your brainstorming session. It doesn’t have to be long, but it does have to happen, so that you are clear on why you hold the opinion you do! Each of your reasons will ultimately comprise a paragraph or a section, so get each reasons clarified!

The Persuasive Essay Outline

Once you have a list of the reasons for you opinion, you are ready to produce your outline. Whether it is an essay or a persuasive paper outline, the process is the same. Take your strongest reason or rationale and make it first. The other reasons should follow in descending order of importance. Why? Because you want to impress your reader with the strongest argument right off the bat.

The Persuasive Essay Format

Stop thinking that there is something unique about persuasive essays – there isn’t.

You will have an introduction, body paragraphs (or sections, if it is a paper), and a conclusion – just like every other essay you have written – nothing mystical here! Your introduction will have your thesis statement, and that will include your opinion on the issue.

Each body paragraph (or section) will develop one reason for your opinion, and you should have a minimum of three. Your conclusion will tie it all up in a neat bow, reinforcing your thesis statement. If I were writing an essay on the ethics of biogenetic engineering, for example, I might conclude with a scathing condemnation of “designer” babies that only the wealthy could afford, and the long-term impact of the inequality that such practices would foster! On the other hand, if I supported biogenetic engineering only for the purposes of preventing disease, birth defects, and other genetic disorder, then I would speak to the positive impact on society as a whole.

You’ve Got the Ideas, the Outline, and the Format – What’s Next?

Now, you’re on to the actual writing of the piece. Aye, here’s the rub! You have great ideas and rationales for the body paragraphs, but you are stumped on how to start a persuasive essay.

 Here’s my one piece of best advice for your introduction – start with an anecdote! Not sure what that is? Well, here’s an example. If I were going to write a persuasive essay about the need to do something, anything, about lowering student debt amounts and/or interest, I would begin with a story about a college grad who is mired in so much debt that his/her future is in serious jeopardy. Really, there are kids graduating today with close to $100,000 in loan debt, with no job prospects that will even come close to allowing payment of that debt within several years.

Tell someone’s story! This will grab the reader’s attention immediately, if it is awful enough! And make it as awful as possible, because that will support your argument even more.

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A Final Note

Persuasive essays can actually be fun, if you stop thinking about them as drudgery and start considering them as a way of pressing your point on issues about which you feel very passionate.

Think of such an assignment this way: you know you have strong opinions about certain things – politics, the environment, religion, social issues, poverty, student welfare, drugs, prisons – the list can be endless.

The key to putting together an essay in 30 minutes is this: find a topic that incites your passion, formulate your position clearly, identify the reasons for your opinion, and find a compelling anecdote for an introduction.

You will be surprised how easily the words flow!

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