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Writing a 400 Word Essay: Length and How to write it Well

400 word essay

Often, students are given tasks or assignments that require them to come up with written works that have a word count limit. When students are given word limits as part of the instructions, they are required to adhere to the rules lest they lose points.

There are various word count limits and this article will focus on essays with a 400-word limit. 

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What is a 400-word Essay?

A 400-word essay is a short piece of written work. This essay is assigned to students by their instructors to test their knowledge concerning a topic that had been taught and their ability to organize their thoughts concisely. 

400-word essays are commonly assigned for less complex academic works such as discussion boards, personal statements, formal/informal letters, and other simpler academic genres.

Though this is the case, some complex academic genres may require students to come up with 400-word essays.

Such genres may include but are not limited to abstracts, proposals, and project outlines. 

While it is true that some 400-word essays may be part of a complex academic paper, we have some occupations that require professionals to write short works because they are expected to be brief and straight to the point.

Those professionals include communications specialists, journalists, and lawyers. 

From an academic point of view, why should 400-word essays be short as well as concise? Well. Such essays are typically shorter than other academic essays.

As we shall note later in this article, a 400-word essay is less than 2 pages, meaning that it will not require students to expound a lot on their points or provide a lot of examples to elaborate on issues. 

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How to Write a 400-word Essay

As aforementioned, 400-word essays are meant to allow you to express your thoughts in the fewest and most concise words.

Therefore, you need to follow this guide whenever you are writing a 400-word essay to ensure that your readers understand your arguments quickly and in a short time. 

1. Conduct Research on your Topic

The first and most important step before drafting your 400-word essay is to conduct thorough research on your topic. It may be tempting to write your essay from ideas that have been directly derived from your mind.

This is not recommended because the essay will lack new or challenging ideas. It will also lack an academic appeal or credibility because it will be based on what you know or have experienced – not anything new. 

2. Coming up with an Outline

The second step of writing a 400-word essay is to create a plan on how to organize your arguments and findings from the research you have conducted.

The plan is in the form of an outline that will help you organize your essay while sticking to the main subject. Think of an outline as a skeleton and the main essay as the meat.

The skeleton is the basic structure of your essay from which content can be added to create the complete essay. Therefore, an outline is written in point form from the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion (we shall discuss this later).

3. Structuring your Essay

Since you have already conducted thorough research concerning your essay and come up with an outline, you can begin drafting your work. The 400-word essay should always begin with a title because the title dictates what the essay is all about.

The title should be short with the main words capitalized. Your essay’s title should be a summary of your entire essay.

A 400-word essay has three major parts: an introduction paragraph, a body paragraph, and a conclusion paragraph.

The introduction paragraph introduces the essay to the readers. It should begin with a hook to ensure that the readers are captivated.

It should then provide the purpose of the essay and end with a thesis statement. Since you are writing a 400-word essay, limit your introduction to between 50 and 70 words. 

The body paragraphs of the 400-word essay contain individual points that should be explained and illustrated within individual paragraphs. Always ensure that a paragraph only contains a single point.

The basic structure of a body paragraph is point, illustration, and explanation. A body barograph begins by providing a single point that relates to the thesis statement. This is followed by an illustration or making the point clear using research findings. Explanation of the point follows by justifying your perspective or idea using scientific skills and/or logic. 

The conclusion paragraph is the last part of your 400-word essay that summarizes your main points or arguments. It should also not exceed 70 words since it is a brief restatement of the thesis statement, a summary of the main points, and your concluding remarks. 

When you complete drafting your 400-word essay, ensure that you proofread your work and include references to the sources of information. Such sources should come from your research and should be peer-reviewed. 

Examples of 400-word Essay Topics

Essay topics for 400-word essays are many. Some of them include: 

1. Global Warming 

2. My favorite food

3. My aim in life 

4. Importance of education

How Long is a 400-word Essay?

In terms of pages, a 400-word essay should be one-and-a-half (1.5) pages in length if the page is double-spaced.

The length is directly proportional to the width of a page’s spacing. In terms of paragraphs should be about 4 to 6 in number.

When it comes to the number of sentences in a 400-word essay, the estimation is about 20 to 27 sentences. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What a 400-word essay looks like.

Such an essay contains about 4 to 6 paragraphs with the first paragraph being the introduction. It is followed by 2 to 3 body paragraphs and a 1-paragraph conclusion. It is typically less than 1.5 pages. 

Are 400 Words Considered an Essay?

Yes. 400 words are considered an assay because there is a topic, an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs containing supporting points, a concluding paragraph, and references. 

How long is a 400-Word Paragraph?

While it is not recommended to have a 400-word paragraph, it would probably be between 1 and 1.5 pages if you follow the academically recommended line spacing (double-spacing). 

With over 10 years in academia and academic assistance, Alicia Smart is the epitome of excellence in the writing industry. She is our chief editor and in charge of the writing department at Grade Bees.

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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.

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.

