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How to write three-page essays Quickly (Plus titles/topics and tips)

There are many ways to kill a rat (as an adage goes), and so are many ways to write an essay fast. There is no single bullet when it comes to writing essays with different paragraphs and pages. It is not every time that we write essays without a challenge. Instead, we can overcome these challenges by understanding the essay writing process.

Are you assigned to write a three-page paper and need to do it fast but do not know where to begin? Well, you are not alone. Even though at face value, a 3-page essay might appear as though it is the longest task you will ever complete, sometimes in short deadlines, it necessarily does not have to be a struggle writing it.

We come bearing the good news because, in this article, we take you through how to write a three-page essay task faster, especially when you are strapped for time, the deadline is fast approaching, or when it is last-minute writing. We know that most students work better under the pressure of strict deadlines, and if that sounds like you, do not panic.

You can write your essay or research paper with three pages and beat the deadline to score the best mark. The only thing you need to do is to read this article and find out how to produce an excellent paper. And if you need help with writing urgent 3-page essays , you can hire a fast writer on our website. 

How long is a three-page essay or research paper?

Before we understand the practical ways to write a quick three-page paper in the least time possible, say an hour or two, we begin by looking at the bells and whistles.

A three-page essay is sometimes called a 750-word essay because it contains between 750 and 900 words. The rationale is that a typed page can be 250., 275, or 300 words. It is a formal essay for middle school and is also common in high school. We consider a 3-page double-spaced essay as having between 750 and 825 words given that most papers written in APA or MLA are double-spaced.

If you are to write a 3-page essay and the instructions direct that you come up with 3 full pages, ensure that each page with content is filled. It should take you around 300 words per page, meaning 3 full pages would be 900 words long.

In terms of length, three-page essays can have a minimum of three paragraphs. However, the maximum number of paragraphs depends on your ideas, the structure of your essay, and the word count specified in the instructions. However, since a paragraph is between 125 words and 160 words (words to paragraph conversion for essays), the body of a 3-page should have at least 4 or 5 paragraphs long.

When writing a 3-pages essay, your introduction and conclusion should have approximately 10-15% of the word count. This means that they should at least be between 100 and 125 words long. The body should carry 75-80% of the word count, which translates to between 620 and 660 words for a 3-page body paragraph.

The paragraph is longer because it is where you develop the thesis statement by supporting it. The body paragraphs comprise topic sentences , supporting sentences, and concluding sentences.

If you are wondering what a 3-page essay or research paper looks like, it contains at least five paragraphs . As long as it is 750-825 words, written in font size 12, Times New Roman or Arial, and has a 1-inch margin all around, it is a three-page paper.

The time it takes to write a three-page essay or paper

With the understanding of how long a three-page essay is, let us now look at how long it takes to write one. Assuming you have little time and want to complete a 3-page essay or research paper, submit it, and attend to other assignments or personal stuff, knowing the time it will take to complete your essay matters.

The accurate amount of time it takes depends on a hoard of factors such as:

• The complexity or straightforwardness of your topic.
• The required length of your essay.
• Whether you are writing the first or polished draft.
• The availability of sources to get evidence to use in your essay .
• Your typing speeds
• Your organizational and writing skills
• How fast do you unpack the essay prompt or question?
• Your experience in writing research papers.

Mostly, your experience and writing skills matter the most when it comes to writing any paper or essay fast. If you have top-notch planning, organization, typing, and writing skills, you rest assured to take the least time to complete your research paper or essay. As you will realize later, writing a 3-page essay is 50% planning and 50% organizing.

An experienced writer should complete a three-page essay in an hour or less if it is not complex and in 2 hours or less if it is on a complex topic. However, a student with entry-level writing skills will take more hours, say 5-6 hours, write the same paper and score a good grade. So, unless you are pressured by the deadline, it is always good to take your time. But that does not mean taking a whole week to write a 3-page essay.

How do you write a 3 Page Essay faster and more accurately? The 6 Steps

If you are assigned a three-page essay or research paper and are supposed to submit it between 2 hours and 12 hours (or before midnight or overnight) tops, follow the steps outlined below. We tested these steps, recommended them to busy students, and got feedback that they worked for successful students in college and university.

Because you already know the number of words and the length of your essay, it should not be a bother. Instead, writing it well should be your top priority. Note that the organizational structure of a 3-page essay is for a shorter essay. When you are used to longer essays, condensing points becomes a challenge. However, follow these steps to write it with ease and faster.

1. Plan out your essay or paper

Planning your time well helps you develop your focus and concentrate on the things that matter. Jumping right into writing could be detrimental, especially if you do not know the scope, direction, or points to lay out. You may end up abandoning the essay halfway and getting frustrated.

The essence of creating a schedule for your paper is to focus on writing, even when you are pressed for time. Besides, it helps you to beat procrastination and writer�s block. You are also guaranteed to get distraction-free environments and times to complete your essay.

If you have 6 hours to complete a three-page essay, spend 3 hours in the preparation stage, an hour on writing, and an hour on editing and polishing (post-writing rituals). If you have two hours, schedule 30 minutes for preparing or the prewriting stage, 45 minutes for writing, and the rest for editing and proofreading. And if you have two days to complete the same, spend 5 hours preparing the essay, an entire day on writing, and another 5 hours polishing, proofreading, and editing.

2. Brainstorm

After you have planned your time, begin by reading the essay prompt or the research paper question. You then need to unpack the question, understand what is required of you, and brainstorm some ideas, topics, and insights to include in your paper. This is also a chance to draw out the main points, anticipate challenges, and come up with solutions.

In most cases, you can use mind maps or concept maps to record your thoughts or take notes as you brainstorm. Develop a perspective, potential solutions, the significance of the topic, or likely research sources/evidence to use. Also, think of the best titles and thesis statements for your essay.

3. Draft an outline

There is no doubt that sketching an outline saves time taken to write. It helps you focus on your writing. For your 3-page essay, develop a point-to-point, topical, or complete sentence outline. You can always change the outline as you write.

Write the best title for your essay and construct a declarative and reasonable thesis statement. You should also map out the topic sentences and rope in some of the evidence to use in your essay.

4. Research

Research either makes or breaks your essay. The more and deeper you research, the more your instructor, professor, or teaching assistant can tell that your essay is loaded with facts, evidence, and a good flow.

To research well, check the insights you developed as you brainstormed. Next, browse through the internet and rove through the related websites, books, journal articles, and periodicals to get sources from where you can extract evidence to support facts and arguments in your essay. Preferably, look at scholarly databases such as EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Science Direct, Web of Science, or ProQuest for scholarly articles.

As you identify the potential sources, organize your bibliography and download and organize the sources. And as you research, stick to your outline. You can tweak the outline if the new information or approach supports the thesis statement better. You can use the librarians to get research materials if you have an extended deadline and little time.

Good research provides fodder for the next step, writing the first draft.

5. Write the First Draft

When writing, focus on writing first and editing later approach. You can easily bring your analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and creativity skills.

Begin by polishing the essay title from the list you developed when brainstorming. The topic should be concise, loaded with information, and related to the thesis and subject of the three-page essay.

Write the introduction beginning with the hook or attention grabber , which can be a fun or shocking fact, statistics, or valuable information. You should then write the background statement that covers the topic, related information, and significance of the paper. Finally, finalize the introduction by stating your focused thesis statement and transitioning to the body paragraphs.

Next, work on the body paragraphs because your essay must have several supporting or developing paragraphs. As mentioned, a three-page paper should have 4-5 body paragraphs. Each should have a topic sentence, supporting sentences (evidence, examples, and commentaries), and closing sentences. The paragraphs should have a balanced number of words, be cited, and be connected to the thesis statement. Again, use transition or linking words and phrases to create a good flow of ideas.

Finalize the essay writing process by concluding your essay. The conclusion should restate the thesis, summarize the body section, and give closure to the essay. You can have a call-to-action for the audience to ensure they remain challenged after being informed.

6. Improve and Polish the First Draft

After completing the first draft, you can take a small break from writing. The essence is developing an objective mind that can see through your writing mistakes.

This post-writing stage begins with editing and revising for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other writing errors, such as typos. Next, proceed to proofread your essay so you can further correct any mistakes, such as the wrong flow of ideas, misplaced ideas, uncited paragraphs, and missing subtitles if any are required. Finally, format your essay in APA, MLA, Harvard, ASA, AMA, or Chicago format.

Read our guide on writing a 3-to-4-page essay or research paper  in case you are confused about what to include when there is the mention of upper and lower limits to the word count.

Best Titles, Topics, and Ideas for a 3-Page Research Paper or Essay

Assuming you have been assigned to write a 3-page essay and do not know what topics to write your essay on, you can pick one from the list below. The list also has prime ideas for your essay titles and topics.

• How social media prompts anorexia
• Should people attend college?
• Should gun ownership by American citizens be banned?
• Can someone develop skills on their own without college?
• Has urbanization led to increased pollution?
• Domestic violence and alcoholism
• Why can corruption not end in the public sector?
• People should develop empathy.
• The plastic ban helps conserve the environment
• Why drunk driving is dangerous
• Should children bring their phones and tablets to school?
• Are self-taught programmers the best at their job?
• YouTube is a great and accessible university
• Are there solutions to microplastics in oceans?
• Should rich countries pay more for pollution?
• Older people should be allowed to keep pets
• Benefits of continuing education for nurses
• Strategies to solve the nursing shortage
• Electroconvulsive therapy in treating mental health disorders
• Effectiveness of group therapy in treating mental health disorders
• How stigma affects the families of those with mental health issues
• Use of complementary and alternative medicine in mental health disorders
• Use of telepsychiatry in managing mental health patients remotely
• How pressure from work causes mental health problems
• Reasons for increased domestic violence during Covid-19
• Access to mental health facilities by the Indigenous people
• Impacts of community policing on prostitution
• Benefits of GMO plants and animals in food security
• Impacts of groupware on organizations
• The uneven criminal justice system in America
• Impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism industry
• How to solve conflicts in the workplace
• Consequences of incivility in the workplace
• The use of social media to promote physical activity
• Impacts of Stress on Physical and Mental wellbeing
• The use of the military in disaster management
• Impacts of PTSD on Veterans
• Taking care of autistic children
• The rich should pay more taxes
• How to address homelessness and poverty in America
• Causes and solutions to world hunger
• Impacts of student burnout
• Women should not procure abortions
• Gay couples should not (be allowed) to adopt kids
• America is not the ultimate superpower
• The insurrection of gangs and militia in America
• Impacts of gun violence
• Benefits of no-kill shelters
• The ethics of killing stray dogs and cats
• Euthanasia is a no-kill shelter
• Causes of teenage pregnancies
• Why teen suicide on live social media is on the rise
• Understanding domestic poverty
• Children should not be jailed
• Burnout among college athletes
• Does Going to the Beach Help Relieve Symptoms of Seasonal Depression?
• Impacts of divorce on children
• Challenges that single mothers face
• Benefits of counseling for school children
• Effects of e-cigarettes
• Which sport best prepares young people (under 15 years of age) for success in life as an adult and why?
• The impact of domestic violence on the academic performance of children

Related Reading:

• How to write an analytical essay.
• How to use AI to write essays.
• Steps for a better essay on gun control.
• How to write a perfect reflective essay.
• How to organize a movie review essay or paper.

Unbelievably it is just as simple as that. Writing three pages of an essay or research paper can be quick if you plan well. No single formula can work best; all you must do is be prompt and thorough with every step in the writing process.

When assigned an essay that requires three pages of content, breath in, relax, unpack everything, plan, and smash it using the tips we have discussed. The more you practice these steps, the more you learn to write essays fast.

If you have an urgent 3-page essay and need professional writing help , we have writers who can help. Do not struggle to fail when we can write for you a three-page model essay or paper that is 100% original, non-plagiarized, and well-organized/formatted.

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3 Page Essay: Examples, Topics, & Word Count

What does a three page essay look like? If you’re a student, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. 3 page essays are usually assigned to check one’s ability to formulate their thoughts. A three page essay word count is 700 to 750 words (12 pt double-spaced). A paper of 3 pages usually consists of 7 to 9 paragraphs.

When choosing a topic for a 3 pages essay, remember that it is quite a short piece. That’s why your topic shouldn’t be too complicated. You might want to focus on basketball, yourself, bullying, or responsibility.

If you’re searching for 3 page essay examples, look at the list below. We’ve gathered a collection of A+ samples for you to get inspired. Knock them dead!

3-page Essay Examples: 20810 Samples

Christian spirituality in lewis’s works about narnia.

• Subjects: Religion Theology

San Manuel Bueno, Mártir

• Subjects: Literature World Philosophy Literature

Terrorists and the Left and Right: Definitions & Examples

• Subjects: Terrorism Warfare

Mother Tongue by Amy Tan: What Does Your Language Say about Your Identity?

• Subjects: British Literature Literature

Abortion as a Controversial Issue

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Medical Ethics

The Situation at Segal Electric and Deming’s 14 Points

• Subjects: Business Business Critique

Sam Houston: Character Traits and Personality

• Subjects: Historical Figures History

Review of Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy

• Subjects: American Literature Literature

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis: A Book

Accounting and finance: importance of the studies in today’s society.

• Subjects: Accounting Business

Hassan and Amir: The Relations, Which Touch the Soul

• Subjects: Literature World Literature

Siemens: Motivation Within a Creative Environment

• Subjects: Business Management

Religious Convictions: Varied Views of Sayyid Qutb, Abd al Wahhab and John Wesley

• Subjects: Religion Sociology of Religion

“Emma” by Jane Austen: Main Character Analysis

Friendship of amir and hassan in the kite runner, lectio divina (genesis 18: 1- 5).

• Subjects: Religion Religious Writings

Concepts of the Rise and Fall of the Babylonian and Egyptian Empires

• Subjects: Ancient History History

Concepts of the Yield Management: Room Management

• Subjects: Business Employees Management

Concepts of Lessons from My Life as a Bully

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Personal Experiences

African American Studies

• Subjects: Culture Ethnicity Studies

Lecture: Improving Your Confidence as a Speaker

• Subjects: Communications Sociology
• Words: 1160

Public Speaking in a Democracy

A practical handbook for the actor: gained knowledge to become an actor, argumentative paper on the pros of the death penalty.

• Subjects: Capital Punishment Debates Politics & Government

Concepts of Diary Account of the Whiskey Rebellion

• Subjects: History United States

My Changing Taste in Music

• Subjects: Art Music Genre

An Adventure with My Pet Pit-Bull Dog “Tiger”

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Pets

History and Development of Dance

• Subjects: Art Dance
• Words: 1231

The Pfizer Company Business Model

• Subjects: Business Case Study

The Magic Ring

• Subjects: Art Film Studies

Wall Street (1987): Ethics Analysis

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Movies

Memoirs of a Border Ranger

• Subjects: History Latin America

Looking at Women. Scott Russell Sanders

What are the stages of group development.

• Subjects: Sociological Theories Sociology

Walter Lee Younger: Character Analysis Essay

• Words: 1000

Teenage Alcoholism: Parental Influence and How to Get Rid of Vice

• Subjects: Psychology Psychology of Abuse
• Words: 1280

Why the Government Should Review and Add Laws Governing Diet Pills Introduction

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Pharmacology

Othello and Snow Country: Personal Opinion

• Subjects: Literature Plays

Comparing and contrasting “The Tyger” by William Blake with “Traveling through the Dark” by William Stafford

• Subjects: Comparative Literature Literature

Breaking Point of a Soul

• Subjects: Nazi Germany Warfare
• Words: 1326

Analysis of the reading experience for the “Framing Class”

Rhetorical analysis of the article.

• Subjects: Historical Fiction Comparison Literature

Team Building Issues

“who is a hero”.

• Subjects: Philosophical Concept Philosophy

Social, Cultural and Gender Inequality From a Global Perspective

• Subjects: Gender Inequality Sociology

The Effects of Quality Management on the Local and Global Competition

Gambling projects: impact on the cultural transformations in america.

• Subjects: Economic Systems & Principles Economics

Analysis of the Performance of Domestic & Multinational US Restaurants

• Subjects: Economics Inflation

The Concept of Simple Stimulus Learning

• Subjects: Development Psychology

History of Children’s Literature in Western Culture

• Subjects: Cultural Diversity Culture

Critique of the Gersick’s Article

• Words: 1075

The M&M’s Company’s Marketing and Management Strategies

• Subjects: Business Strategy

The Impact of Computer-Based Technologies on Business Communication

• Words: 1567

Leasing Buildings Advantages and Disadvantages

• Subjects: Economics Regulation of Finance

“Khubilai Khan: His Life and Times” by Morris Rossabi

• Words: 1028

The Balkan Crisis: A Brief History

• Subjects: Modern Warfare Warfare

Critical Thinking Method vs. The Elements of Thought Questions: Finding Out Which Method Is More Effective

• Subjects: Applications of Psychology Psychology
• Words: 1068

Have Understanding of the Theory and Practice of Personal Selling

• Words: 1283

Theory and Practice of Personal Selling

Business strategies at the unilever company.

• Subjects: Business Company Analysis

Sexual Slavery and Prostitution During WWII and US Occupation in Japan

• Subjects: Warfare World War II

The Self Concept of Individuals

• Subjects: Cognition and Perception Psychology

A Critical Evaluation of Qualitative & Quantitative Research Designs

• Subjects: Sociological Issues Sociology
• Words: 1399

An Enemy of the People

• Words: 1016

Arguing against minimalism, and the notion that – less is more

• Subjects: Art Art Movement

Idealism and Realism

• Subjects: International Relations Theories Politics & Government

Modernization and Democratization

• Subjects: Politics & Government Social & Political Theory

Modern Liberalism and Modern Conservatism

• Subjects: Political Culture Politics & Government

Security System: Information and Property within Business

• Subjects: Computer Science Tech & Engineering

Convergence vs. Divergence of Culture and Literature – Examples

• Words: 1003

Discrimination Remedy at Workplace: Affirmative Action Programs, Reverse Discrimination and Comparable Worth

• Subjects: Business Workforce

Water Distribution System in Boston

• Subjects: Ecology Environment

Honesty in the Workplace

• Subjects: Business Business Ethics

Food Presentation as a Form of Art

• Subjects: Art Visual Arts

Concepts of Development of Jewish Culture

• Subjects: Culture Worldwide Cultures

Practices for Improving Employees Performance

Story analysis of “the outsiders” by s. e. hinton, implementation of physical restraints in the intensive care unit.

