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Can a College Essay be 700 Words?

can a college essay be 700 words

by Talha Omer, M.Eng., Cornell Grad

In college students.

According to DoMyEssay ( a service where you can send the request “ write me an essay online “) , a professional paper writing service, essays are the least favorite assignment among students. That sounds about right, considering that the task is tedious and requires thorough research and a lot of time to complete. However, a strong essay is what can make all the difference when you apply for college.  

College essays , also known as personal statements, are an essential part of the application process. Your academic accomplishments can be conveyed through transcripts and SAT scores, but it doesn’t speak to your character as a person. This is why a well-written essay can play a tremendous role in the admissions process.

However, students often wonder how long their college essays should be. It is a pertinent concern because you don’t want to bore the admissions committee with long-winded essays. But, on the other hand, you don’t want your college essay to be so brief as to leave out important details.

Can a college essay be 700 words? Well, as is often the case, there are some important caveats to this question before it can be answered. Not every college will have the same word count requirements, neither would they all allow you to choose your own word count. Let’s explore some of the important points one should consider when deciding on the word count.

In this Article

Does the College Have a Specific Word Limit?

Can you exceed the word limit by a couple of words , what if there is a paragraph limit with no mention of a word count , what to do if you can’t find any guidelines .

The first and foremost thing you should pay attention to is whether the college you are applying to has specified a word limit. It is not uncommon for colleges to provide a page limit for application essays. However, in most cases, they go by word count.

If you are unsure whether the college has such a requirement or not, it is always best to ask. Commonly, if such a stipulation exists, you will come across it when filling out the application.

Let’s assume the college has specified the essay’s word count to be 500 words, which is a common number.   In such a case, you should never exceed the word limit and even try to stay below it by 20-30 words if you can. However, if you feel like you need the full 500 words to convey your message, there is no problem. Just make sure you make the words count and don’t add meaningless details and cliches.

Most colleges will provide all the relevant information regarding the essay on their website. For example, the University of Illinois has a whole page dedicated to their application essay .

I don’t think there should be much of a problem if you exceed the word limit by a few words. Is it ideal? No. However, at the same time, it isn’t a serious crime either. The important thing is that you don’t ramble on for multiple sentences, as that wouldn’t bode well with whoever is reading the essay.

You have to understand that admissions committees receive thousands of applications each year. They wouldn’t exactly be too excited when everyone exceeds the word limit by   50, 100 or more words.

Why is it important not to exceed the word limit? Because college essays are more or less your first chance to make an impression. Doing so is hard enough in person, but when you are limited to writing, you cannot take chances and disobey the instructions. It wouldn’t reflect well on your character that you didn’t follow simple instructions.

Moreover, if you go over the word limit by a significant amount, the reader may simply stop reading, which isn’t good either.

Hence, it’s best not to exceed the prescribed word limit and if you have to, make sure it’s only a couple of words.

Now that we have covered what to do when a word count is specified, we can look into this question. Firstly, many colleges don’t provide any specific instruction regarding the word count of your essay. Therefore, it may be stressful if you are applying to such a college since this leaves you with so many options.

Having said that, a good thumb of rule is to restrict your essay to a 500-700 word limit. In other words, yes, a college essay can be 700 words long only when a word count is not specified.

Moreover, in some instances, you would have to abide by a specific page limit. If this is the case, don’t worry about the word count and just write until you are done. If you exceed the page limit, reread the essay and make slight amendments until it fits.

Again, different colleges have different requirements, and paragraph limits aren’t unheard of. However, the problem arises when there is no instruction on how long the paragraphs should be. For example, consider the following essay prompt from Wellesley College:

“When choosing a college community, you are choosing a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but the “Wellesley 100” is a good place to start. Visit The Wellesley 100 and let us know, in two well-developed paragraphs, which two items most attract, inspire, or energize you and why. (Not-so-secret tip: The “why” matters to us.)”

See how there is no mention of how long the paragraphs should be? “two well-developed paragraphs” doesn’t exactly give you much of an idea. It can mean anything. After all, it’s a subjective matter.

If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is not exceed 200-250 words per paragraph. A total of 500 words is plenty for two paragraphs, but anything exceeding that, may appear needlessly lengthy.

If you have looked everywhere and cannot find any instructions regarding the word count, call the admissions office. While they may not give you an exact number, they might tell you how long their application essays generally are. However,   If you still find no help, then simply stick to the 500-700 range.

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How Long Should a College Essay Be?

High school essays tend to require a page limit, but college essays tend to require a word count.

[Featured image] A young woman wearing glasses and a gray sweater uses her laptop.

When it comes to college application essays, many colleges and universities specify a word count. Some expect one longer essay, while others expect responses to multiple prompts using a shorter word count for each answer. However, that’s not always the case. If your institution doesn’t provide a specific word count, it’s best to keep your essay between the length established by the longer college admissions essay format: 250 to 650 words .

Word count is just one factor to consider as you craft your college admissions essay. Let’s go over other considerations, like whether a longer essay makes a difference, and whether it’s acceptable to exceed the word count. 

College essays: Word count vs. page limit 

High school essays tend to require a page limit, meaning that your teachers might ask you to submit a five-page paper or an eight-paper paper. However, college application essays tend to require a word count. 

When a college provides you with a wide word count range, it’s best to take advantage of the upper word count limit. For example, if a college asks for an essay between 250-500 words, you should aim to craft a response that’s at least 400-450 words. You don’t need to hit the maximum length, but your essay should be well over half the word count. 

College essays, or personal statements , are an opportunity for a college admissions committee to hear directly from you. It’s valuable space. Writing the bare minimum may not send the best message to the committee, and it may not help them learn more about who you are outside of your transcripts and general application. 

Learn more: Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for College

How to measure your college essay's word count

Measuring your word count depends on which program you’re using to write your essay. Here's how you can find your word count on Microsoft Word and Google Docs, two of the most popular writing applications:

Microsoft Word: The page count is typically displayed on the bottom left of your screen. You can also click “Review” and then “Word count” to find how much you’ve written. 

Google Docs: Under “Tools,” click on “Word count.” You can also highlight a portion of your text before clicking “word count” so you can determine the exact word count of that section. 

Should you go over the word count? 

No. Do not go over the maximum word count. If there isn’t a preferred word count, you should submit an essay that’s under 650 words, according to the college application platform Common App, which works with over 900 colleges in the US [ 1 ]. 

Admissions officers are looking for well-written essays that follow directions. Officers review thousands of essays every year. In fact, the average college received 9,071 applications in 2020 [ 2 ]. Writing either a very short or a very long essay—ignoring the directions in either case—might send the wrong impression. 

You can always start by writing a longer draft and then trimming the most unnecessary parts to tighten your essay and get it down to the preferred word count. This will help you include the most important information and get your point across in a concise way.

What length should supplemental college essays be?

Supplemental essays are additional prompts that some colleges and universities ask students to answer in addition to their personal statement or college essay. It's usually an opportunity to specify your interest in that particular school: Admissions committees may ask why you want to attend or what you want to study and why.

Schools require, on average, at least two or three supplemental essays, but others have been known to ask for over ten. Most schools will provide specific instructions about the word count for supplemental essays. As with the college essay, stay within the range or limit, and write a focused response that incorporates some knowledge about the school.  

How to format your college essay

As with word count, many institutions specify any formatting requirements, such as double-spacing (vs. single-spacing) your essay, and what font size you should use. (With general online application portals, such as Common App, the program will format your essay for you.)

Because a college essay is measured by word count rather than page length, writing in a larger font and using double-spaced formatting won’t affect the overall length of your essay, though it’s best to adhere to each college’s guidelines. Check if there are any parameters you need to follow for each application you submit. Read more: College Essay Format: Writing & Editing Tips

4 tips for writing an effective college essay

No matter which essay prompt you choose, it’s important to take your time crafting your response, making sure every word adds to your story. Follow these tips to help your college essay stand out.

1. Be prepared to write a few drafts. 

Your college essay should go through a few drafts before you share the final version with one of your peers or a professional for additional feedback. Take advantage of the rough draft phase by overwriting. Forget about your word count for a moment and let yourself go. Doing so may help you discover something new to say, or help you expand upon your original idea. 

Make editing a separate process from the actual writing. As much as possible, write and then walk away for a period of time (a few hours or even a day). Return to your essay with fresh eyes and see if you can cut the essay, reduce the number of words you’re using, or find a more succinct or focused way to approach your response. 

2. Answer the question and relate it to your unique story.

Your essay should both answer the prompt and convey who you are. You don’t need a dazzling, one-of-a-kind story to get an admissions officer’s attention. Your life is unique to you—only you have had your experiences. 

Make sure that whatever you choose to write about is an authentic representation of who you are. Instead of comparing your essay to someone else in your class, work to make your response the best it can be for you. And as you focus your essay, go one step further by sharing what you’ve learned or how you’ve grown as a result. That kind of reflection can build more depth into your response.  

3. Get specific.

When recounting an experience, incorporate creative writing to your personal statement.  Use details to describe a situation and add a bit of color. Pick strong verbs and a few specific adjectives that correctly highlight the action and scene. Let’s compare these two examples: 

When I got a musical instrument for my birthday, I wasn’t really sure I’d like it. Still, I figured I’d play it daily because I enjoy music. I got better, and soon I made band. I like that I get to go to all the school games.

When my mother surprised me with a clarinet for my 15th birthday, I wondered if I’d enjoy playing it. Over the summer, when my friends gathered outside to enjoy their time off, I practiced my scales every day in my room—and slowly improved. After that hard work and sacrifice, I was excited to earn a place in the marching band.

Both paragraphs recount the same memory, but the second one creates a more memorable picture. 

4. Ask for feedback.

Once you feel as though you’ve developed a final draft, don’t rush to turn it in. Instead, ask one of your favorite teachers or a trusted friend or family member to read it. Ask for constructive feedback on ways to improve. Be prepared to make changes if something is unclear or if they think there’s a better way to phrase a section. But make sure you continue to write in your voice so the college gets to know who you are instead of someone else.

When you’re feeling confident, review your work one last time for grammar and spelling. Don’t let a small error override an otherwise thoughtful, engaging essay.

Keep learning 

You may find it helpful to brush up on your creative writing skills so you can express yourself clearly and colorfully before applying to college. On Coursera, you can enroll in Wesleyan University’s Creative Writing specialization for free. Or you can find courses that can help you gain more knowledge of the college admissions process . 

Article sources

1. Common App. “ Are There Word Limits? , https://appsupport.commonapp.org/s/article/are-there-word-limits-kudeoeos." Accessed January 30, 2024.

2. US News and World Report. “ 10 Colleges That Received the Most Applications ,  https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/the-short-list-college/articles/colleges-that-received-the-most-applications." Accessed January 30, 2024.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

How long should a college essay be?

how long should a college essay be.jpg

Here’s a simple answer: most personal statements written for college admissions are somewhere between 450-650 words, with 650 being the maximum word count for the Common App, the most frequently used platform. (Speaking of: head here for a complete how-to guide to completing the Common App .)

But we’d highly recommend reading below to develop a more in-depth understanding, since this isn’t actually as simple a question as it seems. (Obviously, since we wrote this whole guide about how long your college essay should be.)

Here’s a more subtle, but probably more useful frame for thinking about how long a college essay should be:

I once asked one of my Stanford professors how long she wanted a homework essay to be after I noticed the guidelines didn’t specify.

Her response: “As long as it needs to be.”

That didn’t feel very helpful at the time.

But in hindsight, I get what she meant. The point of an essay isn’t to simply meet word count. In fact, as I’ll clarify later, it’s one of the last things you should worry about.

That said, for most of your college essays, word count is something you’ll have to take into account (eventually).

And it’s understandable that how long your college essays(s) should be could feel confusing at times, since different applications and supplemental essays take pretty different approaches, and sometimes word count is a hard rule, whereas at other times it’s more of a guideline.

To get some clarity, read on.

How Long should an essay be—College Essay Word Count Limits (for Different Applications)

You have various ways you might be applying to college. Each of those can take a slightly different approach to word count.

Below we’ll talk through word counts for various college essays. Before we do, here’s some general guidance: with personal statements or supplemental essays, colleges will usually give you a maximum or a word count range (like 200-400)—you don’t have to hit the max for every essay, but generally aim for the upper end of the range. If you go over the word count, many application platforms (like the Common App) will simply cut off the excess words.

Small but important note that we’d always recommend writing your essays in something like Google Docs or Word, then pasting it into the application portal, and when you do so, to always double check your essay after pasting it (since G Doc, Word, and the Common App can sometimes count words slightly differently).

Common App Essay Word Count

If you’re using the Common Application (and since over 900 colleges use it, that seems fairly likely), your personal statement has a hard limit of 650 words. 

Do you have to use all of that word count? No.

But it can be useful to be pretty close—remember that this is one of the primary means a school has to get a sense of who you are and what values, insights, interests, qualities, and skills you’d bring to campus (and if it’s a school without supplemental essays, maybe the only way). 

Most students that I’ve worked with write more than 650 on their early drafts, then cut down toward the end of the writing process (more on that later).

Coalition App Essay Word Count

The Coalition Application currently has a recommended range of 500-650 words. Over 150 schools take the Coalition App, and the Coalition itself is centered around offering good financial aid to students. Be sure you take some time to understand which schools you’re applying to accept what applications. 

University of California (UCs) PIQ Word Count

Some public college systems accept the Common App or Coalition (for example, many schools in the SUNY or CUNY systems take one or both), but the University of California (UC) system has its own application process.

To apply to the UCs, you’ll have to complete 4 (of 8 possible) prompts, each with a 350 word limit. Because these are fairly short, I’d recommend using most if not all of those 350 words. 

For more on the UCs, check out our guide to writing the UC PIQs here.

Individual School Apps

Some individual schools ( Georgetown and MIT , for example) have their own applications. For any school that has its own application, be sure to read the prompts and word counts carefully, as some are rules, and some are guidelines. 

For example, Georgetown has guidelines like “approximately 1 page,” while MIT has strict limits (some 150, some 250) for its various prompts.

TIME SAVER : If you’re applying to a school with its own application, and also a bunch of other schools (especially if they have supplements, for example, on the Common App), I’d recommend checking our guide on building what we call a “super” essay (one that works for a bunch of different prompts).

Word Counts for Supplemental Essays

A lot of schools require supplemental essays on topics like “ Why us ” or “ Community ” or “ Why Your Major .” Most of the time, these will be shorter than your personal statement (with some exceptions— Cornell and UPenn , for example, require “Why us” essays that are roughly the same length as your main essay).

The word counts will vary a bunch from school to school. Most of the time, these will be hard limits. In those cases, you’ll probably want to be pretty close to word count limit, without going over (as a general guideline, the lower the word count, the more likely you’ll have to max it out). 

If a school doesn’t give you a limit, I’d generally aim for somewhere in the 400-600 range. For example, the University of Chicago doesn’t give a limit for its “Why us” or what we jokingly call its “show us your rad brain” prompts. For the “Why us,” you’re probably good at around 400-550 (though that’s not a hard limit). For the extended essay, you can aim for around 650. You can go longer for both, but you have to earn it.

For more detail and examples + analysis, check out our guides to the supplemental essays to a bunch of schools .

Word Counts for Scholarship Essays

A lot of what I just mentioned regarding supplemental essays applies here, so rather than repeat myself, I’ll simply nudge you to double check your word count limits, and keep in mind if they are hard caps or rough guidelines.

For a free guide on things like where to find scholarships, and what colleges are looking for in essays , check out that link.

An Important Note Concerning Word Count and Drafting

Please don’t worry about word count until basically your final draft (within reason*).

Ultimately, you’ll usually have to pay attention to word count, as most prompts will have a hard limit past which your text will simply be cut off.

But worrying about word count early in the process is one of the biggest mistakes I see students make. Doing so just limits what students explore in early drafts, and many often end up having to rewrite more to eventually get to what they would have gotten to if they hadn’t worried about word count in the first place.

So save word count worries for when all your content and structure and phrasing are pretty much set. The “delete” key is pretty easy to use.

*by “within reason,” I mean that if your first few drafts of a 650 word limit essay are 800 or 900 words, no worries. You’ll have to cut, but that’s much easier than having to write more. But if your first draft is 2000 words, that’s gonna be tougher.

Still doable.

But tougher.

For more on writing personal statements, head here for a how-to guide , or here for a ton of successful college essay examples .

Andrew Simpson , CEG’s Editorial Director, has worked as an educator, consultant, and curriculum writer for the past 15 years, and earned degrees from Stanford in Political Science and Drama. He feels most at home on mountain tops and in oceans.

Top Values:  Insight/Growth | Truth | Integrity

can a college essay be 700 words

Ideal College Application Essay Length

Can you go over the Common App length limit? How long should your essay be?