• 🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer
• 📑 Essay Length & Formatting
• ❓ Different Academic Levels FAQ
• 📚 Essay Length: Different Types
• ⭐ Other Aspects
• 📝 Essay Examples

🔍 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:

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:

How Long Should an Introduction Be?

An introduction is the opening 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 .

A hook, some background information, and a thesis statement are the fundamental constituents of an introduction. While the attention grabber and the thesis are usually brief, you may need 2 to 3 sentences for the context. 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 fill 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 comprises the most details, it’s necessary to explain and support your ideas properly. That’s why it’s no big deal if your body sections go slightly over the word limit.

How Many Body Paragraphs Should Be in an Essay?

Like the word count, the paragraph count is defined by the format of a 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 subsections as there are points in your thesis statement. Each one should have an objective and support your position. If there’s any fluff, it’s better to get rid of it.

How Long Should a Conclusion Be?

A conclusion consists of 50-80 words like an introduction. It’s essential to keep it plain and only mention the central thoughts. A weak closing sentence may affect the reader’s understanding of the topic and spoil the overall opinion about your paper.

🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer: Best Tips

Undoubtedly the essay’s content is more vital than the wordcount. But there are times when students go more than 10-15% below or over the limit. How could we overcome this issue?

Below, we will share the most efficient tips to help you stay on point with the word limits. 

How to Make Essays Longer

Since having enough words is principal for a good grade, here is how to lengthen your essay without teachers noticing:

• Use relevant quotations.  You don’t need to litter your essay with citations, but using them whenever relevant is a great idea. For instance, if you’re working on a book analysis, referencing a couple of direct quotes from the original work will make your essay more credible and increase the word count.
• Give examples.  Go through the claims in your paper and provide additional evidence where possible. It will make your essay longer and more informative.
• 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. 
• 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.
• 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. 

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.
• Remove needless transitions.  Transitions can indeed maintain the flow of the paper. But some transitional phrases can be easily removed.
• Get rid of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.  Some students tend to overuse adjectives and adverbs. It adds wordiness to their writing.
• 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.
• Delete “that.”  In most cases, the word “that” can often be easily removed from texts.

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

📑 How Long Is an Essay Depending on Formatting?

As stated before, the essay’s length is normally specified by the number of words. Although, sometimes, a teacher may ask you to produce a specific number of pages. This is trickier as the amount of text you can place on the page is conditioned by the formatting. By adjusting the font size and spacing properly, it’s possible to make the paper visually longer or shorter. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

Essay Spacing: How Does It Affect the Length?

• Adjusting the interline spacing.  Try to make the changes as slight as possible. For instance, if you were required to double-space the paper, use 2.1 or 2.2 spacing . Another option is to slightly extend spaces between paragraphs.
• Extending the margin size.  You can enlarge the right and bottom margins by a quarter to make very subtle modifications in length. For example, if the margins are 1 inch , you can set them at 1.25 inches instead.
• Increasing the intercharacter spacing.  It is less evident than the line spacing. Still, try not to overdo it and keep the numbers between 1.2 and 1.5 .
• Modifying the footer.  Add a footer with page numbers to stretch the bottom margin even further.
• Extending the header.  You can lengthen 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 proper 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 one more technique that can come in handy. However, be attentive and don’t grow your font by more than 0.1-0.5 pt .
• Maximizing the size of periods and commas.  This is one of the less perceptible tricks you can utilize. 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 work.

What to Do if There Are No Length Guidelines

Teachers do not necessarily demand particular word limits for written works. What to do in that case? Begin by asking them to confirm if they have simply forgotten to mention it. But if that’s not the issue, here are several 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 circumstanced by the theme. If the topic is simple, 4-5 paragraphs will be enough. A more sophisticated issue may require an in-depth explanation, so your essay can be 6-8 paragraphs long .

❓ Essay Length for Different Academic Levels FAQ

How long is an essay in elementary school.

Elementary school essays are usually short. The basic recommendation for a paper is to have around 3-5 paragraphs, with 4-5 sentences per each. Primary school assignments can be 1-2 paragraphs long.

How long is an essay in middle school?

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

How long is a high school essay?

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

How long is an undergraduate-level essay?

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 prevalent volume at this level.

How long should an essay be at a graduate college level?

When it comes to the graduate school admission essay, the word limit is regularly 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 essay types. How long should they be? Keep reading to learn about the volume of college essays, short and extended ones, scholarship essays, and research papers.

How Long Is a College Essay?