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Nursing

Mid-City at the Crossroads: Shaw Heritage Trail

• Words: 1023

Environmental Health and Safety

• Subjects: Environment Recycling

Solid Waste Management: Hazardous Waste Management

Connection between substance abuse and personality.

• Words: 1001

Handling Difficult In-Basket Activities

• Subjects: Education Teacher Career

Impediments to Political, Economic and Social Modernisation in Asia

The global economy: china, america’s war on drugs, is a college degree necessary.

• Subjects: Education Educational Stages

Competition Advantages for Producers and Consumers

• Subjects: Business Marketing

Technological Solutions to the Effects of Urban Sprawl

• Subjects: Environment Environmental Studies

Effects of Physical Education on Brain

• Subjects: Education Education Theories

Othello and Oedipus Rex Characters’ Traits

The vietnam war outcomes, groups and communities and their effect on individuality, black power and student rebellion.

• Subjects: Education Education Issues

The Future of Music Production

• Subjects: Art Music Industry

A Closer Look at the History of the Colonial America

The importance of referencing in university assignments.

• Subjects: Education Writing & Assignments

Short Detective Story

• Words: 2725

Do I Need God to be Moral or Happy?

• Subjects: Religion Religion, Culture & Society

Organizational Psychology Role in Recruiting

• Subjects: Psychological Issues Psychology

E-Business and Internet Technology

• Subjects: Business E-Commerce

McDonald’s Quality of Service: Just-In-Time Philosophy

Methamphetamine (meth).

• Subjects: Chemistry Sciences

Two Opposite Worlds: “Utopia” and “1984”

A high-toned old christian women by wallace stevens, multicultural competency and interactions among human.

• Subjects: Psychology Social Psychology Deviations

Thinking, Language, and Intelligence

• Words: 1130

Race and Ethnicity

• Subjects: Racism Sociology

Creation Myths: Theories of Myths

Cognitive and psychosocial development of children, professional workplace dilemma, recruitment and staff selection recommendations, symbolism and imagery in o captain my captain.

• Words: 1110

Basic Communication Skills at Work Places

Qualitative data collection, concepts of effective leadership, the ramifications of hosting refugees in the society in case of kenya.

• Subjects: Immigration Sociology

The Refusing of the NSF Grant: Case Analysis

What is it to live in time: observing nature and society, outsourcing and bad working conditions.

• Words: 1024

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How to Effortlessly Write a 3-Page Essay: A Student's Guide

Writing a 3-page essay can be an intimidating task for many students, but with the right approach, it can be a manageable and even enjoyable process. This guide provides a comprehensive approach to effortlessly crafting a well-structured and engaging essay. By following these steps, students can navigate the complexities of essay writing and produce a polished piece that effectively communicates their ideas.

Key Takeaways

• Start by thoroughly understanding the assignment to ensure that your essay meets the requirements and addresses the prompt accurately.
• Choose a topic that not only interests you but also fits the scope of the assignment and allows for adequate exploration within three pages.
• Conduct preliminary research to gather relevant information and insights that will form the foundation of your essay's argument or narrative.
• Develop a clear thesis statement and create an outline to organize your main points and supporting evidence in a logical and coherent manner.
• Refine your essay through revision strategies, focusing on clarity, coherence, and proper citation, while also seeking feedback to improve your work.

Preparation: Laying the Groundwork for Your Essay

Understanding the assignment.

Before you dive into writing your essay, it's crucial to fully grasp the assignment at hand. Carefully read the prompt to ensure you understand the expectations and requirements. Look for key verbs that indicate the task you need to accomplish, such as 'analyze,' 'compare,' or 'describe.' These action words are your guideposts for structuring your essay and developing your thesis.

To further clarify the assignment, consider the following steps:

• Reread the assignment prompt multiple times to avoid missing critical details.
• Use tools like analytical thesis generators or worksheets to help organize your thoughts.
• Consult resources such as academic blogs or guides that break down complex instructions into simple, actionable steps.

Remember, there may be more than one correct approach to the assignment, so don't hesitate to explore different angles or interpretations as you begin your preliminary research.

Choosing a Topic

Once you understand the assignment, the next step is to choose a topic that not only interests you but also meets the criteria of the assignment. Selecting a relevant and engaging topic is crucial as it will determine the direction and scope of your research. Consider topics that spark your curiosity and are feasible to explore within the constraints of a 3-page essay.

When brainstorming for topics, create a list of potential ideas. Here's a simple way to organize your thoughts:

• Reflect on your interests and academic strengths
• Review recent sociological interest or trends in your field
• Consider the cohesiveness of your potential topic
• Evaluate the availability of sources and evidence

After narrowing down your options, validate your topic by conducting a preliminary literature review . This will help you gauge the depth of existing research and ensure that your topic is original yet grounded in scholarly work. Remember, a well-chosen topic is a foundation for a compelling essay, so take the time to choose wisely.

Conducting Preliminary Research

Before diving into the writing process, it's crucial to conduct preliminary research to ensure you have a solid foundation for your essay. Start by exploring various sources to gather a broad understanding of your topic. Utilize online databases, academic journals, and books to accumulate a diverse range of perspectives and data. Ensure that your sources are credible and relevant to your essay's focus.

As you sift through the information, take notes and organize your findings. Look for patterns and key themes that emerge, which can guide the direction of your essay. Remember, preliminary research is not just about collecting data; it's about engaging with the material to form a deeper understanding. Use tools like mind maps or bullet points to summarize and connect ideas:

• Achieve a basic understanding before delving deeper
• Recap main points and key findings
• Address limitations or constraints

Finally, don't hesitate to reach out to experts or utilize academic support platforms that offer resources on effective research techniques. Websites like Research Rebels provide tools for thesis writing , academic projects, and research proposals, and can be invaluable in shaping your essay's foundation.

Structuring Your Essay: A Blueprint for Success

Crafting a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is the backbone of your essay, encapsulating the main argument in a single, coherent sentence. It guides the direction of your paper and informs the reader of your position on the topic. To craft a compelling thesis statement, start by asking yourself what the core message you want to convey is. Ensure that it is debatable and can be supported by evidence throughout your essay.

Consider using tools and resources to refine your thesis statement. Websites offer tools for thesis writing , academic planning, and research proposal, which can be invaluable in this process. For instance, a Thesis Action Plan or Worksheets can help you organize your thoughts and structure your argument effectively.

Remember, a strong thesis statement is specific and clear. It should not be a mere statement of fact, but rather an assertion that requires proof and elaboration. As you draft your thesis, keep in mind the importance of your master thesis in graduate programs for independent research and contribution to the field. A well-crafted thesis statement is a testament to your critical thinking and academic prowess.

Outlining the Main Points

Once you have a working thesis statement , it's time to map out the main points that will form the backbone of your essay. Begin by identifying the key arguments or themes that support your thesis. These will serve as the guiding stars for your body paragraphs, each addressing a distinct aspect of your topic. For instance, if your essay is analyzing a literary work, you might use one paragraph to discuss the narrative style, another for character development, and a third for thematic elements.

Organize your main points in a logical sequence to ensure a natural progression of ideas. This not only aids in the clarity of your essay but also makes it more persuasive. A bulleted list can help you visualize the structure:

• Introduction with thesis statement
• Main Point 1: Narrative style
• Main Point 2: Character development
• Main Point 3: Thematic elements
• Conclusion that reinforces the thesis

Remember, each main point should be elaborated with evidence and analysis, tying back to your central argument. As you outline these points, consider any potential counterarguments and how you will address them. This will strengthen your essay and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Organizing Supporting Evidence

Once you have gathered your evidence, it's crucial to organize it in a way that supports your thesis statement and overall argument. Start by categorizing your evidence based on themes or aspects of your topic. Create a hierarchy of evidence , prioritizing the most compelling pieces that directly reinforce your thesis. Consider using a graphic organizer or a simple table to visually map out how each piece of evidence connects to your main points.

For a coherent essay, your supporting evidence should follow a logical order. You might arrange it chronologically, spatially, or by order of importance—often referred to as emphatic order. This structure ensures that each piece of evidence builds upon the previous one, leading to a strong, persuasive argument. Remember, the goal is to make your essay as clear and convincing as possible to the reader.

To further enhance the organization of your essay, integrate tools and resources that can guide you through the process. Websites offering thesis tools , worksheets, and resources for students and professors can be invaluable. Features like an academic project planner , literature navigator, and research proposal compass can streamline your efforts and provide structured guidance.

Writing Techniques: Enhancing Your Expression

Developing a clear and concise style.

To write a 3-page essay that resonates with clarity and brevity, you must embrace the art of conciseness . Begin by eliminating unnecessary phrases and redundancies, which can obscure your main points. Instead, use clear and straightforward language that directly conveys your ideas. Writing in the active voice is a powerful tool for achieving this goal, as it makes your sentences more dynamic and easier to understand.

Incorporate these strategies into your writing:

• Write concisely to ensure each word serves a purpose.
• Use words you fully understand to avoid confusion.
• Apply technical terms sparingly to maintain accessibility.
• Shorten wordy phrases to enhance readability.

By refining your writing style, you not only communicate more effectively but also create a more engaging and persuasive essay. Remember, a clear and concise style is not just about reducing word count—it's about maximizing the impact of your words.

Incorporating Transitions for Flow

To achieve a seamless flow in your essay, it's essential to master the art of transition. Transitional words and phrases act as bridges between your ideas, guiding your reader from one point to the next with clarity and coherence. Consider the relationship between your paragraphs and how each one connects to the overall arc of your essay.

Here are some tips to enhance the flow of your writing:

• Begin by identifying the logical connection between paragraphs. Ask yourself what you want the reader to understand or feel as they move from one section to another.
• Use transitional phrases to signal the relationship, whether it's to show contrast, sequence, cause and effect, or another type of link.
• Vary your transitions to avoid repetition and maintain the reader's interest. A diverse range of expressions will enrich your essay's readability.

Remember, the key to producing good transitions is highlighting connections between corresponding paragraphs . By referencing in one paragraph the relevant material from the previous one, you create a thread that weaves through your essay, enhancing its overall structure and flow.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Grammar and Syntax

To excel in essay writing, you must navigate the treacherous terrain of grammar and syntax with precision. Avoid common mistakes such as incorrect word choices, punctuation errors, and syntax mishaps. These can undermine the credibility of your work and distract from your argument. For instance, confusing 'they're', 'their', and 'there' can significantly detract from the reader's experience.

To ensure your essay is free of these errors, consider using tools like Grammarly, which checks your writing for common spelling , grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the top errors in undergraduate writing, such as missing commas after introductory elements or vague pronoun references. Here's a concise list to keep in mind:

• Wrong word usage
• Missing commas
• Incomplete documentation
• Overuse of passive voice
• Dangling modifiers

Remember, the goal is to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. By paying close attention to these details, you can enhance the readability of your essay and present your arguments more persuasively.

Revision Strategies: Refining Your Draft

Self-editing and peer reviews.

After completing your essay draft, it's crucial to engage in self-editing and seek peer reviews to enhance the quality of your work. Begin with a thorough self-assessment using an Editing Checklist to identify areas for improvement. This checklist should cover aspects such as clarity, coherence, and citation accuracy. For instance, you might model the use of the self-edit column with your essay, assuming the role of author, and then have a peer complete the peer-edit column, providing fresh perspectives on your writing.

Next, utilize available resources that offer tools for thesis writing, academic planning, and research proposal. Websites featuring worksheets and project planners can be instrumental in organizing your thoughts and structuring your revisions. Engage with platforms that bridge the gap between academic jargon and everyday language, simplifying complex procedures into clear, actionable steps.

Finally, ensure that your citations and formatting adhere to the appropriate style guides. Whether it's APA, MLA, or another format, checking citations and formatting is a critical step in the revision process. This attention to detail will not only improve the credibility of your essay but also prepare you for the rigorous standards of academic writing.

Improving Clarity and Coherence

To enhance the clarity and coherence of your essay, start by ensuring that each sentence clearly conveys its intended message. Avoid vague language and opt for precise, concrete terms that paint a clear picture for your reader. For instance, instead of saying 'many people are affected,' specify who is affected and how. This specificity not only improves clarity but also adds depth to your writing.

When it comes to coherence, the logical flow of ideas is paramount. Begin with familiar information and gradually introduce new concepts. This method guides your readers through your argument in a way that is easy to follow and understand. Additionally, make use of transitional phrases to connect sentences and paragraphs, thereby weaving a cohesive narrative throughout your essay.

Here are some common pitfalls to avoid in order to maintain clarity and coherence:

• Introducing new arguments in the conclusion
• Overuse of complex jargon without explanation
• Failing to connect the conclusion back to the introduction

Remember, revising for clarity and coherence is not just about fixing errors; it's about refining your message. Break down tasks into manageable steps and write in short bursts to keep your writing focused. Regularly review your work to ensure that each sentence and paragraph contributes to the overall thesis of your essay.

Finalizing Citations and References

As you approach the completion of your essay, it's crucial to ensure that your citations and references are meticulously organized and formatted. The purpose of citations is not only to give credit to others for their ideas but also to provide a pathway for your readers to further explore the topic. Different citation styles require varying formats, so it's important to adhere to the guidelines of the one you've chosen.

Here are some steps to finalize your citations and references:

• Double-check each citation in the text to ensure it matches the corresponding reference in your bibliography.
• Verify that all references are complete, including author names, publication dates, and page numbers where applicable.
• Organize the reference list alphabetically by the last name of the first author or by the title if no author is listed.
• Review the formatting one last time to catch any inconsistencies or errors.

Remember, writing your essay does not finish with the first draft. Revisiting and refining your citations and references is a key step in polishing your essay and presenting it in the best light.

Overcoming Challenges: Tips for Staying Motivated

Managing time effectively.

Effective time management is a cornerstone of academic success, particularly when it comes to essay writing. Block out time each day for your essay-related tasks to create a consistent writing routine . Utilize tools like the Class Schedule and Time Study Template by ClickUp to structure your study time and stay on track.

Consider breaking down the essay into smaller, manageable sections. For instance, dedicate specific time slots to brainstorming, researching, and writing individual paragraphs. This approach aligns with the advice from the University of Nevada, Reno, which emphasizes the importance of assessing and organizing your time for a smoother writing process.

To further enhance your efficiency, practice writing under time pressure before the actual essay deadline. This strategy, recommended by the Writing and Communication Centre, can help you develop the ability to articulate your thoughts quickly and clearly. Remember, effective time management is crucial for thesis writing, so prioritize your tasks and set realistic goals to maintain focus and motivation throughout the essay writing journey.

Dealing with Writer's Block

Writer's block can feel like an insurmountable barrier, but with the right approach, you can overcome it and maintain your writing momentum. Set incredibly achievable goals to break down your tasks into manageable steps. For instance, commit to writing a single paragraph or for a specific time period, such as 15 minutes, without worrying about the end result. This can help you to start writing and build confidence as you progress.

Replace non-productive thoughts with productive ones. Instead of thinking, 'I'm a bad writer,' tell yourself, 'I'm developing my writing skills.' Remember, consistency is key. Sit down and write regularly, even if it's just a stream of consciousness or bullet points. Over time, these sessions can evolve into substantial pieces of your essay.

Lastly, monitor your achievements, no matter how small. Celebrate each step forward, which will fuel your motivation and help you to keep pushing through the challenges of writer's block.

Seeking Feedback and Utilizing Resources

Once you've drafted your essay, seeking feedback is a crucial step in refining your work. Begin by sharing your essay with peers or mentors who can provide constructive criticism. Remember to say something positive about their feedback, even if it's critical. This encourages a supportive environment and ensures that the critique is focused on the writing, not the writer. Be specific in your requests for feedback; ask them to prioritize their comments so you can address the most significant issues first.

In addition to personal feedback, explore academic resources that can further enhance your essay. Utilize tools such as worksheets, templates, and research proposal guides available on various educational websites. These resources are designed to help you evaluate and improve your essay's structure and content. For instance, the GMU Writing Center's advice on providing feedback emphasizes the importance of being specific and prioritizing comments, which can be instrumental in revising your essay.

Lastly, ensure that your topic is appropriate and achievable by reviewing student-selected topics . This step is vital to confirm that your essay meets the assignment's requirements and is within your capability to complete. Academic platforms often offer features like academic project planners and literature navigators, which can be invaluable in organizing and executing your research effectively.

Facing obstacles can be daunting, but with the right mindset and tools, you can overcome them and stay motivated on your journey. Whether it's a personal goal or a professional project, remember that perseverance is key. For more in-depth strategies and personalized advice, visit our website . We're dedicated to helping you succeed and keep pushing forward, no matter the challenge. Don't let temporary setbacks hold you back. Take the next step and empower yourself today!

In summary, writing a three-page essay need not be an arduous task. By following a structured approach, understanding the assignment, and employing effective writing techniques, students can produce a concise and compelling essay with relative ease. It is essential to remember that the key to effortless essay writing lies in preparation, organization, and clarity of thought. Utilizing the guidance provided in this article, students can navigate the essay-writing process with confidence and achieve academic success. As with any skill, practice is paramount, so continue to hone your writing abilities with each new assignment. Embrace the journey of academic writing, and let each essay be a step towards mastering the art of expressing your ideas with precision and persuasiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i choose a suitable topic for my 3-page essay.

Start by considering the guidelines of your assignment and your interests. Brainstorm ideas and narrow them down to topics with enough depth to explore in three pages but not so broad that they require more space.