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The 2019-20 version of the  Common Application has an essay length limit of 650 words and a minimum length of 250 words. This limit has remained unchanged for the past several years. Learn how important this word limit is and how to make the most of your 650 words.

Key Takeaways: Common Application Essay Length

  • Your Common Application essay must be between 250 words and 650 words.
  • Don't assume shorter is better. A college requires an essay because they want to learn more about you.
  • Never go over the limit. Show that you can follow instructions and that you know how to edit.

How Strict Is the Limit?

Many wonder whether they can go over the limit, even if only by a few words. What if you feel that you need more space to communicate all of your ideas clearly?

650 words is not a lot of space in which to convey your personality, passions, and writing ability to the people in admissions offices—and the title and any explanatory notes are also included in this limit. The holistic admissions processes of most schools prove that colleges really do want to get to know the person behind your test scores and grades . Since the essay is one of the best places for showcasing who you are, is it worth it to go over?

Most experts recommend adhering to the limit. The Common Application will even prompt its applicants if they exceed the word count to prevent them from going over. Most admissions officers have stated that, while they will read all essays in their entirety, they are less inclined to feel that essays over 650 accomplish what they set out to do. In short: any of the prompts can and should be answered in 650 words or fewer.

Choosing the Right Length

If everything from 250 to 650 words is fair game, what length is best? Some counselors advise students to keep their essays on the shorter end, but not all colleges place the most value in succinctness.

The personal essay is the most powerful tool at your disposal for showing readers your personality without meeting them. If you've chosen a focus that reveals something meaningful about you, you're probably going to need more than 250 words to create a thoughtful, introspective, and effective essay. However, it isn't essential to hit the 650 mark, either.

From the Admissions Desk

"There is no need to meet the full word count [650] if the essay captures what the student would like to share. Visually, you want to make sure the essay looks complete and robust. As a general rule, I would suggest the essay be between 500-650 words."

–Valerie Marchand Welsh Director of College Counseling, The Baldwin School Former Associate Dean of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania

Each of the Common App essay prompts creates different writing challenges, but no matter which option you choose, your essay should be detailed and analytical, and it should provide a window into some important dimension of your interests, values, or personality. Ask yourself: Will the admissions officers know me better after reading my essay? Chances are, an essay in the 500- to 650-word range will accomplish this task better than a shorter essay

In general, the length of an essay does not determine its effectiveness. If you have answered the prompt in its entirety and feel proud of your work, there is no need to stress about any particular word count. Do not pad your essay with filler content and tautologies to stretch it out, and on the flip side, don't leave important sections out in the interest of keeping the essay brief.

Why You Shouldn't Go Over the Essay Length Limit

Some colleges will allow you to exceed the limit set by the Common Application, but you should avoid writing more than 650 words in all cases for the following reasons:

  • College students adhere to guidelines : If a professor assigns a five-page paper, they don't want a 10-page paper and you don't have 55 minutes to take 50-minute exams. The message that you send to a college when you write a powerful essay in 650 words or fewer, even when they accept longer submissions, is that you can succeed under any conditions.
  • Essays that are too long can leave a negative impression: Essays over 650 may make you appear over-confident. The word counts have been established by experts for a reason and writing more than you are allowed might make it seem like you think what you have to say is more important than other applicants, who have to follow the rules. Avoid seeming self-important by stopping yourself from going overboard.
  • Good writers know how to edit and cut : Any college writing professor would tell you that most essays become stronger when they are trimmed. There are almost always words, sentences, and even entire paragraphs that don't contribute to an essay and can be omitted. As you revise any essay you write, ask yourself which parts help you to make your point and which get in the way—everything else can go. Use these 9 style tips to tighten up your language.

College admissions officers will read essays that are too long but may consider them to be rambling, unfocused, or poorly-edited. Remember that your essay is one of many and your readers will wonder why yours is longer when it doesn't need to be.

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August 7, 2024

College Essay Length: Go to the Maximum Word Count

can a college essay be 700 words

College applicants should use the real estate offered in college essays to make their case — all of it! If the maximum word count for a college admissions essay is 650 words, applicants should not write 500 words. They should write 650 words — or pretty close to it.

When you’re a real estate developer in Manhattan, and you’re allowed to build twenty-five stories, you don’t construct ten stories and dedicate the rest of the space for the native pigeons of Manhattan. You build up — twenty-five levels. The pigeons have the skies.

And yet even though it seems only logical that college applicants should use all of the allotted real estate to make their case in essays, to tell their stories, to distinguish themselves in super competitive applicant pools, it never ceases to amaze us how many students write essays that don’t come anywhere near the maximum word count. Instead, they leave the space on the table to the disservice of their candidacies.

Students Should Go to the Word Limit in Every College Essay

It’s not as though students only make the mistake of leaving words on the table in their Common Application Personal Statement. They also often do so in their equally as critical supplemental essays.

If Brown University asks applicants to write a 200-250-word essay on any academic interests that excite them and how they’ll explore them at Brown, as the Ivy League school does on its 2024-2025 application , students should not offer them 200 words. College applicants are not interior designers — blank space does not look lovely. They should submit 250-word essays. 

When Brown admissions officers come across an essay that doesn’t come close to the school’s maximum word count, they’re likely to think, “This student doesn’t love our school enough to put in the work to write an essay just for us. She probably wants to go elsewhere.”

And if that thought crosses the mind of an admissions officer, the odds are strong that the same admissions officer is unlikely to offer that student a spot in the incoming class. And, of course, this doesn’t just apply to Brown — it applies to every highly selective institution in America.

Students Should Use the Maximum Word or Character Count in Short Answers Too

We can’t stress enough the importance of taking advantage of the real estate an applicant is afforded in essays to make their case. But don’t be fooled that an essay only means boxes on The Common Application that allow students to include 100 words or more.

After all, many top schools pose short answer questions too. Maybe they’re called short-takes. On the 2024-2025 application, the University of Southern California , for instance, asks applicants to name their favorite movie of all time, their dream job, favorite trip, and favorite snack, among others.

Students should go up to the maximum character count in these opportunities too — and  opportunities  is the apropos word because they’re opportunities to wow admissions officers, present a window into a student’s world, and distinguish themselves from other talented applicants. In short, students should not just name their favorite movie — they should say why concisely.

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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.

Type of essay Average word count range Essay content
High school essay 300–1000 words In high school you are often asked to write a 5-paragraph essay, composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
College admission essay 200–650 words College applications require a short personal essay to express your interests and motivations. This generally has a strict word limit.
Undergraduate college essay 1500–5000 words The length and content of essay assignments in college varies depending on the institution, department, course level, and syllabus.
Graduate school admission essay 500–1000 words Graduate school applications usually require a longer and/or detailing your academic achievements and motivations.
Graduate school essay 2500–6000 words Graduate-level assignments vary by institution and discipline, but are likely to include longer essays or research papers.

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can a college essay be 700 words

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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How to Write a 700-Word Essay

Basic composition is necessary to a complete education. Entering college composition courses requires proficiency in the basic essay format. Even careers down the road long after college may require a report in the basic essay format. Writing a 700-word essay is best learned step-by-step, as it will help you formulate the rule set of basic composition into your head.

Formulate a succinct thesis to base your essay on. The thesis is the core ideas which you will discuss throughout your essay and use to form a rational conclusion.

Create a basic outline dividing the essay into five paragraphs, each paragraph marked by a roman numeral. Title the paragraph according to the broad subject matter discussed, and mark individual points to discuss within the paragraph by letters in alphabetical order.

Write the introductory paragraph and incorporate your essay’s thesis. Ensure that this paragraph is around 125 words.

Write the body paragraphs according to your outline. Make sure to discuss each point as necessary to your thesis. Each paragraph should be about 150 words.

Finish your essay with a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis. The conclusion should be around 125 words.

  • Albany: How to Write an Outline
  • Grad Schools: How to Write your Essay Introduction

Johnny Kilhefner is a writer with a focus on technology, design and marketing. Writing for more than five years, he has contributed to Writer's Weekly, PopMatters, Bridged Design and APMP, among many other outlets.

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12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

College admission committees sift through thousands of college essays each year. Here’s how to make yours stand out.

Pamela Reynolds

When it comes to deciding who they will admit into their programs, colleges consider many criteria, including high school grades, extracurricular activities, and ACT and SAT scores. But in recent years, more colleges are no longer considering test scores.

Instead, many (including Harvard through 2026) are opting for “test-blind” admission policies that give more weight to other elements in a college application. This policy change is seen as fairer to students who don’t have the means or access to testing, or who suffer from test anxiety.

So, what does this mean for you?

Simply that your college essay, traditionally a requirement of any college application, is more important than ever.

A college essay is your unique opportunity to introduce yourself to admissions committees who must comb through thousands of applications each year. It is your chance to stand out as someone worthy of a seat in that classroom.

A well-written and thoughtful essay—reflecting who you are and what you believe—can go a long way to separating your application from the slew of forgettable ones that admissions officers read. Indeed, officers may rely on them even more now that many colleges are not considering test scores.

Below we’ll discuss a few strategies you can use to help your essay stand out from the pack. We’ll touch on how to start your essay, what you should write for your college essay, and elements that make for a great college essay.

Be Authentic

More than any other consideration, you should choose a topic or point of view that is consistent with who you truly are.

Readers can sense when writers are inauthentic.

Inauthenticity could mean the use of overly flowery language that no one would ever use in conversation, or it could mean choosing an inconsequential topic that reveals very little about who you are.

Use your own voice, sense of humor, and a natural way of speaking.

Whatever subject you choose, make sure it’s something that’s genuinely important to you and not a subject you’ve chosen just to impress. You can write about a specific experience, hobby, or personality quirk that illustrates your strengths, but also feel free to write about your weaknesses.

Honesty about traits, situations, or a childhood background that you are working to improve may resonate with the reader more strongly than a glib victory speech.

Grab the Reader From the Start

You’ll be competing with so many other applicants for an admission officer’s attention.

Therefore, start your essay with an opening sentence or paragraph that immediately seizes the imagination. This might be a bold statement, a thoughtful quote, a question you pose, or a descriptive scene.

Starting your essay in a powerful way with a clear thesis statement can often help you along in the writing process. If your task is to tell a good story, a bold beginning can be a natural prelude to getting there, serving as a roadmap, engaging the reader from the start, and presenting the purpose of your writing.

Focus on Deeper Themes

Some essay writers think they will impress committees by loading an essay with facts, figures, and descriptions of activities, like wins in sports or descriptions of volunteer work. But that’s not the point.

College admissions officers are interested in learning more about who you are as a person and what makes you tick.

They want to know what has brought you to this stage in life. They want to read about realizations you may have come to through adversity as well as your successes, not just about how many games you won while on the soccer team or how many people you served at a soup kitchen.

Let the reader know how winning the soccer game helped you develop as a person, friend, family member, or leader. Make a connection with your soup kitchen volunteerism and how it may have inspired your educational journey and future aspirations. What did you discover about yourself?

Show Don’t Tell

As you expand on whatever theme you’ve decided to explore in your essay, remember to show, don’t tell.

The most engaging writing “shows” by setting scenes and providing anecdotes, rather than just providing a list of accomplishments and activities.

Reciting a list of activities is also boring. An admissions officer will want to know about the arc of your emotional journey too.

Try Doing Something Different

If you want your essay to stand out, think about approaching your subject from an entirely new perspective. While many students might choose to write about their wins, for instance, what if you wrote an essay about what you learned from all your losses?

If you are an especially talented writer, you might play with the element of surprise by crafting an essay that leaves the response to a question to the very last sentence.

You may want to stay away from well-worn themes entirely, like a sports-related obstacle or success, volunteer stories, immigration stories, moving, a summary of personal achievements or overcoming obstacles.

However, such themes are popular for a reason. They represent the totality of most people’s lives coming out of high school. Therefore, it may be less important to stay away from these topics than to take a fresh approach.

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Write With the Reader in Mind

Writing for the reader means building a clear and logical argument in which one thought flows naturally from another.

Use transitions between paragraphs.

Think about any information you may have left out that the reader may need to know. Are there ideas you have included that do not help illustrate your theme?

Be sure you can answer questions such as: Does what you have written make sense? Is the essay organized? Does the opening grab the reader? Is there a strong ending? Have you given enough background information? Is it wordy?

Write Several Drafts

Set your essay aside for a few days and come back to it after you’ve had some time to forget what you’ve written. Often, you’ll discover you have a whole new perspective that enhances your ability to make revisions.

Start writing months before your essay is due to give yourself enough time to write multiple drafts. A good time to start could be as early as the summer before your senior year when homework and extracurricular activities take up less time.

Read It Aloud

Writer’s tip : Reading your essay aloud can instantly uncover passages that sound clumsy, long-winded, or false.

Don’t Repeat

If you’ve mentioned an activity, story, or anecdote in some other part of your application, don’t repeat it again in your essay.

Your essay should tell college admissions officers something new. Whatever you write in your essay should be in philosophical alignment with the rest of your application.

Also, be sure you’ve answered whatever question or prompt may have been posed to you at the outset.

Ask Others to Read Your Essay

Be sure the people you ask to read your essay represent different demographic groups—a teacher, a parent, even a younger sister or brother.

Ask each reader what they took from the essay and listen closely to what they have to say. If anyone expresses confusion, revise until the confusion is cleared up.

Pay Attention to Form

Although there are often no strict word limits for college essays, most essays are shorter rather than longer. Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words.

“While we won’t as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you’d hoped it would,” the Common App website states.

In reviewing other technical aspects of your essay, be sure that the font is readable, that the margins are properly spaced, that any dialogue is set off properly, and that there is enough spacing at the top. Your essay should look clean and inviting to readers.

End Your Essay With a “Kicker”

In journalism, a kicker is the last punchy line, paragraph, or section that brings everything together.

It provides a lasting impression that leaves the reader satisfied and impressed by the points you have artfully woven throughout your piece.

So, here’s our kicker: Be concise and coherent, engage in honest self-reflection, and include vivid details and anecdotes that deftly illustrate your point.

While writing a fantastic essay may not guarantee you get selected, it can tip the balance in your favor if admissions officers are considering a candidate with a similar GPA and background.

Write, revise, revise again, and good luck!

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

How to write a college essay

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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How Many Words Should Your Essay Have for Grading High?

How many words are in an essay?

This question bothers all students, whether in middle school or college. Two reasons:

They don’t have word count guidelines to know how long their essay should be to grade high. Or, they struggle with the word limit within a paper and wonder if they can go under the suggested length.

The essay length varies, depending on many factors: subject, purpose, and academic level. Essays are usually shorter than dissertations or research papers. The thesis is the longest one.

In this article, I’ll answer two popular questions: How long is an essay? How many paragraphs are in an essay?

Also, let’s learn how long each essay part is and if it’s okay to go beyond or under the suggested length.

How Long is an Essay, Depending on the Type?

High-school350-1,000Students learn to write standard 5-paragraph essays with an intro, core, and conclusion.
College admission250-650These are concise texts, with a word limit prescribed by admission officers. Applicants write essays expressing their motives to enter a particular college.
Undergraduate1,500-5,000The length depends on several factors: subject, paper type, and purpose.
Graduate admission500-1,000Like admission essays, these are statements about achievements and motivations to continue learning.
Graduate2,500-6,000These are enhanced research papers with more complex structures. You write them to prove your Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.

The above rules are average. They may vary at different educational institutions. It stands to reason that elementary-level students write short essays. And their papers get longer in their middle 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades, etc.

Often, there’s no exact word number or page count for academic papers. Guidelines usually prescribe a supposed range: 500-850 words, 5-7 pages, and so on. When in doubt, you can ask your instructor.

How Many Paragraphs is an Essay? 6 Main Lengths

You won’t find any rule prescribing a set number of paragraphs for an essay. Five-paragraph essays are a standard, but it doesn’t mean ALL papers should follow it.

Each essay consists of three parts:

  • Introduction . Often, it’s one paragraph introducing your topic and thesis to readers. When writing complex papers like dissertations, your intro section can be 2-3 paragraphs.
  • Body. It’s a core section discussing the topic in detail. The number of paragraphs here depends on your paper’s type and complexity. This part is 1-4 paragraphs unless you write extended research papers.
  • Conclusion. Like intros, this section is often one paragraph summarizing the essay.

Below, I’ll cover the six main lengths to show how to balance a word count in essays.

One-paragraph essays

150-200Aimed at practicing the concepts of paragraph writing. It can be a summary or an extended definition. Common for elementary and middle school students.

Three-paragraph papers

500
– Intro paragraph = 25%
– Body paragraph = 50%
– Concluding paragraph = 25%

Assigned to practice cohesive and logical writing with introduction, body, and conclusion. The body section is the longest one here.