When it comes to a college paper, it’s more vital 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 comprises 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 rules of 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 composing your college essay:

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:

• 250 -word essay length is 4 paragraphs Example: The Film “The Great Debaters” by Denzel Hayes Washington
• 300 -word essay length is 4-5 paragraphs Example: Symbols in Ancient Sculptures of Zeus
• 600 -word essays are 7 paragraphs long Example: Shonagon’s “The Pillow Book” as Historical Document
• 800 -word essays are usually 8-9 paragraphs long Example: “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” and “The Subjection of Women”
• 1000 -word essay length is 10 paragraphs Example: Why You Should Not Have Grades in School
• 2000 -word essays are 18-19 paragraphs long Example: Instagram: Ethical and Legal Issues in The Content Production and Distribution

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:

250 words = 1 page

Diabetic Nutritional Plan For a 15-Year-Old Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patient

400 words = 1,5 pages

Technology and Dating: Social Media and Committed Relationships

500 words = 2 pages

Aspects of Child Adoption

800 words = 3 pages

Nutritional Supplements, Weight Loss Plans and Working Out

900 words = 3,5 pages

Advantages and Disadvantages of Biotechnology in Improving the Nutritive Value of Foods

1000 words = 4 pages

Prerequisites of Cold War During Yalta Conference

1500 words = 6 pages

College Students’ Weight Gain and Its Causes

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

What Does an Essay Look Like When Typed? 

Wondering what do essays of different volumes look like when typed? Inspect the table where you can find out the metrics for single- and double-spaced writings.

How Many Pages Are in a Handwritten Essay?

In case you need to turn in a handwritten paper, examine the table below.

Counting Words in a Handwritten Essay

When you don’t have time to count the words manually, here’s the alternative:

• Determine the amount of words in one line. Take the first, middle, and last lines of a page. Let’s say there are 15, 14, and 15 words accordingly. Then, the average would be 15 per line.
• Next, calculate lines on one page. Let’s say there are 17 lines.
• Then, multiply words per line by lines per page. In our case, it is 15 x 17=255 words per page avg.
• Finally, multiply the number of words per page by the number of pages. If your work 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 the process will take you, more so 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 fluctuate. Usually, it’s 1-2 hours for 200-250 words .

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

And here are the results in pages:

How Many References Does an Essay Need?

Another essential part of any composition is the reference list. Different academic levels provide different instructions. You’ll discover how many of them should be in your document from the table below!

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

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

• 200 words: The Impact of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Agents on Marine Mammals
• 400 words: Types of Parenting Styles Analysis
• 500 words: Chemical Reactions and the pH Scale
• 600 words: The Measures of Central Tendency and the Descriptive Statistics
• 800 words: Isolation of Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria
• 900 words: Vacation in Mexico City: Worth Visiting Sites
• 1000 words: The Impact of COVID-19: “The World After Coronavirus” by Y. N. Harari vs. “We Can’t Go Back to Normal” by P. C Baker
• 1500 words: Brown vs. The Board of Education: Reality of the XXI Century
• 3000 words: Lab Experiment on Photovoltaics
• 4000 words: Data Protection: Term Definition

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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400 Word Essay Examples

You might think that writing a 400-word essay is a piece of cake because it is short; however, it does not always work this way! The most challenging aspect of writing a short essay is its length since you need to choose only the most critical information to cover. Also, it is pretty tricky to fit arguments, your thoughts, a compelling introduction, and a solid conclusion into 400 words.

But why, then, write such a short essay?

Such a volume is suitable for personal statements that usually take 400 to 800 words. In fact, a 400-word essay can be a good chance for a teacher to assess the student’s understanding of the topic as well as their ability to express thoughts concisely.

Below, we will analyze each component of a 400-word essay, and you will see how everything works in practice! For more free essay examples , check out our website!

• ⭐ Best Essay Examples on 400 Words

💡 400 Word Essay Examples – Highlights

📝 400-words essay topics.

• 🤳 Technology Essay Examples
• ✒️ Personal Statement Examples

✍️ How to Write a 400 Word Essay

• 🌞 Global Warming Essay Examples
• ⚠️ Responsibility Essay Topics
• 💀 Examples on Hamlet, Othello, & Macbeth
• 👨‍🎓 Topic for College Student
• 📌 400 Words Essay FAQ

1480 Best Essay Examples on 400 Words

Painting a room.

• Subjects: Art Paintings

Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility

• Subjects: Business Business Ethics

Correlational Research

• Subjects: Formal Sciences Statistics

Traditional Forms of Media vs. the Modern Ones

• Subjects: Entertainment & Media Journalism

The Only Good Indian

• Subjects: History Native Americans History

Modeling, Prototyping and CASE Tools: The Inventions to Support the Computer Engineering

• Subjects: Engineering Tech & Engineering

Divorce Reform: “Gender and Families” by Scott Coltrane and Michele Adams

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Relationships

The Problem at the Agency and Negative Impacts on the Department and Patients

• Subjects: Business Business Critique

Collective Bargaining in the Public Sector

• Subjects: Government Politics & Government

Formulating a Research Question in Action Research

• Subjects: Formal Sciences Scientific Method

Treatment of Antisocial Behaviour in Children

• Subjects: Applications of Psychology Psychology

The art of start

• Subjects: Business Organizational Planning

Australia, Asia, and the World

• Subjects: Immigration Sociology

The Evaluation of People’s Perception of Self

• Subjects: Psychological Influences Psychology

Francois Marie Arouet (Voltaire)

• Subjects: Literature World Literature

The Local Inhabitants of the Mountain Side

• Subjects: Geography Natural Sciences

Amount of Safety Stock to be carried for Goldfield’s Electronics

• Subjects: Business Case Study

Philosophy of Libertarianism

• Subjects: Philosophy Political Philosophies

Lighting System: Incandescent or Fluorescent Lamps

• Subjects: Economics Regulation of Finance

The Problem of Speech Genres

• Subjects: Linguistics Written Speech

Why Do Projects Fail?