What is the best way to structure a 3-page essay?

A typical structure includes an introduction with a thesis statement, three body paragraphs each presenting a main point supported by evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes the essay and restates the thesis.

Can you provide tips for developing a clear and concise writing style?

Focus on clarity by using straightforward language, short sentences, and active voice. Be concise by eliminating unnecessary words and avoiding repetition. Ensure each sentence contributes to your argument.

How important is the revision process in essay writing?

Revision is crucial. It allows you to refine your arguments, improve structure and flow, correct grammar and spelling mistakes, and ensure that your essay clearly communicates your ideas.

What are some common pitfalls in grammar and syntax I should avoid?

Common pitfalls include run-on sentences, sentence fragments, improper use of commas, and mixing up homophones. Always proofread your essay or use grammar-checking tools to avoid these errors.

How can I stay motivated when writing an essay?

Set clear goals, break the writing process into manageable steps, and take regular breaks. If you encounter writer's block, try changing your environment or discussing your ideas with someone else for inspiration.

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The Length, Tips, and Steps for writing a 3/4 Page Essay or Paper

High school, college, and university life is rife with writing essays and research papers. In some cases, you will encounter as long as over 10-15-page research paper assignments. And as you might have also noticed, most professors, instructors, and teaching assistants like assigning short papers or essays below ten pages: mostly 3-8 pages long.

A commonly assigned paper is a 3-4-page essay, which falls under the short essays or paper category. We often find questions like 'how many paragraphs or how long is a 3-4-page paper?' 'What should I include in a 3-4-page paper to get the highest score?' or even 'does a 3-4-page paper have an introduction and conclusion?'

If you are among those who often worry about what to include in a three or 4-page paper, this guide speaks directly to you. In a few minutes, you will be a pro at writing a 3 to 4-page essay. Better still, we have included topics and tips to help you ace your essay assignment without worrying whether you overwrote or underwrote your essay.

But before we even delve deeper, if you are running short of time and patience and need a custom-written essay that is 100% original, well-researched, cited, and proofread, do not hesitate to hire an essay writer on our website.

Let's get started with exploring more about a 3-4-page paper.

What is a 3-4-page Paper or Essay?

As challenging as most students find essay writing, it comes with the gift you will carry through your professional life to your grave. Writing an essay demonstrates that you can comprehensively research, organize, and present facts on a given topic. It is a way of expressing yourself.

Many students, mostly our clients, often wonder what makes a 3 to 4-page essay and are afraid to ask an instructor. The instructor expects that you understand the limits and tests whether you can take instructions on not by looking at the length of your essay apart from the coherence of the content.

A 3-4-page paper is around 825-1200 words long with 4-5 points well-argued and organized in paragraphs, including the arguments and counterarguments. It is a complete essay with a title page, introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion paragraph, and reference list. The is typically longer than a typical 5-paragraph essay (250-550 words) and often has more points/paragraphs that are well-balanced, cited, and intertwined. It can be anything between 800 and 1200 words, meaning you can meet the lower threshold but cannot exceed the 1200-word limit.

If you are unsure about the exact word count for your paper, ask your instructor for clarification early enough.

When assigned to write a 3-4-page essay, you can either write a 3-full-page essay or a 4-full-page essay but do not exceed 4 pages or go below 3 pages.

A three-page paper is about 825-900 words long, while a four-page paper is about 1100 and 1200 words. This means that if you decide to meet the lower limit of 3 pages, you can write anything between 825 words and 900 words or even exceed through to any number of words up to 1200 words. Going beyond the word count can attract a deduction of grades, or your professor can mark until the word count is fulfilled, leaving out a potentially marks-rich section of your paper.

Given that a page has 3-4 paragraphs , a 3-page paper will have either 6 or 8 paragraphs, while a typical 4-page paper has 8 and 9 paragraphs, and a 3-4-page paper should have between 6 and 9 paragraphs.

How long it takes to complete a 3-4-page Essay or Paper?

We have mentioned that a 3-4-page essay has between 825 and 1200 words (double-spacing) and comprises 6-9 paragraphs. It is quite a short paper that requires a few hours to complete. Many factors contribute to how long it takes to complete an essay . Such factors include the deadline from class, your motivation, how well you understand the topic, availability of material, expertise in writing research papers and essays, organizational skills, typing speed, and many other factors.

You will most likely be assigned to write a 3-4-page paper in 1-2 days. However, you can complete your paper in a few hours if you plan your time well. For a professional, writing a 3-4 page essay can be done within an hour to three, especially if it is a last-minute writing help request .

A 3-4 double-spaced essay should take 3-4 hours to complete, assuming you write a page per hour. A professional would optimally require 2-3 hours to complete such an essay to the required standards. If it is a single-spaced essay, it will take between 6 hours and 8 hours to complete. The rationale here is that a single-spaced paper contains two double-spaced pages. You should take note of the spacing lest you miss the word count.

We've seen students coming to us for a last-minute request for us to fulfill their word count or paraphrase their essays to the right word count because they understood the word count at the last minute.

If you have a day to complete a 3-4 page essay, spend 3-4 hours planning and researching (prewriting process), 6-7 hours writing the essay, and 4-5 hours polishing, editing, and proofreading the essay. If you have two days, your prewriting process should take at least 5 hours, the writing process a day, and the post-writing stage should take at least 4-5 hours before submitting the essay.

Parts of a 3-4 Page Essay: The Structure

A 3-4-page essay or paper has the contents and structure of a typical essay. It comprises a title page formatted in APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago, the introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion paragraphs, and the reference list in the recommended referencing/formatting style. Let's clarify the structure of a three- to four-page essay or paper.

• Title page. This is the first section of any academic paper and does not contribute to the word count. It should contain your details, details of the school, and information about your assignment, such as the title. Format it as required. It can be in APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Turabian, Oxford, or AGLC formatting, depending on what you have been advised to use or your subject.
• Introduction paragraph. This is the opening paragraph of your paper, and it should have an attention grabber or hook , background information, and the thesis statement . Sometimes, you can also use signposts in this section to let your readers know how your paper is organized.
• Body paragraphs. These are your essay's main paragraphs where you argue your thesis statement. Each body paragraph has a unique topic sentence followed by supporting details and a concluding sentence. Ensure that you stick to one idea per body paragraph. You should link the paragraphs using transition or linking words for a good flow. The body section comprises 80% of the word count.
• Conclusion paragraph. This is the last paragraph of your essay, making 10% of the word count and winding up the essay. You should restate your thesis .
• Reference list (works cited page or bibliography). Here is where you list all the scholarly resources you used in developing the essay. The reference list should be alphabetical as required by the formatting style you have chosen or have been directed to use.

When assigned to write an essay three or four pages long, ensure you have structured your paper as outlined above. Once you have broken down the paper and developed an essay outline , you can brainstorm ideas and write the paper fast.

Tips for Writing a 3/4 Page Essay Fast

In most cases, failing a 3-4-page essay with a 48-72-hour deadline is easier than failing a short or long paper with a longer deadline. Your mind technically sets to panic mode, especially if it is a paper that contributes most to your grades.

If you are assigned to write an essay that is three to four pages long, here are some tips to consider:

• Begin Early. You must begin the prewriting process after you are assigned the paper. You are still fresh with ideas from class and can brainstorm ideas without the fatigue of research and distractions.
• Choose a topic you can explore. If you are left to choose a topic on your own, go for an exciting topic you can spend time researching and sharing with anyone without limitations. Also, consider a topic with supporting materials such as books, peer-reviewed journals, and other scholarly resources.
• Schedule time and focus. You need to concentrate on your paper; the only best way could be to create a schedule. Decide on what you will do, in what order, and within a specific duration. When scheduling, remember to factor in writing and research when you are alert and active. You can do this early in the morning if you are an early riser or late into the night if you are a night owl. Besides, ensure that you reduce any distractions around you. Don't log into social media, play games, or chat with friends until you finish the paper. You can listen to cool music and find the best place to do your assignment .
• Brainstorm and Research Widely. Using references, you will present ideas on a topic and need to support your assertions, claims, and arguments. Therefore, you need to brainstorm good ideas to make your paper weighty. Brainstorming helps you save time and write consistently because you develop the bigger picture. As you brainstorm, draw mind maps, concept maps, or flow charts to help you arrange ideas. You can then research and organize your resources before you begin writing. It is best to start by reading the non-scholarly sources to familiarize yourself with the topic before extending to the scholarly sources you can get points to use and cite in your 3-4-page paper. The research should yield enough to develop a preliminary thesis.
• Write first and edit later. The process will be manageable when writing the paper, courtesy of the previous steps. Assuming you have an outline, compartmentalize the information from the research and develop your paragraphs. Write the body paragraphs first, the introduction second, and the conclusion last, or choose whatever order you wish. Ensure that the body has 6-7 supporting ideas in its paragraphs. The body paragraphs should have a balanced length and must flow into one another. If you need to polish your preliminary thesis into a final one, do so after writing the body paragraphs because it should be the anchor.
• Polish the essay last. We said you leave editing and polishing for later. Well, take a break after writing to develop an objective mindset and break away from the monotony of writing. Check your paper for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. If there are any errors, strive to remove them. You can run the paper through editing software like Grammarly or Hemmingway Editor to spot and correct errors and omissions. Format the paper in APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago format. Ensure that you do a quick proofreading. If possible, read it aloud to yourself to spot more mistakes and make amendments.

Our writers use these tips when writing papers for our esteemed clients. We are a leading fast essay writing service catering to your urgent writing needs. The more you use these tips, the more you become great at writing essays. You can never hate writing essays once you master the entire process.

Topics for 3-4 page Essays that You Can Consider

Consider the topics outlined below if you want a quick topic for a three-page or four-page essay.

• The impacts of cryptocurrencies on cybersecurity
• Impacts of youth unemployment on teenage pregnancies
• Importance of being honest
• Private prison systems
• Benefits of the electoral college
• Importance of global peace on development
• Benefits of flexible working arrangements
• Importance of school uniforms
• How workforce diversity affects organizational Performance
• How to address work stress?
• Benefits of training police officers on computers
• Strategies to support homeless people
• Benefits of investing in books
• Children should be taught about investments and personal finance
• Negative impacts of helicopter parenting
• How to address mental health issues among school-going girls
• Social media and academic performance
• Benefits of pursuing STEM subjects
• Impacts of GMOs on food security
• Strategies to overcome homesickness
• How to overcome culture shock?
• Consumerism pollutes the planet
• Talks are better than Wars: Russia-Ukraine Conflict
• Causes and consequences of infidelity
• How to maintain a long-distance relationship?
• Overcoming low self-esteem
• Homelessness and unemployment
• Physical activity and obesity
• Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
• Consequences of Bulimia
• Portion control and weight loss
• Benefits of restriction what we eat
• Is gut instinct always correct?
• Disadvantages of birth control
• Should abandoned kids be adopted?
• Causes and consequences of police brutality
• Benefits of being earnest
• How to manage time as a student?
• Ways to pay for tuition without a loan
• Can someone learn programming on their own?
• Reasons to ban animal testing
• People should not be forced to get a vaccination
• How marketers influence what we eat
• Is Big Pharma controlling our lives?
• Causes and consequences of corruption
• Impacts of racism
• Causes and consequences of hate crimes
• Recycling should be compulsory
• Citizens should not be allowed to carry guns
• Consequences of white privilege
• Pros and cons of online retail
• Mobile phones and surveillance
• Impacts of state surveillance on citizens
• Should students be taught about taxation?
• How to prevent ocean pollution?
• Benefits of conserving endangered species
• Causes of increasing divorce rates
• Impacts of violent TV programs and games on the youth
• How family values influence how a child grows
• Impacts of stem cell research on chronic diseases
• The American Judiciary System
• Causes of the Russian-Ukraine war
• How to prevent drug trafficking?
• How human trafficking affects families
• Prostitution should be legalized
• Is microchipping a pet illegal?
• Benefits of keeping pets
• Consequences of the digital divide
• Should college education be free?
• Should students be forgiven their education loans?

There are many more essay topics that you can consider. Check out our list of compare and contrast topics , topics for learning disabilities , nutrition essay topics , social issues, and topics , or argumentative essay topics . Our blog section has an endless list of good topics you can write your 3/4-page essay about. If you need help writing your essay, ask for help from our website.

Parting Words

Writing a three to four-page paper or essay is not without any challenges. Students often find such papers challenging, especially if they do not know the word count and page limits to meet.

If you are working against a deadline, you can now write the paper thanks to the steps, tips, and insights we have shared above. Instead of procrastinating or missing a deadline, plan early, schedule everything, and write the paper without pressure.

To write a 3/4page paper faster, ensure that you plan everything. And if you need help, don't hesitate to place an order by visiting our homepage and filling out the order form. With our writing service, you can beat deadlines and produce an excellent paper with suitable marks or higher grades.

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

• Have your assignments done by seasoned writers. 24/7. Contact us:
• +1 (213) 221-0069
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How Long to Write a 3-Page Essay? A Guide how to write one

How long to Write a 3-Page Essay

The number of words that a three-page essay should have depends on several factors. The font size, style, and line and margin spacing are some of these factors.

A 750-word essay can fit on three pages if; the font style is Times New Roman, the font size is 12, and the lines are double-spaced. A well-experienced and expert ghostwriter for college papers from our essay writing service tells us that this is the standard formatting for a 3-page essay.

When the lines are single-spaced, a three-page essay should have a total of 1500 words. Since the two most widely used formats in the world (APA and MLA) require double-spaced lines, Times New Roman font style, and font size 12, it is fair to say that a three-page essay is 750 words long.

A three-page essay is mainly viewed as the standard length required for middle school essays. Three-page high school reports are viewed as short.

Three-page essays require writers to have short introductions and conclusions. This gives the writer a chance to construct and explain arguments effectively in the essay’s body part.

How many Paragraphs should a Three-Page Essay have?

The minimum number of paragraphs an essay should have is 3. No rule governs the maximum number of paragraphs that an essay should have.

Sticking to a certain number of paragraphs should be done if the instructor orders so. Paragraphs in academic essays are shorter than paragraphs in blog posts.

On average, paragraphs should have between 100-200 words.

A three-page essay with an average of 750 words should therefore have 5 paragraphs. This is according to the basic essay word-to-paragraph conversion.

The first paragraph is the introduction. This is where you introduce the subject matter of the essay. The next three paragraphs are the body of the essay.

This is where you build your essay with the main talking points of your topic. The last paragraph is the conclusion, where you conclude with what your essay has been all about.

How to write a 3-page essay fast, in an hour?

The length of your essay should not be a concern when writing. All you have to do is follow the assignment instructions, and your paper will be fine.

Considering the work that is needed to write a good essay eventually, one hour is basically not enough. One can follow the following process to ensure that when they start writing essays, they do it quickly within a short period.

1. Plan your time well

It is not always a good idea to jump into writing your essay. Even if you have the best ideas in your mind, it is always essential to plan your time.

Planning your time helps manage all the steps needed in essay writing, meaning no step will consume more time than planned. Planning your time is the best way to beat the deadlines provided by instructors.

2. Read Extensively

Once you have known the topic and the other requirements of the essay besides the length, examine the topic and conduct research on that topic.

Papers requiring extensive research may require visiting the library or online resources to gain vast knowledge on a particular topic.

Simple essays may only require reviewing your notes or getting quotes from specific books.

When conducting research, you must take notes. Writing down points you have gathered from different resources helps you save a lot of time when you begin writing down your essay. 

3. Formulate a Thesis Statement

A thesis is an argument about your essay’s topic backed by arguments. This gives you time to develop other sections of your paper and use the idea to quickly build a draft of the essay.

The thesis statement also helps you to perfectly organize your paper so that the reader will follow it easily.

4. Use the Thesis to Create Topic Sentences

Around your thesis, formulate topic statements that you will use to build up sentences and paragraphs. A good thesis will help you include the most supportive ideas in your essay.

Good topic sentences are not only the best starting point in your essay paragraphs but also make the format and flow of the essay great.

5. Begin Writing your Essay

There is no need to draft a copy considering the time given. With the above processes already done, writing your essay should be easy and fast.

Always, with a good plan and quality essay, writing your 3-page essay should take at least 40 minutes. This is enough time to wrap up your essay with perfection.

When writing the introduction, always make sure that you catch the reader’s attention.

Begin your essay with something unique, specific, or unusual that will likely interest the reader and continue reading your essay.

After the introduction, moves on to the body paragraphs of your essay. Each paragraph should contain a topic from the thesis.

Each topic should be backed up with evidence too. Evidence usually helps support the arguments you present on a topic.

Evidence can include facts or observations of a phenomenon. Quotes from books and journals can also be presented as evidence.

Essay conclusions should always be brief. The main points should be restated differently than they were in the thesis. Avoid repeating points already stated in your essay in your conclusion.

Conclusions should always be written to leave an impression on readers. Quotes, sarcasm, and wise saying such as proverbs can be used in essay conclusions.

6. Check the Length

To ensure you meet the three-page requirement, it is always advisable to check your length.

If you do not meet the requirement, you should consider extending your essay slightly more. You can add to the introduction, conclusion, or any paragraph you feel you’ve not exhausted. 

7. Proofread and Edit your Essay

Many people prefer writing fast and editing their essays slowly. Read your essay and correct errors that you may have made while writing your essay.

Check word spelling, and tautology, among other grammatical errors. Editing is always easy if the above process is followed to the latter.

It is important to note that writing a good three-page essay is not easy. Only experienced and expert writers can manage.

As a student, if you are at a point of asking yourself if you can complete a three-page essay in an hour, then it means you are rushing to beat the deadline. Writing essays within a short time depends on your ability to understand a topic and formulate a thesis statement.

Your writing skill and the time it will take to find the necessary resources determine how long you will take to write an essay.

Get help from essay writing services, which also charge a high cost on narrow deadlines, if you need an essay in one hour or two and feel you can’t complete it.

