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

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

400 word essay

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. 

how long does a 400 word essay take

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. 

a short essay outline

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. 

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.

a research topic

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 came 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.

writing essay introduction

The title should be short with 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, body paragraphs, 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 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?

word double spacing

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 wideness 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. 

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). 

how long does a 400 word essay take

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.

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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.

  • 🤔 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:

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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 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.

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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.

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🤔 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.
  • 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 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:

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:

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:

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.

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.

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:

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 require different references. You’ll find out how many of them should be in your paper in the table below!

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

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

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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  • 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, here's why students love scribbr's proofreading services.

Discover proofreading & editing

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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how long does a 400 word essay take

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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College Essays

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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!

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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.

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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.

how long does a 400 word essay take

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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.

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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 seven "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!

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"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!

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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 145 essay examples with analysis !

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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!

💡 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • “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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 […]
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

The picture describes a 400-word essay structure.

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).

With our professional Research Paper Outline Generator , you can create an efficient plan for your 400 word paper and save lots of time.

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Ed. Michelle Lee’s “Othello” as a Critical Source He starts by briefly retelling the main events of Othello and proceeds to state that modern critics’ main concern is about the subjects of race and gender in their analyses of the play.

Hamlet Essay 400 Words

  • “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.
  • 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 Gertrude Relationships in Shakespeare’s Play However, even though Hamlet threatens to murder Gertrude to “wring” her heart, the audience can understand that he loves his mother and wants her to repent of her sins and end the relationship with Hamlet’s […]
  • 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’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.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

👨‍🎓 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.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

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How Long Is 400 Words?

/ By Alan Reiner

/ September 6, 2022

At some point in your life, you will likely be tasked with writing something that is at least 400 words long.

How Long Is 400 Words

In fact, there are plenty of reasons why 400 words are required, but it can get a little confusing when understanding how long 400 words actually is. 

At its most basic, 400 words is just under a page long (about 0.8 pages long) if it is single spaced, and then just over one and half pages long (1.6 pages long) if you are double spacing. 

However, there’s a lot more to understand when it comes to the length of 400 words.

This guide will help you understand all of the facets of the length that 400 words can cover – along with other handy tips.

So, if you’re getting ready to write 400 words for any reason – read on and learn more!

400 Words Single Spaced 

So, as we mentioned – if you are single spacing your words, 400 words will cover about 0.8 pages worth of words. 

It’s probably best at this point that we explain that our figures will simply be estimates.

This is because there are many reasons that will increase the page use. 

Single spacing is generally accepted when it comes to writing, but sometimes you will be told that you must double space your words. 

So, you’ll need to know about the length of 400 words when they are double spaced.

400 Words Double Spaced 

Indeed, there are lots of times when your organization such as college or workplace will require that you double space your words. 

As a result, the number of pages that 400 words will cover will also double.

Therefore, if you have been asked to write 400 words double spaced, you can likely expect 1.6 pages worth of words .

Double spacing is often requested because it improves the readability of the documents, especially when it comes to college papers. 

Readability is incredibly important when it comes to writing, so even if you have not been specifically tasked with using double spacing, it’s a good idea to do so. 

What If I’m Handwriting 400 Words?

While the practice of handwriting words has seen a decline over the years, many people will still prefer to handwrite – and sometimes, handwriting is actually preferred by the organization that requests the work.

If you’re handwriting something, generally, the size of handwriting is about the size of double spaced typing. 

In other words, if you are handwriting 400 words, you can expect to cover about 1.6 pages worth of words . 

Once again though, it’s important to recognize that everybody’s handwriting is different.

Some people will have larger handwriting, and others will have smaller handwriting. 

Will The Font Make A Difference?

Generally speaking, the font will make a difference to the amount of pages you cover.

The reason for this is that the typical choices of arial or times new roman are smaller than fonts such as verdana. 

Verdana in fact normally covers about 1.1 pages to every page that arial covers, and slightly less so for times new roman. 

It’s best practice to use an arial font or times new roman.

This is because these fonts are the preferred fonts for professional and academic settings and makes your writing look more sophisticated and therefore provides more authority.

Additionally, it improves the readability of your text – and as we mentioned earlier, this is absolutely critical to the overall quality of your work. 

Does 400 Words Take Long To Write?

This really depends on you as a writer. Many people take much longer to write than others, but the real time it normally takes largely is down to the research aspect of writing. 

However, if you are looking for a general rule of thumb, you can expect 400 words to take you about ten minutes to write – based on the assumption that the average person can write 40 words a minute. 

How Many Paragraphs Are In 400 Words?

The answer to this question will change depending on what you are writing, the format and why you are writing it. 

We’ve mentioned that one of the most important aspects of writing is the readability – and one of the ways to improve readability is by using paragraphs.

This will allow readers to digest helpful chunks of information in a flow, rather than having to read, somewhat of a novel, type of text. 

It’s also far more likely that readers will read all of your text if you paragraph correctly.

Giving a general estimate, we can ascertain that 400 words will have around 4-8 paragraphs (which covers around 100 words each). 

Having said this though, it is best practice to increase your paragraphing if you are writing something like a newspaper article. 

What Requires 400 Words?

A lot of work will require 400 words specifically. Generally speaking though, 400 words is not a great deal.

This means that 400 words is often reserved for short and sharp bursts of information.

Therefore, you’re likely to see news stories written with 400 words.

It gives readers the perfect amount of information with everything they need to know, without having to read through waffled information. 

However, it’s not uncommon for short essays and even short stories to be 400 words or less.

These types of essays are generally not in depth or worthy of being investigated to be more than 400 words long. 

The Bottom Line 

When it comes to writing 400 words, you can generally expect to cover just under a page for single spaced writing, or just over one and half pages if you are double spacing. 

However, it’s usually best practice to ensure you are using double spacing and choose the best fonts which improve readability to the reader.

Alan Reiner

Alan Reiner

Hi, my name is Alan Reiner and I have been in the writing industry for almost seven years. I write articles that can span from 200 words all the way to 20,000 words every single day. How do I do it? With a lot of determination. All my way through school and college, I hated long-form assignments. I could never get into the groove of working on one piece for an extended period of time. My pieces were always late because I didn’t have the motivation to type them, let alone edit them.

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Free 400 Words Essay Examples

As a rule, a short 400-word essay is assigned by teachers to assess one’s ability to articulate their ideas succinctly together with their knowledge of a particular topic. Commonly used genres for 400 words essays include personal statements and discussion board posts.

You don’t need to conduct an in-depth analysis to write a paper of 400 words. The keys to success are good planning, a catchy hook, conciseness, and creativity. Check free 400-word essay examples on this page to get inspired!

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400-Word Essay FAQ

How long is a 400 words essay.

A 400 words essay would typically be about 2 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 400-word essay length are formatting and paragraph structure.

How Many Paragraphs Is a 400 Words Essay?

How many paragraphs are there in a 400 words essay? A paper of such a length would contain 4 to 5 paragraphs. This works for an academic writing assignment because a typical paragraph there is about 100 words long.

How Long Does It Take to Write a 400 Words Essay?

It usually takes 8 to 14 minutes to type a text of this length on your keyboard at an average speed. However, if you are assigned a 400 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 400 words will take about 1 hour 20 minutes.

How Many Lines Are 400 Words?

At a rough estimate, 400 words would take up about 40 to 45 lines. However, the exact number of lines in your 400-word essay depends on a number of factors such as the spacing, the font size, and the margins.

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How Many Pages is 400 Words?

How many pages does 400 words take? A word count of 400 words will result in around four-fifths of a page single spaced and and one and three-fifths of a page double spaced. Although it can vary, with a conventional page setup—Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font and default margins—400 words should be the same across most word processing software. Examples of 400 word count pages might be a curriculum vitae (CV), narrative recipe with ingredient list, or a weekly mailer.

Answer: 400 words is ⅘ page single spaced or 1⅗ pages double spaced

Pages by Word Count

Use our handy table to discover how many pages a given word count yields, single or double spaced, in Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font.

400 Word Essay, How to Guide, Example

Published by gudwriter on November 11, 2021 November 11, 2021

Essay

How to write a 400 word essay? Understand the professor’s instructions thoroughly and research widely on the topic. Then, spend some time planning and writing an outline. The first draft can be 600 to 700 words but prune unnecessary words and sentences to have a reliable, brief, and comprehensive 400-word essay. Understand how many pages your essay is to avoid exceeding the required number using our free word to pages converter .

Elevate Your Writing with Our Free Writing Tools!

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In our previous tutorials, we’ve covered how to write the best essays in a different number of words, like  500 words  and  300 words . The length of an article does not affect its quality; instead, it harnesses its clarity. If you are writing an extended essay, you will provide numerous details and illustrations to support your points. But, when the article is less than a thousand words, you need to discuss every aspect in its paragraph.

