So, you’re tasked with writing an essay. Chances are, you were given a simple length requirement, measured in words or, perhaps, pages. But how do you make sure your essay – and each of its parts – is neither too long nor too short?
You’ve come to the right place! Our essay writing experts have put together this guide on acing the essay length for students like you. Here’s all you need to know about the perfect word count, from why it matters to how formatting can impact it.
Does the Length of an Essay Matter?
It does! First of all, if you submit an essay 1,000 words longer than the length requirement your instructor set for you, you shouldn’t hope for the highest grade. (Yes, even if its quality is superb.) The same rings true if you submit a work that’s way shorter than required.
That said, the length your instructor puts in the task description is usually not hard-set. If it says, for example, that the preferred length is 800 words, you can still exceed it by another 80-100 words (if not stated otherwise).
But what if you don’t have a requirement at all? How many words in an essay should there be, then?
Unfortunately, the answer is… it depends. Here are the four factors that determine what would count as the perfect length for a specific paper:
- Topic. If it’s a complex one, you’ll need to take your time to convey your point of view with all the evidence required – and that means a longer text.
- Discipline. In economics and sociology, essays are typically shorter as you need to be succinct and use objective, matter-of-fact language. In humanities, however, you can take your time painting a perfect picture with metaphors and other literary devices.
- Academic level. The more advanced it is, the more sophisticated – and lengthy – your essay should be.
- Type. Persuasive, narrative, and informative essays all need a different number of words to achieve their respective goals.
How Long Should Every Essay Part Be?
Most likely, you have a general length requirement – let’s say, five pages – and that’s it. But how should you distribute that word count across the introduction, main body paragraphs, and conclusion?
A good rule of thumb is to use the 80/20 rule. According to it, the main body should take up 80% of the word count, with the other 20% dedicated to the introduction and conclusion. When navigating through these requirements, students might find themselves overwhelmed. However, with advanced tools like AI paper typer, they can streamline the writing process and ensure that their papers adhere to the prescribed structure and length guidelines effectively.
Here’s the length of a standard college essay, part by part:
- Introduction: three to five sentences, 50-80 words;
- Main body: three to five paragraphs, each five to eight sentences and 80-200 words long;
- Conclusion: three to five sentences, 50-80 words.
Pro tip: you don’t have to hit the required word count perfectly. Your assignment’s length can be up to 10% below or above the requirement (unless your instructions specify otherwise).
5 Tips on Nailing the Essay Length on the First Try
We asked our essay experts what students should know to write a perfect paper on the first go. Here are the five tips they’d like to share with you:
- Read your prompt closely. Re-read it after you do your research. Make sure you understand the assignment perfectly and cover the topic from every angle required.
- Start writing with the main body. It’s usually a lot easier to write the introduction once you have the draft of the main paragraphs.
- Consider adding new paragraphs. If you can’t reach the recommended length, return to the prompt and do some more research. You’ll probably find a new angle or argument you can use to add another paragraph to the main body.
- Make your text concise. Avoid filler phrases and sentences – express yourself using as few words as possible. If you find yourself staring at the way-too-long draft, don’t hesitate to delete whole sentences and paragraphs without mercy.
- Don’t overthink the length requirements when you’re writing. If you do, it’ll hinder your process. Sure, you shouldn’t exceed the recommended length by a thousand words. But leave worrying about the word count for the editing part!
How Long Should an Essay Be Depending on the Formatting?
Sometimes, you may receive the recommended length requirement measured in pages instead of words. While the number of words is easy to check (although different applications can return slightly different results), the number of pages can vary depending on the formatting. On top of that, a formatting style may come with its own recommended length.
So, how long are essays in different formatting styles? Let’s break down the three most common scenarios:
- APA. APA essays are typically between 1,500 and 2,500 words long. As the APA format requires double line spacing, this translates into six to ten pages.
- MLA. MLA doesn’t have a recommended essay length, so you can write even short works (under 1,000 words). MLA requires double-line spacing, so every page will roughly contain 275 words. A 1,100-word page will then be a four-page one (not including the Works Cited page).
- Chicago. The Chicago style also requires double-line spacing, meaning one page equals roughly 275 words. Don’t include the title page in the page count.
As you can see, double-line spacing means one page is about 275 words long. However, if you’re required to use the single-line spacing, count every page as 550 words!
FAQ
How long is an essay, and what’s the preferred length for its parts?
As for how many words in an essay there should be, your work should meet the requirement set by your instructor (+/-10%). If you weren’t given a requirement at all, remember that there’s no clear-cut answer to the question, “How long should an essay be?” The ideal length then depends on the discipline, topic, type, and academic level.
The main body should take up at least 80% of your paper, with the introduction and conclusion constituting the rest. Both the introduction and conclusion are typically one paragraph long each, rarely exceeding five sentences and 200 words.
Do I absolutely have to reach the suggested length?
Essays a bit shorter than the suggested length (no more than 10%) are usually tolerated. However, take a close look at your assignment: if it specifies that it’s the minimum length requirement, it means you do have to reach it.
If you struggle to hit the recommended length of an essay, here are a few tips:
- Add a new paragraph to the main body describing a new argument or aspect of the topic.
- Avoid using filler words just to meet the length requirement (your instructor won’t appreciate it).
- Look for new evidence or source material that can expand your paper.
Can I exceed the suggested word count?
Unless stated otherwise, you can exceed the length requirement by no more than 10%. So, for example, if the suggested length is 2,000 words, you can submit a 2,200-word paper. However, make sure this rule on how many words in an essay you can use applies in your case by checking in with your instructor!
We advise you not to exceed the length limit unless you absolutely have to do it to drive your point home. If you struggle with it, ensure every sentence is concise, and don’t hesitate to ‘kill your darlings.’
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the question “How long is an essay?” doesn’t have a clear-cut answer. Too many variables impact the answer.
If you have a word count suggestion or limit, stick to it. You can submit a work a bit shorter or longer than the preferred length, but do it only if you must.
And if you don’t have any guidelines on how long your paper should be, check in with your school. Perhaps its website has recommendations on the standard essay length. If that doesn’t help, you can resort to searching for a standard length for an essay of the relevant type, discipline, and academic level online.
In any case, you should strive to write only as much as necessary – not more and not less. But if you struggle with it for now, you can always turn to Papertyper for AI-powered help!
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