Essays that require short research pieces take longer to write than essays that require larger research pieces. The short research pieces are usually hard to find.

8. Use AI Tool for Assistance

The online community seems divided on whether or not to use AI-based tools for writing. The number of users of such tools is increasing daily because these tools make work easy.

This makes it an option for students to use when they want to ace their writing process.

You can use an online paraphrasing tool that works on AI for your assistance. Such a tool becomes an option and can do well if you combine it with your own input.

Please note that you can correct your sentences while following best essay writing practices. This will overall help you write professionally and appropriately.

How Long Does it Take to Write a 3-Page Paper Double-Spaced?

A three-page, double-spaced essay will have approximately 750 words. The time the essay takes to be completed usually depends on several factors:

• Availability of research materials.
• Typing or writing speed.
• Your ability to understand the topic of the easy and break it down.
• Your ability to make your essay simple and direct. There is no time to change the direction your essay takes.

Skilled and professional writers can complete a 750-word essay within an hour or less.

As a student, you must take more time to write your essay to ensure that you write a good essay that will earn you a good grade. There is no need to hurry.

What does a 3-page Essay look like?

A three-page essay should have five paragraphs. The first paragraph is the introduction. The next three paragraphs are the body of your essay.

The last paragraph is the conclusion. How other inclusions in your essay, such as titles and references, look depends on the writing format used.

3-page research paper examples

• Effects of social media on the youths.
• Should higher education be made free?
• Has the plastic ban made any impact on the country?
• Urbanization has led to increased pollution.
• Has the “Black Lives Matter” campaign yielded any fruits?
• Family planning should be made mandatory in third-world countries.
• Divisive politics are dragging most states behind.
• Drug abuse among teenage girls is rising rapidly.
• Why do early pregnancies represent our rotten societies?

Jessica Smart

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How to Write a Three Page Essay

Three pages is about the standard length for middle school essays and shorter high school reports. Three pages provides authors enough space to construct and develop their arguments and write a short introduction and conclusion. Don't worry too much about the length while you are writing it. Follow the assignment and your paper should be just about the right length.

Examine the question. What is the topic? What requirements are there besides length? If your teacher wants three pages, find out what format you should use. A three-page essay in 12 point font, double-spaced, is not much writing (about 750 words.) A three-page essay in 11 point font, single-spaced, is more than twice as much. Most teachers want 12 point, double-spaced.

Do any required research. For a simple literary paper, you might just have to go through your notes and skim the book for quotes. If the paper requires original research, however, a trip to the library probably will be in order.

Formulate a thesis statement. A thesis is an argument about the topic backed up by three arguments. Usually, teachers want you to put the arguments in the actual thesis. This makes it easier to organize the paper and for the reader to follow it.

Write the body paragraphs. Each paragraph should cover one of the topics from the thesis, along with several pieces of evidence. Evidence can be a quote or piece of information from a book or a personal observation synthesizing several facts. Generally, you should have at least one quote in each body paragraph.

Write the introduction. The introduction should lead catch the reader's attention and prepare him or her for the introduction. For example, if your essay is about a particular character in the book, you can begin by discussing something unique or unusual about him or her that ties into your thesis.

Write the conclusion. The conclusion should briefly restate the main points of the essay in a different way than did the thesis. It should then do something to leave an impression on your readers. If this is a book report, you could end with a powerful quotation relating to your thesis, or an observation about the book as a whole.

Check the length. Generally, a five-paragraph essay should be about three pages, but it might be a bit more or less. If your teacher is a stickler for length requirements, you may have to extend your paper slightly or cut it down a bit. One way to do this is by lengthening or shortening your quotes. You may also be able to change the length of your introduction or conclusion.

• Proofread your essay before you turn it in.

Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has over five years experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.

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How to Write a 3 Page Essay Fast

Writing a three page paper is not an easy task, especially when students have to work against a deadline. Most students are used to working to a very tight deadline because of their own procrastination, as in the study by Alison J. Head mentioned there are 73% of such students.

However, it is very possible to write your paper quickly, beat the deadline, and still score good marks for producing an excellent paper. You wonder how it is possible? Read to find out.

This article is written particularly for students who have a lot of projects on their hands and are looking for a way to write a quick 3 page paper at the last moment. If there are dozens of assignments on the list, and you wonder, “ Where can I find a research paper writer? ” this article s just what the doctor ordered. Rest assured, if you follow these steps listed, you are on the way to being rewarded with high marks for your paper. Read on!

How Long Does it Take to Write a 3 Page Research Paper?

Well, the exact amount of time depends on so many factors, which may include:

• the length of the essay,
• research material and methods,
• experience in writing research papers,
• organization skills.

It should be added here that organization skills influence the time taken to finish a research paper. That’s why this article is designed to get to know you how to guide aims to help you perfect your organization skills and show you tips on how to write quickly and smartly too. If you’re one of those students with writing skills that leave a lot to be desired, follow the recommendation below to avoid “ I can’t write my paper! ” thoughts and cope with any task.

To make it easy to understand, let us break down the writing process into three parts: prewriting process, writing process and post writing process. We’ve structured these tips and timing for each of these processes in such a way that they can save time. For example, to write a three page paper in 2 days, timing is as follows:

✏  prewriting process – 5 hours,

✏  writing process – 1 day,

✏  post writing process – 5 hours.

Prewriting Tips

We can’t overstate the importance of concentrating on writing your paper and beating the deadline. To focus and increase concentration, just tell yourself, “ No one is going to write my essay for me ; I can handle that!” and do the following:

• Create a schedule for your paper. For example, you can decide to give 4 hours a day to write your paper. Or you can schedule a 3 day intense crash writing for your paper.
• Reduce different distractions. Any form of noise is likely to seize your attention. Also stay away from social media, television and radio. This may be a tough sacrifice, but in the end it always pays. Your brain will be more focused, and least likely to wear out in straining to focus on so many things at once.

#2 Brainstorm

Yes, you have to think about your paper at times. It’s not so hard as long as you know just what to think about. Brainstorming saves your precious time while using pauses to think during the writing process. Brainstorming helps you draw outlines, anticipate challenges and their possible solutions.

In the International Student Blog 2 ways of brainstorming are presented by an international teacher, Bryanna Davis. Just look at them if you want to brainstorm effectively. We suggest you do the following:

• Brainstorm in a seated position laying back. Or you can also take a walk to keep a clear head.
• Brainstorm with a pen and a pad. Try to answer as much of these questions in your writing pad:

✏  What personal meaning does the topic have for you?

✏  What perspective do you wish to write from?

✏  What are the challenges of writing such a topic?

✏  What are the possible solutions?

✏  What importance does your topic have to your readers?

✏  Has your topic been written before?

✏  Where are your likely research sources?

Sketching an outline saves you lots of time in the writing process. Your writing is focused and it is easy to know when you derail so you can find your way. Outlining also helps you know how, what and where to do your research.

• Remember that you can make as many outlines as possible until you are satisfied. Your outline is not a rigid frame. See it as a flexible framework that allows you make necessary adjustments till you find the right fit.

#4 Research

It can be overwhelming if you don’t know how to go about it. An inefficient research method is time consuming and produces little results. You can approach a trusted essay writing service for quick assistance and do these:

• Start by having a quick interview with your teacher or lecturer. This saves you lots of time as your teacher gives you the necessary tips, resources and direction in writing your paper.
• Next browse thoroughly on the Internet. The Internet has made research relatively easy, there are lots of journals and articles available online these days.
• Write your references as you gather research materials. It makes citations and bibliography easy to organise at the end.
• Don’t bother yourself with journals and articles that don’t support your perspective of writing. There is no time to explore the numerous options available. Just stick to the outline you’ve sketched out.
• You may want to do some research in the library. However, if you feel you have enough research materials online, then there is no need to do so.

Writing Tips

• Choose an appropriate title. Titles are usually short and to the point. Avoid long sentences and use of phrases in creating titles. Most times you shouldn’t bother about the title till you are done with the paper.
• Develop an introduction. Make your introduction to the point. Your introduction should contain a thesis statement.
• Work on a body. The body of the essay is made up of series of supporting paragraphs. Depending on the font size and line spacing, a three page paper is likely to have about 4-6 supporting paragraphs. Make paragraphs for each point and remember to put your best points forward.
• Draw a conclusion. Conclude by restating your thesis statement. If there are results of findings, summarise them. You can also conclude by giving a call to action to engage your readers. You can do so by suggesting materials for further reading.

Post Writing Tips

• Editing. After you wrote, edit and check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors. Also check for typos.
• Proofreading. It is better to give a work to a second pair of eyes for a quick proofreading. To speed up the proofreading process, you can offer to read your work aloud to someone and note the corrections while you’re reading.
• Formatting. Font type, font size, and line spaces are important factors to consider when formatting your work. For example, most lecturers like to see essays in the APA format. There are reference generators that help you with specific formatting: APA Reference Generator (6th Ed), APA Referencing Generator

These tips listed above are quite easy to carry out. The more you use these tips the better you become at writing long papers in shorter periods of time. With urgent tasks you always have a chance to apply to our writing agency where you can be encouraged by the quick professional support. Good luck!

How many paragraphs are 3 pages?

The number of paragraphs in three pages will depend on a range of factors, like the content you include, the spacing, and the font. However, based on a rough estimate, an academic project of 3 pages can include 5-7 paragraphs. Keep in mind that the actual number may vary according to the paper’s content and structure requirements.

How long does it take to write a 3 page paper?

The time needed to create a 3-page paper varies based on a range of factors, like your writing speed, research requirements, your awareness of the topic, the difficulty level of the project, etc. At the same time, as a general estimation, you may need 3-5 hours to produce 3 pages of text. The timeframe involves the time needed to do in-depth research, outline your work, write, revise, and edit it.

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Author: Patricia Jenkins

Patricia Jenkins is the senior writing advisor at FastEssay blog for international students that seek quick paper assistance. In her blog, Patricia shares useful tips on productivity, writing, research, references. Sometimes Patricia goes off topic by sharing her personal experience peppered with lively humor and healthy irony. View all posts by Patricia Jenkins

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How to Write a College Essay: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

One way to think of your college essay is as the heart of your application—as in, it helps an admissions officer see who you are, what you value, and what you bring to their campus and community.

And before we talk you through how to write your college essay, we want to acknowledge something fairly strange about this process: namely, that this is a kind of writing that you’ve maybe never been asked to do before.

In that sense, college essays are a bizarre bait-and-switch—in high school, you’re taught a few different ways to write (e.g., maybe some historical analysis, or how to analyze literature, or creative writing), and then to apply to college, you’re asked to write something fairly different (or maybe completely different) from any of the things you’ve been asked to write in high school.

So first we’ll talk you through

the purpose of your college essay

and the degree to which it is important in your application (preview: it won’t be as important for some people as for others)

and then we’ll walk you step-by-step through how to write an essay that can help you stand out in the application process.

Let’s dive in.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Brainstorming your college essay topic, how to structure & outline a college essay, the difference between a boring and a stand-out personal statement.

• A quick word on “common” or “cliché” topics
• The “home” essay: a quick college essay case study
• Five (more) ways to find a thematic thread for your personal statement
• Montage essay structure FAQ’s
• Narrative essay structure FAQ’s

How to write a college essay: understanding what it is and how important it can be

What’s the purpose of your college essay (aka the personal statement).

This is your main essay. Your application centerpiece. The part of your application you’re likely to spend the most time on.

Assuming you’re applying via the Common App (here’s our how-to guide for that), the personal statement is likely to be 500-650 words long (so about a page) and many of the colleges you’re applying to will require it. (If you’re applying to the UCs, you’ll need to write some totally different essays .)

What’s a college essay’s purpose?

Jennifer Blask, Executive Director for International Admissions at the University of Rochester, puts it beautifully: “So much of the college application is a recounting of things past—past grades, old classes, activities the student has participated in over several years. The essay is a chance for the student to share who they are now and what they will bring to our campus communities.” 

Basically, college admission officers are looking for three takeaways in your college essay:

Who is this person?

Will this person contribute something of value to our campus?

Can this person write?

If you want to dig deeper into how admissions officers are thinking during the admissions process , or into what colleges look for in students , check out those two guides.

How important is your college essay?

That really depends on a lot of factors, but two of the biggest are the schools you’re applying to, and your academic profile. Here’s one way to think of the importance of essays:

Essays are less important if

You’re applying to “selective” colleges (around a 15-50% acceptance rate) and your academic profile is stronger than other applicants’

You’re applying in-state to large colleges, and/or to less competitive programs (e.g. you live in Sacramento and are applying to UC Riverside as an English major)

Essays are more important if

You’re applying to “highly-selective” aka “highly rejective”) colleges, meaning they have a less than 15% acceptance rate

You’re applying to “selective” colleges (around a 15-50% acceptance rate) but your academic profile isn’t as strong as other applicants’

You’re applying to really competitive programs (for example, engineering and computer science at some schools have way, way more applicants than spots) and/or you’re applying out-of-state to a state school system (e.g. you live in Montana and want to go to school at the University of Washington, and/or you want to study CS at UW).

To illustrate further—CEG’s Tom Campbell, who used to be an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Pomona , puts it this way: around 80% of the applicants to Pomona in a given year when he worked there were academically admissible. Meaning at schools like Pomona (with its 7ish% acceptance rate), grades and test scores don’t really get you in—they just get your foot in the door.

And an important thing to understand on that last note: if you get rejected from the “highly rejective” schools, it will tend to have a lot more to do with things like institutional priorities —some things in this process are out of your control.

Below are the five exercises I have every student complete before I meet with them:

Essence Objects Exercise : 12 min.

Values Exercise : 4 min.

21 Details Exercise : 20 min. 

Everything I Want Colleges to Know About Me Exercise : 20 min.

The Feelings and Needs Exercise : 15-20 min. 

I recommend recording all the content from your exercises in one document to keep things neat. If you’ve been working as you go, you’ve already completed these, so make sure to do this step now. You can use our downloadable Google doc with these exercises if you’d like.

At the start of the essay process, I ask students two questions:

Have you faced significant challenges in your life?

Do you want to write about them? 

Because here’s an important qualifier: 

Even if you’ve faced challenges, you do not have to write about them in your personal statement.  

I mention this now because, in my experience, many students are under the impression that they have to write about challenges—that it’s either expected, or that it’s somehow better to do so.

Neither is true. (And to be sure it’s clear: you do not have to write about trauma in your college essay to stand out .)

I’ve seen many, many incredible essays—ones that got students into every school you’re hoping to get into—that had no central challenge.

If your answer is “Maybe … ?” because you’re not sure what qualifies as a challenge, it’s useful to think of challenges as being on a spectrum.

On the weaker end of the spectrum would be things like getting a bad grade or not making X sports team. On the strong end of the spectrum would be things like escaping war. Being extremely shy but being responsible for translating for your family might be around a 3 or 4 out of 10. (Check this out if you want to read more about college essay topics to maybe avoid .)

It’s possible to use Narrative Structure to write about a challenge anywhere on the spectrum, but it’s much, much harder to write an outstanding essay about a weaker challenge.

Sometimes students pick the hardest challenge they’ve been through and try to make it sound worse than it actually was. Beware of pushing yourself to write about a challenge merely because you think these types of essays are inherently “better.” Focusing myopically on one experience can sideline other brilliant and beautiful elements of your character.

If you’re still uncertain, don’t worry. I’ll help you decide what to focus on. But, for the sake of this blog post, answer those first two questions with a gut-level response.

In the sections that follow, I’ll introduce you to two structures: Narrative Structure, which works well for describing challenges, and Montage Structure, which works well for essays that aren’t about challenges.

Heads-up: Some students who have faced challenges find after reading that they prefer Montage Structure to Narrative Structure. Or vice versa. If you’re uncertain which approach is best for you, I generally recommend experimenting with montage first; you can always go back and play with narrative.

How to write a college essay using montage structure

A montage is, simply put, a series of moments or story events connected by a common thematic thread. 

Well-known examples from movies include “training” montages, like those from Mulan , Rocky , or Footloose , or the “falling in love” montage from most romantic comedies. Or remember the opening to the Pixar movie Up ? In just a few minutes, we learn the entire history of Carl and Ellie’s relationship. One purpose is to communicate a lot of information fast. Another is to allow you to share a lot of different kinds of information, as the example essay below shows. 

Narrative Structure vs. Montage Structure explained in two sentences:

In Narrative Structure, story events connect chronologically.

In Montage Structure, story events connect thematically.

Here’s a metaphor to illustrate a montage approach: 

Imagine that each different part of you is a bead and that a select few will show up in your essay. They’re not the kind of beads you’d find on a store-bought bracelet; they’re more like the hand-painted beads on a bracelet your little brother made for you. 

The theme of your essay is the thread that connects your beads. 

You can find a thread in many, many different ways. One way we’ve seen students find great montage threads is by using the 5 Things Exercise . I’ll get detailed on this a little bit later, but essentially, are there 5 thematically connected things that thread together different experiences/moments/events in your life? For example, are there 5 T-shirts you collected, or 5 homes or identities, or 5 entries in your Happiness Spreadsheet .

And to clarify, your essay may end up using only 4 of the 5 things. Or maybe 8. But 5 is a nice number to aim for initially.

Note the huge range of possible essay threads. To illustrate, here are some different “thread” examples that have worked well:

Sports have had a powerful influence on me, from my understanding of history, to numbers, to my relationships, extracurricular activities, and even my career choice.

I lived with 5 different families as an exchange student, and each one taught me something valuable that I’ll carry with me to college.

Crassulaceae plants, which can reproduce via stem or leaf fragments, are a great analogy for not only how I make art, but how I choose to live each day.

Binary star systems are a metaphor for my relationship with my parents.

I am “trans” in so many ways … let me describe a few.

To understand who I am, you must understand how I cook.

Pranks have shaped my life in a variety of ways.

The number 12 has influenced so much in my life, from my relationship to sports, to how I write, to my self-esteem.