A 400-word essay allows you to express yourself in the fewest, most concise words possible. Thus, you need to stick to the points and follow the recommended outline effectively. This allows your audience to understand your argument in a quick, simple way.

Professionals, especially those practicing law, journalism, and communication, are often required to write 400-word essays. Students in high schools, elementary, and college levels are also needed to hand in their answers or views in 400 words. The complexity of such an essay depends on whether you are doing it at advanced levels or school. Apart from a  good mastery of written language , it would help if you also were concise and informative.

Tips for Writing the Perfect 400 Word Essay

1. research on your topic.

It’s tempting to write stuff from scratch and put down ideas directly from your mind. However, the reader will need to learn something new. The audience is not interested in fluffy content. Readers want to have unique skills and possible behavioral changes after reading your essay. So, it would help if you focused on convincing them that your idea is the best. Remember, the most effective essay is that which is credible. So, carry out intensive research about the topic and provide enough data to support your arguments.

2. Prepare the outline

Do not just jump into writing the essay without a plan. When your work is organized, you will find it easy to stick to the subject. An outline is the best way to plan for the essay. Remember, you need to know how many words will be featured in support of each point. This will be easy if you have the right structure. Apart from helping you to be brief, the outline will make your work neat. If you are in an exam room and you are needed to write a 400-word essay, be sure to spend about five minutes planning.

3. Edit your work

Scoring a grade A in your essay depends on how well you can write flawlessly. It is not possible to be perfect- of course, we’re all human. However, if you want to be an excellent writer, you must try to have zero mistakes. So, after you are done scripting your essay, have time for reading it.

Go through the article about three times after you have written it. The first read will help you realize the grammar errors you may have made. The second will give you the insight on which sentences are useful and which aren’t. The third will be about polishing the article from an audience’s perspective.

4. Include the references

Writing a reflection essay  means that you will need to carry out enough research. You will also need to acknowledge the sources for the information you have used in your article. Thus, you should have space where you can list down the references for the content used. This not only prevents plagiarism but also gives your article a sense of credibility. Remember, the more credible your essay is, the more the audience will believe in it- and definitely, the more marks you will score.

Don’t waste your time strugging to craft a qulaity essay whwereas you can spead that time doing other precious things. Get your 400 word essay done by a case study assignment writer from Gudwriter who will produce a quality paper, well researched, and plagairism free.

Elements of a 400 Words Essay

Every essay that you ever write needs to be well titled. An essay that doesn’t have a heading lacks identity. Look for a short statement that covers what the article is about. In our context, the title is “How to Stay Motivated and Focused. ” Our essay cannot discuss anything else apart from what the title has suggested. The title should be short and able to communicate the message or meaning of the essay efficiently. Remember to capitalize the main words of the title using the title format. Get a catchy title for your essay using our innovative essay title generator .

2. Introduction Paragraph

This is the part where you state your thesis. It’s an essential part of the article as it provides the reader with the urge to read. A good introduction paragraph will grab the audience’s attention and make them want to read the whole essay. On the other hand, an awful introduction will just put your audience away. So, it would help if you made it captivating. Short, mind-provoking, and sweet sentences are the best for this paragraph. In a 400 word essay, the introduction part has about 50 words.

Start with the hook

This is a general statement in your introduction that summarizes the essay. It captures the reader’s attention from a broad perspective. The hook is different from the thesis; while the former is a general statement, the latter focuses on the essay alone. In short, the hook is the meta-theme of the 400 word essay.

Example:  ‘Self-motivation is the surest way to stay focused.’

The thesis is the root of the introduction. You need to use such a sentence to sum up, the article. The thesis is the sentence that carries the meaning of the essay. It is short and summative. For instance, in our essay, the thesis could be:

‘People who are motivated towards achieving their goals are focused on success.’

Transition statement

Before you start writing the actual article, you need to signal the audience that you are proceeding to your work’s ‘meat.’ A transition statement will do this for you. For instance, you can use a sentence such as:

‘The following ideas will help you stay focused and motivated in your work or studies.’

The Body of a 400 word essay

As aforementioned, this is the meat of the essay. It is the part where you support your thesis using illustrations and research findings. In most cases, the body has 2-4 sentences whose length is between 75 and 100 words. Each idea should be in its paragraph. Again, it is crucial to keep your sentences short and concise. This means you should have 6-8 sentences per paragraph. In the outline, be sure to start with your most vital point and end with the weakest.

Avoid spending hours trying to craft the same essay again and again whereas you can make use of our AI powered essay generator .

3. Body paragraph

Structure of a body paragraph

This is a sentence that introduces the paragraph. It should support the thesis

  • Illustration

Use research findings to make your point clear. This may take more than one sentence.

  • Explanation

Justify your idea of using logic and scientific skills. Explain what you mean.

How the point relates to the thesis:

Then, prove that the point makes sense regarding supporting the thesis.

4. Conclusion paragraph

This is the last part of the essay. It summarizes the essay in about 50 words. You should therefore have 3-5 sentences here. Do not introduce any new ideas here. Instead, use conclusive statements that support your thesis.

The structure of a conclusive paragraph

  • Restate your thesis
  • Give a summary of the essay
  • Write a conclusive statement

Essay Outline

Any good essay starts with an outline. Outlines play a vital role in the success of any piece of writing, more so essay papers. They help the writer stick to the essay structure, which is one of the things that professors test in the writing. Not having a good structure can cost you. More so, without an outline, it is easy for the writer to wander away from the subject and lose the reader.

Getting stuck when writing an essay is a problem that all students have encountered at some point. This can be detrimental to your essay as often, students end up adding irrelevant content just to reach the required word or page count. Getting stuck also drains away enthusiasm, which is something that should never be traced in your essay. Having a good outline will prevent this from happening.

Not only will it save time, which is otherwise spent pondering over what to add, but it helps you write an interesting paper from the word go. How do you write an outline? Well, here is an example of an essay outline to guide you in your paper.

Title: ‘How to Stay Motivated and Focused.’

  • Introduction paragraph
  • Hook – Self-motivation is the surest way to stay focused.
  • Thesis : Facing challenges and achieving success requires focus, which means we need to be responsible for our motivation.

Transition : The following ideas will help you stay focused and motivated in your work or studies.

  • Body Paragraph 1:
  • Point: Know thyself
  • Illustration: Socrates in the Temple of Apollos
  • Logic: Knowing strengths and weaknesses
  • Thesis relation
  • Body Paragraph 2:
  • Point: Desire for success
  • Illustration: Set realistic goals, celebrate achievement
  • Explanation: Find motivating factors
  • Body Paragraph 3:
  • Point: Death and finite time
  • Illustrations: Steve Jobs, Henry Rolling, infinite ability and limited time
  • Explanation: Avoid regrets, lead a successful life
  • Conclusion paragraph
  • Restatement of thesis
  • Summary of the essay
  • Signing out

400 Word Essay Examples

Example 1: self-motivation as a way to stay focused.

Self-motivation is the surest way to stay focused. Nearly all the most significant tasks in life are tests for our motivation. Facing challenges and achieving success requires focus; this means we need to be responsible for our motivation. People who are motivated towards achieving their goals are focused on success. The following ideas will help you stay focused and motivated in your work and studies.

First, you should study yourself. It would help if you found out what you like, hate, or freaks you out. According to Socrates, knowing thyself is a basic understanding of nature. If you know your strengths and weaknesses, it’s easy to find your motivations. Once you’ve understood yourself, you can now find out what inspires you and the best way to face challenges. This will help you fight negative energy and use it to undertake essential tasks. Thus, understanding what you are good at would lead you into living a motivated and focused life.

Second, you should have a desire to feel the pride of success. Cultivate a strong aspiration for achieving your goals. This is possible if you set achievable goals and celebrate every time you hit them. You could thank yourself for running daily goals by eating something you like. You can also place on a trip or weekend getaway as a way of rewarding yourself for achieving a year’s goals. This will give you the drive to work harder and become more diligent with what you do.

The desire to get the reward will help you stay focused and motivated in your endeavors.

Third, you can use death as a reason to stay focused. As Henry Rollins said, humans have infinite potential that is hindered by a finite time. Steve Jobs says that he never had as much productive time as after being diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer. In the realization that death is as sure as dawn, you will utilize your time well.

Time well spent in working towards the achievement of goals is the primary catalyst for success. Have a schedule to avoid wasting yours on unnecessary activities. Appreciating that life is short will keep you focused and motivated.

No doubt, the best way to stay focused on your work is to motivate yourself. Death, pride, and knowing thyself are some of the surest ways to keep you in the game. If you follow this advice, you will lead a successful life.

Example 2: Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility

Strategic CSR is a more thorough and deliberate approach to CSR in which a corporation uses the environmental and social effects of its operations as a deciding factor in business decisions. The practice helps businesses coordinate CSR initiatives with more expansive corporate goals and objectives. Strategic CSR aims to build long-term value for the business and society in the following manner.