• Subjects: Business Impact of Business Issues

Briefing the CEO on the Organization’s Financial Status

• Subjects: Business Logistics

Following the Tracks of the Case Study: When Trust Stretches too Far

• Subjects: Business Strategy

The Mobile Phone in the Education System

• Subjects: Education Pedagogy

Competition and Oligopolistic Behaviors in the Airlines Industry

• Subjects: Economics Financial Reporting

Planet Earth: Mountains

Attitude of being right.

• Subjects: Culture Worldwide Cultures

The Utilitarianism Theory in Society

• Subjects: Ethics Sociology

The War of 1812 in the American History

• Subjects: History United States

The Leadership Theories: Followership and Servant Leadership

• Subjects: Management

The Use of Social Media in Marketing

• Subjects: Marketing

Racial and Ethnic Politics in Latin America

• Subjects: Racism Social Issues

Concept of the Learning and Learning Theories in Education

Why intrinsic motivation is better than extrinsic motivation.

• Subjects: Behavior Psychology

Proposal to Supply Coffee to Peter’s Doughnuts

• Subjects: Business Company Analysis

The Concept of Intellectualism

• Subjects: Cognition and Perception Psychology

Concept in Financial Accounting

• Subjects: Accounting Business

Bioinformatics: Pathogen Profiling Efforts

• Subjects: Biology Natural Sciences

Film Studies: “Double Suicide” by Masahiro Shinoda

• Subjects: Cinematography Film Studies

Cultural Studies: What is Folklore?

• Subjects: Cultural Studies Culture

Fast Food Industry and Its Impacts

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Healthy Nutrition

The Nivea Skin Care Product Advertisement

• Subjects: Advertising Entertainment & Media

Utilitarian Ethics: Shooting Down Flight 93

Role of food in cultural studies: globalization and exchange of food, consumers: “the paradox of choice” by schwartz barry.

• Subjects: Consumer Science Economics

The Role of Leadership in Organizational Change

Language: the art of translation.

• Subjects: Importance of Language Linguistics

Baltimore City Hall as an Example of Classical Architecture

• Subjects: Architecture Design

The Positive Aspects of Tourism in Iraq

• Subjects: Tourism Trips and Tours

New Imperialism’ Role in the World History

• Subjects: History World History

Mashreq Bank’s Business Environment

What makes a leader.

• Subjects: Business Leadership Styles

The Defamation Law in the UAE

• Subjects: Constitutional Law Law

Recruitment and Selection Process Analysis

• Subjects: Employees Management Management

Riordan Manufacturing: Organization Performance Measurement

Qualitative research: methods and process, multiple measures: ways of student achievement assessment.

• Subjects: Approach to Learning Education

The Art of Academic Writing

• Subjects: Education Writing & Assignments

Solar Energy: Definition and Ways of Usage

• Subjects: Environment Environmental Management

China’s Economic Development and Social Problems

• Subjects: Economic Development Economics

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Optimistic Prognosis

• Subjects: Modern Warfare Warfare

Joysun’s Cold Chain Logistics Implementation

English language arts and common core state standards.

• Subjects: Education Study Courses and Education Programs

Sexuality According to Playboy

• Subjects: Gender Studies Sociology

“The Value of Formal Planning for Strategic Decisions” Armstrong (1982)

Big data and corporate social responsibility, inclusion in early childhood education.

• Subjects: Education Special Education

Quality Management: Business Excellence Models

• Subjects: Management Management Theories

The Union House, Its Role, Design and Restoration

Tourism for disabled in “right to risk” documentary, the smart balance wheel, its pros and cons.

• Subjects: Land Transport Transportation

The Oil and Gas Industry: Project Management

• Subjects: Management Project Management

Oil Spill in the “Deepwater Horizon” Movie

• Subjects: Cinematography Movies Analysis

YouTube as a Product Promotion Platform

• Subjects: Marketing Marketing Communication

“The Secret Law of Attraction” a Film by Rhonda Byrne

Ntl electronics and lemnis lighting companies partnership, the documentary: “wild carpathia in romania”.

• Subjects: Cinematography Documentaries

The Project Manager’s Career

Financial ratios’s features and types.

• Subjects: Economics Finance

The MUSC-2020 Company’s Strategic Plan

Antitrust legislation in the united states.

• Subjects: Business & Corporate Law Law

The Film “Hearts of Darkness (1993)” Review

Salmonella in raws for paws pet food.