All of these threads stemmed from the brainstorming exercises in this post.

We’ll look at an example essay in a minute, but before we do, a word (well, a bunch of words) on how to build a stronger montage (and the basic concept here also applies to building stronger narratives).

Would you Rather watch instead?

To frame how to think about possible college essay topics ... .

Imagine you’re interviewing for a position as a fashion designer, and your interviewer asks you what qualities make you right for this position. Oh, and heads-up: That imaginary interviewer has already interviewed a hundred people today, so you’d best not roll up with, “because I’ve always loved clothes” or “because fashion helps me express my creativity.” Why shouldn’t you say those things? Because that’s what everyone says.

Many students are the same in their personal statements—they name cliché qualities/skills/values and don’t push their reflections much further.

Why is this a bad idea?

Let me frame it this way:

A boring personal statement chooses a common topic, makes common connections, and uses common language. 

A stand-out personal statement chooses an un common topic, makes un common connections, and uses un common language. 

Boring personal statement: I want to be a doctor (common topic) because I’m empathetic and I love helping people (common connections) and I really want to make the world a better place (common language).

Better personal statement: I want to run a tech-startup (more uncommon topic) because I value humor, “leading from the battlefield,” and stuff that makes me cry (uncommon connections for an essay on this topic), and because my journey to this place took me from being a scrawny 12-year-old kid to a scrawny 12-year-old man (uncommon language).

Important: I’m not saying you should pick a weird topic/thread just so it’ll help you stand out more on your essay. Be honest. But consider this: The more common your topic is ... the more un common your connections need to be if you want to stand out.

What do I mean? 

For example, tons of students write doctor/lawyer/engineer essays; if you want to stand out, you need to say a few things that others don’t tend to say. 

How do you figure out what to say? By making uncommon connections. 

They’re the key to a stand-out essay.

The following two-part exercise will help you do this.

2-minute exercise: Start with the cliché version of your essay.

What would the cliché version of your essay focus on?

If you’re writing a “Why I want to be an engineer” essay, for example, what 3-5 common “engineering” values might other students have mentioned in connection with engineering? Use the Values Exercise for ideas.

Collaboration? Efficiency? Hands-on work? Probably yes to all three.

Once you’ve spent 2 minutes thinking up some common/cliché values, move onto the next step.

8-Minute Exercise: Brainstorm uncommon connections.

For example, if your thread is “food” (which can lead to great essays, but is also a really common topic), push yourself beyond the common value of “health” and strive for unexpected values. How has cooking taught you about “accountability,” for example, or “social change”? Why do this? We’ve already read the essay on how cooking helped the author become more aware of their health. An essay on how cooking allowed the author to become more accountable or socially aware would be less common.

In a minute, we’ll look at the “Laptop Stickers” essay. One thing that author discusses is activism. A typical “activist” essay might discuss public speaking or how the author learned to find their voice. A stand-out essay would go further, demonstrating, say, how a sense of humor supports activism. Perhaps it would describe a childhood community that prioritized culture-creation over culture-consumption, reflecting on how these experiences shaped the author’s political views.

And before you beg me for an “uncommon values” resource, I implore you to use your brilliant brain to dream up these connections. Plus, you aren’t looking for uncommon values in general ; you’re looking for values uncommonly associated with your topic/thread .

Don’t get me wrong ... I’m not saying you shouldn’t list any common values, since some common values may be an important part of your story! In fact, the great essay examples throughout this book sometimes make use of common connections. I’m simply encouraging you to go beyond the obvious.

Also note that a somewhat-common lesson (e.g., “I found my voice”) can still appear in a stand-out essay. But if you choose this path, you’ll likely need to use either an uncommon structure or next-level craft to create a stand-out essay.

Where can you find ideas for uncommon qualities/skills/values?

Here are four places: 

1. The Values Exercise

This is basically a huge list of qualities/skills/values that could serve you in a future career.

2. O*Net Online

Go to www.onetonline.org and use the “occupation quick search” feature to search for your career. Once you do, a huge list will appear containing knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for your career. This is one of my favorite resources for this exercise.

3. School websites

Go to a college's website and click on a major or group of majors that interest you. Sometimes they’ll briefly summarize a major in terms of what skills it’ll impart or what jobs it might lead to. Students are often surprised to discover how broadly major-related skills can apply.

4. Real humans

Ask 3 people in this profession what unexpected qualities, values, or skills prepared them for their careers. Please don’t simply use their answers as your own; allow their replies to inspire your brainstorming process.

Once you’ve got a list of, say, 7-10 qualities, move on to the next step.

A quick word on “common” or “cliché” college essay topics

Common personal statement topics include extracurricular activities (sports or musical instruments), service trips to foreign countries (aka the “mission trip” essay where the author realizes their privilege), sports injuries, family illnesses, deaths, divorce, the “meta” essay (e.g., “As I sit down to write my college essays, I think about...”), or someone who inspired you (common mistake: This usually ends up being more about them than you).

While I won’t say you should never write about these topics, if you do decide to write about one of these topics, the degree of difficulty goes way up. What do I mean? Essentially, you have to be one of the best “soccer” essays or “mission trip” essays among the hundreds the admission officer has likely read (and depending on the school, maybe the hundreds they’ve read this year ). So it makes it much more difficult to stand out.

How do you stand out? A cliché is all in how you tell the story. So, if you do choose a common topic, work to make uncommon connections (i.e., offer unexpected narrative turns or connections to values), provide uncommon insights (i.e., say stuff we don’t expect you to say) or uncommon language (i.e., phrase things in a way we haven’t heard before).

Or explore a different topic. You are infinitely complex and imaginative.

Sample montage structure college essay:

My laptop stickers.

My laptop is like a passport. It is plastered with stickers all over the outside, inside, and bottom. Each sticker is a stamp, representing a place I’ve been, a passion I’ve pursued, or community I’ve belonged to. These stickers make for an untraditional first impression at a meeting or presentation, but it’s one I’m proud of. Let me take you on a quick tour:  “ We <3 Design ,” bottom left corner. Art has been a constant for me for as long as I can remember. Today my primary engagement with art is through design. I’ve spent entire weekends designing websites and social media graphics for my companies. Design means more to me than just branding and marketing; it gives me the opportunity to experiment with texture, perspective, and contrast, helping me refine my professional style.    “ Common Threads ,” bottom right corner. A rectangular black and red sticker displaying the theme of the 2017 TEDxYouth@Austin event. For years I’ve been interested in the street artists and musicians in downtown Austin who are so unapologetically themselves. As a result, I’ve become more open-minded and appreciative of unconventional lifestyles. TED gives me the opportunity to help other youth understand new perspectives, by exposing them to the diversity of Austin where culture is created, not just consumed. Poop emoji , middle right. My 13-year-old brother often sends his messages with the poop emoji ‘echo effect,’ so whenever I open a new message from him, hundreds of poops elegantly cascade across my screen. He brings out my goofy side, but also helps me think rationally when I am overwhelmed. We don’t have the typical “I hate you, don’t talk to me” siblinghood (although occasionally it would be nice to get away from him); we’re each other’s best friends. Or at least he’s mine.  “ Lol ur not Harry Styles ,” upper left corner. Bought in seventh grade and transferred from my old laptop, this sticker is torn but persevering with layers of tape. Despite conveying my fangirl-y infatuation with Harry Styles’ boyband, One Direction, for me Styles embodies an artist-activist who uses his privilege for the betterment of society. As a $42K donor to the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, a hair donor to the Little Princess Trust, and promoter of LGBTQ+ equality, he has motivated me to be a more public activist instead of internalizing my beliefs.   “ Catapult ,” middle right. This is the logo of a startup incubator where I launched my first company, Threading Twine. I learned that business can provide others access to fundamental human needs, such as economic empowerment of minorities and education. In my career, I hope to be a corporate advocate for the empowerment of women, creating large-scale impact and deconstructing institutional boundaries that obstruct women from working in high-level positions. Working as a women’s rights activist will allow me to engage in creating lasting movements for equality, rather than contributing to a cycle that elevates the stances of wealthy individuals.  “ Thank God it’s Monday ,” sneakily nestled in the upper right corner. Although I attempt to love all my stickers equally (haha), this is one of my favorites. I always want my association with work to be positive.  And there are many others, including the horizontal, yellow stripes of the Human Rights Campaign ; “ The Team ,” a sticker from the Model G20 Economics Summit where I collaborated with youth from around the globe; and stickers from “ Kode with Klossy ,” a community of girls working to promote women’s involvement in underrepresented fields.  When my computer dies (hopefully not for another few years), it will be like my passport expiring. It’ll be difficult leaving these moments and memories behind, but I probably won’t want these stickers in my 20s anyways (except Harry Styles, that’s never leaving). My next set of stickers will reveal my next set of aspirations. They hold the key to future paths I will navigate, knowledge I will gain, and connections I will make.

Cool, huh? And see what I mean about how you can write a strong personal statement without focusing on challenges you’ve faced?

Going back to that “thread and beads” metaphor with the “My Laptop Sticker” essay:

The “beads” are the different experiences that link to the values of creativity, open-mindedness, humor, courage, and entrepreneurialism.

The “thread” (i.e., the theme that ties everything together) is her laptop stickers. Each one represents a quality of the author’s personality. Actually, there’s a second thematic thread: Those qualities will also serve her in her women’s rights activism. Bonus!

The outline that got her there

Here’s the outline for the “My Laptop Stickers” essay. Notice how each bullet point discusses a value or values, connected to different experiences via her thread, and sets up the insights she could explore. (Insight, though, is the toughest part of the writing process, and will probably take the most revision, so it’s fine if you don’t have great insights in an outline or first draft. But you’ll want to get to them by your final draft.) 

She found this thread essentially by using The Five Things Exercise in conjunction with the other brainstorming exercises.

Thread = Laptop Stickers

We <3 Design → art, design, experimentation

Details: spent weekend designing websites, graphics for my companies

Possible insight: Developed my own style

Common Threads → authenticity, open-mindedness

Details: Street artists, musicians in Austin

Possible insight: Creating not just consuming culture

Poop emoji → family, goofy side

Details: Brother, interactions, thinking rationally

Possible insight: Connection/vulnerability

Lol ur not Harry Styles → equality, activism, confidence

Details: Various activism as motivation/reminder to act vs just internalize

Possible insight: My growth with acting/speaking up

Catapult → entrepreneurship, social justice, awareness, meaningful work

Details: Threaded Twine, women’s rights, breaking cycles 

Possible insight: Discovered my career

Thank God it's Monday → enjoyable work

Possible insight: Importance of experience/framing

Possible insight: Want work to always be this way

The Team → collaboration

Details: Model G20 Econ Summit, group collaboration

Kode with Klossy → community, social justice

Details: Promoting women in underrepresented fields

Okay, so if you’re on board so far, here’s what you need: 

Some stuff to write about (ideally 4-10 things) that will make up the “beads” of your essay, and

Something to connect all the different “beads” (like a connective theme or thread)

First, let’s talk about ...

How to generate lots of ‘stuff’ to write about (aka the beads for your bracelet)

Complete all the brainstorming exercises. 

Already did that? Great! Move on! 

Didn’t do that? Go back , complete the exercises, and then ...

Case study: How to find a theme for your personal statement (aka the thread that connects the beads of your bracelet)

Let’s look at an example of how I helped one student find her essay thread, then I’ll offer you some exercises to help you find your own.

The “Home” essay: A quick college essay case study

First, take a look at this student’s Essence Objects and 21 Details: 

My Essence Objects

Bojangle’s Tailgate Special/Iced Tea 

Light blue fuzzy blanket

A box containing my baby tooth 

Car keys 

Gold bracelet from my grandfather

Orange, worn Nike Free Run Sneakers

Duke basketball game ticket

Palestine flag rubber wristband/ISEF Lanyard

Friendship bracelet

A pair of headphones

Yin-yang symbol

Worn, green Governor’s School East lanyard

My 21 Details

I’ve been known to have terrible spatial awareness despite being a dancer. Just last week, my shoelace got caught in an escalator and I tripped about 20 people. 

Zumba and kickboxing are my favorite forms of exercise and I’m hopefully going to become certified to teach Zumba soon. 

I have misophonia--sometimes I even have to eat dinner in a different room from my family.

My go-to drinks are Hi-C and Sweet Tea.

I became a pescatarian this year to avoid fried chicken, and I can honestly get a life’s worth of meat out of cod, salmon, tilapia, shrimp, you name it.

I collect funky socks--at this point, I have socks with tacos, snowmen, Santa, and even animals wearing glasses.

I’ve gotten different Myers-Briggs personality types every time I took the test. The most recent ones are ENFJ and ENFP.

I have no immediate relatives in America besides my mom, dad, and sister.

I am a diehard Duke basketball fan, and I can identify all of the Duke basketball fans at my high school on one hand. 

I love discussing psychology, but sometimes I psychoanalyze.       

Singing while driving is honestly one of my favorite pastimes.    

My alarm for school every morning is at 5:42 am. 

I hope to complete a half and full marathon within the next four years, despite not having run a 5k yet. 

I realized the tooth fairy wasn’t real after I lost my second tooth, but I pretended that I still believed in it until I was in 5th grade for the tooth fairy’s “gifts”. 

I could eat fruits for every single meal.                

I don’t do well with confrontation.        

Airports are hands-down my favorite place to be, but I hate airplanes. 

If I’m not busy or working, you can usually find me in my hammock in the backyard. 

I find that I form the deepest connections with people after 12am. 

 Sometimes, I like TV spoilers.

How this author found her thematic thread

When I met with this student for the first time, I began asking questions about her objects and details: “What’s up with the Bojangle’s Iced Tea? What’s meaningful to you about the Governor’s School East lanyard? Tell me about your relationship to dance ...”

We were thread-finding ... searching for an invisible connective [something] that would allow her to talk about different parts of her life.

Heads-up: Some people are really good at this—counselors are often great at this—while some folks have a more difficult time. Good news: When you practice the skill of thread-finding, you can become better at it rather quickly.

You should also know that sometimes it takes minutes to find a thread and sometimes it can take weeks. With this student, it took less than an hour. 

I noticed in our conversation that she kept coming back to things that made her feel comfortable. She also repeated the word “home” several times. When I pointed this out, she asked me, “Do you think I could use ‘home’ as a thread for my essay?” 

“I think you could,” I said. 

Read her essay below, then I’ll share more about how you can find your own thematic thread.

Example essay: HOME

As I enter the double doors, the smell of freshly rolled biscuits hits me almost instantly. I trace the fan blades as they swing above me, emitting a low, repetitive hum resembling a faint melody. After bringing our usual order, the “Tailgate Special,” to the table, my father begins discussing the recent performance of Apple stock with my mother, myself, and my older eleven year old sister. Bojangle’s, a Southern establishment well known for its fried chicken and reliable fast food, is my family’s Friday night restaurant, often accompanied by trips to Eva Perry, the nearby library. With one hand on my breaded chicken and the other on Nancy Drew: Mystery of Crocodile Island, I can barely sit still as the thriller unfolds. They’re imprisoned! Reptiles! Not the enemy’s boat! As I delve into the narrative with a sip of sweet tea, I feel at home. “Five, six, seven, eight!” As I shout the counts, nineteen dancers grab and begin to spin the tassels attached to their swords while walking heel-to-toe to the next formation of the classical Chinese sword dance. A glance at my notebook reveals a collection of worn pages covered with meticulously planned formations, counts, and movements. Through sharing videos of my performances with my relatives or discovering and choreographing the nuances of certain regional dances and their reflection on the region’s distinct culture, I deepen my relationship with my parents, heritage, and community. When I step on stage, the hours I’ve spent choreographing, creating poses, teaching, and polishing are all worthwhile, and the stage becomes my home. Set temperature. Calibrate. Integrate. Analyze. Set temperature. Calibrate. Integrate. Analyze. This pulse mimics the beating of my heart, a subtle rhythm that persists each day I come into the lab. Whether I am working under the fume hood with platinum nanoparticles, manipulating raw integration data, or spraying a thin platinum film over pieces of copper, it is in Lab 304 in Hudson Hall that I first feel the distinct sensation, and I’m home. After spending several weeks attempting to synthesize platinum nanoparticles with a diameter between 10 and 16 nm, I finally achieve nanoparticles with a diameter of 14.6 nm after carefully monitoring the sulfuric acid bath. That unmistakable tingling sensation dances up my arm as I scribble into my notebook: I am overcome with a feeling of unbridled joy.  Styled in a t-shirt, shorts, and a worn, dark green lanyard, I sprint across the quad from the elective ‘Speaking Arabic through the Rassias Method’ to ‘Knitting Nirvana’. This afternoon is just one of many at Governor’s School East, where I have been transformed from a high school student into a philosopher, a thinker, and an avid learner. While I attend GS at Meredith College for Natural Science, the lessons learned and experiences gained extend far beyond physics concepts, serial dilutions, and toxicity. I learn to trust myself to have difficult yet necessary conversations about the political and economic climate. Governor’s School breeds a culture of inclusivity and multidimensionality, and I am transformed from “girl who is hardworking” or “science girl” to someone who indulges in the sciences, debates about psychology and the economy, and loves to swing and salsa dance. As I form a slip knot and cast on, I’m at home. My home is a dynamic and eclectic entity. Although I’ve lived in the same house in Cary, North Carolina for 10 years, I have found and carved homes and communities that are filled with and enriched by tradition, artists, researchers, and intellectuals. While I may not always live within a 5 mile radius of a Bojangle’s or in close proximity to Lab 304, learning to become a more perceptive daughter and sister, to share the beauty of my heritage, and to take risks and redefine scientific and personal expectations will continue to impact my sense of home. 

Rad essay, huh? 

But here’s the question I get most often about this technique: How do I find my thematic thread?

Five (more) ways to find a thematic thread for your college personal statement

1. The “Bead-Making” Exercise (5-8 min.)

In the example above, we started with the beads, and then we searched for a thread. This exercise asks you to start with the thread of something you know well and then create the beads. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: On a blank sheet of paper, make a list of five or six things you know a lot about.