Strategic CSR enhances a company’s reputation and increases customer loyalty. By incorporating CSR into its core organizational strategy and making an environmental and social impact a critical decision-making factor, a firm can enhance its reputation among customers, workers, investors, and the general public. Similarly, customer loyalty is generally higher for businesses committed to CSR (Chandler, 2022). Clients of such businesses value the businesses’ efforts toward positively impacting society.

Strategic CSR also yields better talent acquisition and improved employee retention and well-being. People like to work for organizations that share their values. A company can attract and keep top talent by emphasizing CSR and demonstrating that it cares about the welfare of its workers and the community. In the same vein, strategic CSR programs can raise employee engagement and foster a happier workplace environment, which improves employees’ well-being (Chandler, 2022). This can decrease turnover and increase employee retention.

Strategic CSR additionally improves risk management and enables long-term sustainability. By considering the environmental and social impacts of its operations, an organization can spot and resolve potential risks. Examples here may include supply chain interruptions, ecological liabilities, or public hostility toward its operations (Haski-Leventhal, 2021). On the same note, strategic CSR helps a business concentrate on long-term sustainability, ensuring that it can carry on and thrive despite economic, environmental, and social challenges.

Finally, strategic CSR increases innovation and financial performance. As businesses look for inventive solutions to environmental and social problems, integrating CSR into their business strategies can promote innovation. Evidence also reveals that businesses that adopt strategic CSR programs often post greater financial performance (Haski-Leventhal, 2021). This is because the advantages of a solid reputation and increased consumer loyalty translate into higher sales and profitability.

Thus, strategic CSR benefits both businesses and society in the long term. It yields such benefits as enhanced business reputation and customer loyalty, better talent acquisition and employee retention, improved risk management and long-term sustainability, and improved innovation and financial performance. Therefore, businesses should relentlessly implement strategic CSR for their benefit and the benefit of society.  

Chandler, D. (2022). Strategic corporate social responsibility: Sustainable value creation . SAGE Publications.

Haski-Leventhal, D. (2021). Strategic corporate social responsibility: A holistic approach to responsible and sustainable business . SAGE Publications. 

Example 3: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media on Mental Health

Although social media has become a significant part of daily life, it could also have far-reaching effects on users. Mental well-being is one area that social media usage may affect. As one uses social media, their experiences may either negate or strengthen their mental health. Social media benefits and harms mental health in the following ways.

Social media keeps people connected. It has developed into a fantastic method to remain in touch with family and friends and learn about their everyday lives. In addition to keeping in touch with loved ones, the development of communities on social media has allowed users to connect with others who share their interests and viewpoints (Grayson, 2022). Some people use it to overcome loneliness and create a space where they feel they belong and are accepted.

Social media also fosters a friendly and helpful environment. It now has a lot to offer in terms of awareness. It has enabled people to share advice, discuss their challenges in confidence, and access supportive resources thanks to increased awareness of mental health issues (Grayson, 2022). The stress and anxiety one experiences in real life can be reduced by sharing one’s issues in these forums or with distant family members.

However, social media could also yield anxiety and depression. People may use social media to share the positive aspects of their lives and project a picture of a perfect daily schedule. Social media’s filtered images and Instagram models can contribute to body dysphoria, which can lead to eating disorders and depression. People experience insecurities due to the quantity of “likes” they obtain on a post as well as from comparing their accounts to those of others (Whiteley, 2023). It may cause feelings of isolation and rejection.

Social media may also result in antisocial behavior. Social media users tend to minimize their face-to-face interactions with others. The fear of missing out grows as it gets simpler to compare one’s life to other people one is “following” on social media platforms (Whiteley, 2023). Antisocial behavior can exacerbate mental health issues by fostering emotions of isolation and loneliness.

Therefore, while social media usage is widespread, it has both beneficial and detrimental effects on mental health. On the positive side, it keeps people connected and fosters the feeling of friendliness and safety. On the flip side, it can increase anxiety and depression and yield antisocial behavior. It should, thus, be used cautiously.  

Grayson, L. (2022). Your mental health in today’s world: How social media affects it . Amazon Digital Services LLC.

Whiteley, C. (2023). Social media psychology: A guide to clinical psychology, cyberpsychology and depression. CGD Publishing.

Example 4: The Use of Social Media in Marketing

Although B2B enterprises aim to sell their goods to other companies, B2B marketing still depends on interpersonal connections. Social media has always been used to foster the development of these connections, and its significance increased during COVID-19. B2B marketers needed to communicate with partners and prospects without attending physical events. Social media can help businesses build and maintain a competitive advantage by leveraging communication in the following ways.

Businesses can use social media to build brand awareness. They can convey their stories across various platforms, explain why they offer their services, and keep audiences informed with stories about their clients, employees, and initiatives (Bertoglio, 2022). B2B executives can further expand their brand reach if they can harness the opinions of their staff. Each employee has their own network, which could contain hundreds of contacts. Each of those contacts is then linked to hundreds of other people.

Social media can also enable businesses to generate leads. Posting data, news, videos, and intriguing trends enables businesses to engage with their target sector and foster relevant conversations (Bertoglio, 2022). These techniques help them establish credibility with potential clients. The techniques can also help businesses to gain leads.

Businesses can also harness social media to build brand authenticity. Brands can develop trust with prospective employees or talent, partners, and customers through social media engagements. This would especially be the case if other people are spreading the word about a company’s name, products, or services. Family and friend suggestions and advice are roughly three times more likely to be trusted by consumers than official brand channels (Macarthy, 2021).

Social media can further enable a business to continually grow its audience. Social media is used by almost 5 billion people (Bertoglio, 2022). Social media platforms provide a business with access to the greatest online addressable market. They also reveal what real people are interested in or talk about. A business can develop an audience that believes in its brand, products, and services if it discovers how to use thought leadership content to address the issues facing this online market.

Thus, social media is a force to reckon with when it comes to using communication to build a competitive advantage. With social media platforms, a company can create brand awareness, generate leads, make its brand more authentic, and enlarge its audience continually. It is probably the best strategic communication tool, and businesses should therefore utilize it maximally.   

Bertoglio, G. (2022). Social media marketing made easy . How2.

Macarthy, A. (2021). 500 social media marketing tips: Essential advice, hints and strategy for business: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat, and more! Independently Published.

A 400 word essay is short, and you need to be very particular when writing it. Like in other essays, you should have a clear and good outline to guide you through the paper. Also, your structure should be on point. Grammatical errors and plagiarism will also weigh down your grade: proofread and run your essay through a  plagiarism checker  before submitting it.

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Word Counter Blog

How Long Does It Take to Write a 1000 Word Essay?

How long does it take to write an essay?

How long does it take to research an essay?

If you’re writing an opinion piece on something you already have some knowledge about, you may not have to do any research at all. It may just be a matter of organizing your existing thoughts into a coherent essay. If you need to find out about a topic before you begin to write, you can easily get information on certain topics, whilst others will be more obscure and therefore more difficult to research. Clearly, the easier it is to find information, the faster you can write.

How good are your reading comprehension skills?

Some of us can just skim a piece and pick up all the salient points. Others will have to read with more attention, and even re-read a piece several times to extract the information we need. Having good reading and comprehension skills makes writing much faster since you’re able to “get” the facts faster and organize them better. Now you know why you had to do so many reading comprehension tests at school.

How well did you plan?

Throwing yourself headlong at a 1,000-word essay and writing till you reach the word count may seem like the easy option, but it isn’t. Planning your essay so that it begins with an introduction, highlights the most important points you want to make and then wraps everything up into a conclusion actually saves you time. Sometimes, essay instructions will tell you how to structure the piece, so read them carefully and extract any information you can use to guide your essay’s structure.

How fast do you type?

Have you ever gotten lost halfway through a sentence? You know what you wanted to say, but halfway through, the thought slips away from you. The faster you can type , the more easily you can capture thoughts before your mind moves onto the next thing and you forget what you were trying to say. Typing skills are essential in the modern world. Consider using typing games to improve your speed.

How long does it take me to write a 1,000-word essay?

Faster isn’t always better. The more in-depth your report is meant to be, the longer you should spend on it. I can usually research and write a fairly technical magazine article of 1,000 words in three hours, but do remember that I’m a professional writer. I’m fast because I write all day, every day.

The longest I’ve ever spent on a 1,000-word article was 12 hours. It was absolutely brutal! The information I needed to gather was very technical, hard to find, and even more difficult to understand, and you can’t write something until you really understand the subject matter. I also had to contact experts for their opinions, but I couldn’t even ask about their opinions until I could target them with the right questions. As a result, I actually had to write most of the article before slotting in the expert comment.