• Subjects: Diet & Nutrition Food Safety

Entrepreneurial Innovation in American Schoolhouse

• Subjects: Business Entrepreneurship

Christian Compassion in Tutoring English Learners

• Subjects: Religion Religious Education

Recognizing the Ordinary as Extraordinary

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Nursing

Chilean Society’s Religion and Politics

• Subjects: Politics & Government Social & Political Theory

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)

• Subjects: Psychology Psychology and Personality

Behavioral Issues During Organisational Changes

No idling educational project in the uae, ancient chinese history and modernity.

• Subjects: Asia History

Market Forecasting Method: How to Choose?

Interviewing a therapist: skills and principles.

• Subjects: Professional Psychology Psychology

“Bring on the Learning Revolution!” by Sir Ken Robinson

• Subjects: Education Education Theories

The Role of a Leader in the Instructional Program

• Subjects: Education Pedagogical Skills

“The Pilgrimage” by Nelofer Pazira

• Subjects: Historical Literature Literature

“American in Paris” a Musicals by George Gershwin

Mystery compositions in church music.

• Subjects: Music Music Genre

Childhood Obesity and Its Causes in the US

• Subjects: Health & Medicine Healthcare Research

Psychology, Its Diversity and Sub-Disciplines

• Subjects: Major Schools of Thought Psychology

Race and Gender Privileges in Society

• Subjects: Social Issues Society's Imperfections

Politics in America Between 1820 and 1850

• Subjects: Elections Politics & Government

Dyslexia Students and Their Inclusion Needs

Ethos builder: photo journalist thinking, marriage: the good, the bad, and the greedy.

• Subjects: Family, Life & Experiences Marriage

The Code of Ethics: Royal Caribbean Cruise Case

Criteria making a manufacturing location choice, the politics of theorizing african american families.

• Subjects: Social Issues

“Flat Broke With Children” by Sharon Hays

Numi tea company’s case, lives of slaves in the plantations and britain, american history: meaning of sectionalism, tex-mark company’s employee repatriation issues, oxytocin effect on recollections of maternal care, technology in social interaction within ten years.

• Subjects: Tech & Engineering Technology Effect

Writing Assistance Website for Technical Writers

• Subjects: Internet Tech & Engineering

“Lucky, Lucky Lou” in “The Ugly American” by Burdick & Lederer

Gender issues and sexuality: social perspective and distinction, “no risk, no rewards” principle in everyday life.

• Subjects: Life Philosophy Philosophy

Articles of Confederation and Constitution of the US

• Subjects: American Revolution Period History
• Traditional Medicine vs. Modern Medicine In the modern society, traditional medicine is considered the most appropriate way to treat sick people. This would let the doctors to dispense medicine in the best possible way to satisfy each cultural group.
• Mockingbirds: The Similarities and Differences Between Tom Robinson and Boo Radley First of all, it is the race of the two men. Secondly, the lives Tom and Boo lead have a different level of openness.
• “The Homeric Hymn to Demeter” by Homer Review Although her daughter is returned to her, a part of her is lost because she has to spend part of her life in the underground as the mistress of the underground ruler.
• Concentrate and Bottling Business: The Difference in Profitability For instance, Coca-Cola and Pepsi rivalry on the market places an additional burden on the companies, who are sometimes forced to lower the price of a final product on the shelves to stay competitive.
• Leadership and Organizational Psychology of Vince Lombardi The Meyers-Briggs Type Indicator is one of the most renowned personality tests an individual can use to assess one’s leadership journey.
• Tricompartmental Osteoarthritis in the Left Knee Case Study Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that may affect many people from different parts of the work. This type of inflammation damages joints.
• “The Contrast” by Royall Tyler The play shows the contrast between the representatives of American folk and Yankee on the basis of Jonathan’s behavior and manners.
• History of Mexican Festival The experience of attending the Mexican festival stretched my cultural perception as I discovered that Mexicans have a rich culture in terms of food, art, and music.
• Spanish vs. English Colonization In their efforts to colonize the Americas, the Spanish and the British opted for polarly different approaches, with the methods of the latter showing to be more effective and prosperous in the long-run.
• Hellenization and Its Affects on the Birth and Spread of Christianity Hellenization is a term that is commonly used in describing the spread of the culture of the ancient Greeks as well as, to a smaller degree, the Greek language in particular.
• Humanities as Academic Disciplines On the other hand, the study of classical and modern languages acts as the cornerstone for the study of modern-day humanities.
• Art Styles: Naturalism, Idealization, Stylization This style does not require the artist to recreate reality as a work of art, but to construct a perfect representation of an object or a person.
• The Smart Balance Wheel, Its Pros and Cons An important advantage of the smart balance wheel is that it has a smart feature, which means that a person automatically maintains balance while on it.
• Sexuality According to Playboy Sexuality is defined as the way of how people are able to experience themselves as sexual beings and show the others the things that can prove that the chosen experience is deserved to be called […]
• The Utilitarianism Theory in Society Therefore, utilitarianism should lead to an increase in happiness of the society. In utilitarianism, rules are necessary in the governing of the actions.
• The ethical side of banning abortion.
• The impact of social media on teenager self-esteem.
• Discipline as a key to academic success.
• Why are family traditions crucial?
• Drug addiction: methods to overcome the issue.
• How to stop global warming?
• Discrimination and inequality at the workplace.
• Language as a cultural identity marker.
• The issue of bullying and cyberbullying in high school.
• The role of hope in religious beliefs.
• Triggers: the value of finding causes of anxiety.
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.
• What is the role of women in the development of science?
• Remote education in the 21st century: pros and cons.
• The influence of music on our emotional well-being.
• Marine pollution and its consequences for the environment.
• How can AI replace humans in many jobs?
• The impact of deforestation on food security.
• The role of the family in the formation of moral values.
• How to deal with stress in everyday life?