For example, I know a lot about …

Words/language

Productivity

Voices/accents

Self-help books

If you can only think of 3 or 4, that’s okay.

Step 2: Pick one of the things you wrote down, flip your paper over, and write it at the top of your paper, like this:

This is your thread, or a potential thread.

Step 3: Underneath what you wrote down, name 5-6 values you could connect to this. These will serve as the beads of your essay. You can even draw a thread connecting your beads, if you want, like this:

Step 4: For each value, write down a specific example, memory, image, or essence object that connects to that value. Example: 

My thread: Games

My beads: Connection, creativity, fun/laughter, family, competition, knowledge

Here are my examples/memories/images/essence objects:

Connection: One memory I have is playing “I love” in a circle at camp with 20 friends and strangers. I still marvel at how quickly it helped us bond.

Creativity: After I understand how a game works, I like to try to improve it by tweaking the rules. Two examples: 1) I remember when I was young trying to find the right amount of money for the Free Parking space in Monopoly, and 2) recently, I learned the game Guesstimation is so much better if you add wagers. I see my 4-year-old daughter tweaks games too, which drives my wife crazy, as she likes to play by the rules of the game.

Fun/laughter: As I’ve aged, so much of my life has become planned/programmed, but I can still enjoy losing track of time with board games. Two weeks ago, for example, I laughed so hard I cried while playing Drawful with Lisa, Andy, and Sage.

Family: We played games like Charades and Jeopardy when I was young. (My dad was the Game Master who would come up with the categories. As I grew older, I took over the role of Game Master.)

Competition: People don’t know this about me because I seem so chill, but I am incredibly competitive. Things I rarely lose at: ping pong, Tetris, foosball, and corn hole. I’ve gotten much better over the years at hiding my competitive side, but it’s still there.

Knowledge: Can’t really think of much on this one—maybe something related to Jeopardy? 

This is an actual brainstorm I did using this exercise. 

And, as I write these things down, I notice a theme of youth/old age emerging. Games have changed for me as I’ve gotten older. Note that I couldn’t come up with something for the last one, “knowledge,” which is fine. 

The point is this: If you know a thing well, odds are good you’ll be able to make a lot of connections to your values. And if you can find specific examples for each value, that can make for interesting paragraphs in your personal statement. 

If you’re willing to spend a few more minutes, ask “so what?” of each example to see if a specific insight emerges. 

And, in case you want a formula for what I’m describing, here you go:

Once you’ve written down the values and at least one example (e.g., a memory, image, essence object) for each bead, see if you have enough content for an essay. 

Still haven’t found your theme? Here are ...

More ways to find a thematic thread for your personal statement

2. The “Five Things” Exercise 

(Special thanks to my colleague, Dori Middlebrook, for this one.)  

I mentioned this when we first started talking about Montage Structure. Similar to the “bead-making” exercise above, you identify the thread first and then develop the beads.

Step 1: Write down 5 similar things that are meaningful to you in different ways. 

Examples: Five Pairs of Shoes I’ve Worn, Five Houses I’ve Lived In, Five Photographs in My Room, Five Ways Cooking Has Influenced Me, etc. 

Step 2: Begin by simply naming the 5 different items. 

Example: High-top tennis shoes, flip-flops, heels, cleats, bunny slippers

Step 3: Add physical details so we can visualize each one. 

Step 4: Add more details. Maybe tell a story for each. 

Pro tip: Try connecting each of the 5 to a different value.

Step 5: Expand on each description further and start to connect the ideas to develop them into an essay draft. 

3. Thread-finding with a partner

Grab someone who knows you well (e.g., a counselor, friend, family member). Share all your brainstorming content with them and ask them to  mirror back to you what they’re seeing. It can be helpful if they use reflective language and ask lots of questions. An example of a reflective observation is: “I’m hearing that ‘building’ has been pretty important in your life … is that right?” You’re hunting together for a thematic thread—something that might connect different parts of your life and self.

4. Thread-finding with photographs

Pick 10 of your favorite photos or social media posts and write a short paragraph on each one. Why’d you pick these photos? What do they say about you? Then ask yourself, “What are some things these photos have in common?” Bonus points: Can you find one thing that connects all of them?

5. Reading lots of montage example essays that work

You’ll find some here , here , and here . While you may be tempted to steal those thematic threads, don’t. Try finding your own. Have the courage to be original. You can do it.

Montage Essay Structure FAQs

Q: How do I work in extracurricular activities in a tasteful way (so it doesn’t seem like I’m bragging)?

A: Some counselors caution, with good reason, against naming extracurricular activities/experiences in your personal statement. (It can feel redundant with your Activities List.) You actually can mention them , just make sure you do so in context of your essay’s theme. Take another look at the eighth paragraph of the “My Laptop Stickers” essay above, for example:

And there are many [other stickers], including the horizontal, yellow stripes of the Human Rights Campaign; “The Team,” a sticker from the Model G20 Economics Summit where I collaborated with youth from around the globe; and stickers from “Kode with Klossy,” a community of girls working to promote women’s involvement in underrepresented fields. 

A description of these extracurricular activities may have sounded like a laundry list of the author’s accomplishments. But because she’s naming other stickers (which connects them to the essay’s thematic thread), she basically gets to name-drop those activities while showing other parts of her life. Nice.

One more way to emphasize a value is to combine or disguise it with humor. Example: “Nothing teaches patience (and how to tie shoes really fast) like trying to wrangle 30 first-graders by yourself for 10 hours per week,” or “I’ve worked three jobs, but I’ve never had to take more crap from my bosses than I did this past summer while working at my local veterinarian’s office.” 

In each of these examples, the little bit of humor covers the brag. Each is basically pointing out that the author had to work a lot and it wasn’t always fun. No need to push this humor thing, though. Essays don’t need to be funny to be relatable, and if the joke doesn’t come naturally, it might come across as trying too hard. 

Q: How do I transition between examples so my essay “flows” well?

A: The transitions are the toughest part of this essay type. Fine-tuning them will take some time, so be patient. One exercise I love is called Revising Your Essay in 5 Steps , and it basically works like this: 

Highlight the first sentence of each of your paragraphs in bold, then read each one aloud in order. Do they connect, creating a short version of your essay? If not: 

Rewrite the bold sentences so that they do connect (i.e., flow) together. Once you’ve done that …

Rewrite each paragraph so it flows from those bolded sentences. 

Read them aloud again. Wash, rinse, repeat until the ideas flow together.

This is a great way to figure out the “bones” (i.e., structure) of your essay. 

Q: What am I looking for again? 

A: You’re looking for two things: 

Parts of yourself that are essential to who you are (e.g., values or “islands of your personality”), and 

A theme that connects them all. 

Your theme could be something mundane (like your desk) or something everyone can relate to ( like the concept of home ), but make sure that it is elastic (i.e. can connect to many different parts of you) and visual, as storytelling made richer with images.

Each of the values creates an island of your personality and a paragraph for your essay.

Montage step-by-step recap: 

Review your brainstorming exercises and look for threads that connect 4-7 different values through 4-7 different experiences.

Choose an order for your examples. Consider describing one example per paragraph.

Create an outline.

Write a first draft. Once you do ...

Consider using the Revising Your Essay in 5 Steps Exercise to clarify your transitions.

Q: This is hard! I’m not finding it yet and I want to give up. What should I do?

A: Don’t give up! Remember: be patient. This takes time. If you need inspiration, or assurance that you’re on the right track, check out Elizabeth Gilbert’s TED Talk , “Your Elusive Creative Genius.”

All right, moving on.

How to write a college essay using Narrative Structure

If you answered “yes” to both questions at the beginning of this guide, I recommend exploring Narrative Structure. I’ll explain this in more detail below. 

My favorite content-generating exercise for Narrative Structure is the Feelings and Needs Exercise. It takes about 20 minutes (but do feel free to take longer—more time brainstorming and outlining leads to better, faster writing). Here’s how it works:

The Feelings and Needs Exercise

Time : 15-20 minutes

Instructions : You’ll find them here.  

If you haven’t completed the exercise, please do it now. 

(And this is a dramatic pause before I tell you the coolest thing about what you just did.)

You may notice that your completed Feelings and Needs chart maps out a potential structure for your personal statement. If you’re not seeing it, try turning your paper so that the challenges are at the top of your page and the effects are below them. 

Voila. A rough outline for a narrative essay.

To clarify, this isn’t a perfect way to outline an essay. You may not want to spend an entire paragraph describing your feelings, for example, or you may choose to describe your needs in just one sentence. And now that you see how it frames the story, you may want to expand on certain columns. However, the sideways Feelings and Needs chart can help you think about how the chronology of your experiences might translate into a personal statement. 

Here’s an essay that one student wrote after completing this exercise:

Example Narrative Essay: The Birth of Sher Khan The narrow alleys of Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan where I spent the first 7 years of my life were infiltrated with the stench of blood and helplessness. I grew up with Geo news channel, with graphic images of amputated limbs and the lifeless corpses of uncles, neighbors, and friends. I grew up with hurried visits to the bazaar, my grandmother in her veil and five-year-old me, outrunning spontaneous bomb blasts. On the open rooftop of our home, where the hustle and bustle of the city were loudest, I grew up listening to calls to prayer, funeral announcements, gunshots. I grew up in the aftermath of 9/11, confused.  Like the faint scent of mustard oil in my hair, the war followed me to the United States. Here, I was the villain, responsible for causing pain. In the streets, in school, and in Baba’s taxi cab, my family and I were equated with the same Taliban who had pillaged our neighborhood and preyed on our loved ones.  War followed me to freshman year of high school when I wanted more than anything to start new and check off to-dos in my bullet journal. Every time news of a terror attack spread, I could hear the whispers, visualize the stares. Instead of mourning victims of horrible crimes, I felt personally responsible, only capable of focusing on my guilt. The war had manifested itself in my racing thoughts and bitten nails when I decided that I couldn’t, and wouldn’t, let it win.  A mission to uncover parts of me that I’d buried in the war gave birth to a persona: Sher Khan, the tiger king, my radio name. As media head at my high school, I spend most mornings mastering the art of speaking and writing lighthearted puns into serious announcements. Laughter, I’ve learned, is one of the oldest forms of healing, a survival tactic necessary in war, and peace too.  During sophomore year, I found myself in International Human Rights, a summer course at Cornell University that I attended through a local scholarship. I went into class eager to learn about laws that protect freedom and came out knowledgeable about ratified conventions, The International Court of Justice, and the repercussions of the Srebrenica massacre. To apply our newfound insight, three of my classmates and I founded our own organization dedicated to youth activism and spreading awareness about human rights violations: Fight for Human Rights. Today, we have seven state chapters led by students across the U.S and a chapter in Turkey too. Although I take pride in being Editor of the Golden State’s chapter,  I enjoy having written articles about topics that aren’t limited to violations within California. Addressing and acknowledging social issues everywhere is the first step to preventing war. Earlier this year, through KQED, a Bay Area broadcasting network, I was involved in a youth takeover program, and I co-hosted a Friday news segment about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, the travel ban, and the vaping epidemic. Within a few weeks, my panel and interview were accessible worldwide, watched by my peers in school, and family thousands of miles away in Pakistan. Although the idea of being so vulnerable initially made me nervous, I soon realized that this vulnerability was essential to my growth.  I never fully escaped war; it’s evident in the chills that run down my spine whenever an untimely call reaches us from family members in Pakistan and in the funerals still playing on Geo News. But I’m working towards a war-free life, internally and externally, for me and the individuals who can share in my experiences, for my family, and for the forgotten Pashtun tribes from which I hail. For now, I have everything to be grateful for. War has taught me to recognize the power of representation, to find courage in vulnerability, and best of all, to celebrate humor. 

Fun fact: This essay was written by a student in one of my online courses who, as she shared this version with me, called it a “super rough draft.” 

I wish my super rough drafts were this good.

I share this essay with you not only because it’s a super awesome essay that was inspired by the Feelings and Needs Exercise, but also because it offers a beautiful example of what I call the ...

Narrative Structure content sections

You can think of a narrative essay as having three basic sections: Challenges + Effects ; What I Did About It ; What I Learned . Your word count will be pretty evenly split between the three, so for a 650-word personal statement, 200ish each.

To get a little more nuanced, within those three basic sections, a narrative often has a few specific story beats. There are plenty of narratives that employ different elements (for example, collectivist societies often tell stories in which there isn’t one central main character/hero, but it seems hard to write a college personal statement that way, since you’re the focus here). You’ve seen these beats before—most Hollywood films use elements of this structure, for example. 

Status Quo : The starting point of the story. This briefly describes the life or world of the main character (in your essay, that’s you).

The Inciting Incident : The event that disrupts the Status Quo. Often it’s the worst thing that could happen to the main character. It gets us to wonder: Uh-oh … what will they do next? or How will they solve this problem?

Raising the Stakes/Rising Action : Builds suspense. The situation becomes more and more tense, decisions become more important, and our main character has more and more to lose.

Moment of Truth : The climax. Often this is when our main character must make a choice.

New Status Quo : The denouement or falling action. This often tells us why the story matters or what our main character has learned. Think of these insights or lessons as the answer to the big “so what?” question.

For example, take a look at “The Birth of Sher Khan” essay above. 

Notice that roughly the first third focuses on the challenges she faced and the effects of those challenges.

Roughly the next third focuses on actions she took regarding those challenges. (Though she also sprinkles in lessons and insight here.)

The final third contains lessons and insights she learned through those actions, reflecting on how her experiences have shaped her. (Again, with the caveat that What She Did and What She Learned are somewhat interwoven, and yours likely will be as well. But the middle third is more heavily focused on actions, and the final third more heavily focused on insight.)

And within those three sections, notice the beats of her story: Status Quo, The Inciting Incident, Raising the Stakes/Rising Action, Moment of Truth, New Status Quo.

How does the Feelings and Needs Exercise map onto those sections? 

Pretty directly. 

At the risk of stating the blatantly obvious, The Challenges and Effects columns of the Feelings and Needs Exercise … are the Challenges + Effects portion of your essay. Same with What I Did and What I Learned.

The details in your Feelings and Needs columns can be spread throughout the essay. And it’s important to note that it’s useful to discuss some of your feelings and needs directly, but some will be implied. 

For example, here’s the Feelings and Needs Exercise map of the “Sher Khan” essay. And I know I just mentioned this, but I want you to notice something that’s so important, I’m writing it in bold: The author doesn’t explicitly name every single effect, feeling, or need in her essay . Why not? First, she’s working within a 650-word limit. Second, she makes room for her reader’s inferences, which can often make a story more powerful. Take a look:

Challenge 1 : She grows up surrounded by war, which is explicitly stated.

Challenge 2 : She comes to the U.S. to find safety (a need), which is implied, but instead, she is villainized, which is explicitly stated. 

Effects : She is ostracized after arriving in the U.S. “Every time news of a terror attack spread,” she writes, “I could hear the whispers, visualize the stares.” Other effects are implied, and we are left to imagine—and feel for ourselves—the kind of impact this might have had on her, and on us. Vulnerability creates connection.

Feelings : Growing up in the aftermath of 9/11 leaves her feeling confused, and after she is shunned, she describes being unable to mourn the victims of horrible crimes, instead feeling “personally responsible, only capable of focusing on [her] own guilt.” She explicitly names confusion and guilt, but she doesn’t name all the things she felt, of course, as there’s no need. Here, naming 1-2 key emotions helps us understand her inner world. If you choose to do the same in your essay, it’ll help readers understand yours.

Needs : As I read this essay, I can imagine the author needed safety, order, love, respect, reassurance, connection, and many more. But these are implied by the story events and need not be explicitly stated. In fact, spelling these things out might have made the essay sound weird. Imagine if she’d said, “I needed safety and order” at the end of the first paragraph and “I needed respect, reassurance, and connection” at the end of the second paragraph. That might sound awkward or too obvious, right? While identifying your needs is a great tool for understanding your story (and self) on a deeper level, there’s no need to explicitly state them at each juncture.

What She Did About It : The author developed a radio persona called Sher Khan , attended a summer course on human rights, founded an organization dedicated to youth activism, wrote articles on restrictive blasphemy laws and the forced repatriation of refugees, and probably other things that weren’t even mentioned.

What She’s Learned/Gained : She found a sense of purpose and discovered “everything [she has] to be grateful for.” She writes: “War has taught me to never take an education or a story for granted, to find beauty in vulnerability, to remain critical of authority figures, to question what’s socially accepted, and best of all, to celebrate humor.”

Cool. Here’s another narrative example:

narrative essay: What Had to Be Done At six years old, I stood locked away in the restroom. I held tightly to a tube of toothpaste because I’d been sent to brush my teeth to distract me from the commotion. Regardless, I knew what was happening: my dad was being put under arrest for domestic abuse. He’d hurt my mom physically and mentally, and my brother Jose and I had shared the mental strain. It’s what had to be done. Living without a father meant money was tight, mom worked two jobs, and my brother and I took care of each other when she worked. For a brief period of time the quality of our lives slowly started to improve as our soon-to-be step-dad became an integral part of our family. He paid attention to the needs of my mom, my brother, and me. But our prosperity was short-lived as my step dad’s chronic alcoholism became more and more recurrent. When I was eight, my younger brother Fernando’s birth complicated things even further. As my step-dad slipped away, my mom continued working, and Fernando’s care was left to Jose and me. I cooked, Jose cleaned, I dressed Fernando, Jose put him to bed. We did what we had to do. As undocumented immigrants and with little to no family around us, we had to rely on each other. Fearing that any disclosure of our status would risk deportation, we kept to ourselves when dealing with any financial and medical issues. I avoided going on certain school trips, and at times I was discouraged to even meet new people. I felt isolated and at times disillusioned; my grades started to slip. Over time, however, I grew determined to improve the quality of life for my family and myself. Without a father figure to teach me the things a father could, I became my own teacher. I learned how to fix a bike, how to swim, and even how to talk to girls. I became resourceful, fixing shoes with strips of duct tape, and I even found a job to help pay bills. I became as independent as I could to lessen the time and money mom had to spend raising me. I also worked to apply myself constructively in other ways. I worked hard and took my grades from Bs and Cs to consecutive straight A’s. I shattered my school’s 1ooM breaststroke record, and learned how to play the clarinet, saxophone, and the oboe. Plus, I not only became the first student in my school to pass the AP Physics 1 exam, I’m currently pioneering my school’s first AP Physics 2 course ever. These changes inspired me to help others. I became president of the California Scholarship Federation, providing students with information to prepare them for college, while creating opportunities for my peers to play a bigger part in our community. I began tutoring kids, teens, and adults on a variety of subjects ranging from basic English to home improvement and even Calculus. As the captain of the water polo and swim team I’ve led practices crafted to individually push my comrades to their limits, and I’ve counseled friends through circumstances similar to mine. I’ve done tons, and I can finally say I’m proud of that.  But I’m excited to say that there’s so much I have yet to do. I haven’t danced the tango, solved a Rubix Cube, explored how perpetual motion might fuel space exploration, or seen the World Trade Center. And I have yet to see the person that Fernando will become.   I’ll do as much as I can from now on. Not because I have to. Because I choose to. 