Five-paragraph essays

1,000
– Intro = 100-200
– Body paragraph 1 = 150-250
– Body paragraph 2 = 150-250
– Body paragraph 3 = 150-250
– Conclusion = 100-150

It’s a standard essay structure for high school students learning to build arguments. Most types of fall into this category.

Extended papers

1,500; 3,000; 5,000
– Check the guidelines
+/- 10% of the prescribed length allowed

Assigned in college to undergraduates getting their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Such papers need deep research and may be of a more complex structure.

Dissertation

10,000; 15,000
Paragraph length by section, in % of the total length:

– Abstract – 5%
– Intro – 10%
– Literature review – 25%
– Methodology – 15%
– Result – 20%
– Discussion – 15%
– Conclusion – 10%

It’s a final project for Bachelor’s and Master’s to prove they’re worth their degree. Dissertations have a complex structure and need original research.
40,000-60,000
Paragraph length by section, in % of the total length:

– Abstract – 5%
– Intro – 10%
– Literature review – 25%
– Methodology – 15%
– Result – 20%
– Discussion – 15%
– Conclusion – 10%

Assigned to doctoral students getting PhDs. Its structure is as complex as a dissertation but with more details. The focus is on the research and data analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is essay length important.

Yes, it is. Prescribing a length, instructors understand if you can organize thoughts and arguments. An essay of 1,000 words requires more research and effort than a 350-word paper, agree? The specified length also helps you understand how complex your work should be to grade high. Longer essays teach you to write cohesive texts, choose arguments, and think critically.

Don’t write essays for the sake of count. Quality matters, so please focus on arguments, evidence, and analysis. Avoid placing too many transitions, generic words, and lengthy expressions. Make your every word and sentence count.

How many words are in an essay sample?

350 words at least.

It depends on the essay type you write. Thus, a high school essay sample will be 350 words at least. If you need a college application essay, consider personal papers of 250-650 words. Check essay samples of 800-1,000 words if you need a standard college paper. More complex works like graduate school essays or dissertations will be 3,000+ words.

How long is each part of an essay?

Stick to the 80/20 rule when calculating the length of each essay part. An essay body is the core section of academic papers: Make it 80% of the text. The remaining 20% goes to an introduction and a conclusion.

Say you write a 1,000-word essay. It means you will have 800 words in the body; 100 words go to the introduction and 100 words — for a concluding paragraph. You can go 10% below or above the prescribed limit. (Unless your instructor sets specific limitations.)

How many sentences are in an essay?

21-34 sentences for a standard 5-paragraph essay.

It depends on your essay type and the required word count. I’ll take a standard 5-paragraph college paper as an example:

You have one introductory paragraph, which is 3-5 sentences average. Other 3-5 sentences go to your conclusion. The body consists of three sections, 5-8 sentences each (1). So, here we have it: 21-34 sentences in an essay.

How many words are in an essay introduction?

Take 10-15% of the total length required. Thus, if you need to write a 1,000-word essay, your introduction will be 100-150 words.

For advanced research papers, where intros are longer than one paragraph, stick to 100-150 words per paragraph average. Such texts are usually above 3,000 words, so you’ll follow the 80/20 rule anyway.

Can I go under the suggested length?

It’s not advisable. Please do your best to meet the minimum word count given in the assignment. If the guidelines say “350-600 words,” write at least 350 words in an essay. Sometimes, a 10% deviation is acceptable, but don’t take this rule for granted. Most instructors won’t appreciate your 315-word paper if they ask you to write 350 words at least.

How to make your essay longer?

  • Add more examples and evidence to the body paragraphs. 
  • Explain and analyze every argument in detail. 
  • Mention counterarguments if applicable.

Can I make my essay longer?

Yes, you can exceed the word limit by 10% if allowed by your course instructor. For example, if you get an assignment of 500-700 words, it’s okay to submit a 770-word essay for a review.

Important! Always ask your instructor if the 10% rule is available in their course. And exceed the word count only if you have critical information to add.

Academic writing is all about rules and instructions. Essay length isn’t an exception:

Every college paper has a prescribed, approximate word count to follow. When asking, “How long is an essay?” remember the answer will depend on several factors:

  • Academic level. (Middle and high school students write short essays. Undergraduates and graduates craft longer and more complex papers.)
  • Type and purpose. (Research-based essays are longer than reflective stories you write for college admission officers.)
  • Instructions you get from a teacher. (Check them: The supposed essay length is often there.)

How many words are in an essay? You can answer this question now.

References:

  • https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/paragraphs_and_paragraphing/paragraphing.html  
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How Long Is an Essay? The Ultimate Essay Length Guide

It’s safe to say that most students struggle with the word limit within an essay. Sometimes, it’s hard to find ideas for a text and meet the word requirement for every part of the paper. With so many factors influencing essay length, it’s easy to get confused.

The picture enumerates the factors influencing essay length.

Luckily, our custom-writing team has your back. In this article, our custom-writing experts will answer all your questions regarding essay length. We will also help you write papers with an ideal number of words!

📜 Is Essay Length Important?

📏 essay parts: recommended length.

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🔍 References

Often, the phrase “word limit” causes panic among students. After all, if an essay is too long or too short, your grade will be lowered. However, in reality, there’s nothing to worry about. When it comes to words, limitations are beneficial for both the students and the professors.

Let’s see what exactly it means.

Many people believe that the longer an essay is, the better. However, according to Frontiers, research shows that it’s a bias that couldn’t be further from the truth. A perfect-length paper is one that allows students to express their ideas and showcase their knowledge fully while keeping it clean and simple.

What Influences Essay Length

Various factors determine the length of an essay. Here are the most important ones:

Some themes may require more explanations and supporting ideas to prove a point or convey a message to the reader. 
For instance, if your topic is related to literature, you might need more words and descriptions to get the point across. Subjects such as science or management typically require shorter papers. 
Usually, the more advanced the students are, the more complex their papers get. For example, high school essays differ from ones for college and university in terms of length and presentation.
Students may be asked to write various types of essays—such as short, extended, narrative, or persuasive—throughout their careers. The essay’s type reflects in both its outline and length. 

Let’s start with the essentials. Usually, assignment length is given as a number of words rather than pages. Unless your supervisor or instructor mentions any specific limitations, it’s acceptable to be 10% below or above the word limit.

It’s also worth knowing the 80/20 rule . According to it, the body should constitute 80% of the text, while the intro and the conclusion take up the remaining 20%.

Keep reading to learn more about the recommended length of each essay part. The main numbers are shown in the table below:

3-5 sentences (50-80 words)
5-8 sentences (80-200 words)
3-5 paragraphs
3-5 sentences (50-80 words)

How Long Should an Introduction Be?

An introduction is the first section and the face of your essay. For that reason, it needs to be compelling and well-thought-out. Usually, it consists of 3 to 5 sentences or 50 to 80 words .

An introduction must have a hook, some background information, and a thesis statement. While the attention grabber and the thesis are usually brief, you may need 2 to 3 sentences for the background. To avoid going overboard, try to stay on topic and don’t add any filler.

How Long Is a Body Paragraph in an Essay?

The length of a body paragraph may vary. Sometimes, it can be limited to a single sentence. In other cases, it may take up a whole page. Usually, it’s recommended to have between 80 and 200 words (5-8 sentences) per body paragraph.

Since the paper’s body contains the most information, it’s necessary to explain and support your ideas properly. That’s why it’s no big deal if your body paragraphs go slightly over the word limit.

How Many Body Paragraphs Should Be in an Essay?

Like the word count, the number of paragraphs is determined by the type of paper and its topic. The minimum is 1. Generally, however, the body consists of 3-5 paragraphs , 1 for each argument.

To improve your paper’s structure, ensure that there are as many paragraphs as there are points in your thesis statement. Each one should have a purpose and support your arguments. If there’s any fluff, it’s better to get rid of it.

How Long Should a Conclusion Be?

Like the introduction, the conclusion consists of 50-80 words . It’s essential to keep it simple and only mention the central ideas. A weak concluding sentence may affect the reader’s understanding of the topic and spoil the overall impression of your paper.

🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer: Best Tips

Undoubtedly the essay’s content is more important than the number of words you use. But there are times when students go more than 10-15% below or over the limit. Is there a solution to this problem?

Yes, there is! In this section, we will share the most useful tips to help you stay on point with your paper’s word count.

How to Make Essays Longer

Since having enough words is essential for a good grade, we’ve collected the best tips that can help you lengthen your essay without teachers noticing:

  • Use relevant quotations.  You don’t need to litter your essay with citations, but using them whenever appropriate is a great idea. For instance, if you’re working on a book analysis, referencing a couple of direct quotes from the source text will make your essay more credible and increase the word count.
Original Revision
In Indian culture, hair symbolizes self-respect, a sense of belonging, and pride. In Indian culture, hair symbolized self-respect, a sense of belonging, and pride: ”Our mothers had taught us that only unskilled warriors who were captured had their hair shingled by the enemy.”
  • Give examples.  Go through the claims in your paper and provide additional evidence where possible. It will make your essay longer and more informative.
Original Revision
Directors considered the dark side of speed, driving, mobility, and all the other icons associated with the road. Directors considered the dark side of speed, driving, mobility, and all the other icons associated with the road. Some well-known examples are movies such as (1969), (1963), and (1963-64).
  • Use transitional expressions.  Adding transition words and phrases is a natural way of increasing the number of words. It will also improve your essay’s readability. 
Original Revision
The book’s author believes this is just a general misconception. However, the book’s author believes this is just a general misconception.
  • Add more references.  Providing references is always a good idea when writing a formal essay. That way, you will increase the number of words and make your paper more credible.
Original Revision
It is believed that writing, reading, or reciting poetry positively affects our psychological well-being. According to another article published in the  in 2014, the practice of writing, reading, or reciting poetry positively affects our psychological well-being.
  • Work on your descriptions.  If you struggle to develop new ideas, go over what you’ve already written and consider adding some descriptive words. It’s a great idea for creative essays to include more imagery. 
Original Revision
They believe that language is more than a communication tool and should be introduced in a playful way for most effectiveness. They believe that language is more than a simple day-to-day communication tool and that it should be introduced in a pleasurable and playful way for the most effectiveness.

How to Shorten an Essay

Another struggle of academic writing is cutting down the number of words in your essay to meet a set limit. We are here to tell you that it’s not that hard. Writing straightforwardly and keeping your sentences short is a key to concise content. Here are several strategies you may use to tighten a lengthy essay:

  • Choose the active voice.  It takes up less space than passive voice. Using it also makes your writing more professional and compelling.
Original Revision
The research was conducted by  .  conducted the research. 
  • Remove needless transitions.  Transitions can indeed maintain the flow of the paper. But some transitional phrases can be easily removed.
Original Revision
Furthermore, it has been discovered that children who play violin have stronger visual and verbal pattern abilities. Discoveries show that children who play violin have stronger visual and verbal pattern abilities.
  • Get rid of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.  Some students tend to overuse adjectives and adverbs. It adds wordiness to their writing.
Original Revision
The whole article focuses on the mechanics of easily managing fear itself. The article focuses on the mechanics of managing fear itself. 
  • Avoid running starts.  Some students like to start their sentences with long phrases like: “there are,” “it is believed,” or “the fact that.” Getting rid of them makes texts much more concise.
Original Revision
The fact that the dialogue contains some Shakespearean elements emphasizes the protagonist’s longing for his lover.  Shakespearean elements in the dialogue emphasize the protagonist’s longing for his lover. 
  • Delete “that.”  In most cases, the word “that” can often be easily removed from texts.
Original Revision
The idea that was expressed in the novel translated well into the live-action movie. The idea expressed in the book translated well into the live-action movie.

Another cool trick is to use our summarizing tool as essay shortener. Try it out!

📑 How Long Is an Essay Depending on Formatting?

As we mentioned earlier, the essay’s length is usually limited by the number of words. But sometimes, a teacher may ask you to write a specific number of pages. This is trickier because the amount of text you can place on the page depends on the formatting. By using the font size and spacing properly, it’s possible to make the paper visually longer or shorter. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

The picture describes how formatting affects essay length.

Essay Spacing: How Does It Affect the Length?

  • Adjusting the spacing between lines.  Try to make the changes as slight as possible. For instance, if you were asked to double-space the paper, use 2.1 or 2.2 spacing instead. Another option is to slightly extend spaces between paragraphs.
  • Extending the margin size.  You can increase the right and bottom margins by a quarter to make very subtle changes in length. For example, if the margins are 1 inch , you can set them at 1.25 inches instead. 
  • Increasing the spacing between characters.  It is less noticeable than the line spacing. Still, try not to overdo it and keep the numbers between 1.2 and 1.5 . 
  • Adjusting the footer.  Add a footer with page numbers to stretch the bottom margin even further.
  • Lengthening the header.  You can extend your header by adding your name, e-mail address, or other relevant information. Another option is double-spacing it.

Length of an Essay: Font and Size

  • Using the right type of font.  If your instructor didn’t specify which font you should use, go for the bigger ones. We suggest Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. They will make your text look longer without being too on the nose.  
  • Using a bigger font size.  This is another technique that can come in handy. However, be careful and don’t increase your font by more than 0.1-0.5 pt.  
  • Increasing the size of periods and commas.   This is one of the less noticeable tricks you can use. For instance, if your paper’s font is 12 pt. , increase it to 14 pt. only for punctuation marks. Italicizing periods and commas will also add several lines of length to your essay. 

What to Do if There Are No Length Guidelines

Sometimes a teacher sets no word limit for a written work. What to do in that case? Well, first, you can ask your professor to confirm if they have simply forgotten to mention it. But if that’s not the case, here are a couple of helpful solutions:

  • Think of the paragraph number.  Sometimes, you may be given the number of paragraphs instead of words. In that case, you can decide on the number of words depending on how many paragraphs you have. 
  • Think about the topic’s complexity.  The length of your paper is also directly dependent on the theme. If the topic is simple, 4-5 paragraphs will be enough. A more complex issue may require an in-depth explanation, so your essay can be 6-8 paragraphs long.

❓ Essay Length for Different Academic Levels FAQ

The length of the elementary school essay is usually short. Usually, a paper needs to have around 3-5 paragraphs, with 4-5 sentences per paragraph. Primary school essays can be 1-2 paragraphs long.

The word limit for a middle school essay is usually between 300 to 1000 words. The most common essay length is 500 words, which is about 5 paragraphs. However, it may differ from school to school.

The length of the high school essay may differ depending on the school and the complexity of the task itself. Usually, however, a paper can be between 300 to 1000 words long.

The length of the undergraduate college essay often falls within the range of 1500 to 2100 words. It translates into roughly 5-7 pages. 5 pages is the most common essay length at this level.

When it comes to the graduate school admission essay, the word limit is usually between 500 and 1000 words. It’s possible to go slightly over or below the set limit; however, it’s best to stick to the requirements as close as possible.

📚 How Long Should an Essay Be: Different Types

Now, let’s talk about different types of essays. How long should they be? Keep reading to learn about the length of college essays, short and extended ones, scholarship essays, and research papers.

How Long Is a College Essay?

When it comes to a college essay, it’s more important to stick to the word limit than with any other paper. Some teachers may refuse to read it unless it meets all the requirements.

The shortest limit for a college essay is about 250 words which is the shortest length of a Common App personal statement. It’s also rare to see a good college essay with over 650 words . So, an average piece usually has between 150 and 650 words ; you can go over or below the limit by 50.

How Long Is a Paragraph in College Essays?

A college essay usually consists of 4-5 paragraphs . One paragraph takes about 1/3 of the page, which is roughly 5 sentences . Each sentence corresponds with one of the following components:

  • Topic sentence.
  • Explanation.
  • Transitions.

College Essay Length Requirements: Top 5 Schools

To understand the requirements for a college application essay even better, take a look at the table below. It showcases the top 5 schools and their length criteria for personal statements. Keep it in mind when writing your college essay:

HBS essay length 900-word limit
UC essay length 350-word limit
Chicago Booth essay length 300-word limit
UChicago essay length 650 suggested word limit
AMCAS essay length 5300 characters (spaces included)

How Long Is a Short Essay?

A short essay is usually 500 words long. Using 12pt Times New Roman font with standard margins and double spacing should result in about 2 pages of text.

Extended Essay Length

An extended essay is different from a short or a standard one. It requires extensive research and thorough explanation. That’s why the upper limit for this kind of essay is 4000 words . In this case, a typical essay length is 3500 words or 18 paragraphs .

Scholarship Essay Length

Generally, scholarship papers have a limit of 500 words , which is 1 page in length. Most scholarship programs provide additional requirements that indicate the minimum number of words or pages. If there are no set limitations, you can stick to the limit.

How Long Is a Research Paper?