The quickest I’ve ever written a 1,000-word article is one hour. In this case, I already knew the subject matter well and didn’t have to back up every fact in the essay with references.

Reviewing your work also matters

If you’re writing for grades and want a good one, you need a really good essay. Don’t start writing it the day before you have to hand it in. Try and get your first draft down at least a day or two before you have to submit your work. Then return to it and do your editing. Read your essay aloud to yourself, since this will help you pick up any careless errors you wouldn’t otherwise spot. Check to see if your information flows logically from one point to the next and make sure that you’ve presented your information clearly.

Remember, teachers get tired. They have to read the same kind of essay over and over again when they grade. If they struggle to understand what you’re saying, you might not get as good a grade as you would if you stuck to using short sentences and relatively simple language.

Your reviewing process shouldn’t take all that long. If you don’t have to make a lot of changes, you should be able to do your final edit in under half an hour.

Take your time. Whatever you do, don’t rush. You might want your essay to be written quickly, but if it’s an important essay, taking your time will give you a better finished product. Budget your time conservatively. It’s better to find that you’ve still got time left over than to run out of time and end up dashing things off with a looming deadline.

Below are some basic guidelines if you need a rough estimate on how long it will take to write an essay. It’s important to remember that there are a plethora of mitigating factors that can increase or decrease the time it takes to write. The below numbers are using an estimate that it takes about 3 hours 20 minutes to write a 1000 word essay:

How long does it take to write a 100 word essay? It takes about 20 minutes to write a 100 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 200 word essay? It takes about 40 minutes to write a 200 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 250 word essay? It takes about 50 minutes to write a 250 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 300 word essay? It takes about 1 hour to write a 300 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 400 word essay? It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to write a 400 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 500 word essay? It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to write a 500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 600 word essay? It takes about 2 hours to write a 600 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 700 word essay? It takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes to write a 700 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 800 word essay? It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to write a 800 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 900 word essay? It takes about 3 hours to write a 900 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,000 word essay? It takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes to write a 1,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,250 word essay? It takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes to write a 1,250 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,500 word essay? It takes about 5 hours to write a 1,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 1,750 word essay? It takes about 5 hours and 50 minutes to write a 1,750 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 2,000 word essay? It takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes to write a 2,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 2,500 word essay? It takes about 8 hours and 20 minutes to write a 2,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 3,000 word essay? It takes about 10 hours to write a 3,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 3,500 word essay? It takes about 11 hours and 40 minutes to write a 3,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 4,000 word essay? It takes about 13 hours and 20 minutes to write a 4,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 4,500 word essay? It takes about 15 hours to write a 4,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 5,000 word essay? It takes about 16 hours and 40 minutes to write a 5,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 6,000 word essay? It takes about 20 hours to write a 6,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 7,000 word essay? It takes about 23 hours and 20 minutes to write a 7,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 7,500 word essay? It takes about 25 hours to write a 7,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write an 8,000 word essay? It takes about 26 hours and 40 minutes to write an 8,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 9,000 word essay? It takes about 30 hours to write a 9,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 10,000 word essay? It takes about 33 hours and 20 minutes to write a 10,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 12,500 word essay? It takes about 41 hours and 40 minutes to write a 12,500 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 15,000 word essay? It takes about 50 hours to write a 15,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 20,000 word essay? It takes about 66 hours and 40 minutes to write a 20,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 25,000 word essay? It takes about 83 hours and 20 minutes to write a 25,000 word essay.

How long does it take to write a 50,000 word essay? It takes about 166 hours and 40 minutes to write a 50,000 word essay.

(Image courtesy of Miguel )

This isn’t accurate. I wrote my 1000 word essay in an hour, not three hours. You should change the times you have listed to reflect how long it actually takes to write. Obviously you don’t know since the mes you listed are not the same as what I can do!

Did you even read the article? The writer says that it’s based on what she writes and is just a general approximation. How long it takes you or anybody else to write an essay will obviously be different because you’re not the same as everybody else. Nobody writes at the same speed so how long it takes you to write an essay will be different for every person.

Someone doesn’t understand the meaning of “rough estimate”

Well then you must be superhuman or some shit I don’t care, I came here for a question not your butthurt comments. Also, if your so good at writing I wouldn’t have found 2 typos in 2 sentences 🙂

*you’re

If you already have all the research done and know what you want to say, then a 1000 word essay shouldn’t take more than an hour to write. In fact, it probably can be done in 30 minutes or less. The time-consuming part of an essay is the research and how long that takes depends on how much you have to do. But the actual writing of the essay shouldn’t take too long at all.

But research is part of the writing process. If a person writes a book, they don’t only count the time it took them at the typewriter writing. They count all the time it took to research the book as well. Trying to separate the two doesn’t make sense.

I think an important thing to point out here is that there’s a huge difference between writing a 1000 word essay and writing a good 1000 word essay. You can write an essay in hardly any time at all if you don’t do the proper research and don’t spend time editing what you wrote. If you’re going to write a good essay, it’s going to take more time. You should always give yourself more time than you think you’re going to need to get it done.

This applies to all writing. Writing and writing something something well will have a huge time discrepancy even if both writings are the same length. Just because you are able to finish something quickly doesn’t mean that’s the best way to do it.

Exactly! Actually, it can take hours or days to come up with the right line – or it can come in seconds. There’s no real counting in terms of the creative process.

Days to come up with the right line? 😀

It does. Sometimes, no matter how hard you look at something, you won’t be satisfied with it. It may take you days to figure it out. And then, one fine day, you suddenly stand up right in the middle of breakfast and then run upstairs and then type out the right line. Source: personal experience

I just spent 8 hours on a 500-word monologue… This comment made me feel better.

Wow, your advice is excellent it motivated me to do a lot better in my essay.

In my opinion, hours that are presented here a partially true. It may take about an hor to write 300 word essay but editing also takes some time. So on averege, I count the time to write the piece itself + time edit everything.

Research, first draft writing, editing, and rewriting are all part of the writing process. I think the time it takes to do all of them should be counted in the time it takes.

It takes way too long! Teachers should not be allowed to assign essays more than 250 words. They always complain they don’t have enough time and work too hard. It’s only because they make their students do too much work!!

This comment just makes you look lazy. 250 words is nothing. Any topic that needs to be explored will take many more words than this. If you don’t want to write, just admit it and don’t try to project that on others.

If you do your research, use annotations for resources and understand to whom and what you have to transfer than the fewer words the better. Remember that you are demonstrating deep knowledge of the topic by making it accessible to the audience without them doing the research. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

Contrary to what academia self-righteously preach, its imperative for any writing and explanation of thought to be simplified. If you cant explain it in short time/short essay you don’t understand it enough.

I disagree, I feel 250 words is way too less to explain any topic. In my opinion, the maximum word count for an essay should be 1500.

It should take long enough that you get all the points you want across in the writing, but not too long as to bore the reader. Writing should be engaging, not boring.

Nice philosophy, but completely unhelpful if you have a paper due tomorrow and limited amount of time to write. The real world doesn’t work that way.

If someone has an essay due tomorrow and they waste time reading this, then they are a bit of an idiot for giving themselves even less time to work with. If they’re leaving work to the last minute like that, then the only thing they should be doing is jumping right in and writing (or planning the essay, but that should be done much sooner).

This is so arbitrary and will depend on the individual. It’s like asking the question, “how long does it take to write a book?” For some, it will only take a couple of months while for others it will take a lifetime. it also depends on the type of writing you’re doing. Some writing is easy and quick and other writing is difficult and requires huge amounts of research.

The uphill task of writing an essay is doing thorough research. Once you have completed the research, you can deliver a 1000 word paper per hour

I completely agree with you on that one. I recently worked on a 4000 word essay, and while the research did take me three hours to conduct, I completed the essay itself in a bit less than four hours and scored a total of 32/34 points.

So happy to read that! That’s because I just realised, that that is what I needed to read. I’ve got two months to write six 2500 word essays. I’ve been procrastinating because I’m simply in fear of doing a bad job. I’ve done lots of research; made lots of notes; collected citations and written nothing. It’s time. I can do this!

I’m writing a 1600 word essay right now as I type this lol

Then show me after you have finished.

Im writing a 2500 word essay, almost done, I can’t even imagine writing a 10000 word essay in university, that sounds EXTREMELY painful 🙁

I found these estimations quite accurate, thank you.

I’m writing a narrative for my English class right this moment and the word requirements are 800-1000. I’ve only been working for two hours and I’m at 1,157. I’m nowhere near done…

your word requirements are 800-1000 and u have 1157? You’ve been done for a while I would say

Wow i have to write a 1 500 word essay in 4 days and I have about 1050 words left Dono how long thats gonna take me 😂😭😭😭

I am writing a dissertation and those estimations made me positive because just 41 hour to write 12,000 essay seems nothing. But at the moment I just finished literature review(though the hardest part yet) without editing I am already at over 35 hours of work. And that’s not even a half! But I am aiming for a good grade though…

I’ve found these estimates incredibly accurate in my years in college. I’m about to graduate next week and have one more 3500 word paper to write. We’ll see if the estimates hold true. However, the estimates (for me at least) don’t include the time it takes to edit so I usually add a little time depending on how long the essay/paper has to be.