There’s so much to love about this essay.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the author wrote this essay so you can figure out how to write yours:

First, the author brainstormed the content of his essay using the Feelings and Needs Exercise. 

Did you spot the elements of that exercise? If not, here they are: 

Challenges: Domestic abuse, alcoholic step-dad, little brother Fernando’s birth, family’s undocumented status

Effects: Author and his brother shared the mental strain, father was arrested, funds were tight, mom worked two jobs, brothers took care of one another, they kept to themselves when dealing with financial and medical issues, avoided going on certain school trips, at times author was discouraged from meeting new people, grades started to slip

Feelings: Confused yet understanding, anxious, worried, relieved, alone, lost, vulnerable, lonely, disconnected, alone, heartbroken, ashamed, disillusioned

Needs: Order, autonomy, reassurance, growth, safety, understanding, empathy, hope, support, self-acceptance

What He Did About It: Took care of his youngest brother; became his own teacher; learned how to fix a bike, swim, socialize; found a job to help pay bills; improved his grades; broke a school swimming record; learned to play instruments; became the first student in his school to pass the AP Physics 1 exam; took a leadership role in clubs; and tutored and counseled friends and peers

What He Learned: He’s proud of what he’s done, but wants to do more: dance the tango, solve a Rubix Cube, explore perpetual motion, see the World Trade Center, see his little brother grow up … and do you notice the value here? Hunger . That was his number one value, by the way. And he ends by saying he’ll do these things not because he has to, but because he chooses to. This sounds like autonomy . Another one of his top values. 

That’s why I love beginning with this exercise. With just 15-20 minutes of focused work, you can map out your whole story.

Next, the author used Narrative Structure to give shape to his essay.

Did you spot the Narrative Structure elements? If not, here they are: 

Inciting Incident: While the author is brushing his teeth, his father is arrested for domestic abuse.

Status Quo: His father had hurt his mom physically and mentally, and the author and his brother had shared the mental strain. “It’s what had to be done,” he writes.

Raising the Stakes: The entire second and third paragraphs, which describe how living without a father meant money was tight. Things improved for a while after his mother remarried, but his stepdad’s chronic alcoholism (raise the stakes) plus a new little brother (raise the stakes again) made things even tougher. As if that weren’t enough, the author raises the stakes even further by revealing that his family was undocumented at the time. 

Moment of Truth: At his lowest point, he decides to do something about it. “I grew determined to improve the quality of life for my family and myself,” he writes, then goes on to tell us all the amazing things he taught himself, the skills he learned, and interests he pursued. It’s inspiring.

New Status Quo: Remember that the initial Status Quo was the author doing “what had to be done.” Not so, by the end of the essay. In the final lines, he writes, “I’ll do as much as I can from now on. Not because I have to. Because I choose to.”

And again, notice that those fit within the framework of: 

⅓: Challenges he faced and their impacts on him

⅓: What he did to work through them

⅓: What he learned through the process

Narrative essay structure FAQs

Q: Are there any situations where I may not want to write about my life struggles?

A: Yes. Sometimes it can be too difficult to discuss them. Or you may be actively dealing with a challenge. If this is the case, reach out to your counselor, a trusted mentor, or, if possible, a therapist. 

If money is an issue (i.e., you feel you can’t afford a therapist) and you don’t feel comfortable sharing your struggles with your counselor, ask them if they can refer you to a therapist or counselor who works on a sliding scale. Many mental health professionals work with clients at low rates or for free. 

You may also choose to write about the struggles you’ve faced without getting into all the details. Saying, for example, that you experienced verbal abuse from your father, for example, may be enough; you don’t necessarily need to share the specifics.

Q: Should I write about mental health challenges?

A: Mental health can be very difficult to write about for a few reasons: 

If a student is still very much struggling through the challenges they describe, the admission reader may wonder if the student is ready for college.

In some cases, the admission officer may feel that a student is ready for college, but their institution may not be adequately equipped to help them thrive (not all colleges have the same kinds of resources, unfortunately). 

Unfortunately, mental health challenges have become so common these days that many students write personal statements about them, and so it can be difficult to stand out. If you’re feeling compelled to write about a mental health challenge, consider brainstorming some uncommon connections .

Questions to ask yourself if you’re considering writing about mental health challenges: 

Do I have any other topics I could write on? Are there other interesting parts of myself I’d like to share that could reveal important skills, qualities, and values? Or must I write about this? (Beware the trap discussed earlier of feeling like you must write about a challenge to write a great personal statement—it’s not true! The authors of the “ My Laptop Stickers” essay the "Home” essay were students who faced challenges but chose not to write about them.)

Have I truly worked through this? Am I able to devote the middle third of my essay to actions I’ve taken to work through the challenge and the final third to what I’ve learned? (You may not know the answers to these questions until you’ve done some writing. Maybe run your challenge through the Feelings and Needs Exercise to see what surfaces. Even if this doesn’t end up being your personal statement topic, you might learn something important about yourself.)

If I were an admission officer reading this essay, would I feel like this student has their situation handled and they are truly ready for college? (If you’re unsure, it’s a great idea to have 2-3 folks read it who have a good understanding of what colleges are looking for.) 

Could the mental health challenge be a brief explanation in the Additional Info section? To see if this might work for you, see how briefly you can describe your mental health challenge using factual bullet points. Devote one bullet point to the challenge, another bullet point to what you’ve done about it, and a final bullet point describing briefly what you’ve learned.

Important: If you have a counselor, I strongly recommend consulting with them as you decide whether to discuss a mental health challenge in your personal statement. If your counselor is writing a letter on your behalf, some of the information you’d like to share may already be accounted for. Talk to them and find out.

Q: Are there any situations where I may not want to write about my career in my personal statement … even if I know what it is?

A: For sure. Say you’re interested in becoming a doctor, but you’re applying to a medical program with a supplemental prompt asking why you want to become a doctor. If you want to avoid repetition, you might not explicitly mention becoming a doctor at the end of your personal statement (you don’t have to discuss your career at all in a personal statement; many students are unsure.). Instead, you might describe how you’ve developed qualities that will equip you for a career as a doctor (e.g., creativity, for example, or the ability to lead a team). 

Narrative Structure step-by-step recap : 

Complete the brainstorming exercises, as these will help no matter which structure you choose. Take special care to complete the Feelings and Needs Exercise, as it will help you outline your essay. 

Create an outline using the Narrative Structure described above. 

Write a first draft.

Check out my blog for more Narrative Structure examples.

How to Make a Cover Page: APA and MLA Format

A cover page is the first page of a paper or report that lists basic information, such as the title, author(s), course name, instructor, date, and sometimes the name of the institution. Also known as a title page, a cover page is a requirement of some formatting styles. But certain instructors or assignments may request them regardless of the style requirements.

When a cover page is required, it has specific rules for what to include and how to format it that depend on the style. In this guide, we explain how to create a cover page in different formatting styles and what you need to use it correctly.

What is a cover page?

A cover page, also called a title page, is the first page of a research paper or report . The cover page is dedicated exclusively to basic information, such as the title and authors. The actual content of the paper begins on the page after the cover page.

When should a cover page be used?

Cover pages are not always required; it depends on either the formatting style or the particular assignment. Some instructors may request them, while others may not. Sooner or later students will likely have to write one, making them an important part of how to write a research paper .

How to make a cover page largely depends on which formatting style you’re using. Different styles have different rules, and some styles don’t require cover pages at all.

Specifically, a cover page is a requirement for papers written in APA format , which places the most emphasis on them. The APA format cover page is the most common and has the most thorough rules.

On the other hand, the MLA format requires a cover page only for group projects with more than one author . Otherwise, they are optional.

Chicago style does not require a cover page, although individual assignments written in Chicago may still request them.

How to make a cover page for students

For student writing , cover pages formatted in MLA or APA use most of the same information—the main difference is where they put it. Here’s the information you’ll need to include:

• course name
• institution or school (APA format only)

For professionals writing research papers, there are additional requirements. If you’re writing in APA format, check out our guide on APA format title pages , which explains the difference between a student cover page and a professional cover page.

How to format an APA cover page

Because APA places the most emphasis on its cover page, the APA format cover page is the most involved. Here are the rules for how to make a cover page in APA. Keep in mind that all lines except the page number are centered .

1 Place the page number (always 1 ) in the upper-right corner of the page, flush right with the one-inch page margin. This is part of the running head that goes on every page in APA format, although for student papers this header only includes the page number.

2 Three or four lines down (double-spaced) from the top page margin, write the paper’s title, centered and bolded. Use the standard rules for capitalization in titles .

3 Add one empty, double-spaced line after the title, and on the next line write the author’s name. Use a standard font (no bold or italics). For more than one author, use the word and before the last author and commas if there are three or more authors. Try to keep everyone’s name on the same line if you can.

4 On the next line, write your department or division of your school, and then the name of the school itself. Separate them with a comma.

5 On the line after your school’s name, write the name of the course, including the numeric code.

6 Write the full name of the instructor on the line below the course name. Include any honorific titles, such as Dr.

7 On the next and final line, write the date. It’s best to spell out the month for the sake of clarity.

APA cover page example

Milgrim Experiments Revisited: Authority’s Influence in Modern Times

Stanley Milgrim Jr. and Thomas Blass Jr.

Department of Psychology, Yale University

PSYC 140: Social Science Core

Dr. Steve Chang

May 10, 2023

How to format an MLA cover page

In the MLA format, a cover page is typically optional; this style prefers writing a paper’s basic information at the top of the first page of writing. Usually, a cover page is required in MLA only when there are multiple authors, although individual assignments may still request them even with only one author.

On an MLA cover page, all the information except for the title goes in the upper-left corner, flush with the one-inch page margins from the top and left side. All lines are double-spaced.

1 On the first line of the page, write the first student’s name.

2 If there are other authors, write each name on its own line after the first.

3 On the line after the final author, write the name of the instructor. You don’t need to include their full name, but it’s best to use their title, such as “Professor Green.”

4 On the next line, write the name of the course, including the numeric code.

5 On the line after the course name, write the date in either a day-month-year or month-day-year format; both are acceptable as long as you spell out the month (MLA does not use month abbreviations). 

6 Four or five double-spaced lines below the date, write the title of the paper. The title should be centered and in standard format (no bold or italics). As with the APA cover page format, use the standard rules for title capitalization.

MLA cover page example

Groucho Marx

Professor Palmer

10 May 2023

Nepotism in Hollywood: Why It’s Great

Cover page FAQs

A cover page (also known as a title page) is the first page of a paper or report that lists basic information, such as the title, author(s), course name, instructor, date, and sometimes the name of the institution.

Always use a title page when writing in APA format. If you’re writing in the MLA format, you only need a title page if there are multiple authors. Regardless of the formatting style, certain assignments may request a cover page.

What’s the difference between a cover page in APA format vs. MLA format?

The information on an APA format cover page is mostly centered and written in the middle of the page. An MLA format cover page has most of the information in the upper-left corner—with the exception of the title, which goes in the middle of the page. Each style also has specific rules for what information goes where, as well as particular formatting guidelines.

Title Page Setup

A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.

Student title page

The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.

Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6

Related handouts

• Student Title Page Guide (PDF, 263KB)
• Student Paper Setup Guide (PDF, 3MB)

Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.

Professional title page

The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.

Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.

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How to Write an Essay

Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:

Essay Writing Fundamentals

How to prepare to write an essay, how to edit an essay, how to share and publish your essays, how to get essay writing help, how to find essay writing inspiration, resources for teaching essay writing.

Essays, short prose compositions on a particular theme or topic, are the bread and butter of academic life. You write them in class, for homework, and on standardized tests to show what you know. Unlike other kinds of academic writing (like the research paper) and creative writing (like short stories and poems), essays allow you to develop your original thoughts on a prompt or question. Essays come in many varieties: they can be expository (fleshing out an idea or claim), descriptive, (explaining a person, place, or thing), narrative (relating a personal experience), or persuasive (attempting to win over a reader). This guide is a collection of dozens of links about academic essay writing that we have researched, categorized, and annotated in order to help you improve your essay writing. 

Essays are different from other forms of writing; in turn, there are different kinds of essays. This section contains general resources for getting to know the essay and its variants. These resources introduce and define the essay as a genre, and will teach you what to expect from essay-based assessments.

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab

One of the most trusted academic writing sites, Purdue OWL provides a concise introduction to the four most common types of academic essays.

"The Essay: History and Definition" (ThoughtCo)

This snappy article from ThoughtCo talks about the origins of the essay and different kinds of essays you might be asked to write. 

"What Is An Essay?" Video Lecture (Coursera)

The University of California at Irvine's free video lecture, available on Coursera, tells  you everything you need to know about the essay.

Wikipedia Article on the "Essay"

Wikipedia's article on the essay is comprehensive, providing both English-language and global perspectives on the essay form. Learn about the essay's history, forms, and styles.

"Understanding College and Academic Writing" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This list of common academic writing assignments (including types of essay prompts) will help you know what to expect from essay-based assessments.

Before you start writing your essay, you need to figure out who you're writing for (audience), what you're writing about (topic/theme), and what you're going to say (argument and thesis). This section contains links to handouts, chapters, videos and more to help you prepare to write an essay.

How to Identify Your Audience

"Audience" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This handout provides questions you can ask yourself to determine the audience for an academic writing assignment. It also suggests strategies for fitting your paper to your intended audience.

"Purpose, Audience, Tone, and Content" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)

This extensive book chapter from Writing for Success , available online through Minnesota Libraries Publishing, is followed by exercises to try out your new pre-writing skills.

"Determining Audience" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This guide from a community college's writing center shows you how to know your audience, and how to incorporate that knowledge in your thesis statement.

"Know Your Audience" ( Paper Rater Blog)

This short blog post uses examples to show how implied audiences for essays differ. It reminds you to think of your instructor as an observer, who will know only the information you pass along.

How to Choose a Theme or Topic

"Research Tutorial: Developing Your Topic" (YouTube)

Take a look at this short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to understand the basics of developing a writing topic.

"How to Choose a Paper Topic" (WikiHow)

This simple, step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through choosing a paper topic. It starts with a detailed description of brainstorming and ends with strategies to refine your broad topic.

"How to Read an Assignment: Moving From Assignment to Topic" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Did your teacher give you a prompt or other instructions? This guide helps you understand the relationship between an essay assignment and your essay's topic.

"Guidelines for Choosing a Topic" (CliffsNotes)

This study guide from CliffsNotes both discusses how to choose a topic and makes a useful distinction between "topic" and "thesis."

How to Come Up with an Argument

"Argument" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

Not sure what "argument" means in the context of academic writing? This page from the University of North Carolina is a good place to start.

"The Essay Guide: Finding an Argument" (Study Hub)

This handout explains why it's important to have an argument when beginning your essay, and provides tools to help you choose a viable argument.

"Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument" (University of Iowa)

This page from the University of Iowa's Writing Center contains exercises through which you can develop and refine your argument and thesis statement.

"Developing a Thesis" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This page from Harvard's Writing Center collates some helpful dos and don'ts of argumentative writing, from steps in constructing a thesis to avoiding vague and confrontational thesis statements.

"Suggestions for Developing Argumentative Essays" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)

This page offers concrete suggestions for each stage of the essay writing process, from topic selection to drafting and editing. 

How to Outline your Essay

"Outlines" (Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via YouTube)

This short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows how to group your ideas into paragraphs or sections to begin the outlining process.

"Essay Outline" (Univ. of Washington Tacoma)

This two-page handout by a university professor simply defines the parts of an essay and then organizes them into an example outline.

"Types of Outlines and Samples" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)

Purdue OWL gives examples of diverse outline strategies on this page, including the alphanumeric, full sentence, and decimal styles. 

"Outlining" (Harvard College Writing Center)

Once you have an argument, according to this handout, there are only three steps in the outline process: generalizing, ordering, and putting it all together. Then you're ready to write!

"Writing Essays" (Plymouth Univ.)

This packet, part of Plymouth University's Learning Development series, contains descriptions and diagrams relating to the outlining process.

"How to Write A Good Argumentative Essay: Logical Structure" (Criticalthinkingtutorials.com via YouTube)

This longer video tutorial gives an overview of how to structure your essay in order to support your argument or thesis. It is part of a longer course on academic writing hosted on Udemy.

Now that you've chosen and refined your topic and created an outline, use these resources to complete the writing process. Most essays contain introductions (which articulate your thesis statement), body paragraphs, and conclusions. Transitions facilitate the flow from one paragraph to the next so that support for your thesis builds throughout the essay. Sources and citations show where you got the evidence to support your thesis, which ensures that you avoid plagiarism. 

