What is a short essay?

A short essay is an academic paper, a writing assignment given to students that requires them to organize their thoughts, arguments, and viewpoints into a proper structure with coherent thought. Typically, a short essay is 500 words or less. They can be as short as 200 words and can be descriptive, narrative, argumentative, or any other type.

Why are students asked to write short essays? There are different purposes, but one that is most common is to teach you a way to express your thoughts in the shortest possible way, using only a limited number of words. Since you only have limited words to use, you must write and explain your point as concisely as possible, avoiding repetition.

When you write short essays, you don't need clichés, slang, or any fillers or fluff. This academic essay must delve into the topic supported by data and facts, as well as compelling arguments. One common misconception is that short essays mean simple topics. 

This is not true at all, for one of the greatest challenges of essay writing is to talk about complex topics through limited words, just as it is with short essays. With that said, here are a few examples of topics that are great for short essay writing:

• Is climate change real?
• Should students have limited internet access?
• Should education be free?
• How do pets improve your life and make you happier

Short essay format

It can be challenging to write short essays due to the limited word count, hindering your ability to fully explain and develop your ideas. However, this does help ensure that you only include the most pertinent details that support your argument in your paper. The question is, “How long is a short essay exactly?"

As we’ve said before, the usual short essay length is typically 500 words. However, some teachers would assign them 500 to 750 words, sometimes even up to 1000 words. They are also usually 3-paragraph or 5-paragraph essays.

3-paragraph short essays

In a 3-paragraph short essay, there is the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The thesis statement is in the first paragraph, while the supporting evidence is in the main body paragraphs. The conclusion is where you restate the main point. This type is usually an answer to a question or an essay prompt, so you can get away with simply answering it without the formalities of longer essays.

5-paragraph short essay

The 5-paragraph short essay lets you follow more of the required essay structure. This includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, but also a section for your goals and the thesis statement. The main body includes three paragraphs, each with a topic sentence, supporting evidence, and some introspection. The conclusion is, like the 3-paragraph essay, where you restate your main idea.

Short essay elements

Now, although you are writing a short essay, make sure that it includes the following elements:

Introduction 

The introductory paragraph is where you build up your reader’s attention. It should only be one paragraph where you clearly and concisely talk about the essay topic. Make sure it’s catchy, informative, and precise when discussing your main point.

Thesis statement

The thesis statement is the final introduction sentence that states the main problem of your essay and the claim you want to argue or support. It has to be debatable, which means your reader, who might disagree with you, should be able to refute it. This makes it crucial to choose a topic complex enough that you’ll be able to elaborate on it.

Topic sentences

The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph where you define your argument or claim. Present your argument right away and make it a bold statement so your message is right there for your readers. State your argument with the topic sentence, support then introspect.

Supporting evidence

After the topic sentence and your overall argument, you need to provide evidence. Given that a short essay length is typically only around 500 words, you’ll have to limit your supporting evidence to one or two sentences. The challenge is finding a way to fit them into such limited words, which is why you must be careful in choosing a topic.

‍Main body

We've mentioned that 3 out of the 5 paragraphs in a short essay comprise the main body. This is where you discuss the topic sentences and supporting evidence, as well as where introspection happens. Ensure that your evidence is all properly cited per the requirements. Utilize grammar and writing style tips to make sure your writing is cohesive. Remember not to provide too much detail so that you end up going over the word count. 

Conclusion

This includes a summary of your main idea and your final say about the topic. It should only be one paragraph with no more than three sentences. This should close the question or topic you posed in the introduction.

How to write an essay sample?

Whether it’s a long or a short essay, the writing process usually involves the following steps:

1. Research

The word count of this essay might be small, but that doesn't mean you don't need to learn more about the topic. Learn as much as you can to get a clear idea of the subject matter, making it so much easier when you start writing.

2. Brainstorming

The next step is to generate ideas, so while doing research, make sure to take note of key points, examples, and arguments you think should be included in your essay. Don't get too immersed in the details. Just jot down all the big ideas in the meantime.

3. Outline

Follow this by starting your rough draft, including outlining what you want to write. Creating an outline is important as it will help you focus on the topic when you start writing and not add unnecessary details.

4. Write

The next step is to actually write your short essay. Doing the research, brainstorming, and outlining should make the writing easier for you. It’s also a good idea to look for a short essay example so you have a more concrete idea of what your assignment should look like.

Also, here are some tips that could help with your writing:

• Consider the topic/question you need to answer and break it into parts
• Choose two to three strong points and develop examples and supporting evidence for each
• Get straight to the point in your introduction, keeping it short and specific
• When writing your argument, stay on topic and deal with points in their order
• Cite your sources, but don’t quote too much

5. Edit

The last step is to edit your work. You've done the hard part, and now, take the time to read your draft out loud to sound out anything wrong, such as irrelevant information and wrong grammar. When you're done editing, you'll have in your hand the final draft of your short essay.