Wow, these tips are helpful, Thank You to the creator of this website. These tips helped me a lot in my essay for school.

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How To Write a 400-word Essay

how long does a 400 word essay take

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Given its short length, 400 words may seem like a piece of cake to write, but that isn’t always the case! Writing a short essay can be difficult because of its length, which forces you to focus only on the most important details. 

It can be challenging to condense arguments, your ideas, a strong introduction, and a strong conclusion into 400 words. Personal statements, which typically range from 400 to 800 words, would be a hard task to achieve if care was not taken. Actually, a 400-word essay can be a useful tool for teachers to evaluate their students’ comprehension of the subject matter and their ability to communicate ideas clearly.

A 400-word essay is a brief composition. A teacher may assign it to assess a student’s understanding of the subject and their capacity for clear, concise thought. Texts between 400 and 450 words are most frequently found in the following genres: discussion board posts and personal statements for college applications.

How a 400-word Scholarship Essay Should Be Formatted

A 400-word scholarship essay follows a similar structure to a shorter essay. Every paragraph has three to five well-written sentences and is between 75 and 125 words long. The format of a story or personal anecdote can resemble that of a novel rather than a news article.

The principal elements of a 400-word essay consist of:

  • A thesis-establishing opening paragraph that draws the reader in. The thesis could be a claim that you back up in the body paragraphs or it could be a question that you address later in the essay. Writing a narrative makes your “thesis” less obvious.
  • Four to six body paragraphs supporting your thesis with evidence. Every paragraph ought to be well-organized. The body of paragraphs ought to transition smoothly from one idea to the next.
  • A final paragraph that summarizes the main ideas from the body of the text and serves as a thesis reminder. The issue raised in the introduction should be addressed or the statement made therein completed in the conclusion. The reader ought to feel resolved and at ease after reading it.

Essays should be 400 words or less, but they don’t have to be precisely that length. The essay prompt might specify whether 400 words is the minimum or maximum word count by saying “in under 400 words” or “in at least 500 words.”

Conclusion 

To write an essay of 400 words your thesis statement serves as the focal point of your essay. This is your main argument, which is typically a response to one of the essay prompt’s questions. The goal of the introduction is to draw the reader in and set the stage for the thesis explanation.

Usually, it opens with a broad assertion about the subject at hand. The paragraphs ought to transition smoothly into one another like an uninterrupted train of thought. Every paragraph should bring the statement from the introduction to a close. This is your final chance to persuade the reader of your thesis after you have addressed all of your points.

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What Does 900 Words Look Like? The Ultimate Guide to Writing an Effective 900 Word Article

At around 2 single-spaced pages in length, 900 words may seem like a simple writing task to complete. However, effectively writing pieces of this length requires an understanding of how to optimize structure, formatting, content, and tone within the 900 word constraint.

This comprehensive guide will examine every aspect of crafting strong 900 word articles and essays. We’ll cover expected length, formatting, average reading times, structuring paragraphs and sections, writing style, and plenty of expert tips for maximizing impact and engagement at the 900 word mark.

How Long Does 900 Words Take to Read? Breaking Down Reading Speed Statistics

Before diving into writing 900 words, it helps to understand how long that length of text takes to consume for the average reader.

Here is an overview of average adult reading speeds:

200-300 words per minute (wpm) is typical for the average reader scanning written content. At this speed, 900 words would take approximately 3-4.5 minutes to read.

300-400 wpm is considered a fast but achievable reading speed for most with practice. Faster readers at this level can finish 900 words in 2.25-3 minutes.

400-500 wpm is very fast, achieved by strong readers and speed readers. 900 words would only take 1.8-2.25 minutes at this pace.

So for the majority of readers, plan on your 900 word articles requiring around 3 minutes of attention. But recognize that more advanced readers may breeze through the content faster, while struggling or young readers may require additional time.

Here‘s how reading times for 900 words can vary by age and education level:

As you can see, children and early teens may need over twice as long to read 900 words versus educated adults. So keep your target audience and reading level in mind as you craft 900 word pieces.

How Many Pages is 900 Words?

The page count of a 900 word document depends greatly on spacing and formatting preferences.

  • Single spaced: Approximately 1.8 pages
  • Double spaced: Approximately 3.6 pages

Of course, factors like margin size, font style, and use of visuals can impact page length as well. But in general, a 900 word essay will be just under 2 pages single spaced or right around 4 pages double spaced.

Here is a breakdown of estimated pages for other common word counts:

So at just under 2 pages single spaced, 900 words lands in the range best suited to shorter essays, blog posts, and news articles where concise but thorough discussion is expected.

What Does a 900 Word Blog Post Look Like?

Blog posts are a common format for 900 word pieces. Let‘s look at an excerpt from a sample 900 word blog article:

Heading: 5 Tips for Taking Stunning Landscape Photography
As someone who has made a living from outdoor photography for over a decade, I’ve learned a few tricks along the way for capturing jaw-dropping landscape images even with just a phone camera and tripod. In this article, I’ll share my top 5 tips for taking your landscape photography to the next level…
Tip 1: Use the Rule of Thirds One of the most basic composition guidelines in photography is the Rule of Thirds. By framing your shot using imaginary horizontal and vertical lines that divide the image into thirds, you can create more balance and interest in landscape photos. Position important elements like the horizon or a mountain peak at one of the intersection points of these lines.
Tip 2: Include Foreground Interest Simply pointing your camera at a beautiful vista doesn’t always make for an awe-inspiring landscape image…[Post excerpt continues]

As you can see from this sample, a 900 word blog post has space to delve into 4-5 main points with detailed supporting discussion and visual examples. The length is sufficient to provide readers with a satisfying amount of insightful, engaging content in a digestible format.

What Does a 900 Word Essay Look Like?

Essays are another common medium for 900 word pieces. Here is an excerpt from a sample 900 word essay:

In Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Macbeth, the eponymous protagonist succumbs to the deleterious effects of unchecked ambition. Through Macbeth, Shakespeare explores ambition’s corrupting influence and its dangerous consequences when left unrestrained by moral consciousness…[essay excerpt continues]

This excerpt demonstrates how a 900 word essay has room for an in-depth analysis when examining a focused thesis or subject. The length allows for an introduction, multiple body paragraphs cite textual evidence, and a conclusion that synthesizes key points.

How Many Paragraphs are 900 Words?

Paragraph count can vary tremendously based on length and formatting. But generally, a 900 word piece will contain approximately 5-7 paragraphs.

These paragraphs will break down something like this:

  • 1 paragraph for the introduction (around 100 words)
  • 4-5 paragraphs for the body (around 125-200 words each)
  • 1 paragraph for the conclusion (around 100 words)

The exact paragraph count isn’t critical though. Whether you end up with 5 tighter paragraphs or 7 shorter ones, aim for logical flow in how your ideas are organized and grouped into blocks.

Here are some estimates for paragraphs in essays of other common lengths:

As you can see, 900 words has plenty of room for multi-paragraph exploration while remaining concise enough to prevent rambling.

Structuring a 900 Word Essay for Success

When writing essays, blog articles, or other compositions at the 900 word mark, use these guidelines to craft an effectively structured piece:

Engaging Introduction

Your introduction should grab the reader’s attention while providing any necessary background context. Establish the central topic, purpose and scope of the piece. Close your intro with a clear thesis statement or controlling idea. Aim for 75-125 words in your intro.

Detailed Body Paragraphs

The body will be the bulk of your 900 word piece. Organize supporting points logically into 4-5 paragraphs. Open each paragraph with a topic sentence that establishes the focus, and include 2-5 sentences elaborating through facts, details, and evidence. Around 125-200 words per paragraph is a reasonable target.

Impactful Conclusion

Wrap up your 900 word piece by restating your thesis in fresh words. Synthesize key points without introducing new information. End with a memorable takeaway for readers. Keep your conclusion around 75-100 words to avoid unnecessary repetition.

Perfecting Your Writing Style and Tone at 900 Words

Within the compact 900 word space, every word must be purposeful and impactful. Here are techniques to refine your writing style:

Write conversationally – Use natural language and vary sentence structure as if speaking one-on-one with the reader

Avoid redundancy – Omit redundant descriptors and wordiness to communicate ideas as concisely as possible

Active voice – Opt for active sentence construction like "The dog chased the ball" vs. passive voice like "The ball was chased by the dog"

Explain jargon – Briefly define any technical terms or acronyms on first use so all readers can follow

Readability over complexity – Stick to understandable language versus overly academic or ornate vocabulary

Anecdotes and analogies – Bring your piece to life with brief, relevant stories and analogies to illustrate points

Getting the tone right is also key. Aim for an approachable yet authoritative balance – like a knowledgeable friend sharing expertise in a warm, accessible way.