How to Write an Introduction

"Introductions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page identifies the role of the introduction in any successful paper, suggests strategies for writing introductions, and warns against less effective introductions.

"How to Write A Good Introduction" (Michigan State Writing Center)

Beginning with the most common missteps in writing introductions, this guide condenses the essentials of introduction composition into seven points.

"The Introductory Paragraph" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming focuses on ways to grab your reader's attention at the beginning of your essay.

"Introductions and Conclusions" (Univ. of Toronto)

This guide from the University of Toronto gives advice that applies to writing both introductions and conclusions, including dos and don'ts.

"How to Write Better Essays: No One Does Introductions Properly" ( The Guardian )

This news article interviews UK professors on student essay writing; they point to introductions as the area that needs the most improvement.

How to Write a Thesis Statement

"Writing an Effective Thesis Statement" (YouTube)

This short, simple video tutorial from a college composition instructor at Tulsa Community College explains what a thesis statement is and what it does. 

"Thesis Statement: Four Steps to a Great Essay" (YouTube)

This fantastic tutorial walks you through drafting a thesis, using an essay prompt on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter as an example.

"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (WikiHow)

This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through coming up with, writing, and editing a thesis statement. It invites you think of your statement as a "working thesis" that can change.

"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (Univ. of Indiana Bloomington)

Ask yourself the questions on this page, part of Indiana Bloomington's Writing Tutorial Services, when you're writing and refining your thesis statement.

"Writing Tips: Thesis Statements" (Univ. of Illinois Center for Writing Studies)

This page gives plentiful examples of good to great thesis statements, and offers questions to ask yourself when formulating a thesis statement.

How to Write Body Paragraphs

"Body Paragraph" (Brightstorm)

This module of a free online course introduces you to the components of a body paragraph. These include the topic sentence, information, evidence, and analysis.

"Strong Body Paragraphs" (Washington Univ.)

This handout from Washington's Writing and Research Center offers in-depth descriptions of the parts of a successful body paragraph.

"Guide to Paragraph Structure" (Deakin Univ.)

This handout is notable for color-coding example body paragraphs to help you identify the functions various sentences perform.

"Writing Body Paragraphs" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)

The exercises in this section of Writing for Success  will help you practice writing good body paragraphs. It includes guidance on selecting primary support for your thesis.

"The Writing Process—Body Paragraphs" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

The information and exercises on this page will familiarize you with outlining and writing body paragraphs, and includes links to more information on topic sentences and transitions.

"The Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post discusses body paragraphs in the context of one of the most common academic essay types in secondary schools.

How to Use Transitions

"Transitions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explains what a transition is, and how to know if you need to improve your transitions.

"Using Transitions Effectively" (Washington Univ.)

This handout defines transitions, offers tips for using them, and contains a useful list of common transitional words and phrases grouped by function.

"Transitions" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

This page compares paragraphs without transitions to paragraphs with transitions, and in doing so shows how important these connective words and phrases are.

"Transitions in Academic Essays" (Scribbr)

This page lists four techniques that will help you make sure your reader follows your train of thought, including grouping similar information and using transition words.

"Transitions" (El Paso Community College)

This handout shows example transitions within paragraphs for context, and explains how transitions improve your essay's flow and voice.

"Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing" (ThoughtCo)

This blog post, another from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, talks about transitions and other strategies to improve your essay's overall flow.

"Transition Words" (smartwords.org)

This handy word bank will help you find transition words when you're feeling stuck. It's grouped by the transition's function, whether that is to show agreement, opposition, condition, or consequence.

How to Write a Conclusion

"Parts of An Essay: Conclusions" (Brightstorm)

This module of a free online course explains how to conclude an academic essay. It suggests thinking about the "3Rs": return to hook, restate your thesis, and relate to the reader.

"Essay Conclusions" (Univ. of Maryland University College)

This overview of the academic essay conclusion contains helpful examples and links to further resources for writing good conclusions.

"How to End An Essay" (WikiHow)

This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) by an English Ph.D. walks you through writing a conclusion, from brainstorming to ending with a flourish.

"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This page collates useful strategies for writing an effective conclusion, and reminds you to "close the discussion without closing it off" to further conversation.

How to Include Sources and Citations

"Research and Citation Resources" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)

Purdue OWL streamlines information about the three most common referencing styles (MLA, Chicago, and APA) and provides examples of how to cite different resources in each system.

EasyBib: Free Bibliography Generator

This online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style. Be sure to select your resource type before clicking the "cite it" button.

CitationMachine

Like EasyBib, this online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style. 

Modern Language Association Handbook (MLA)

Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of MLA referencing rules. Order through the link above, or check to see if your library has a copy.

Chicago Manual of Style

Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of Chicago referencing rules. You can take a look at the table of contents, then choose to subscribe or start a free trial.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

"What is Plagiarism?" (plagiarism.org)

This nonprofit website contains numerous resources for identifying and avoiding plagiarism, and reminds you that even common activities like copying images from another website to your own site may constitute plagiarism.

"Plagiarism" (University of Oxford)

This interactive page from the University of Oxford helps you check for plagiarism in your work, making it clear how to avoid citing another person's work without full acknowledgement.

"Avoiding Plagiarism" (MIT Comparative Media Studies)

This quick guide explains what plagiarism is, what its consequences are, and how to avoid it. It starts by defining three words—quotation, paraphrase, and summary—that all constitute citation.

"Harvard Guide to Using Sources" (Harvard Extension School)

This comprehensive website from Harvard brings together articles, videos, and handouts about referencing, citation, and plagiarism. 

Grammarly contains tons of helpful grammar and writing resources, including a free tool to automatically scan your essay to check for close affinities to published work. 

Noplag is another popular online tool that automatically scans your essay to check for signs of plagiarism. Simply copy and paste your essay into the box and click "start checking."

Once you've written your essay, you'll want to edit (improve content), proofread (check for spelling and grammar mistakes), and finalize your work until you're ready to hand it in. This section brings together tips and resources for navigating the editing process. 

"Writing a First Draft" (Academic Help)

This is an introduction to the drafting process from the site Academic Help, with tips for getting your ideas on paper before editing begins.

"Editing and Proofreading" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page provides general strategies for revising your writing. They've intentionally left seven errors in the handout, to give you practice in spotting them.

"How to Proofread Effectively" (ThoughtCo)

This article from ThoughtCo, along with those linked at the bottom, help describe common mistakes to check for when proofreading.

"7 Simple Edits That Make Your Writing 100% More Powerful" (SmartBlogger)

This blog post emphasizes the importance of powerful, concise language, and reminds you that even your personal writing heroes create clunky first drafts.

"Editing Tips for Effective Writing" (Univ. of Pennsylvania)

On this page from Penn's International Relations department, you'll find tips for effective prose, errors to watch out for, and reminders about formatting.

"Editing the Essay" (Harvard College Writing Center)

This article, the first of two parts, gives you applicable strategies for the editing process. It suggests reading your essay aloud, removing any jargon, and being unafraid to remove even "dazzling" sentences that don't belong.

"Guide to Editing and Proofreading" (Oxford Learning Institute)

This handout from Oxford covers the basics of editing and proofreading, and reminds you that neither task should be rushed. 

In addition to plagiarism-checkers, Grammarly has a plug-in for your web browser that checks your writing for common mistakes.

After you've prepared, written, and edited your essay, you might want to share it outside the classroom. This section alerts you to print and web opportunities to share your essays with the wider world, from online writing communities and blogs to published journals geared toward young writers.

Sharing Your Essays Online

Go Teen Writers

Go Teen Writers is an online community for writers aged 13 - 19. It was founded by Stephanie Morrill, an author of contemporary young adult novels. 

Tumblr is a blogging website where you can share your writing and interact with other writers online. It's easy to add photos, links, audio, and video components.

Writersky provides an online platform for publishing and reading other youth writers' work. Its current content is mostly devoted to fiction.

Publishing Your Essays Online

This teen literary journal publishes in print, on the web, and (more frequently), on a blog. It is committed to ensuring that "teens see their authentic experience reflected on its pages."

The Matador Review

This youth writing platform celebrates "alternative," unconventional writing. The link above will take you directly to the site's "submissions" page.

Teen Ink has a website, monthly newsprint magazine, and quarterly poetry magazine promoting the work of young writers.

The largest online reading platform, Wattpad enables you to publish your work and read others' work. Its inline commenting feature allows you to share thoughts as you read along.

Publishing Your Essays in Print

Canvas Teen Literary Journal

This quarterly literary magazine is published for young writers by young writers. They accept many kinds of writing, including essays.

The Claremont Review

This biannual international magazine, first published in 1992, publishes poetry, essays, and short stories from writers aged 13 - 19.

Skipping Stones

This young writers magazine, founded in 1988, celebrates themes relating to ecological and cultural diversity. It publishes poems, photos, articles, and stories.

The Telling Room

This nonprofit writing center based in Maine publishes children's work on their website and in book form. The link above directs you to the site's submissions page.

Essay Contests

Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards

This prestigious international writing contest for students in grades 7 - 12 has been committed to "supporting the future of creativity since 1923."

Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest

An annual essay contest on the theme of journalism and media, the Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest awards scholarships up to $1,000.

National YoungArts Foundation

Here, you'll find information on a government-sponsored writing competition for writers aged 15 - 18. The foundation welcomes submissions of creative nonfiction, novels, scripts, poetry, short story and spoken word.

Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest

With prompts on a different literary work each year, this competition from Signet Classics awards college scholarships up to $1,000.

"The Ultimate Guide to High School Essay Contests" (CollegeVine)

See this handy guide from CollegeVine for a list of more competitions you can enter with your academic essay, from the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards to the National High School Essay Contest by the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Whether you're struggling to write academic essays or you think you're a pro, there are workshops and online tools that can help you become an even better writer. Even the most seasoned writers encounter writer's block, so be proactive and look through our curated list of resources to combat this common frustration.

Online Essay-writing Classes and Workshops

"Getting Started with Essay Writing" (Coursera)

Coursera offers lots of free, high-quality online classes taught by college professors. Here's one example, taught by instructors from the University of California Irvine.

"Writing and English" (Brightstorm)

Brightstorm's free video lectures are easy to navigate by topic. This unit on the parts of an essay features content on the essay hook, thesis, supporting evidence, and more.

"How to Write an Essay" (EdX)

EdX is another open online university course website with several two- to five-week courses on the essay. This one is geared toward English language learners.

Writer's Digest University

This renowned writers' website offers online workshops and interactive tutorials. The courses offered cover everything from how to get started through how to get published.

Writing.com

Signing up for this online writer's community gives you access to helpful resources as well as an international community of writers.

How to Overcome Writer's Block

"Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block" (Purdue OWL)

Purdue OWL offers a list of signs you might have writer's block, along with ways to overcome it. Consider trying out some "invention strategies" or ways to curb writing anxiety.

"Overcoming Writer's Block: Three Tips" ( The Guardian )

These tips, geared toward academic writing specifically, are practical and effective. The authors advocate setting realistic goals, creating dedicated writing time, and participating in social writing.

"Writing Tips: Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block" (Univ. of Illinois)

This page from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Center for Writing Studies acquaints you with strategies that do and do not work to overcome writer's block.

"Writer's Block" (Univ. of Toronto)

Ask yourself the questions on this page; if the answer is "yes," try out some of the article's strategies. Each question is accompanied by at least two possible solutions.

If you have essays to write but are short on ideas, this section's links to prompts, example student essays, and celebrated essays by professional writers might help. You'll find writing prompts from a variety of sources, student essays to inspire you, and a number of essay writing collections.

Essay Writing Prompts

"50 Argumentative Essay Topics" (ThoughtCo)

Take a look at this list and the others ThoughtCo has curated for different kinds of essays. As the author notes, "a number of these topics are controversial and that's the point."

"401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing" ( New York Times )

This list (and the linked lists to persuasive and narrative writing prompts), besides being impressive in length, is put together by actual high school English teachers.

"SAT Sample Essay Prompts" (College Board)

If you're a student in the U.S., your classroom essay prompts are likely modeled on the prompts in U.S. college entrance exams. Take a look at these official examples from the SAT.

"Popular College Application Essay Topics" (Princeton Review)

This page from the Princeton Review dissects recent Common Application essay topics and discusses strategies for answering them.

Example Student Essays

"501 Writing Prompts" (DePaul Univ.)

This nearly 200-page packet, compiled by the LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team, is stuffed with writing prompts, example essays, and commentary.

"Topics in English" (Kibin)

Kibin is a for-pay essay help website, but its example essays (organized by topic) are available for free. You'll find essays on everything from  A Christmas Carol  to perseverance.

"Student Writing Models" (Thoughtful Learning)

Thoughtful Learning, a website that offers a variety of teaching materials, provides sample student essays on various topics and organizes them by grade level.

"Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)

In this blog post by a former professor of English and rhetoric, ThoughtCo brings together examples of five-paragraph essays and commentary on the form.

The Best Essay Writing Collections

The Best American Essays of the Century by Joyce Carol Oates (Amazon)

This collection of American essays spanning the twentieth century was compiled by award winning author and Princeton professor Joyce Carol Oates.

The Best American Essays 2017 by Leslie Jamison (Amazon)

Leslie Jamison, the celebrated author of essay collection  The Empathy Exams , collects recent, high-profile essays into a single volume.

The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (Amazon)

Documentary writer Phillip Lopate curates this historical overview of the personal essay's development, from the classical era to the present.

The White Album by Joan Didion (Amazon)

This seminal essay collection was authored by one of the most acclaimed personal essayists of all time, American journalist Joan Didion.

Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace (Amazon)

Read this famous essay collection by David Foster Wallace, who is known for his experimentation with the essay form. He pushed the boundaries of personal essay, reportage, and political polemic.

"50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" (Staff of the The Harvard Crimson )

If you're looking for examples of exceptional college application essays, this volume from Harvard's daily student newspaper is one of the best collections on the market.

Are you an instructor looking for the best resources for teaching essay writing? This section contains resources for developing in-class activities and student homework assignments. You'll find content from both well-known university writing centers and online writing labs.

Essay Writing Classroom Activities for Students

"In-class Writing Exercises" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)

This page lists exercises related to brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising. It also contains suggestions for how to implement the suggested exercises.

"Teaching with Writing" (Univ. of Minnesota Center for Writing)

Instructions and encouragement for using "freewriting," one-minute papers, logbooks, and other write-to-learn activities in the classroom can be found here.

"Writing Worksheets" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)

Berkeley offers this bank of writing worksheets to use in class. They are nested under headings for "Prewriting," "Revision," "Research Papers" and more.

"Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism" (DePaul University)

Use these activities and worksheets from DePaul's Teaching Commons when instructing students on proper academic citation practices.

Essay Writing Homework Activities for Students

"Grammar and Punctuation Exercises" (Aims Online Writing Lab)

These five interactive online activities allow students to practice editing and proofreading. They'll hone their skills in correcting comma splices and run-ons, identifying fragments, using correct pronoun agreement, and comma usage.

"Student Interactives" (Read Write Think)

Read Write Think hosts interactive tools, games, and videos for developing writing skills. They can practice organizing and summarizing, writing poetry, and developing lines of inquiry and analysis.

This free website offers writing and grammar activities for all grade levels. The lessons are designed to be used both for large classes and smaller groups.

"Writing Activities and Lessons for Every Grade" (Education World)

Education World's page on writing activities and lessons links you to more free, online resources for learning how to "W.R.I.T.E.": write, revise, inform, think, and edit.

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• How long is an essay? Guidelines for different types of essay

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

Published on January 28, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

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, 2500–3000 words, or 10–12 pages). If you’re not sure, always check with your instructor.

In this article you’ll find some general guidelines for the length of different types of essay. 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.

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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, other interesting articles.

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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.

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 longer essays. It doesn’t have to summarize every step of your essay, but should tie together your main points in a concise, convincing way.

The suggested word count doesn’t only tell you how long your essay should be – it also helps you work out how much information and complexity you can fit into the given space. 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.

A short essay will need a focused, specific topic and a clear, straightforward line of argument. A longer essay should still be focused, but it might call for a broader approach to the topic or a more complex, ambitious argument.

As you make an outline of your essay , make sure you have a clear idea of how much evidence, detail and argumentation will be needed to support your thesis. If you find that you don’t have enough ideas to fill out the word count, or that you need more space to make a convincing case, then consider revising your thesis to be more general or more specific.

The length of the essay also influences how much time you will need to spend on editing and proofreading .

You should always aim to meet the minimum length given in your assignment. If you are struggling to reach the word count:

• Add more evidence and examples to each paragraph to clarify or strengthen your points.
• Make sure you have fully explained or analyzed each example, and try to develop your points in more detail.
• Address a different aspect of your topic in a new paragraph. This might involve revising your thesis statement to make a more ambitious argument.
• Don’t use filler. Adding unnecessary words or complicated sentences will make your essay weaker and your argument less clear.
• Don’t fixate on an exact number. Your marker probably won’t care about 50 or 100 words – it’s more important that your argument is convincing and adequately developed for an essay of the suggested length.

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In some cases, you are allowed to exceed the upper word limit by 10% – so for an assignment of 2500–3000 words, you could write an absolute maximum of 3300 words. However, the rules depend on your course and institution, so always check with your instructor if you’re unsure.

Only exceed the word count if it’s really necessary to complete your argument. Longer essays take longer to grade, so avoid annoying your marker with extra work! If you are struggling to edit down:

• Check that every paragraph is relevant to your argument, and cut out irrelevant or out-of-place information.
• Make sure each paragraph focuses on one point and doesn’t meander.
• Cut out filler words and make sure each sentence is clear, concise, and related to the paragraph’s point.
• Don’t cut anything that is necessary to the logic of your argument. If you remove a paragraph, make sure to revise your transitions and fit all your points together.
• Don’t sacrifice the introduction or conclusion . These paragraphs are crucial to an effective essay –make sure you leave enough space to thoroughly introduce your topic and decisively wrap up your argument.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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