Typically, a research paper is between 4000 and 6000 words long. Sometimes, there are shorter papers, which have around 2000 words, or in-depth ones with over 10000 words.

⭐ Other Aspects of Essay Length

When it comes to essay length, many different aspects come into play. Here, we’ve gathered all the essential information regarding an essay’s number of pages, paragraphs, words, and references.

How Many Paragraphs Are in an Essay?

Sometimes, it is more convenient to count paragraphs rather than words. Let’s now figure out how many paragraphs are in essays of different lengths. You may also check out the examples to see what such an essay looks like:

WordsParagraphs Example
250-word essay length 4
300-word essay length 4-5
500-word essay length 6 Water Cooling Tower Construction Site’s Problems
600-word essay length 7
800-word essay length 8-9
1000-word essay length 10
2000-word essay length 18-19

How to Count Paragraphs in an Essay Based on Word Count

You can also count the number of body paragraphs for your essay using the formula below:

Number of body paragraphs (average) = (TWC – TWC*0.16)/100

  • TWC – total word count
  • 0.16 – an average percentage of total word count for introduction and conclusion
  • 100 – an average number of words per paragraph

How Many Pages Are in an Essay?

The number of pages in your essay may vary from subject to subject. But it’s still possible to determine the number of pages based on word count. Check out the numbers below to see the conversions with bonus examples:

Pages (Double-spaced) Example
How many pages is a 200-word essay? 1 Food Safety: A Policy Issue in Agriculture Today 
How many pages is a 250-word essay? 1
How many pages is a 300-word essay? 1 The Major Causes of the Great Depression
How many pages is a 400-word essay? 1,5
How many pages is a 500-word essay? 2
How many pages is a 600-word essay? 2 Single-Parent Families: Source Analysis
How many pages is a 700-word essay? 2,5 CytoGainer Overview: Purpose and Results
How many pages is a 750-word essay? 3 Modeling Sustainable Food Systems
How many pages is a 800-word essay? 3
How many pages is a 900-word essay? 3,5
How many pages is a 1000-word essay? 4
How many pages is a 1500-word essay? 6
How many pages is a 2000-word essay? 8 Advocacy Campaign: the Problem of Childhood Obesity

You can also use a specialized calculator such as Word Counter to determine a number of pages in your essay.

What Does an Essay Look Like when Typed?

You might be wondering: what do essays of different lengths look like when typed? Well, here’s the table where you can find out the metrics for single- and double-spaced papers.

Single-spaced Double-spaced Example
What does a 200-word essay look like? 0,5 pages 1 page How Hate Took Hold of Him: Parrish Reflection
What does a 250-word essay look like? 0,5 pages 1 page What Social Factors Prevent Adolescents to Acquire Appropriate Education in Their Later Life
What does a 300-word essay look like? 0,5 pages 1 page “Racial Inequality, at College and in the Workplace” by Johnson
What does a 500-word essay look like? 1 page 2 pages
What does a 600-word essay look like? 1 page 2 pages “8 Million Have Slipped Into Poverty Since May as Federal Aid Has Dried Up” by Jason DeParle
What does a 750-word essay look like? 1,5 pages 3 pages Methods for Avoiding Relapse
What does a 1000-word essay look like? 2 pages 4 pages Heroin Distribution and Its Use Within the United States
What does a 2000-word essay look like? 4 pages 8 pages

How Many Pages Are in a Handwritten Essay?

In case you need to turn in a handwritten paper, you should check out the table below.

How many pages is 150 words handwritten? 0,5
How many pages is 200 words handwritten? 1
How many pages is 250 words handwritten? 1
How many pages is 300 words handwritten? 1,25
How many pages is 350 words handwritten? 1,5
How many pages is 400 words handwritten? 1,5-2
How many pages is 500 words handwritten? 2
How many pages is 600 words handwritten? 2
How many pages is 700 words handwritten? 2,5
How many pages is 800 words handwritten? 3
How many pages is 1000 words handwritten? 4

Counting Words in a Handwritten Essay

If you don’t have enough time to count the words in your handwritten essay one by one, here’s what you can do:

  • Count how many words there are in one line. Take the first and last lines and a line in the middle of a page. Let’s say there are 15, 14, and 15 words in them. Then, the average number of words per line is 15.
  • Next, count how many lines there are on one page. Let’s say there are 17 lines on a page.
  • Take the number of words per line and multiply it by the number of lines per page. In our case, we multiply 15 by 17. So, there are 255 words per page on average.
  • Finally, multiply the number of words per page by the number of pages. If your essay has 3 pages, it is approximately 765 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write an Essay?

It is crucial to know how long writing will take you, especially if you are working on an exam essay or just short on time. Note that you need to consider the time for typing and researching necessary to complete a piece. Research time may vary. Usually, it’s 1-2 hours for 200-250 words .

The picture shows the fact about the average speed of writing.

Below, we’ve gathered the average writing time for average and slower writing speed:

Time (Slow) Time (Average)
How long does it take to write 250 words? 50 min 6.3 min
How long does it take to write 300 words? 60 min 7.5 min
How long does it take to write 500 words? 100 min 12.5 min
How long does it take to write 750 words? 150 min 18.8 min
How long does it take to write 800 words? 160 min 20 min
How long does it take to write 1000 words? 200 min 25 min
How long does it take to write 1200 words? 240 min 30 min
How long does it take to write 1500 words? 300 min 37.5 min
How long does it take to write a 2000-word essay? 400 min 50 min

And here are the results in pages:

Time (Slow) Time (Average)
How long does it take to write a 2-page paper? 200 min 25 min
How long does it take to write a 3-page paper? 300 min 37.5 min
How long does it take to write a 4-page paper? 400 min 50 min
How long does it take to write a 5-page paper? 500 min 62.5 min
How long does it take to write a 6-page paper? 600 min 75 min
How long does it take to write a 7-page paper? 700 min 87.5 min

How Many References Does an Essay Need?

Another essential part of any composition is the reference list. Different academic levels require different references. You’ll find out how many of them should be in your paper in the table below!

School College Bachelor Master Ph.D.
How many references in a 200-word essay 2 3 4 5 6
How many references for a 500-word essay 4 6 8 10 12
How many references for a 1000-word essay 8 12 16 20 24
How many references for a 1200-word essay 10 15 20 25 30
How many references in a 1500-word essay 12 18 24 30 36
How many references for a 2000-word essay 16 24 32 40 48
How many references for a 4000-word essay 32 48 64 80 96
How many references for a 5000-word essay 40 60 80 100 120

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

Finally, we’ve gathered some excellent sample essays of different lengths. Make sure to check them out!

200-word essay example
300-word essay example Modifications of the Nomi Move
400-word essay example
500-word essay example
600-word essay example
700-word essay example Ethics, CSR, and Ignatian Values
800-word essay example
900-word essay example
1000-word essay example
1500-word essay example
2000-word essay example Research Critique: The Importance of Relationships in Mental Care
3000-word essay example
4000-word essay example

We also recommend you check out our free essay samples sorted by pages:

  • 1-Page Essay Examples
  • 2-Page Essay Examples
  • 3-Page Essay Examples
  • 4-Page Essay Examples
  • 5-Page Essay Examples
  • 10-Page Essay Examples
  • 20-Page Essay Examples
  • 30-Page Essay Examples
  • 40-Page Essay Examples
  • 50-Page Essay Examples

Now you know all about essay length, word limits, and ways to lengthen or shorten your text. If you know other interesting tricks, make sure to share them in a comment! Good luck with your writing assignments!

You may also like:

  • How to Write a Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline
  • How to Write a Precis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 
  • How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay: Examples & Guide
  • How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
  • How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example
  • Word Limits and Assignment Length: Massey University
  • The Paragraph in the College Essay: California State University, Long Beach
  • Introductions & Conclusions: The University of Arizona Global Campus
  • How Long Should a Paragraph Be?: Daily Writing Tips
  • Paragraphing (Length Consistency): Purdue University
  • Hitting the Target Word Count in Your College Admission Essay: Dummies.com
  • How Long Should Your College Essay Be? What is the Ideal Length?: College Vine
  • Writing Personal Statements Online: Issues of Length and Form: Penn State University
  • Pen Admissions: Essays: University of Pennsylvania
  • Essay Questions: University of Michigan
  • Essay Structure: Harvard University
  • Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
  • Write Your Essay: UNSW Sydney
  • College Writing: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • 21 Helpful and Easy Tips to Make an Essay Longer: Seventeen
  • How to Make a College Paper Longer: ThoughtCo
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Home ➔ Essay Length Questions ➔ How Long Is a Typical Essay?

How Long Is a Typical Essay?

The word count of your essay mostly depends on your educational level, subject, department, course, and tutor’s instructions. This piece of writing is normally shorter than research papers or dissertations. But how long should an essay be exactly?

Generally, the length requirements are indicated in your assignment sheet. It can be words, paragraphs, or pages given as a range (300–500 words) or a particular number (5 pages). If you are not sure about your essay’s length, the number-one tip is to clarify it with your tutor. Also, if you’re not sure how to write an essay , we have a detailed guide on that topic, just follow the link.

We will review all the factors you must consider when it comes to an essay’s length, but here’s a quick answer to questions like, “How many words in an essay or how many paragraphs does an essay have?”

An essay is five paragraphs long on average, which is around 400–700 words.

Essay Length Tips

The tips below relate to academic essays that are given as a writing assignment. Everything that concerns admissions essays will be discussed in the following section.

  • Three is the minimum number of paragraphs for essays (intro, body, and conclusion).
  • The most common structure for a basic paper is the five-paragraph essay.
  • The length of the introduction and conclusion paragraphs is always proportionally smaller.
  • Each body paragraph must cover only one central idea, which is your topic sentence.
  • A double-spaced page with text written in Times New Roman (12pt) usually contains about 275 words.
  • A single-spaced page can fit double the amount, which is about 550 words.

How long should each essay part be?

If it’s a short essay (400–1000 words), each paragraph usually contains 100–200 words. The introduction and conclusion should be roughly the same in length and shorter than the overall word count of the body section.

According to Jennifer Duncan from The Writing Centre (the University of Toronto at Scarborough), for a 1000-word essay, its introduction and conclusion should be 4–5 sentences each. If your word count must be bigger, the length of these sections can be several paragraphs or even pages.

You might have seen conversion tables that say, “This number of words equals this number of paragraphs.” They all are based on a fixed length for each paragraph and are not very accurate. Yes, an essay that’s 400–800 words long can be converted like that. But, when your paper is bigger than a thousand words, your paragraphs can scale along, which means their number won’t grow exponentially with the overall essay size. For instance, if a 700-word essay comprises five paragraphs, a long essay (2000 words) won’t necessarily have fifteen paragraphs.

How long should a college essay be?

Here, “college essays” imply essays written for admissions. Admissions essays are quite different from the ones you get as homework. Usually, their chief goal is to show to the board that you are a worthy applicant. All the details about such essays should be publicly available on the college’s website in the appropriate section. But, if you don’t know the word count requirement and can’t find it, you still have some options. Below is a quick answer to the “how long is a college essay” question.

An average college essay is about 500 words long.

Admissions essay length tips

  • Once you open the college’s site, look for phrases like “essay questions,” “information about supplemental essays,” “application instructions,” etc.
  • As a rule, admissions essays are short (250–600 words) because board officers have to go through a lot of them daily.
  • Do not exceed the given range by too much: if it says 500–550 words, the maximum length would be 600.
  • When exceeding the word limit, your essay may not even end up being read to the end, so be mindful.

What if there are no length guidelines?

Sometimes colleges will not indicate a length limit for their essay prompts. But, don’t worry just yet because there are several ways to deal with this situation.

1. You need to send a sample of your writing.

They might have several options for applicants. Amherst College provides you with a choice: you can either (Option A) write a response to one of the quotations from the list or (Option B) submit a graded paper that best shows your writing skills. The last option implies that you have a set of papers to choose from, so you’re limited by their word count. But usually, there’s a page that contains guidelines for paper samples.

2. You can understand how long it should be from the description.

In its essay prompt guidelines, Wellesley College doesn’t give you a range of words or pages. Instead, it says, “in two well-developed paragraphs.” That means paragraphs can be quite long but within a reasonable limit, which is about 450–500 words. So this is when you’ll need to estimate or even guess a bit.

3. You need to search for the length requirements.

It can happen that essay length guidelines are not on the same page as the prompts. However, once you google, you can find posts on forums and social networks that discuss these essay writing requirements. You can also try searching “long” or “length” within the college site by typing “site:yourcollegewebsite.com” with those words.

4. You must call the admissions office.

If word limit instructions are nowhere to be found, you should call the admissions office. Even if they don’t have an exact number, they can tell you how long an essay should be based on the ones they had received before.

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Sentence length will vary based on the paper type you’re working on. In narrative essays , you have to tell a story, which means sentences can be very long (up to 50 words). But general advice would be to keep sentences shorter than 25 words. Considering that, a 500-word essay would have somewhere between 20 to 45 sentences.

In short, you do. Unfortunately, the education system is “lazy” in this regard. Even though minimum length requirements force students to stretch their writing by adding fluff and verbose phrases, if those restraints were no more, some students would abuse that and submit essays far too short. Although some educators give a small margin over or under the word count, it’s better to write within the given range.

Your introductions and conclusion are usually smaller than body paragraphs. Hence, they will contain fewer sentences. For a 300-word paper, the first and last paragraphs will be about 3–5 sentences each, and every main paragraph will consist of 5–7 sentences.

The list of references

Here, you may find additional information on the topic:

  • Paragraph Length — Aims Community College
  • Writing Introductions and Conclusions — the University of Toronto at Scarborough

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, good length for college essays: what does 650 words look like.

I've seen college essays requiring 650 words, but what does that look like? Any advice on how to make sure I'm staying within that range?

A 650-word essay is approximately a page and a half to two pages long when using a standard 12-point font and standard spacing between lines. To visualize what 650 words look like, think about a typical two-page, double-spaced essay with an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

To ensure you stay within the 650-word limit, begin by drafting an outline for your essay to help you organize your thoughts and stay focused on the main points you want to convey. Keep your introduction and conclusion concise, whereas you can afford to go into a bit more detail in the body paragraphs. As you write, consider using a word processor with a built-in word count feature (such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Pages) to keep track of your word count in real-time.

After completing your essay, it is helpful to revise and edit your work to remove any unnecessary words or phrases, and to make your sentences more concise and clear. This process will also help you ensure that you're adhering to the word count requirement.

Finally, remember that while it's essential to stay within the word limit, quality and effective storytelling should be your priority. Focus on conveying your message and telling your story in a way that captivates your audience and demonstrates who you are as an applicant.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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700-Word Essay Examples

A 700-word essay provides enough space to delve into a topic in depth while still being concise enough to hold the reader's attention. Some possible 700-word essay topics could include analyzing a current social issue, exploring the impact of technology on society, discussing the benefits and drawbacks of a particular educational approach, or examining the history and significance of a cultural tradition. These topics provide ample room for research, analysis, and critical thinking, allowing the writer to develop a well-rounded argument or exploration of the subject. By choosing a topic that interests them and aligns with their expertise or passion, writers can create a compelling and informative essay that engages readers and showcases their knowledge and insights.

Brief Description of 700-Word Essay Topics

A 700-word essay is a concise piece of writing that requires the writer to present a clear and focused argument within a limited word count. Some possible essay topics for a 700-word essay could include the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships, the benefits and drawbacks of online education, the importance of biodiversity conservation, the history and evolution of human rights, or the implications of artificial intelligence on society. These topics offer the writer the opportunity to explore a specific aspect of a larger issue, allowing for a more targeted and focused analysis.

When writing a 700-word essay, it is important to prioritize key points and evidence that support the main argument, as there is limited space for in-depth exploration. The writer should aim to present a clear thesis statement that guides the reader through the essay and provides a roadmap for the discussion. By focusing on a specific aspect of a broader topic, a 700-word essay allows for a more detailed examination of key ideas, resulting in a more coherent and cohesive argument.