Formatting a 900 Word Article for Maximum Readability

With longer writing pieces, formatting elements like headings, lists, and images help organize information and give readers’ eyes a break. But at 900 words, you don’t want to disrupt the flow too much. Use these formatting tips judiciously:

Headings – Add 2-3 short headings to divide sections. Avoid lengthy numbered headings.

Bullet points – Break long lists down visually with bullets rather than cramming all into sentences.

Images – Include 1-2 small, relevant images to add visual interest. Provide proper attribution.

Charts/graphs – For pieces involving data, incorporate simple charts, graphs, or tables. Follow accessibility best practices.

Bold/italic text – Use sparingly for emphasis of key words and phrases. Overuse diminishes impact.

White space – Avoid dense, chunky paragraphs. Leave room to breathe between sections.

Through strategic use of formatting, you can maximize ease of reading in your 900 word piece without distracting from the text itself.

How Strict are Professors and Publications on Word Counts?

When an essay, article, or other piece has a specific word count target, how strictly should you adhere to the limits? Here are some guidelines:

Academic essays – Professors often provide a range like “900-1000 words.” Aim to stay within about 75 words of the limits to avoid point deductions.

Online publications – Can be a bit more flexible, but don’t deviate too far over or under their requested length.

Print publications – Have firm word counts fitting their column/page constraints, so cuts may be required to fit.

College applications – Stay within about 10% over or under stated limits to avoid issues.

While a small variance is usually fine, grossly exceeding or missing requested word counts can negatively impact grades, likelihood of publication acceptance, or impression on reviewers. Show respect for the guidelines.

Tips for Writing a 900 Word Essay Quickly

Sometimes you’ll need to produce a 900 word piece rapidly. These tips will help:

Outline thoroughly – Have an organized outline with supporting points planned before drafting.

Set a timer – Use a timer to focus for 30-45 minute intervals.

Write the tough parts first – Don’t save the introduction and conclusion for last.

Reference existing research – Incorporate quotes, facts, and examples you already have handy.

Use simple language – Avoid the urge to reach for unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Take breaks – Step away briefly after completing chunks to recharge.

Proofread as you go – Refine wording in small sections versus editing the full piece at the end.

With time pressure, having an outline planned and maintaining focus become especially critical for producing your best possible work.

What Does 950 Words Look Like Compared to 900?

While only 50 words longer, a 950 word piece allows for slightly more elaboration:

  • About 1 extra paragraph for the body
  • More flexibility for an extended introduction or conclusion
  • Space for an additional example, detail, or analysis

Otherwise, a 950 word essay will structurally look very similar to our 900 word model in terms of overall length, paragraphs, and sections. But those extra 50 words do provide some helpful wiggle room in your content.

Examples of Different Word Counts in Academic Papers

To better visualize varying essay lengths, here are excerpts from sample academic papers at different word counts:

500 Word Essay Excerpt

In William Golding’s Lord of the Flies, the conch shell becomes a powerful symbol of civilization and order. Through its connection to Ralph as chief, the shell is used to maintain stability, call meetings, and hold sway over the other boys. But as tensions on the island deepen, the conch begins losing its power among the group…[excerpt continues]

As you can see, at 500 words the essay has space to delve into analyzing just one key symbol from a text. This length is well suited to shorter high school essays.

1000 Word Essay Excerpt

Scholars have extensively debated whether Alexander the Great deserves the title of “great.” The conqueror built an enormous empire spanning the Mediterranean and Middle East, facilitated cultural diffusion between East and West, and demonstrated military genius unprecedented for his time. However, Alexander also demonstrated callousness towards those he conquered, dangerous megalomania, and a proclivity for violence…[excerpt continues]

At 1000 words, the essay can include a more thorough evaluation of Alexander’s legacy, with room for discussion of multiple supporting perspectives. This allows more nuanced analysis of a complex issue.

2000 Word Essay Excerpt

The causes of the Great Recession of 2008 were undeniably complex, with contributing factors spanning years leading up to the housing collapse. Several key elements played a role, including: insufficient regulation of subprime lending, rating agencies assigning overly-optimistic appraisals, banks improperly bundling high-risk loans into mortgage-backed securities, and incentivization of predatory loans through securitization. This perfect storm of contributing causes then led to a cascading worldwide financial crisis when the overheated U.S. housing market finally crashed… [excerpt continues]

At 2000 words, the essay provides sufficient length to give an in-depth exploration of multiple contributing factors in a multi-faceted issue like the Great Recession. The extended word count allows for greater detail and nuance.

In summary , our 900 word essay length hits a “sweet spot” – ample room for a reasonably thorough discussion appropriate for blogs, essays, articles and other mediums targeting concise yet meaningful content.

Key Takeaways on Writing 900 Words

To recap, the key points to keep in mind when writing a 900 word piece include:

It will take the average reader around 3 minutes to read 900 words

At just under 2 pages single spaced or 4 pages double spaced, 900 words is well suited to essays, blog posts, and short articles

A 900 word essay will typically contain 5-7 paragraphs

Use an engaging hook and clear thesis in your introduction

Organize supporting points logically in 4-5 detailed body paragraphs

Close with a concise yet impactful conclusion

Adopt an approachable, conversational tone using active voice

Use formatting like headings and bullets judiciously to enhance readability

Proofread carefully and refine wording within the tight 900 word constraint

With this comprehensive guidance on optimizing your 900 word essays and articles, you can feel confident in crafting compelling content that makes every word count.

So now that you have a thorough understanding of all things 900 words – get out there and start writing standout 900 word pieces!

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4000 Word Essay Writing Guide: How to Structure & How Many Pages Is It?

4000 Word Essay Writing Guide: How to Structure & How Many Pages Is It?

4000-word essays have a much more complex structure of argumentation than usual essays, and it’s harder to develop a workable yet comprehensive thesis statement for them. So, students immediately get overwhelmed and stuck even before starting the task.

The trick to composing a coherent and informative essay of such length is to divide it into parts and treat each as a separate, independent task. Our article will explain the structure of a 4000-word essay , with examples to guide your writing process. We will also clarify how many pages a 4000-word paper should have.

📑 How Many Pages Is a 4000-word Essay?

🧩 4000 word essay: structure.

  • ✍️ How to Write a 4000-word Essay

📝 4000 Word Essay Example

📚 4000 words essay topics, ❓ 4000 words essay: faq, 🔗 references.

As a rule, one double-spaced page contains an average of 275 words, so a 4000-words double-spaced essay should be 14.5 pages long. A single-spaced page includes 550 words on average, meaning 4000 words will fit into approximately 7 single-spaced pages. However, your paper’s length may vary depending on your choice of font , spacing, margins, and the number of headings and subheadings in your article.

We’ve checked how much space 4000 words will take with the most common font and page layout characteristics: 12-point Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins on all sides. With these parameters, a 4000-word essay takes 13 full double-spaced or 7 single-spaced pages.

A 4000 words essay is a long paper, so you should make a detailed outline before writing it. Consider the headings your 4000-word paper will include, what sources you will use in each part, and which thought will guide each section. Below we will give a general structure of a 4000-word essay, which will suit you regardless of whether you’re writing an argumentative , persuasive , or research paper.

This image shows a 4000-word essay structure.

Introduction

Every essay must start with an introduction, which aims to grab the readers’ attention, inform them of the theme of the paper, and give a thesis statement . The opening paragraph has 4 main elements:

  • Hook. The hook is the first line of the essay that piques readers’ interest and encourages them to continue reading. You can achieve this by offering a catchy quote, a surprising statistic, or a rhetorical question.
  • Background and purpose. The subsequent section provides background information about your topic. This part also helps readers understand why you are writing about this issue.
  • Thesis statement. It is a sentence clearly stating the essay’s central argument and the critical supporting points.
  • Road map. It is a preview statement that explains how your paper is organized.

In shorter essays, an introduction usually takes one paragraph, but a 4000-word paper may need 2 or more paragraphs to properly introduce the topic.

Essay of 4000 Words: Paragraph Writing

A well-written body paragraph discusses, illustrates, and defends your essay’s thesis statement. Here’s how to create one:

  • Start with a topic sentence . Your topic sentences should connect to your thesis to strengthen your essay’s coherence. When writing a topic sentence , consider what your paragraph is about. Why did you choose to include the given information? Why is this paragraph significant to your thesis? What argument are you attempting to make?
  • Explain your topic sentence . If your topic sentence needs further explanation, add a sentence or two to elaborate on it.
  • Introduce your evidence . You can smoothly integrate quotes or statistics to support the claim in your topic sentence. Remember to cite your sources correctly when using research findings or ideas from someone else’s works.
  • Explain your evidence . Each piece of external evidence should come with a sufficient interpretation, showing the relevance of this data to your broader thesis statement and arguments.
  • Add a concluding sentence . End a paragraph with a concluding statement that summarizes your idea and links this point to the next one.