🤳 Human Dependence on Technology Essay 400 Words

Check out these excellent examples of human dependence on technology essays of 400 or more words.

• Smartphones Make Dull Minds Essay 400 Words Nowadays, people depend on smartphones greatly. How does constant digital connectivity affect cognitive abilities? You can assess whether the prevalence of smartphones contributes to intellectual stimulation or, as some argue, leads to diminished mental engagement, potentially making minds dull.
• Are We Too Dependent on Computers Essay 400 Words Explore the intricate relationship between humans and computers in contemporary society. To what extent have we become dependent on these technological marvels? Both in our personal lives and professional endeavors. Analyze the potential consequences, benefits, and drawbacks of this dependence, considering factors like convenience, productivity, and privacy.
• Digitalization in Daily Life Essay 400 Words Digitalization has transformed nearly every facet of modern life. Investigate how digital technologies have seamlessly integrated into our daily routines. Assess the impact of this digital revolution on society, including changes in communication, commerce, and culture. What are the implications for the future?

Find more 400-word essay topics below.

• Internet Use and Well-Being Among College Students Finally, Gordon et al.analyze the role of Internet use in students’ escapism and psychological adjustment. The article by Gordon et al.offers valuable insights into the relationship between students’ use of the Internet and their well-being.
• The Importance of Media in the Classroom The theory is developed from the perspective of a teacher and aims at the analysis of the classroom media employment as well as the accommodation of the reviewed sources to the school conditions.
• Psychological Considerations and Sociological Effects of Drones Drones improve the psychological wellbeing of soldiers because they eliminate the trauma and stress of engaging in war.
• Information Technologies and Disaster Management In this article, Sakurai and Murayama present examples of the application of information technology in various stages of disaster management, including preparedness, recovery, response, and risk reduction.
• Streaming Entertainment: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video To conclude, Netflix and Amazon Prime have a similar price for the basic subscription, with the latter offering additional discount for students, but each platform has different advantages.
• The Use of Technology in the Human Services Field The sphere of human services is one of the essential components of any community since people working in this area set themselves the task of making the life of other people easier.
• The Affect of the New Technologies on the Tourism and Hospitality Industries Hence, it might be relevant to design a novel application of VR within the mentioned industry, utilizing the theory of telepresence, as well as to compare it to the related currently available opportunities.
• Wireless Networks Integration in Business This paper will discuss the main categories of wireless networks that have the potential to be used in business, as well as the pros and cons of such a solution.
• Waymo vs Uber: The Theft of Intellectual Property As part of the settlement, both companies agreed to employ an independent technical expert to ensure no Waymo technology is incorporated in Uber’s hardware and software.
• Cell Phone Use While Driving: Policy Analysis Therefore, in a public policy debate, proponents of regulation would argue that per capita healthcare savings and resulting QALY measures are significant enough to justify a ban on the use of private cellphones in driving […]
• Technology in Social Interaction Within Ten Years Technology will ease the ability for people to interact because they will be able to access information and content in real-time.
• YouTube as a Product Promotion Platform The rapid development of Internet technologies and the emergence of social media structures affect the marketing methods and strategies greatly. The posts and customer reviews create the risk factors for the marketing strategies efficiency, and […]
• Mobile Technology Impact on Romantic Relationships For young men it is better to send a message with a poor mimicry of invitation than to follow all the steps of the traditional courtship.
• The Mobile Phone in the Education System The first issue is that not all pupils own a mobile phone and this brings in the challenge of uniformity in use of this technology.
• Technologies and Instructions in the Learning Process To students, instruction is the way of life. It is true that the current technology being used to deliver instruction may change in future.

✒️ 400 Word Personal Statement Examples – 2024

A personal statement (or admissions/application essay) is a short essay where you should present the qualities and skills you’ve gained over your life. Such a piece is required to apply for college and is evaluated by the admission committee. Here are some topics for a personal statement of 300-400 words.

• How do you choose a job of your dreams?
• The influence of a teacher on my professional growth.
• The obstacles I have overcome to achieve my goals.
• Career ambitions and their importance.
• Why do you want to attend this school?
• The facet of my personality and experience.
• How to learn from obstacles?
• My journey of self-discovery.
• Effective methods of becoming a leader .
• Why have I chosen this college?
• My experience of teamwork: benefits and challenges.
• The impact of personal values on the choice of profession.
• Effective strategies for achieving career goals.
• The person who inspires me the most.
• What does your favorite book reveal about you?