Popular Ideas for 700-word Essay Topics

  • Climate Change - Discuss the causes and effects of climate change and potential solutions to combat it.
  • Gender Equality - Explore the current state of gender equality and the importance of achieving equal rights for all genders.
  • Mental Health Awareness - Examine the stigma surrounding mental health and ways to promote awareness and support for those struggling with mental illnesses.
  • Social Media Influence - Analyze the impact of social media on society, including its effects on mental health, relationships, and self-esteem.
  • Gun Control - Debate the pros and cons of gun control laws and policies in the United States and their impact on public safety.
  • Immigration Reform - Discuss the challenges and benefits of immigration reform and the importance of finding a balanced approach to immigration policy.
  • Artificial Intelligence - Examine the potential benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in various industries and its impact on the future of work.
  • Racial Discrimination - Explore the history of racial discrimination and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality in society.
  • Education Reform - Discuss the current state of education in the United States and propose solutions for improving access to quality education for all students.
  • Poverty and Inequality - Analyze the root causes of poverty and inequality and propose strategies for addressing these social issues.
  • Healthcare Access - Examine the challenges of healthcare access in the United States and explore potential solutions for improving healthcare affordability and availability.
  • Environmental Conservation - Discuss the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable practices to protect the planet for future generations.
  • Technology and Society - Explore the impact of technology on society, including its effects on communication, privacy, and human relationships.
  • Animal Rights - Examine the ethical treatment of animals and the importance of advocating for animal rights and welfare.
  • Globalization - Discuss the pros and cons of globalization and its impact on economies, cultures, and societies worldwide.
  • Political Polarization - Analyze the causes of political polarization and the challenges of bridging the divide between opposing political ideologies.
  • Cybersecurity - Examine the growing threat of cyber attacks and the importance of cybersecurity measures to protect individuals and organizations.
  • Social Justice Movements - Discuss the role of social justice movements in advocating for equality and justice for marginalized communities.
  • Addiction and Recovery - Explore the impact of addiction on individuals and families and the challenges of recovery and rehabilitation.
  • The Future of Work - Examine the changing landscape of work in the digital age and the implications for job security, automation, and skills development.

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An academic 700-word essay is a relatively short piece of academic writing that encompasses approximately 700 words. It requires concise and focused exploration of a topic within a limited word count. Despite its brevity, a 700-word essay still allows for the development of a central thesis or argument and the presentation of supporting evidence and analysis. A 700-word essay challenges the writer to present a focused and concise analysis of a topic, making every word count while still providing a well-structured and well-supported piece of academic writing.

What Does a 700-Word Essay Look Like?

A 700-word essay typically consists of an introduction (approximately 100-150 words), several body paragraphs (approximately 500-550 words), and a conclusion (approximately 50-100 words). These word counts are approximate and can be adjusted based on the specific requirements of your essay. It's important to maintain a clear and concise writing style, prioritize relevant information, and ensure a coherent and logical flow of ideas throughout the essay.

How Many Words Is 700 Characters for an Essay?

In terms of word count, there is no direct conversion between characters and words because the number of characters can vary depending on the length of each word and the presence of spaces and punctuation. However, as a rough estimate, an average word in English consists of about 5 characters. Based on this estimate, if you have 700 characters, you could expect it to be roughly equivalent to around 140 words. Keep in mind that this is an approximation, and the actual word count may vary depending on the specific content and composition of the text. To get an accurate word count, it is recommended to use a word processing tool or an online word count tool that can analyze the text and provide an exact word count.

How Long is a 700-Word Essay in Pages?

To provide a specific approximation, assuming the essay is written in 12-point Times New Roman font with double spacing and normal margins (1 inch or 2.54 cm), a 700-word essay would occupy approximately two pages. These estimations are based on average word and page counts, and they can vary depending on individual writing style, formatting choices, and the specific requirements or guidelines provided by your instructor or institution. Therefore, it's always advisable to follow the formatting instructions given for your essay to determine the exact page length required.

What Structure Does a 700-Word Paper Has?

The essay should have a well-defined structure, consisting of an introduction, body paragraphs that support the thesis with evidence and analysis, and a conclusion with key points. You can begin your intriduction with an engaging hook or attention-grabbing statement to capture the reader's interest and then present a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or objective of the essay. Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point or argument. Then present supporting evidence, examples, or data to substantiate the main point. In conclusion you should summarize the main points discussed in the essay and offer a final thought or suggestion that leaves the reader with a lasting impression.

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can a college essay be 700 words

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"Can my UT-Austin Essay A and Short Answers Be Longer Than 700 and 300 Words?"

A Mighty big kitty www.kevinwithcats.com

A Mighty big kitty www.kevinwithcats.com

Yes. You can submit MUCH MORE than 750 words for Essay A and more than 300 for each Short Answer on Apply Texas.

I am very aware that my blog posts suggest 750 words for Essay A and 350 words for the Short Answers , and that this suggestion does not align with UT’s suggested 500-700 words or 250-300 word recommendations, respectively. Why UT doesn’t just impose hard word limits like Common App is beyond my comprehension, but so are many things about UT’s supposedly student-centered process.

I’ve gotten this question more than in previous years and I’m not sure why. I confirmed with a UT counselor that reviewers don’t see the word count nor is there any “penalty” or punishment for going over. There isn’t a mechanism in holistic review to “penalize” someone. Counselors and viewers are trained to read what you submit, and since they read your application in 10-12 minutes and sometimes read a few dozen each day. If you’ve got 800 or 900 worth of words to say for Essay A, no big deal.

See, it lets you put in way more than 700 words.

See, it lets you put in way more than 700 words.

Your UT-Austin essays can be longer than the RECOMMENDED word limits. Neither Apply Texas nor the Coalition Application have hard word limits. Recommended, suggested, and “please keep” does not amount to a strict word limit maximum.

The new “ Go Apply Texas ” portal that has gone live for Fall 2022 applicants and onward allows up to 500 words for the short answers and around 1,500 words for Essay A, which is an even higher word limit than the previous Apply Texas portal.

Students who are submitting EXACTLY 700 or 300 words are not doing themselves any favors. I know this process has a lot of stress and anxiety, but one place you don’t have to worry is whether your essays for Apply Texas fit perfectly in some word limit because, again to stress, there is no firm word limit maximum.

To further confuse things, Coalition Application “recommends” 550 words, which doesn’t align with anything in particular.

To reiterate, YES you can submit more than 500-750 words on Essay A if you need the extra word space.

No, UT will not deny your application.

No, your reader won’t know how many words you’ve submitted.

No, you won’t be penalized.

If your essays fit into the Apply Texas boxes and it doesn’t cut off your words, it submits. If it fits, you can submit.

Check out my new book Surviving the College Admissions Madness and Youtube Channel

Should your essay exceed the word limit recommendations?

It depends.

Do you have 750-800 words worth of critical, necessary, and interesting content that you need to communicate? If not, then write more concisely, economically, and directly to make your same points in less words.

If your essay is interesting, informative, captures your reader’s attention, and writes concisely, then sure, go for 700-750. What’s in common with my clients’ essays regardless of themes and content is they’re all concise, detailed, and highlight specific experiences unique to that student.

I suggest no more than 850 words for Essay A for no other reason than it probably isn’t necessary to communicate your thoughts in 900 or 950 words. For the short answers, my clients and I work with 350-400 words or so. My clients and I use 750-850 and 350-400 because every word and sentence they’re writing contributes something new.

The Common Application, however, does have a hard word limit maximum of 650, so if you use your Apply Texas Essay A for the Common App, be sure to shorten to 650 or less words. Common App won’t accept one word over 650. Apply Texas and Coalition do.

The reason there is a suggested word limit is because most students essays and applications are not very good. I detail why most applications are poor in this popular post.

You want to avoid wasting your reader’s time writing rambling essays (most essays are rambling, general, vague, cliched, and unclear). I can’t tell you the number of 800 word essays I read during my time at UT where they could have communicated the same in 400 words.

The problem is, fundamentally, that students, even ones with perfect academics and stellar resumes, don’t know or can’t see that their essays aren’t very good.

Some even uploaded digital essays that were 1000+ words, most of which were of poor quality and not needing the additional space.I rolled my eyes, assigned a score reflective of their essay quality, and moved on. Most applications are read in 12 minutes or less, so reviewers don’t have time to even reflect on or ask themselves about the length of a given essay.

Until UT-Austin and Apply Texas impose hard word limits, I suggest using the words you feel are necessary to communicate your points. Fault falls on the university and Apply Texas for these discrepancies.

Again, there are no hard word limits. You can submit up to 800 words on Essay A and 400 on each of the Short Answers.

700 Word Essay — Examples & Topics

After the oil crisis, a food crisis global rising food prices and their effects.

  • Subjects: Economics Finance

The World Heath Organization

  • Subjects: Administration and Regulation Health & Medicine

The Benefits of a Routine Physical Exercise Program

  • Subjects: Fitness Sports

Should Psychologists Abstain From Involvement in Coercive Interrogations?

  • Subjects: Psychological Principles Psychology

Political Reformation in the Arab World

  • Subjects: Political Culture Politics & Government

Effective Teaching of Reading in Education

  • Subjects: Education Educational Resources

Literature and the Community

  • Subjects: Literature World Literature

Martha Helen Stewart

  • Subjects: Business Management

Destruction of the Brazilian Tropical Rain Forest

  • Subjects: Environment Environmental Processes

Museum Writing Assignment: Formal Analysis Paper

  • Subjects: Art Art Movement

Speak Softly, You May Be Heard: The Art of Leadership

  • Subjects: Psychological Issues Psychology

Chicago: the Jazz Era of the Blazing Gun

  • Subjects: History United States

Ralph Ellison’s “Battle Royal”

  • Subjects: American Literature Literature

Technology: Being Digital

  • Subjects: Tech & Engineering Technology Effect

Trends in “Love is a Fallacy”

Top ten mistakes in web design.

  • Subjects: Design Web Design

The Power of Introductory Word to the World of Faerie Knights

  • Subjects: Literature Poems

French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812

Pre-colombia era of drug trafficking in the americas: andean cocaine, 1947-1973.

  • Subjects: Criminology Law

Verbal learning

  • Subjects: Approach to Learning Education

Discovering the Humanities

  • Subjects: Culture Study of Cultural Differences

Dr. Tram and the Vietnam Conflict

What is theology – faith and reason in theology.

  • Subjects: Religion Theology

Cypress Gardens Checkpoint

The baroque period of art.

  • Subjects: Art History of Art

Paulson & Company Value-based Leadership and Strategic Focus

  • Subjects: Business Case Study

Research Methods in Narcotics

  • Subjects: Drug and Alcohol Addiction Sociology

Air Pollution and Its Consequences

  • Subjects: Air Pollution Environment

What is a Language

  • Subjects: Languages Linguistics

«Twelve Angry Men» Synopsis

  • Subjects: Art Film Studies

Divine Command Theory

  • Subjects: Ethical Philosophy Philosophy

The History of Judaism and Hinduism

  • Subjects: Religion World Religions

A Review of Bringing Up Baby 1938 (K. Hepburn)

  • Subjects: Art Comedy

Management is a Difficult Term

Human development and learning: analysis of the lesson.

  • Subjects: Education Pedagogy

The Implication of Chaffee and Metzger’s Article “The End of Mass Communication”

  • Subjects: Entertainment & Media Mass Media Advertising

Beneficiaries of U.S. welfare programs

  • Subjects: Overcoming Difficulties Sociology

Adapting the Dominican Culture in the Radiology Department

  • Subjects: Cultural Studies Culture

At which Stage Can Centralized and Decentralized Cities Meet to Create a Design that is Essential in Maintaining a Healthy Mind and Body?

  • Subjects: Ecology Environment

Concepts of Supply Chain

  • Subjects: Business Professions

Melbourne: Army Recruitment

  • Subjects: Education Education System

Fraudulent Accounting and Tax Evasion

  • Subjects: Law Taxation Law

How People Make Economic Decisions

  • Subjects: Economics Microeconomics

“The Red Convertible”: Strong Bond of Brotherhood

The implications of technology on human behavior.

  • Subjects: Behavior Psychology

Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory

“diet for a warmer planet” julia whitty, hacking: social engineering online.

  • Subjects: Computer Science Tech & Engineering

Government Regulation of the Food Business

  • Subjects: Government Politics & Government

Deal to Combat Piracy Nears for Australia

  • Subjects: Intellectual Property Law

Geographical outlook of the Northern Africa

  • Subjects: Geography Sciences

Journal for Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem

Geography of east asia, impact of resolution act of 1998 on women-workers, influence of management style on employee behavior, cooperative learning models.

  • Subjects: Education Learning Principles

The War of 1812

  • Subjects: Canada History

The Darwinism theory in the text The Island of Dr Moreau

  • Subjects: British Literature Literature

Quantitative Data for Research

  • Subjects: Education Writing & Assignments

The Journey of One Buddhist Nun: Even Against the Wind

Internal analysis of mcdonald’s.

  • Subjects: Business Company Analysis

Safety of Silver’s Gym

Soil’s effective microorganisms.

  • Subjects: Geology Sciences

Kinship of Family

  • Subjects: Anthropology Sciences

Use of Marijuana and Its Consequences

The shift work benefit and problems, visual art: ownership and copyright, changes in family structures.

  • Subjects: Family Formation Family, Life & Experiences

World Regional Geography: North America

East asia economic development.

  • Subjects: Asia History

Role of Public Health Nurse

  • Subjects: Health & Medicine Nursing

Workplace Diversity: Transparency’ and Team Spirit’ Principles

  • Subjects: Business Corporate Culture

Weapon Effect: Gun Carrying and Aggression

  • Subjects: Sociology Violence

Story of Jacob and Esau

Nuclear energy effectiveness, marking territory by lynda walsh and politeness, power, and activity systems by stephen bremner, education testing methods.

  • Subjects: Education Education Theories

The Usefulness of Computer Networks for Students

  • Subjects: Tech & Engineering Technology in Education

Ethical Standards and Codes Paper

Types of tests identifying down syndrome.

  • Subjects: Diagnostics Health & Medicine

The Doctrine of the Christian Life

  • Subjects: Religion Religious Education

Elections of 1912

Mathematics teachnig strategies, motivational theories in organization.

  • Subjects: Business Global Scale Management

Corn is Our Every Day Food

  • Subjects: Agriculture Sciences

Informal Logic-Fallacies Definition

  • Subjects: Cognition and Perception Psychology

Efficiency of Communications Research

Television criticism in advert.

  • Subjects: Entertainment & Media TV

Letsgofordinner Company Marketing Goals

  • Subjects: Business Company Structure

History of Multiculturalism in Business

  • Subjects: Business Entrepreneurship

Need for Reality TV on Television Programming

Concept of the term “feasibility” in organizations system, afghanistan economics in the modern days.

  • Subjects: Economic Systems & Principles Economics

Comparison between MLA and APA Formatting

The problems of abortion in modern society.

  • Subjects: Ethics Sociology

Annual Educational Goal for Students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

  • Subjects: Education Special Education

Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Characteristics and Comparison

  • Subjects: Sociological Issues Sociology

Economic Issues: Real and Nominal Variables

  • Subjects: Economics Macroeconomics

Nuclear Weapons Non Use

  • Subjects: International Relations Politics & Government

Desegregation: Civil Rights or State Rights

Crede standards in us.

  • Subjects: Education Teacher Career

The 5-Stages of Event Planning

Isporty lr decision analysis.

  • Subjects: Business Marketing

Financial Ratio Analysis

  • Subjects: Economics Regulation of Finance

Poverty and the Environment

  • Subjects: Economics Globalization

“China Inc.” by Ted C. Fishman

The naeyc code of ethical conduct, the consolation of philosophy.

  • Subjects: Philosophical Concept Philosophy

Importance of Involving Employees in the Decision Making Process

Organizational and household decision making.

  • Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Lifestyle

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, (MSO)

  • Subjects: Business Product Marketing

Forms of Presidential Primaries and the Effects of Front-Loading

  • Subjects: Elections Politics & Government

Character Analysis of Jamie and Reason why She is Likeable

  • Subjects: Aspects of American Novels Literature

Through the Crystal Ball and What You See There: Esmeralda Santiago

  • Subjects: Dramatic Literature Literature

The Natural Resources of the African Community

Aura by annecy baez, why was andrew jackson one of the best presidents, horizon foods company analysis, bullying in school.

  • Subjects: Education Education Issues

Sculpting Earth’s Surface Presentation

As a high school or college student, you probably have already encountered a 700-word essay at some point in your academic journey. This common written assignment is an excellent opportunity to showcase your writing skills on various topics, such as globalization, business, environment, or personal experiences. Typically, this type of essay is narrative, argumentative, or cause-effect, allowing you to explore different writing styles.

This article presents tips on how to craft a compelling 700-words essay that will captivate your readers and earn you top marks. Plus, you’ll find the most thought-provoking and trendy essay topics and examples!

And if you need more information or inspiration, you can always check out IvyPanda free essays !