Remember to include linking words and transition sentences within and between body paragraphs to ensure a smooth flow of thoughts.

A conclusion is your opportunity to synthesize your thoughts and illustrate the importance of your ideas. It’s also your chance to make a final impression and close your article positively. Here are a few things you should and shouldn’t do when writing your last paragraph.

Other Possible Elements

Unlike shorter essays, 4000-word articles require a more in-depth study of the topic. So, they can contain visuals, tables, charts, calculations, and additional components such as abstracts, appendices, and tables of content. Let’s look at the elements that make this essay unique.

An abstract is a brief (150-250 words) standalone summary of a larger work. This component is essential for published academic papers. It helps researchers find a publication in a database. Moreover, scholars often scan abstracts to decide whether the article is relevant to their area of interest.

The elements of an abstract can vary depending on the field of study. However, a standard abstract will contain an article’s purpose, problem, methodology, results, and implications.

Executive Summary

An executive summary is a review of the critical points of a research report. It is common in writing assignments for business students who often prepare business reports for organizations.

Executive summaries take 10% of the paper’s total word count. So, in a 4000-word report, it should be about 400 words. Here’s how you create one:

  • Read the report and identify its goal, main points, and critical suggestions.
  • Begin your executive summary with an opening statement and brief background.
  • Introduce the report’s purpose and methods of data collection and analysis.
  • Describe the main findings and major recommendations with justifications.
  • Structure your summary: add headings and ensure each paragraph covers one main point.

Table of Contents

A table of contents (TOC) is a list of your document’s headings and subheadings with page numbers. It follows the abstract or executive summary.

MS Word can create a TOC automatically if you correctly label your headings and subheadings. To apply styles to your headings, go to “Home” in your Word document and choose a suitable option from the “Styles” gallery. This way, you can format various section and subsection titles of your essay as Level-1 to Level-5 headings.

At the end of the essay, you should give a list of cited literature . Its formatting will depend on the chosen referencing style. For instance, the APA and MLA styles list sources in alphabetic order, but the Vancouver citation style arranges them as they appear in the text. To get help with citing your sources, use our citation machine .

An appendix provides additional information that helps explain the research problem but is too extensive to be included in the main body. For example, supplementary tables, charts, diagrams, photographs, and calculations usually go to appendices. Each distinct topic or data set should have its appendix with a descriptive heading.

When deciding what to include in an appendix , remember that the information in appendices is non-essential and can be omitted without affecting your essay’s meaning, credibility, or conclusions. Moreover, you should number appendix tables and figures separately from the main paper and always refer to your appendices in the body paragraphs.

✍️ How to Write a 4000-Word Essay

Essay writing begins with thorough planning. It will help you logically organize your work. You must research and critically evaluate the material on your topic to formulate and express an argument. Follow the instructions below to excel in your writing.

Step 1: Prepare

First of all, you should thoroughly understand the task at hand by reading the assignment instructions closely. If necessary, consult your professor for clarification. If you’ve received a list of assigned readings for the essay, skim them, keeping your writing instructions in mind.

Once you understand the task and get familiar with class readings, brainstorm topics for your paper. You should also consider your audience before writing to choose the appropriate tone, language, and arguments.

Step 2: Research

Find sources that support the main argument you plan to make. Always take notes as you conduct your research. For example, you can copy and paste one main sentence from each source into a Google Docs or Microsoft Word document to convey its central point. Then, summarize what you read in your own words.

Step 3: Plan and Outline

Outlining involves planning the content of each essay paragraph, the order of sections, and the overall flow of thoughts in the essay. An outline serves as a map of the paper: it gives an idea of what your essay will look like while leaving room for modifying ideas quickly. Your essay plan should include your thesis statement, the key point of each paragraph, and evidence from sources you will use to support your argument.

Step 4: Write Your Draft

A draft is a complete first version of your 4000-words essay. With a detailed outline, writing a long paper is a manageable task. Just take the main points from your essay plan and elaborate on them in your paragraphs, supporting your claims with evidence and explanations. Begin by writing the parts that come easily to you, one paragraph or section at a time.

Step 5: Revise and Edit

Revision allows you to assess your paper regarding your topic , arguments, and audience. When revising, you ensure your essay covers the issue in the most effective way. For example, you can add, remove, or reorganize paragraphs to make your argument more compelling.

Editing involves checking for grammatical, spelling, and lexical errors and awkward sentences that make your writing hard to understand. You should edit your work to ensure your essay looks clear and professional.

This image shows how to write a 4000-word essay.

Check out a 4000-word essay example on diabetes: The Impact of Nutrition on the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Below, we will review its elements to help you understand how to structure your 4000-word paper.

Here are a few 4000-word essay topic ideas for you to explore:

  • Increased Internet addiction rates during the COVID-10 pandemic.
  • The metaverse and the future prospects of advertising.
  • Cost-benefit analysis of prison privatization.
  • Causes of irrational use of antibiotics in the US.
  • Atheism in 18 th -century literature.
  • Ethical and legal issues of international surrogacy.
  • Microbiological hazards of raw diets for cats.
  • Celebrity suicides: The impact on global suicide rates.
  • Internet censorship: A cross-country comparison.
  • Child custody disputes: Court decisions regarding abusive parents.
  • Reducing falls in the aged care facility at Amity, Campbell.
  • Road accidents and fatalities in Qatar.
  • Organizational leadership and personal qualities.
  • Routine CT scanning protocols of the head, chest, and abdomen.
  • Leadership and management importance in organizations.
  • Business Valuation of WH Smith Plc.
  • Street walk essay: Socio quiz.
  • How did the financial crisis affect the supply chain organization?
  • The US antitrust law and economics.
  • HIV/AIDS: Prevention, control, treatment.
  • Apple: Organizational culture, leadership, and organizational change.
  • Prevention of obesity in children.
  • North Korean nuclear proliferation.
  • Euthanasia – The essential right to die.
  • The permissibility of international peace.
  • Perspective in women leadership in the United Arab Emirates.
  • Health information security outline.
  • The Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
  • Movement of exchange rate volatility and capital budgeting.
  • Children’s, young people’s, and family’s rights.
  • The United Kingdom energy and emissions.
  • Oxfam International: Company activities.
  • Vietnam’s decolonization’s impacts on international relations.
  • Deviant behavior of college freshmen.
  • HSBC & Barclays PLC: Balance sheet and income statements.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases impacts.
  • Best All Round Roofing firm’s technical proposal and mission capability.
  • British Airways: Project management.
  • North American Indian native art.
  • Data-based decision making in assessment.
  • Reasons and implications of divorce.
  • Advertising effect on British buying decisions.
  • A muted generation or how the Internet changes the way we live.
  • Business management leadership and choices.
  • Ethics and audit risks of auditing fraudulent financial statements.
  • Eco-friendly packaging and sustainability issues.
  • Brexit and its economic impact on the UK.
  • Critical incident analysis in teaching.
  • Ethnicity and employment in the United States.
  • Physical changes in older adults.

How Long Is a 4000-Word Essay?

An essay of 4000 words would be around 8 single-spaced or 16 double-spaced pages. The number of pages may vary depending on your document formatting. Moreover, your essay can be even longer if you include an abstract, a table of contents, and appendices. If you use many headings, it will also extend your paper’s length.

How Long Does It Take to Write a 4000-Word Essay?

Writing a 4000-word essay takes a lot of time. Simply typing 4000 words will take about 2 hours, with an average typing speed of 40 words per minute. However, besides typing, you will have to spend much time researching, outlining, revising, and proofreading your work. As a rule, students spend at least 2 days writing a 4000-word article.

4000 Words Double Spaced — How Many Pages?

With 12pt Times New Roman font and 1-inch margins on all sides, one double-spaced page contains about 275 words. So, if we convert 4000 words to pages, the essay should fit into 14.5 double-spaced or 7.2 single-spaced pages in A4 format. The actual number of pages will depend on your font size and type and the inclusion of additional elements that may extend the essay, such as headings, figures, or tables.

  • Stages of the Writing Process | Purdue Online Writing Lab  
  • Drafting | Writing for Success  
  • Essay Planning: Outlining with a Purpose | San José State University Writing Center  
  • Conclusions | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  
  • Strong Body Paragraphs | University of Washington  
  • The Writing Process: Organizing an Essay | Hunter College  
  • How to Write Your Essay Like a Pro | The Yale Ledger  
  • Microsoft Word for Essay Writing | Academic Skills Centre, University of Canterbury  
  • A Process Approach to Writing Research Papers | Berkeley Student Learning Center  
  • Time Management in Essay Writing | University of Nevada, Reno  
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How Long Does It Take to Read 400 Words?