A 400-word essay includes an introduction, main body, and conclusion. It is vital to mention a thesis statement in the introduction since it is a significant element of your essay. Estimate 75-100 words per paragraph, where only one point is discussed and supported with facts and examples. A literature review is not always necessary for such short essays, but if your assignment requires it, you may include a list of sources at the end of your work.

400 Word Essay Length

How many pages is a 400-word essay? If you use Times New Roman font and 12 pt size, your essay will take 0.8 (single-spaced) or 1.6 (double-spaced) pages. In case you are writing your paper by hand, it will take 1.6 pages, depending on your handwriting.

Here is how each section of a 400-word piece can look:

• The introduction – 75-100 words (one paragraph, 2-3 sentences).
• The main body – 200-250 words in total. Each paragraph might have 70-120 words depending on the number of body paragraphs, which can range from 3 to 4.
• The conclusion – the remaining 75-100 words (2-3 sentences).

400-Word Essay Introduction

The introduction of a 400-word essay should be concise and focused. It can take 3-4 sentences or 75-100 words. The introduction should catch the reader’s attention and provide enough information about the topic covered. There are two key components a good intro for an essay of 400 words should include:

• A hook that expresses your essay’s meta-theme . You can think of it as a punch line encouraging readers to continue reading.
• A thesis statement that articulates your argument . Try to make it as clear as possible to convey your core idea in just a few words.

Use our research introduction maker to ease your work and get a concise introduction suitable for a 400-word essay.

400-Word Essay Conclusion

A conclusion is an essential part of the essay since it gives the reader a sense of closure while reminding them of the paper’s contents. In an essay of 400 words, the conclusion section requires you to give a factual summary of your essay in about 75-100 words or 3-4 sentences. The first sentence should repeat the thesis, while the remaining two should summarize the rest of the essay. Then, you may indicate that you have finished your text using a final statement. With the help of this closing sentence generator , you can make a perfect final sentence.

So, the structure of the conclusion for your 400-word essay will look the following way:

• Restated thesis.
• Summary of the essay.
• Ending statement.

How Many References Should I Use in a 400 Word Paper?

Depending on the task, complexity of the topic, and requirements, the number of references can be different. For a 400-word essay, 1 or 2 sources may be quite enough. If you are writing a personal statement or an autobiographical essay, then references are unnecessary (unless stated otherwise in the requirements).

You can rely on a citation generator to make a bibliography list of the appropriate style.

🌞 Essay on Global Warming 400 Words

• Social Work Practice From an Ecological Perspective The social worker implemented the life model approach in four stages: first, in the preparatory stage, the social worker attempted to get to know the client and his environment.
• Global Warming: Speculation and Biased Information For example, people or organizations that deny the extent or existence of global warming may finance the creation and dissemination of incorrect information.
• The Paris Climate Agreement: The UAE’s Engagement The UAE also recognizes the significance of the climate change problem and the necessity to address it. The UAE’s engagement in the Paris Climate Agreement and its contribution to addressing climate change is significant.
• How Climate Change Could Impact the Global Economy In “This is How Climate Change Could Affect the World Economy,” Natalie Marchand draws attention to the fact that over the next 30 years, global GDP will shrink by up to 18% if global temperatures […]
• Environmental Injustice Impeding Health and Happiness The authors note that there is a constant flow of the white population to the areas most protected from flooding and the displacement of the black population from there.
• The Dangers of Global Warming: Environmental and Economic Collapse Global warming is caused by the so-called ‘Greenhouse effect’, when gases in Earth’s atmosphere, such as water vapor or methane, let the Sun’s light enter the planet but keep some of its heat in.
• Aspects of Global Warming Global warming refers to the steadily increasing temperature of the Earth, while climate change is how global warming changes the weather and climate of the planet.
• Article Review on Carbon Tax Policy Whereas the article points out the financial implication of the Canadian government policy on climate change, it failed to appreciate the general ethical benefits that the world will gain if Canada commits to climate change […]
• Recycled Water – Is It Safe for Drinking? There are a number of barriers that always work against the desire to obtain safe drinking water from recycling plants.
• Climate Change: Who Is at Fault? The rationale for the author’s argument is centered around the premise that it is wrong to praise the political and economic system of the 1980s while blaming people for the inability to make changes in […]

⚠️ 400 Word Essay on Responsibility

• The importance of corporate social responsibility.
• Personal responsibility for fighting against stereotypes.
• Why should people be responsible for their own decisions and actions?
• Diplomacy: responsibility for peace and conflict resolution.
• Ethical responsibilities in the business industry.
• How to combine personal and professional responsibilities?
• Responsibility in disaster preparedness and response.
• Internet etiquette and responsibility for online behavior.
• The ethical responsibility in the healthcare industry.
• Environmental responsibility and its value.
• The role of parents in students’ academic responsibility .
• Why people should be responsible for their mental health?
• Responsibility in journalism and its importance.
• The peculiarities of religious responsibility.
• The importance of responsibility for aging populations.
• Why are we responsible for our future generation?
• Students’ responsibilities and their values.
• Why should people be responsible with modern technology?
• The role of parental responsibility in child development.
• Ethical responsibility in end-of-life care.