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📝 700 Words About Myself

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⭐ 700 Word Essay — Best Examples

  • UAE Stock Markets: ADX and DFM Performance Comparison ADX was established on November 15, 2000, with the goal of trading the shares of local UAE companies. Dividend Yield was used to assess the performance of all the companies over a 5-year period from […]
  • Teeth’s Types and Functions: Science Lesson Plan The key vocabulary for this lesson includes: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to: Name all the teeth found in the mouth.
  • Mental Health Practice Placement However, many people believe that the theory does not offer or is not a reflection of the prevalent actions and complexity of the mental health problems in a population.
  • Technology for Crime Prevention With the modern computer technology and advanced software, criminal justice system has been in a capacity to compile data and store it as well as share its analysis with other agencies both in and out […]
  • Definition of Religion as a Form of Diversity The major religion beliefs in the world are the Judaism, Christianity and Islamic. The role of religion is commonality to citizens and uniformity in cultures.
  • Adidas and Marketing Communication It reflects the quality of the product, acts as a sales agent and advertising In conclusion, consumers are important to an organization and Adidas Corporation has ensured that it achieves consumer satisfaction and loyalty. To […]
  • H&M Company Merchandise and Product Mix Analysis Organization and presentation of the merchandize classification in H&M retail channel The main merchandise classification that H&M supplies in the market includes clothing, accessories, and shoes for men, women, teenagers, and children.
  • Supply Chain Management: An Analysis of Dell’s Value Chain Dell has successfully used its direct sales and build-to-order systems to develop an exceptional supply chain by incorporating everything from the start to the end of the process.
  • History: Plutarch’s Vision of Alexander the Great One of the greatest strengths of Alexander’s character is his vision, ambition, and thirst to succeed. The same corruption leads to Philotus disrespecting the king by claiming that he is enjoying the fruits of his […]
  • Chemistry: Expansion Processes of a Perfect Gas The purpose of the experiment was to examine the expansion of a perfect gas by determining the specific heat ratio through an adiabatic process and the ratio of volume using an isothermal process.
  • The Five Forces Analysis of the Low-Cost Airline Industry in Europe The Five Forces Analysis of the low cost airline industry in Europe takes the following form: Factors influencing the ease of new entrants capital cost of entry, the scale economies, product and price differentiation, switching […]
  • Citibank Performance Evaluation In this regard, I choose to look into the effect of performance evaluation on employees. This is because there is the downside of performance evaluation.
  • Aging as a Social Problem The social challenges of the old people are further worsened by the economic constrains, and labeling. Ageism is another social challenge and it refers to a situation where people look down upon the elderly people […]
  • Product Lifecycle Phases and Their Importance In this phase, the focus of the business is to retain the market share captured. In conclusion, it can be indicated that the product lifecycle is important to understand the growth of a firm.
  • The Invention of Development On being sworn in as the president of the United States, Rist notes, Truman introduced the term, underdevelopment, as a new concept of regarding the impoverished regions of the world.

Need some inspiration for your personal essay? Check out these prompts:

  • Who am I essay 700 words. In this essay, you should reflect on your identity, values, beliefs, experiences, and aspirations. Share a personal anecdote, discuss your cultural background, describe your personality traits, or reflect on your academic and professional goals. Most importantly, you need to be honest and authentic in your writing to showcase your unique voice and perspective.
  • Life-changing experience essay 700 words. You can describe the experience that has dramatically influenced your perspective and outlook on life. Share the details of this event, how it affected you emotionally and spiritually, and explain how you have grown and changed as a result. Reflect on the lessons you learned and discuss how this experience has shaped your personality.
  • My values essay 700 words. This topic allows you to explore and reflect upon the values most important to you. Discuss the origins of these values, whether they were instilled in you by family, shaped by personal experiences, or influenced by external factors. Explain how these values guide your decision-making, shape your relationships, and define your sense of self.
  • Impact of digital economy on my life essay 700 words. You can analyze the positive and negative effects of the digital economy on your life. For example, consider what benefits you’ve gained from using online marketplaces, mobile wallets, virtual education, and digital workplace communication. You can also outline any challenges you’ve faced, like the need to protect your data online.

📃 More 700 Word Essay Examples About Myself

  • Travel: Personal Experience I have had the luck of visiting better countries and I believe my travel experiences have taught me a lot about human life and helped me expand the way I see things.
  • Personal Experience With the COVID-19 Pandemic With the pandemic requiring stern measures and precautions due to its transmission mode, the federal government has done well in handling the matter.
  • This I Believe: Happiness Is a Choice I know that I can choose to be happy. I was ashamed and worried that he would know I took it.
  • Perseverance Is the Mother of Success in Learning The purpose of this essay is to describe the challenges I encountered in my life in the learning process of the English language and how I overcame the challenges with my persistence and the results […]
  • Personal Experience of Substance Abuse and Healing Nonetheless, I am proud that this episode of Xanax abuse stays in the past and willing to share my knowledge with the suffering people who are now in the same pernicious situation as I was […]
  • Decision-Making and Problem-Solving in the Police My grade is the captain and I have to take the responsibility to coordinate the work, which requires problem-solving skills. I believe that in order to make the right decision, you should be confident in […]
  • A Best Practice Strategy for Professional Development Reflecting on this case, I may say that my anger and irritation on the basis of my individual attitudes to the task have led to this conflict.
  • Social Norm Violation Experience The idea of my norm violation experience lies in the intention to eat with my hands at a local restaurant and observe the reactions, addressing the concepts of the relativity of deviance and social control.
  • Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating.
  • The Myers-Briggs Test: Personal Leadership The purpose of this paper is to relate my personality assessment with an interview of a leader who appears to possess similar personal qualities in an attempt of defining my specific characteristics that can help […]
  • Community Service Experience: Homeless Shelter The shelter also organizes outreach and humanitarian work during the day to ensure that homeless people in the community know about the shelter and the services it provides.
  • Personal Cultural Awareness in Management: Self-Evaluation As for a plan of specific actions to improve my cultural awareness, it will be developed in reference to my strengths and weaknesses.
  • Electrical Engineering Career Development However, this will be a possibility due to the size of equipment and machines that reduce with the increase in technology.
  • Life Experiences and Changes in Thinking of One Student Considering the importance of good food to children, my group decided, after brainstorming, that the school menu had to be assessed to identify whether the children were having the appropriate diet to assist them in […]
  • The Long Road of My Life And I do my best to improve my skills. Now I feel proud of being able to ASU, as this would promote my further improvement as a specialist and as a human.

Struggling with choosing a topic for your 700-word essay? Don’t worry; here are 20 great title ideas.

  • The rise and impact of influencer culture on society.
  • The influence of globalization on small businesses.
  • The effects of cancel culture on celebrities.
  • Ways to adopt sustainable practices to combat climate change.
  • The impact of social media activism on real-world change.
  • The ethical issues of artificial intelligence and automation.
  • The effects of deforestation on biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
  • The role of corporate social responsibility in business sustainability.
  • The consequences of online misinformation and fake news.
  • The challenges and benefits of remote work and virtual collaboration.
  • Virtual reality and augmented reality in education.
  • The effects of streaming platforms on the film and television industry.
  • The rise of sustainable fashion and its impact on the environment.
  • The relationship between social media use and mental health issues.
  • The role of plant-based diets in promoting environmental sustainability.
  • The impact of climate change on global health.
  • Online gaming addiction and its effect on mental health.
  • The effects of automation and robotics on the job market.
  • The popularity of food delivery services and its effect on the restaurant industry.
  • The influence of streaming platforms on the music industry.

💻 Emerging Industries and Required Skills Essay 700 Words: Samples

  • Developing Leadership Skills Bearing in mind the fact that the leader is tasked with marshaling the organization’s resources to accomplish some organizational goal, it can be rightfully stated that part of the role of the leader is to […]
  • Graduate Employability Prospects and Skills The knowledge of technology and such 21st-century skills as problem-solving and IT application skills are vital to prepare students for life-long learning. The first useful behavior is cooperation, and ability, and a desire to work […]
  • Technology Skills in Professional Writing Ultimately, it is up to each writer to decide whether or not they feel that age is a factor in their ability to pursue a successful career in writing.
  • Developing Strategic Plan for TLC Commission Future Self-Driving Cars A SWOT analysis of the issue would reveal that not many would trust the safety of self-driving cars. The research would be of much help as it would reveal that self-driving cars are not that […]
  • Artificial Intelligence: The Ethical Theory The ethical theory for individuals uses the ethical theory for purposes of decision making and emphasizes the aspects of an ethical dilemma.
  • How Virtual Reality Is Changing the World of Interior Design In order to become competitive in the sphere of luxury interior design, “More” must make its projects look modern and trendy.
  • Being a Successful Engineer: Discussion of Critical Skills To do an effective walk, you need to know well your destination and find the optimal way to reach it; using the notions of management, means to set a goal and find the optimal strategy […]
  • Important Marketable Skills for Aspiring Managers The report highlights the important areas the students need to pay attention to as they study hard in pursuit of future careers in management.
  • The Importance of Different Skills for Business Success I make them look at it in a way that is beneficial for all and we do not lose out on too much work time because of the bickering.
  • Leadership Skills Training Theories in Education The key reason is that in many assessments the stakes are so high that teaching attentions move to passing the assessment instead of transferring useful skills to the students.
  • Active Listening Skills in the Healthcare Environment The listener shares the information with the speaker and should not make a prejudgment In the therapeutic setting, the therapist is required to listen to the victim as the victim narrates or expresses his feelings […]
  • How Students Develop Creative Peanut Butter and Jelly Construction Skills: Thinking Outside the Breadbox In the article, “How Students Develop Creative Peanut Butter and Jelly Construction Skills: Thinking Outside the Breadbox”, by Jellerman, the author uses a language that is clear and simple for the easy comprehension of the […]

💡 700 Words Paragraph — Topics

Have a look at these burning topics to help you craft an outstanding essay:

  • The ethics of artificial intelligence implementation into society.
  • The psychology of procrastination and how to overcome it.
  • How can we protect privacy rights in the digital age?
  • The effects of technology addiction on personal relationships.
  • The consequences of income inequality and its impact on social mobility .
  • The role of media in shaping public opinion on politics.
  • How will automation and robotics reshape the job market?
  • How does climate change affect global security?
  • Alternative medicine and its integration into mainstream healthcare.
  • The impact of globalization on cultural diversity and traditional practices.
  • The challenges and opportunities of sustainable development in a rapidly changing world.
  • The role of education in promoting social equality and upward mobility.
  • The effects of food insecurity and global hunger.
  • The impact of social media on political activism.
  • The benefits and drawbacks of a cashless society.
  • The influence of sleep deprivation on students’ mental and physical health.
  • How do social media influencers shape consumer behavior?
  • The effects of urbanization on the environment and public health.
  • The pros and cons of genetically modified organisms in agriculture.
  • The ethics of animal testing and its role in scientific research.

✍️ How to Write a 700 Word Essay

Typically, a 700 words essay contains three parts: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.

  • The introduction is approximately 100 words and provides an overview of the topic and a thesis statement, which presents the paper’s main idea.
  • The essay’s body is about 500 words, divided into several paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of the topic. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence and ensure your text has a logical structure.
  • The conclusion should be the same length as the introduction (around 100 words). It should summarize the essay’s main points and paraphrase the thesis statement in a new way.

This image shows the 700-word essay structure.

What Does 700 Words Look Like

To effectively organize your 700-word essay, it’s crucial to have a clear picture of what it looks like. We’ve already discussed that a 700-words article should be divided into three parts: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. The introduction and conclusion comprise around 40% of the text, while the main body should be 60%.

A 700-word essay typically takes around 1.5 pages single-spaced and 3 pages double-spaced with standard formatting (12-point font and 1-inch margins). However, the exact page count may vary depending on the formatting and style requirements of the assignment.

If you need help structuring your essay of 700 words, check out our free outline generator .

700-Word Essay Introduction

When writing a 700-word essay, it is essential to be concise and focused. The introduction should be around 65-100 words and capture the reader’s attention.

Begin your opening paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement that will intrigue the audience. It could be a quote, a statistic, or an anecdote related to the topic. If you need help creating an intriguing first sentence, try our hook generator .

After the hook, provide background information on the topic and its significance. It will help the reader understand why they should care about your chosen issue. We recommend you use our study background generator to complete this part of the introduction.

End your introduction with a clear and specific thesis statement reflecting the paper’s central argument. Check out our thesis generator to get help with this crucial essay element.

700-Words Essay Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should comprise most of a 600-700-word essay. Typically, you should aim for around 2-3 paragraphs or 400-500 words for the whole body.

Focus each body paragraph on a single argument that supports your thesis statement. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Provide evidence, examples, or data to support your argument, and analyze or interpret the evidence to demonstrate its relevance to your thesis.

Remember to use transitional words and phrases to ensure cohesion between paragraphs and ideas. Add proper citations if you include any external sources.

700-Word Essay Conclusion

When writing a conclusion for a 700-word essay, try to make it the same size as your introduction (around 65-100 words). This section should concisely summarize your main arguments and paraphrase your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new information in this section.

Here’s how you write this part:

  • Start by restating your thesis in different words.
  • Briefly recap the main points discussed in the body paragraphs and show how they contribute to your argument.
  • At the end, provide a closing thought or offer a call to action, encouraging further research or reflection on the topic.

Our concluding sentence generator can help you end your essay strong.

How Many References Should I Use in an Essay of 700 Words?

The general recommendation for a 700 words paragraph is to use around 3-4 references, though this number can vary depending on the topic and requirements. For example, personal statements or autobiographical essays typically do not require references, as they rely on your experiences and reflections.

However, you should always follow the guidelines from your instructor or institution to ensure you meet the specific referencing requirements.

If you need help formatting your references, check out our AI citation generator .

🎓 700 Words Examples about Education

  • The Philippines and United States Education Systems The education system in the Philippines is similar to that of the United States. She describes the education system in the Philippines as being similar to that in the United States.
  • Code of Ethics in Education As the students spend much of their time in school teachers have the right to play a major role in the better development of students, and for that, the teachers need to understand every student.
  • Gender Issues: Education and Feminism These experiences in many times strongly affects the individual’s understanding, reasoning, action about the particular issue in contention In this work two issues of great influence and relevance to our societies are discussed.
  • The Concept of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education Therefore, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in college enables an individual to greatly expand his knowledge and skills not only in the line of his or her career but also in social life.
  • Education for Minorities: Right or Privilege? When the principle of diversity in education is widely supported, it is possible to protect the rights of minority students and increase their chances to successfully enter white-dominated workplaces.
  • Audio-Visual Media and World Wide Web in Education Due to manifold effects of technological innovations, education has undergone positive changes connected with the simplification and automation of sophisticated processes, the introduction of audio-visual media, and the advent of the World Wide Web, one […]
  • “Goals 2000” on Education: Summary of the Systemic Education Reform The goals were established in the 1990s and were part of a national effort to foster standards based reform in the schools throughout the United States.
  • Curriculum for Career Education Outlining Scope and Sequence of the studies on the basis of the career clusters makes it possible to assess the needs of the students and further use the assessment procedures to revise and improve the […]
  • Educational Systems from a Sociological Perspective One of the first and most influential sociologists, Emile Durkheim, observed that education played the role of cultural determination in socialization and was responsible for nurturing the society’s collective values and beliefs in the growing […]
  • Computer and Information Tech Program in Education ICT is a subject in education countries like the Philippines has also ICT as an educational subject in the United States, the ICT program is linked and sponsored by Becta, and a recent scheme of […]
  • Character Education Curriculum in Elementary Schools These values are used on the basis of human relations in the school, celebrate their manifestations in the school and neighborhood, and hold all school members accountable to standards of conduct consistent with the core […]
  • Sex Education as a Part of the Elementary School Their natural curiosity about their body parts, the changes that can be expected in them, the onset of puberty and their physical and emotional changes should be answered as true as possible.
  • Navigating Leadership Challenges: Insights from Erica Suzman’s Journey The particular case that Erica has to deal with is the case of Royal Collins, a fourth-grader who has problems in his family and often demonstrates misbehavior at school.
  • Technology Trends in Education Even the best and the latest innovations are only machines they are not able to define and meet all the specific needs of students.
  • Using Statistics in Education Research The following paper provides the results of the analysis of the scores and outlines the methods of ascertaining validity and reliability.
  • Software Distribution and Usage in Education Also, one should not forget that the use of the software does not meet demands of fair use; nevertheless, a purchased license may give your some rights.
  • Federal Policy Influences: School Education Since the focus on early education and care was removed, formal education in the public schools became the priority of the federal government regarding the promotion of poor children’s welfare.

If you’re writing a 700-word essay on business, don’t miss out on our top business topic ideas.

  • The impact of COVID-19 on global businesses.
  • The role of entrepreneurship in economic growth and job creation.
  • The ethical considerations in business decision-making.
  • The effects of globalization on international trade.
  • Effective leadership in driving organizational success.
  • Digital transformation in modern business.
  • Corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.
  • The effects of e-commerce on traditional retail businesses.
  • Data analytics and its influence on business decision-making.
  • The role of cultural diversity in team dynamics and business performance.
  • Innovation and creativity in driving business competitiveness.
  • The impact of social media marketing in building brand reputation.
  • How to implement green business practices and sustainability initiatives.
  • The influence of artificial intelligence on business processes and workforce.
  • The connection between organizational culture and employee productivity.
  • The impact of consumer behavior trends on business strategies.
  • The rise of the gig economy and its implications for labor rights and job security.
  • The role of risk management in mitigating financial and operational risks.
  • How is artificial intelligence changing customer personalized experiences?
  • The consequences of economic inequality on business opportunities.