💀300-400 Words Essay – Hamlet, Othello, & Macbeth

Othello essay 400 words.

• Social Issues in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Othello” The social environment of England at the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth century was characterized by great attention to social class, citizens’ jobs, and their reputation.
• Shakespeare’s Tragedy “Othello” Speaking of racism as a possible motivation for Iago’s behavior, it is worth noting that it is not the primary and only source of its manifestation.
• The Significance of the Handkerchief to Othello The main reason for the discord is that Othello slept with his wife and justifies all the negativity toward Iago. The handkerchief is the best proof that Desdemona has entered into an intimate relationship with […]
• Mind vs. Heart in “Othello” by William Shakespeare The main idea of the William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, written in 1604, is the confrontation of the mind and the heart.

Hamlet Essay 400 Words

• Hamlet’s Relationship With His Mother and Uncle Hamlet’s assessment of his issues is accurate in the sense that he already associates Claudius with problems, but the prince is too quick to judge his mother.
• Deceiving Appearances in “Hamlet” and “The Lion King” In particular, Claudius and Scar represent villains under the guise of well-wishers, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from Hamlet and hyenas from The Lion King appear worse than they seem.
• Hamlet vs. Oedipus Rex: Who Is More Resilient? In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, Oedipus is a protagonist; he is seeking the truth and is unconcerned about the harm it may pose.
• “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” The link of “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” to the present days can be seen in the lost characters.

Macbeth Essay 400 Words

• William Shakespeare: Hamlet and Macbeth It is important to examine the role that the setting plays in Hamlet and Macbeth in relation to the tragic flaw and developments of the plot.
• Omens in The “Macbeth” Play by William Shakespeare The supernatural was an aspect of the plot structure used to add tension and drama to the occurrences and situations and manifested in various ways. To conclude, the owl and raven were utilized as omens […]
• Analyzing the Adaptation of the Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Furthermore, the names of all the characters in both films are the same except for a little twist in the spelling of names like Mcbeth and Mcduff.
• Macbeth: An Analysis of the Play by Shakespeare Macbeth’s treachery springs from his reliance to the witches who gave him prophecy that results in his endless creation of enemies.
• Shakespear’s “Macbeth”: Main Character Change Analysis Macbeth is essentially the story of a character who lives his life in a state of confusion to the degree that the only constant in his life changes.

👨‍🎓 400 Word Examples for College

• What is the meaning of our life?
• Music as a universal language.
• The philosophy of mindfulness.
• What is happiness, and why is it crucial?
• The challenge of having freedom.
• Is there hope for our future and life after death?
• The difference between mathematics and logic.
• How can one person change the world?
• The opportunity to live forever: pros and cons.
• What makes human life so valuable?
• The goal of humanity in the 21st century.
• How does Art affect our perception of the world?
• The concept of peace and its importance.
• Do all people deserve respect?
• The problem of knowledge skepticism.
• Can we choose our emotions, or do they just happen?
• The origin of evil and good.
• What is the purpose of education?
• The stand for truth and its influence on society.
• How do you determine one’s self-worth?

📌 400 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 how many pages is 400 words double spaced.

How long is a 400-word essay? It will typically be 2 pages double-spaced or one page single-spaced. The exact number of pages a 400 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 400 Word Essay?

How many paragraphs is a 400-word essay? Since a typical paragraph in academic writing contains 50-100 words, an essay of 400 words will consist of 4 to 6 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 400 Words?

How many sentences is a 400-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 400 words are not less than 20-23 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 400-Word Essay?

A 400-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 400-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 400 Words?

How long does it take to write a 400-word essay? It will take you 8-16 minutes to type 400 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 not less than hour and a half for a 400-word paper.

📌 How to Extend an Essay Word Count?

To extend the word count in a 400-word essay, you can clarify your position, add more examples, and use direct quotations. It is also worth checking if your introduction and conclusion are extensive, cohesive, and clear enough. It might be better to add some information to these two sections than to rework your body paragraphs.

• Word Counter
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• Scrabble Word Finder
• Pomodoro Timer

How Many Pages Is 400 Words?

Answer: 400 words is 4/5 page  single spaced or  1 3/5 page double spaced.

If you need to write 400 words for a paper or for work, this will occupy 4/5 of one page single spaced. If you’re lucky and you’re required to have it double spaced, you’ll have a 1 3/5 page essay in your hands. However, this length may vary according to your settings on font size, font type, and document margins etc. If you’re being asked to write a 400-word essay or article, take note of your professor or employer’s choice of format.

By word count

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By page count

How many pages do you need to write?

To make sure that you have the right word count, use our word counter tool to check your word count, and find out how many pages they make up! Happy writing!

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The Best College Essay Length: How Long Should It Be?

College Essays

Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program, and if you've selected a second choice. Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides multiple "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 187 essay examples with analysis !

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Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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