🌱 Environment 700-Words Essay Examples

  • The Concept of Environmental Ethics Environmental ethics is concerned with the ethical relationship of human beings with the environment. Human beings must relate ethically with all other living organisms.
  • The Go-Green Programs: Saving the Environment Thus, the spirit of going green entails getting different people in the world to become aware of their decisions and activities that hurt the environment and the world at large.
  • Filipino Problem: Friendly to Hygiene and Unfriendly to Environment Perhaps, this is one aspect that contributed to the title of the Philippines as the “Manning capital of the World”. Perhaps this is one weakness of the Filipinos against Americans since in America; people practice […]
  • Understanding Environmental Problems through Poetry One of the remarkable pieces of poetry dedicated to the impact of man on nature is Sonnet; the poet voices his regrets about the Industrial Revolution and its effect on the connection between people and […]
  • Beat Plastic Pollution Essay These tips will help people to reduce the circulation of plastic in their lives. In conclusion, the best method to protect the environment is to minimize the accumulation of plastic waste by recycling, composting, and […]
  • Environmental Ethics of Pesticide Usage in Agriculture For example, pesticides are responsible for the destruction of the soil and harm to the overall ecosystem. The soil, water, and air resources are at a high risk of contamination from the toxins that are […]
  • The Effects of Gold Mining in the Amazons on the Environment and the Population Excessive gold mining in the Amazon has led to the depletion of essential soil nutrients, especially nitrogen. As a result, ASGM in the Amazon has led to the destruction of the Amazon forest.
  • Architectural Development Design: Environmental Psychological Implications Poor incorporation and utilization of natural resources in urban designs lead to irresponsible use of resources to support buildings and occupants.
  • Bipartisan Strategies for Overcoming Environmental Disaster Speaking about a pandemic, we must be aware that this is a global and collective problem that requires a consolidation of minds that are not clouded by differences in the views of political parties.
  • Green Management and Environmental Auditing The main goals and relevant criteria for achieving them in environmental management are related to the processes of continuous improvement. The following aims are expected to be achieved: Define the essence of environmental management; Identify […]
  • Outsourced Logistics for Environmental Credentials of a Business On the other hand, when a manufacturing company outsources some of its activities in the production line, the burden of managing the by-products is transferred to the 3PLs partner.
  • PepsiCo: Corporate Environmental Management vs. Sustainable Development The concept of ‘cradle to cradle’, helps the company to save on capital and cut the financial expenditure required in future production. Cradle to cradle concept entails the human resource generating new technologies and methods […]
  • Saving Our Environment Among policy-makers, the level of attention given to the concept of the saving national environment by the major powers has fluctuated with the degree of concern over their clarity of thinking in foreign policy.
  • Capitalism and Its Influence on the Environment The characteristic will be determined by both benefits to the environment and the overall result for the company, as companies should implement the changes willingly. The results are expected to be a set of suggestions […]
  • Global Commons and International Environmental Policies These issues include an increased consumption and utilization of natural and environmental resources, lack of property, poor defined property rights governing the use of the commons, lack of well-structured international enforcement mechanisms competent enough to […]
  • America’s Major Environmental Challenges The government has to acknowledge that the US and the international community still require fossil fuels and therefore regulation procedures as well as policies governing new technologies like coal-to-liquids conversion plants have to be reviewed […]
  • Environmental Studies: The Florida Everglades The functional dynamics of the Everglades wetland change all the time, and people have a considerable impact on the cycling processes including the effects to nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus. Restoration and management of the Everglades […]
  • The Role of Political Environmentalism in the Modern World Returning to the term eco-fascisms, I think that this one of the most grounded explanations of the deplorable situation in the world. In this respect, the ideas of free-market environmentalism seem to be increasingly attractive […]

📌 700 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 700 word essay is how many pages.

How long is a 700-word essay? It will typically be 3 pages double-spaced or one and a half pages single-spaced. The exact number of pages a 700 words essay takes will depend on the citation style you use, the number of your footnotes (if you have any), and the length of your bibliography section.

📌 How Many Paragraphs Are in a 700 Word Essay?

How much is 700 words in paragraphs? A typical academic paragraph contains 100 to 150 words. So, a 700-word essay will consist of 5-8 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 700 Words?

How many sentences is a 700-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 700 words are not less than 35-38 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 700-Word Essay?

A 700-word essay outline usually follows a standard five-paragraph structure. Start your paper with a short introduction that includes an attention-grabber, some background information, and a thesis. Then add three body paragraphs that focus on your arguments. Finish your 700-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 700 Words?

How long does it take to write a 700-word essay? It will take you 14-28 minutes to type 700 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend around 2 and a half hours for a 700-word paper.

📌 How to Reduce Word Count in a 700-Word Essay?

The easiest way to do that is to get rid of the less important arguments you consider in your 700-word essay. Rank your arguments and eliminate those weaker. Another idea is to edit your paper in order to make sentences shorter. For instance, you can remove some of the adverbs.

Word Counter Blog

How Many Paragraphs in an Essay?

How many paragraphs in an essay?

As a rule, you’ll write your essay in three main parts. First, you’ll introduce your topic to your reader. Next, you will have body text in which you discuss the topic in more detail, and finally, you’ll have a conclusion that tells your reader what you were able to see after looking into the facts or thinking through the topic.

In its simplest form, an essay can consist of three paragraphs with one paragraph being devoted to each section. Proponents of the five paragraph essay say that the body text should consist of three paragraphs, but in reality, it’s fine to write more or fewer paragraphs in this section.

Guessing How Many Paragraphs Before You Begin

This is a rule of thumb, which means it won’t always work quite that way, but it’s handy all the same. In academic work, your paragraphs are likely to be a bit longer than most of the ones you see in this blog post. On average, there are usually 100 to 200 words in a paragraph . So if you’d like a guesstimate, you can assume that a 1,000-word essay will have between five and ten paragraphs.

What Points Do You Have to Cover?

Another, less limiting and more accurate way to work out how many paragraphs you need to cover your topic is to look at the main points you have to cover in the body text. A paragraph contains all the ideas that support or explain a single concept.

When you are planning your essay, you will think of or research the main elements that are needed in the body text. It would be safe to assume you need at least one paragraph for each of these. Of course, if there is a lot of information to cover in order to explore each area, you may need more.

For example, if you are writing an essay on childhood development and exposure to technology, you will want to look into the physical, psychological and cognitive developmental effects of tech on kids. When you research this topic, you will find that there are contrasting points of view and researchers have identified several physical, developmental, and psychological effects of technology use in children.

Assuming five psychological effects have been identified, you can assume you’ll need to write five paragraphs if you are going to write a relatively in-depth essay. But if both those who say technology is bad for kids and those who say it can be good have done a great deal of work on the sub-topic, you might want to make that ten paragraphs so that you can cover both sides of the argument and look into how earlier authors reached their conclusions.

Of course, if you have been set a relatively short word limit , you may not be able to go in-depth at all, in which case a paragraph for each of the main sub-topics (psychology, physical development, and cognitive development) will likely be adequate.

Essay Content Is More Important Than the Number of Paragraphs

Ultimately, your essay will be evaluated on the information you present, not on the number of paragraphs in the essay. Early in your academic life, teachers and lecturers may give you both a structure for your essay and a guideline on how long each part of the essay should be. I have seen essay instructions say how many marks are allocated for each section, and my trick is to take the total word count and allocate a percentage of words to each section based on the percentage of marks you can get for it. After all, if the teacher is allocating 80 marks for content in total and you can see 50% of the mark relates to a certain part of the essay, then 50% of your essay’s words should be devoted to that section.

Sometimes, you’ll just be given a topic and told to air your opinion. This gives you more freedom, but it’s a tad more difficult. The research will show you how many angles you should look at, and it’ll help you to find information that both supports and contradicts your point of view. To make a strong argument, you need to look at both supporting and contradictory information.

To avoid getting tangled up in one aspect of the discussion, you’ll have to decide how long it should be. If it’s the most important aspect informing your conclusion, you can spend a little more time (and words) on that particular point. It could run into several paragraphs rather than just one or two.

Always Remember the Purpose of Paragraphs

Paragraphs structure information into sub-topics, and they make your work easier to read and understand thanks to the structure they provide. With careful advance planning, you’ll be able to work out more or less how many paragraphs you need to complete your essay.

How many paragraphs is…

For those looking for a general rule-of-thumb, below are some estimates on the number of paragraphs there would be in an essay of different lengths based on an average length of 150 words per paragraph. Of course, the number of paragraphs for your essay will depend on many different factors. You can use the following information for a general reference, but don’t take these numbers as literal. .

Basic Essay Word to Paragraphs Conversions

  • A 100 word essay is 3 paragraph. (minimum for an essay)
  • A 200 word essay is 3 paragraphs. (minimum for an essay)
  • A 250 word essay is 3 paragraphs. (minimum for an essay)
  • A 300 word essay is 3 paragraphs. (minimum for an essay)
  • A 400 word essay is 3 paragraphs. (minimum for an essay)
  • A 500 word essay is 3 to 4 paragraphs.
  • A 600 word essay is 4 paragraphs.
  • A 700 word essay is 4 to 5 paragraphs.
  • A 750 word essay is 5 paragraphs.
  • A 800 word essay is 5 to 6 paragraphs.
  • A 900 word essay is 6 paragraphs.
  • A 1,000 word essay is 6 to 7 paragraphs.
  • A 1,250 word essay is 8 to 9 paragraphs.
  • A 1,500 word essay is 10 paragraphs.
  • A 1,750 word essay is 11 to 12 paragraphs.
  • A 2,000 word essay is 13 to 14 paragraphs.
  • A 2,500 word essay is 16 to 17 paragraphs.
  • A 3,000 word essay is 20 paragraphs.
  • A 4,000 word essay is 26 to 27 paragraphs.
  • A 5,000 word essay is 33 to 34 paragraphs.
  • A 6,000 word essay is 40 paragraphs.
  • A 7,000 word essay is 46 to 37 paragraphs.
  • A 7,500 word essay is 50 paragraphs.
  • A 8,000 word essay is 53 to 54 paragraphs.
  • A 9,000 word essay is 60 paragraphs.
  • A 10,000 word essay is 66 to 67 paragraphs.

I don’t understand, How can a 100, 200, 300 and 400 word essay all have 3 paragraphs if a paragraph is 100 to 200 words long? A 100 word essay should be 1 paragraph or 1/2 a paragraph, not 3 paragraphs. Can someone explain this too me?

A sentence is an idea. A paragraph is a group of ideas that relate to one another. That’s the most important point. The second most important one is remembering that your text consists of introduction, body, conclusion with at LEAST one paragraph for each. While teachers like 100 to 200 word paragraphs, you can’t always apply that. Call it a guideline rather than a rule!

the general rule is that 3 paragraphs are minimum for an essay. So, no matter how short your essay is, you should still need 3 paragraphs. If you are really for some reason writing a 100 word essay, then you should have one short sentence for both your introduction and conclusion.

I was always taught an essay has five paragraphs by my teachers. Did they lie to me? If an essay only needs three paragraphs, why would my teachers tell me that they should have five?

I think the five paragraphs for an essay is more of a rule-of-thumb number that is easy to teach students when they are first learning to write. Your teacher was just trying to make sure you understood how to write, not give you a rule you had to always obey.

I think five paragraphs is a good number to shoot for when writing, but it isn’t a hard-fast rule you need to hit every time. Each essay is different and require more or less paragraphs depending on the information you need to provide in the writing.

yes and no.. i would say a good on as 4 paragraph. Intro, 2 body P, and a conclusion.

My teachers always taught by eight paragraph essays, but five-paragraph essays normally lie precedent to the more advanced or larger essays.

I was taught essays should be 7 paragraphs long, not 5. My teacher said 3 central paragraphs never gives enough detail to the topic, so we should write 5. It makes sense to me and that is how I’ve always done it.

What you’re taught is often a general rule to shoot for, not a rule set in concrete. That’s the case with this. Your teacher felt that 7 paragraphs was a good number for the essays you wrote for her, but it doesn’t always have to be that way. it’s a general rule, not a concrete one.

How many sentences if we don’t know how many sentences we need to write?

The average paragraph contains 5-6 sentences. If you’re feeling a little extra, paragraphs can be 7-10 sentences.

It also depends on whether or not you are bringing outside information into the paragraph as well. Using quotes makes a paragraph longer than not doing so.

I think the length of a paper depends mainly on the instructions given by the instructor. Secondly, I would decide a paper length on the basis of the grading rubric.

I already knew an essay has three paragraphs

Inilividual project: follow all steps and develop a paragraph of your choice and write all expository essay with not less than 500 words of the povoloped paragraph?

On average for a five-paragraph essay, I write around 1,000-1300 words. For an eight paragraph essay, I write around 2,000-2,600 words on the document. Keep in mind your quotes too, you should have one quote per paragraph (expected) or two (recommended). It really is up to the person though, I have a buddy who writes considerably less than I do, but is able to get his point across. It is really up to the person.

Student A: Sir, do we have to write a long essay?

How will I determine my word count for 1300 to 1500 maximum words in the academic writing?

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How Long Does It Take to Write 700 Words?

Writing 700 words will take about 17.5 minutes for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 35 minutes for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 2.3 hours.

Documents that typically contain 700 words are high school and college essays , short blog posts, and news articles.

You may write faster or slower than this depending on your average writing speed. Adults typically type at about 40 words per minute when writing for enjoyment and 5 words per minute for in-depth essays or articles. They can handwrite at 20 words per minute. College students typically need to be able to write at 60-70 words per minute in order to quickly write essays.

Writing Time by Word Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical word counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:

Word CountSlow (5 wpm)Average (40 wpm)Fast (60 wpm)
words20 minutes2.5 minutes1.7 minutes
words25 minutes3.1 minutes2.1 minutes
words50 minutes6.3 minutes4.2 minutes
words100 minutes12.5 minutes8.3 minutes
words120 minutes15.0 minutes10.0 minutes
words150 minutes18.8 minutes12.5 minutes
words160 minutes20.0 minutes13.3 minutes
words200 minutes25.0 minutes16.7 minutes
words300 minutes37.5 minutes25.0 minutes
words400 minutes50.0 minutes33.3 minutes
words500 minutes62.5 minutes41.7 minutes
words600 minutes75.0 minutes50.0 minutes
words700 minutes87.5 minutes58.3 minutes
words800 minutes100.0 minutes66.7 minutes
words1,000 minutes125.0 minutes83.3 minutes
words1,500 minutes187.5 minutes125.0 minutes
words33.3 hours250.0 minutes166.7 minutes
words66.7 hours8.3 hours333.3 minutes
words83.3 hours10.4 hours416.7 minutes
words100.0 hours12.5 hours8.3 hours
words166.7 hours20.8 hours13.9 hours
words250.0 hours31.3 hours20.8 hours
words333.3 hours41.7 hours27.8 hours

Writing Time by Page Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical page counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:

Page CountSlow (5 wpm)Average (40 wpm)Fast (60 wpm)
pages100 minutes12.5 minutes8.3 minutes
pages200 minutes25.0 minutes16.7 minutes
pages300 minutes37.5 minutes25.0 minutes
pages400 minutes50.0 minutes33.3 minutes
pages500 minutes62.5 minutes41.7 minutes
pages600 minutes75.0 minutes50.0 minutes
pages700 minutes87.5 minutes58.3 minutes
pages800 minutes100.0 minutes66.7 minutes
pages900 minutes112.5 minutes75.0 minutes
pages1,000 minutes125.0 minutes83.3 minutes
pages41.7 hours312.5 minutes208.3 minutes
pages83.3 hours10.4 hours416.7 minutes
pages166.7 hours20.8 hours13.9 hours
pages416.7 hours52.1 hours34.7 hours
pages833.3 hours104.2 hours69.4 hours
pages1,250.0 hours156.3 hours104.2 hours
pages1,666.7 hours208.3 hours138.9 hours
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Free 700 Words Essay Examples

A 700-word essay is commonly assigned in middle and high school. A paper of 700 words is a great way for a student to quickly demonstrate their knowledge of a particular topic. One can be assigned a 700-word essay on political science, marketing, education. The typical genres are art critique, scholarly article review, informative essay.

As a rule, you won’t need to conduct an in-depth analysis to write a paper of 700 words. The keys to success are a solid outline, a clear thesis, conciseness, and originality. Check free 700-word essay examples on this page to get inspired!

Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”: Analysis

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700-Word Essay FAQ

A 700 words essay would typically be about 3 pages long, assuming it is double-spaced and written with a standard font (Arial or Times New Roman) in 12-point size. If the text is single-spaced, it will be twice shorter. Other factors that influence the 700-word essay length are formatting and paragraph structure.

How many paragraphs are there in a 700 words essay? A paper of such a length would contain 7 to 8 paragraphs. This works for an academic writing assignment because a typical paragraph there is about 100 words long.

It usually takes 14 to 24 minutes to type a text of this length on your keyboard at an average speed. However, if you are assigned a 700 words essay, it is going to take much more time, as you will need to conduct research, study the sources, and plan your paper. Writing a solid essay of 700 words will take about 2 hours 20 minutes.

At a rough estimate, 700 words would take up about 70 to 75 lines. However, the exact number of lines in your 700-word essay depends on a number of factors such as the spacing, the font size, and the margins.

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

Christopher Rim

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What happened in the Kolkata rape case that triggered doctors’ protests?

Activists and doctors in India demand better safeguarding of women and medical professionals after a trainee medic was raped and murdered in Kolkata.

Following a murder of a 31 year old post-graduate trainee (PGT) doctor by rape and torture inside a government hospital, activists of different humanitarian and political organisations and medical professionals participate in a rally with posters and torches demanding adequate intervention of the ruling government and exemplary punishment of the culprits, in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024.

Activists and doctors across India continued to protest on Wednesday to demand justice for a female doctor, who was raped and murdered while on duty in a hospital in the eastern city of Kolkata.

Feminist groups rallied on the streets in protests titled “Reclaim the Night” in Kolkata overnight on Wednesday – on the eve of India’s independence day – in solidarity with the victim, demanding the principal of RG Kar Medical College resign. Some feminist protesters also marched well beyond Kolkata, including in the capital Delhi.

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While the protests were largely peaceful, a small mob of men stormed the medical college and vandalised property. This group was dispersed by the police.

This comes after two days of nationwide protests by doctors following the incident at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal’s capital city. “Sit-in demonstrations and agitation in the hospital campus will continue,” one of the protesting doctors, identified as Dr Mridul, told Al Jazeera.

Services in some medical centres were halted indefinitely, and marches and vigils shed light on issues of sexual violence, as well as doctors’ safety in the world’s most populous nation.

What happened to the doctor in Kolkata?

A 31-year-old trainee doctor’s dead body, bearing multiple injuries, was found on August 9 in a government teaching hospital in Kolkata.

The parents of the victim were initially told “by hospital authorities that their daughter had committed suicide,” lawyer and women’s rights activist Vrinda Grover told Al Jazeera. But an autopsy confirmed that the victim was raped and killed.

Grover has appeared for victims in sexual violence cases in India in the past, including Bilkis Bano , a Muslim woman who was gang-raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots, and Soni Sori, a tribal activist based in Chhattisgarh state.

Thousands of doctors marched in Kolkata on Monday, demanding better security measures and justice for the victim.

On Tuesday, the Kolkata High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) called for a nationwide halting of elective services in hospitals starting on Monday. Elective services are medical treatments that can be deferred or are not deemed medically necessary.

Doctors hold posters to protest the rape and murder of a young medic from Kolkata, at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada on August 14

On Tuesday, FORDA announced on its X account that it is calling off the strike after Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda accepted protest demands.

One of these demands was solidifying the Central Protection Act, intended to be a central law to protect medical professionals from violence, which was proposed in the parliament’s lower house in 2022, but has not yet been enacted.

FORDA said that the ministry would begin working on the Act within 15 days of the news release, and that a written statement from the ministry was expected to be released soon.

Press release regarding call off of strike. In our fight for the sad incident at R G Kar, the demands raised by us have been met in full by the @OfficeofJPNadda , with concrete steps in place, and not just verbal assurances. Central Healthcare Protection Act ratification… pic.twitter.com/OXdSZgM1Jc — FORDA INDIA (@FordaIndia) August 13, 2024

Why are some Indian doctors continuing to protest?

However, other doctors’ federations and hospitals have said they will not back down on the strike until a concrete solution is found, including a central law to curb attacks on doctors.

Those continuing to strike included the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), Delhi-based All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Indira Gandhi Hospital, local media reported.

Ragunandan Dixit, the general secretary of the AIIMS Resident Doctors’ Association, said that the indefinite strike will continue until their demands are met, including a written guarantee of the implementation of the Central Protection Act.

Medical professionals in India want a central law that makes violence against doctors a non-bailable, punishable offence, in hopes that it deters such violent crimes against doctors in the future.

Those continuing to protest also call for the dismissal of the principal of the college, who was transferred. “We’re demanding his termination, not just transfer,” Dr Abdul Waqim Khan, a protesting doctor told ANI news agency. “We’re also demanding a death penalty for the criminal,” he added.

“Calling off the strike now would mean that female resident doctors might never receive justice,” Dr Dhruv Chauhan, member of the National Council of the Indian Medical Association’s Junior Doctors’ Network told local news agency Press Trust of India (PTI).

Which states in India saw doctors’ protests?

While the protests started in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Monday, they spread across the country on Tuesday.

The capital New Delhi, union territory Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow and city Prayagraj, Bihar capital Patna and southern state Goa also saw doctors’ protests.

Interactive_India_doctor_rape_protests_August14_2024

Who is the suspect in the Kolkata rape case?

Local media reported that the police arrested suspect Sanjoy Roy, a civic volunteer who would visit the hospital often. He has unrestricted access to the ward and the police found compelling evidence against him.

The parents of the victim told the court that they suspect that it was a case of gang rape, local media reported.

Why is sexual violence on the rise in India?

Sexual violence is rampant in India, where 90 rapes were reported on average every day in 2022.

Laws against sexual violence were made stricter following a rape case in 2012, when a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern was brutally gang-raped and murdered on a bus in Delhi. Four men were hanged for the gang rape, which had triggered a nationwide protests.

But despite new laws in place, “the graph of sexual violence in India continues to spiral unabated,” said Grover.

She added that in her experience at most workplaces, scant attention is paid to diligent and rigorous enforcement of the laws.

“It is regrettable that government and institutions respond only after the woman has already suffered sexual assault and often succumbed to death in the incident,” she added, saying preventive measures are not taken.

In many rape cases in India, perpetrators have not been held accountable. In 2002, Bano was raped by 11 men, who were sentenced to life imprisonment. In 2022, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi authorised the release of the men, who were greeted with applause and garlands upon their release.

However, their remission was overruled and the Supreme Court sent the rapists back to jail after public outcry.

Grover believes that the death penalty will not deter rapists until India addresses the deeply entrenched problem of sexual violence. “For any change, India as a society will have to confront and challenge, patriarchy, discrimination and inequality that is embedded in our homes, families, cultural practices, social norms and religious traditions”.

What makes this case particularly prominent is that it happened in Kolkata, Sandip Roy, a freelance contributor to NPR, told Al Jazeera. “Kolkata actually prided itself for a long time on being really low in the case of violence against women and being relatively safe for women.”

A National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report said that Kolkata had the lowest number of rape cases in 2021 among 19 metropolitan cities, with 11 cases in the whole year. In comparison, New Delhi was reported to have recorded 1, 226 cases that year.

Prime Minister Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for dismissing the government in West Bengal, where Kolkata is located, led by Mamata Banerjee of All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). Banerjee’s party is part of the opposition alliance.

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in parliament, also called for justice for the victim.

“The attempt to save the accused instead of providing justice to the victim raises serious questions on the hospital and the local administration,” he posted on X on Wednesday.

Roy spoke about the politicisation of the case since an opposition party governs West Bengal. “The local government’s opposition will try to make this an issue of women’s safety in the state,” he said.

Have doctors in India protested before?

Roy explained to Al Jazeera that this case is an overlap of two kinds of violence, the violence against a woman, as well as violence against “an overworked medical professional”.

Doctors in India do not have sufficient workplace security, and attacks on doctors have started protests in India before.

In 2019, two junior doctors were physically assaulted in Kolkata’s Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH) by a mob of people after a 75-year-old patient passed away in the hospital.

Those attacks set off doctors’ protests in Kolkata, and senior doctors in West Bengal offered to resign from their positions to express solidarity with the junior doctors who were attacked.

More than 75 percent of Indian doctors have faced some form of violence, according to a survey by the Indian Medical Association in 2015.

What happens next?

The case will now be handled by the CBI, which sent a team to the hospital premises to inspect the crime scene on Wednesday morning, local media reported.

According to Indian law, the investigation into a case of rape or gang rape is to be completed within two months from the date of lodging of the First Information Report (police complaint), according to Grover, the lawyer.

The highest court in West Bengal, which transferred the case from the local police to the CBI on Tuesday, has directed the central investigating agency to file periodic status reports regarding the progress of the investigation.

The FIR was filed on August 9, which means the investigation is expected to be completed by October 9.

Bengal women will create history with a night long protest in various major locations in the state for at 11.55pm on 14th of August’24,the night that’ll mark our 78th year as an independent country. The campaign, 'Women, Reclaim the Night: The Night is Ours', is aimed at seeking… pic.twitter.com/Si9fd6YGNb — purpleready (@epicnephrin_e) August 13, 2024

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COMMENTS

  1. Can a College Essay be 700 Words?

    Having said that, a good thumb of rule is to restrict your essay to a 500-700 word limit. In other words, yes, a college essay can be 700 words long only when a word count is not specified. Moreover, in some instances, you would have to abide by a specific page limit. If this is the case, don't worry about the word count and just write until ...

  2. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

    Revised on June 1, 2023. Most college application portals specify a word count range for your essay, and you should stay within 10% of the upper limit. If no word count is specified, we advise keeping your essay between 400 and 600 words. You should aim to stay under the specified limit to show you can follow directions and write concisely.

  3. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

    For example, if a college asks for an essay between 250-500 words, you should aim to craft a response that's at least 400-450 words. You don't need to hit the maximum length, but your essay should be well over half the word count. College essays, or personal statements, are an opportunity for a college admissions committee to hear directly ...

  4. How long should a college essay be?

    For the "Why us," you're probably good at around 400-550 (though that's not a hard limit). For the extended essay, you can aim for around 650. You can go longer for both, but you have to earn it. For more detail and examples + analysis, check out our guides to the supplemental essays to a bunch of schools.

  5. How Long Should Your College Application Essay Be?

    The message that you send to a college when you write a powerful essay in 650 words or fewer, even when they accept longer submissions, is that you can succeed under any conditions. Essays that are too long can leave a negative impression: Essays over 650 may make you appear over-confident. The word counts have been established by experts for a ...

  6. How long should a college essay be?

    Most topics are acceptable for college essays if you can use them to demonstrate personal growth or a lesson learned. However, there are a few difficult topics for college essays that should be avoided. Avoid topics that are: Overly personal (e.g. graphic details of illness or injury, romantic or sexual relationships)

  7. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

    College Essay Length: Go to the Maximum Word Count. College applicants should use the real estate offered in college essays to make their case — all of it! If the maximum word count for a college admissions essay is 650 words, applicants should not write 500 words. They should write 650 words — or pretty close to it.

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

    Essay length guidelines. Type of essay. Average word count range. Essay content. High school essay. 300-1000 words. In high school you are often asked to write a 5-paragraph essay, composed of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. College admission essay. 200-650 words.

  9. How to Write a 700-Word Essay

    Entering college composition courses requires proficiency in the basic essay format. Even careers down the road long after college may require a report in the basic essay format. Writing a 700-word essay is best learned step-by-step, as it will help you formulate the rule set of basic composition into your head.

  10. 12 Strategies to Writing the Perfect College Essay

    Common App, which students can use to submit to multiple colleges, suggests that essays stay at about 650 words. "While we won't as a rule stop reading after 650 words, we cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention for as long as you'd hoped it would," the Common App website states.

  11. Common App essay length

    The sweet spot for your Common App essay is typically closer to the upper limit of the word count. Think of it this way: colleges are giving you up to 650 words to showcase your personality, experiences, and writing ability - use them wisely. A longer essay allows for greater depth and detail, which can make a stronger impression. However, every word must earn its place; if you can convey ...

  12. Do college essays have a word limit?

    Hello! Yes, college essays typically do have word limits. Most colleges use the Common Application, Coalition Application, or their own application systems, and each of these has guidelines for essay length. For instance, the Common App has a word limit of 250-650 words for the main essay. Other colleges may have supplemental essays, and these word limits may vary between 150-500 words.

  13. Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give

    Writing the personal essay for your college application can be tough, but we're here to help. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, but the sooner you begin, the more time and thought you can put into an essay that stands out. Check out some tips: 1. Keep it real.

  14. How Many Words Are in an Essay? The Length Guide

    350 words at least. It depends on the essay type you write. Thus, a high school essay sample will be 350 words at least. If you need a college application essay, consider personal papers of 250-650 words. Check essay samples of 800-1,000 words if you need a standard college paper.

  15. How Long Is an Essay?: Word Count Tips & Essay Length Tricks [+Examples]

    It's also rare to see a good college essay with over 650 words. So, an average piece usually has between 150 and 650 words; you can go over or below the limit by 50. ... 700-word essay example : Ethics, CSR, and Ignatian Values : 800-word essay example : Isolation of Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria:

  16. How Long is an Essay? ️ Average Essay Length Guide

    Sentence length will vary based on the paper type you're working on. In narrative essays, you have to tell a story, which means sentences can be very long (up to 50 words). But general advice would be to keep sentences shorter than 25 words. Considering that, a 500-word essay would have somewhere between 20 to 45 sentences.

  17. Good length for college essays: what does 650 words look like?

    A 650-word essay is approximately a page and a half to two pages long when using a standard 12-point font and standard spacing between lines. To visualize what 650 words look like, think about a typical two-page, double-spaced essay with an introduction, three main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. To ensure you stay within the 650-word limit ...

  18. 700 Word Essay Examples & Topic Ideas

    A 700-word essay typically consists of an introduction (approximately 100-150 words), several body paragraphs (approximately 500-550 words), and a conclusion (approximately 50-100 words). These word counts are approximate and can be adjusted based on the specific requirements of your essay. It's important to maintain a clear and concise writing ...

  19. "Can my UT-Austin Essay A and Short Answers Be Longer Than 700 and 300

    Yes. You can submit MUCH MORE than 750 words for Essay A and more than 300 for each Short Answer on Apply Texas. I am very aware that my blog posts suggest 750 words for Essay A and 350 words for the Short Answers, and that this suggestion does not align with UT's suggested 500-700 words or 250-300 word recommendations, respectively.Why UT doesn't just impose hard word limits like Common ...

  20. 700 Word Essay

    The body paragraphs should comprise most of a 600-700-word essay. Typically, you should aim for around 2-3 paragraphs or 400-500 words for the whole body. Focus each body paragraph on a single argument that supports your thesis statement. Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main idea.

  21. How Many Paragraphs in an Essay?

    A 400 word essay is 3 paragraphs. (minimum for an essay) A 500 word essay is 3 to 4 paragraphs. A 600 word essay is 4 paragraphs. A 700 word essay is 4 to 5 paragraphs. A 750 word essay is 5 paragraphs. A 800 word essay is 5 to 6 paragraphs. A 900 word essay is 6 paragraphs. A 1,000 word essay is 6 to 7 paragraphs. A 1,250 word essay is 8 to 9 ...

  22. How Long Does It Take to Write 700 Words?

    Documents that typically contain 700 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles.. You may write faster or slower than this depending on your average writing speed. Adults typically type at about 40 words per minute when writing for enjoyment and 5 words per minute for in-depth essays or articles. They can handwrite at 20 words per minute.

  23. PDF Harvard WrITINg ProJeCT BrIeF gUIde SerIeS A Brief Guide to the

    Stitching: words that tie together the parts of an argument, most commonly (a) by using transition (link-ing or turning) words as signposts to indicate how a new section, paragraph, or sentence follows from the one immediately previous; but also (b) by recollection of an earlier idea or part of the essay, referring back to it

  24. 700 Words Essay Examples: Free Sample Papers on Any Topic

    Free 700 Words Essay Examples. A 700-word essay is commonly assigned in middle and high school. A paper of 700 words is a great way for a student to quickly demonstrate their knowledge of a particular topic. One can be assigned a 700-word essay on political science, marketing, education. The typical genres are art critique, scholarly article ...

  25. How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This ...

    Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective ...

  26. What happened in the Kolkata rape case that triggered doctors' protests

    In 2019, two junior doctors were physically assaulted in Kolkata's Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH) by a mob of people after a 75-year-old patient passed away in the hospital.