The average reader will read 400 words in 1.3 minutes when reading at a speed of 300 words per minute (wpm).

Documents that typically contain 400 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles.

You may read faster or slower than this depending on your average reading speed. Adults typically read at about 300 words per minute when reading fiction for enjoyment but that will depend on the type of book or material. For example, technical material such as operating manuals, manual repair guides, or complicated scientific research typically require more focus and attention to detail which can slow reading speeds down to 125 words per minute. College students typically need to be able to read at 400-450 words per minute in order to quickly consume textbook content.

Check out our word counter tool to see how long your text is and how long it will take to read.

What If I'm a Slower Reader?

If you're a slow reader, you may read at closer to 125 to 200 words per minute. This means reading 400 words will take you between 2 and 3.2 minutes .

What If I'm a Fast Reader?

If you're a fast reader, you may read at closer to 400 words per minute. This means reading 400 words will take you around 1 minutes .

What Is a Normal Speed for Reading?

There is no "normal" reading speed. Everyone reads at their own speed for both enjyoment and comprehension. Reading speeds between 125 words per minute and 400 words per minute are normal, but the average for leisure reading tends to be around 300 words per minute.

Reading Time by Word Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to read typical word counts by different reading speeds. If you want to know how long reading your favorite book or an article will take, check out the table below:

Reading Time by Page Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to read by typical page counts. If you want to know how long reading your favorite book or an article will take, check out the table below:

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How Long Is a 3000-Word Essay? Length and Formatting Tips

  • December 8, 2023
  • Study Guides

Estimating the length of a 3000-word essay and understanding the necessary formatting can be a daunting task. As professional journalists, we understand the importance of providing accurate information and valuable tips to help students navigate this challenge. In this article, we will explore the length of a 3000-word essay and provide formatting tips to assist you in your writing process.

Here's What You'll Learn

Key Takeaways:

  • A 3000-word essay can take anywhere between six and 24 hours to write, depending on the topic and the writer’s proficiency.
  • When single-spaced, a 3000-word essay is approximately 6 pages long, whereas double-spacing can extend it to 12 pages.
  • Factors such as font type, margin size, and paragraph spacing can affect the length of the essay.
  • Time management and effective planning are crucial for completing a 3000-word essay within a day.
  • Focus on the quality of arguments and analysis rather than solely meeting a specific word count .

Tips for Writing a 3000-Word Essay within a Day

To successfully write a 3000-word essay within a day, effective time management and planning are crucial. By following these tips, you can stay organized, maintain focus, and maximize your productivity throughout the writing process.

Tip 1: Create a Detailed Outline

An outline serves as a roadmap for your essay and helps streamline your thoughts. Start by brainstorming key points and organizing them into a logical structure with clear headings. This will save time when you actually start writing and ensure that your essay flows smoothly from one idea to the next.

Tip 2: Allocate Time for Research

Before diving into writing, allocate a specific period for research. Make sure to gather relevant sources and take notes on key arguments and supporting evidence. Having a solid foundation of research will enable you to write with confidence and authority.

Table: Suggested Time Allocation for Writing a 3000-Word Essay

Tip 3: Take Short Breaks

Working non-stop for long periods can lead to burnout and hamper your productivity. Take short breaks every hour to rest your mind and rejuvenate. Use this time to stretch, grab a snack, or engage in a quick physical activity. These short breaks will help maintain focus and prevent mental fatigue.

“The key to writing a 3000-word essay within a day is effective time management and staying focused. By breaking the writing process down into manageable stages and eliminating distractions, you can achieve your goal without compromising on the quality of your work.” – Expert Writer

Factors Affecting the Length of a 3000-Word Essay

When writing a 3000-word essay, several factors can impact its length. It’s important to consider these factors to ensure that your essay meets the required word count and effectively communicates your ideas. Here are some key factors that can affect the length of your 3000-word essay:

1. Font Type, Margin Size, and Paragraph Spacing

The choice of font type, margin size, and paragraph spacing can significantly influence the number of pages in your essay. Different fonts have varying sizes, with some taking up more space than others. Similarly, wider margins and increased paragraph spacing can also affect the layout and overall length of your essay. It’s advisable to use standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman and maintain a consistent formatting style throughout your essay.

2. Complexity of the Topic

The complexity of the topic you are writing about can also impact the length of your 3000-word essay. Some topics may require more in-depth analysis, extensive research, and the inclusion of additional supporting evidence. This can result in a longer essay as you delve into various facets of the subject matter. Conversely, simpler topics may require less explanation and evidence, leading to a shorter essay.

3. Quality of Arguments and Analysis

In addition to word count , it’s important to prioritize the quality of your arguments and analysis in your essay. Focusing solely on meeting a specific word count can detract from the effectiveness of your arguments and dilute the overall quality of your writing. Instead, aim to present clear and concise arguments supported by thorough analysis. Emphasize the strength of your ideas and the coherence of your essay rather than solely focusing on hitting a certain word count.

Estimating the length of a 3000-word essay can be challenging, but with proper planning and time management, it is possible to complete the essay within a day. Factors such as font type, margin size, and paragraph spacing can affect the number of pages.

However, it is important to prioritize the quality of arguments and analysis over meeting a specific word count. By focusing on the substance and depth of the content, rather than the length, students can ensure that their essay is well-reasoned and persuasive.

In addition, following the tips and guidelines provided in this article can help students navigate the process of writing a 3000-word essay more efficiently. By organizing their time effectively, staying focused, and taking short breaks to maintain productivity, students can successfully tackle this writing task.

Remember, the length of an essay should be determined by the complexity of the topic and the depth of analysis required to support the thesis. By considering these factors and applying the strategies shared in this article, students can confidently approach their 3000-word essay and produce a high-quality piece of academic writing.

How long does it take to write a 3000-word essay?

According to sources, it can take anywhere between six and 24 hours to write a 3000-word essay, depending on the topic and individual writing speed.

How many pages is a 3000-word essay?

A 3000-word essay is approximately 6 pages when single-spaced and 12 pages when double-spaced, considering a standard font size, and margin. However, the length may vary based on factors such as font type, margins, and paragraph spacing.

What are some tips for writing a 3000-word essay within a day?

To write a 3000-word essay within a day, it is essential to plan your time effectively, eliminate distractions, take short breaks, and focus on the quality of arguments and analysis rather than solely aiming for a specific word count.

What factors can affect the length of a 3000-word essay?

Factors such as font type, margin size, and paragraph spacing can influence the number of pages in a 3000-word essay. Additionally, the topic, complexity, and amount of evidence and argumentation needed to support the thesis can also impact the length of the essay.

Source Links

  • https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/length/
  • https://www.savethestudent.org/extra-guides/how-to-write-a-3000-word-essay-in-a-day.html
  • https://capitalizemytitle.com/page-count/3000-words/

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how long does a 400 word essay take

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How Long It Takes to Type 1,000 Words

Last Updated: April 3, 2023 Fact Checked

Typing Time for 1,000 Words

What increases writing time, tips for writing faster, average writing times.

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 12,869 times.

Are you trying to hit a word count goal of 1,000 words and want to know how long it takes? Even though 1,000 words sounds like a lot to type out, it’s easy to finish within the day when you’re focused. There are a few factors that make your writing speed slow down, but we’ll help you find strategies to speed up the process. Keep reading so you know how long to take for your writing and how you can boost your writing pace.

Things You Should Know

  • Writing 1,000 words at an average typing speed takes about 25 minutes or less.
  • If you need to do light research for the writing topic, 1,000 words takes about 1–2 hours.
  • Give yourself 3–4 hours to write 1,000 words if you need to do heavy research, citations, or editing.

Step 1 Typing 1,000 words without research: <25 minutes

  • If you plan on handwriting 1,000 words, it may take an additional hour or so.

Step 1 Research

  • Researching is an ongoing process, so you may need to continue doing it even after you start writing. It’s tough to say how much time researching takes since it depends on how well you know the topic and how detailed of information you need.

Step 2 Editing & rewriting

  • Editing and proofreading will probably take at least 30–60 minutes, but it could take longer if you need to reword sections of your writing.

Step 3 Slow typing speed

  • Take a typing speed test to determine your average words per minute.

Step 4 Writer’s block

  • If you already have all the points you want to hit on outlined, it saves you time since it’s a lot easier to fill in the information without wondering what’s coming next.

Step 2 Set incremental writing goals.

  • Example: Make a goal to finish 250 words in 30 minutes before taking a short break.
  • Reward yourself when you reach your writing goal by taking a walk, having a small treat, or playing a video game so you stay motivated.

Step 3 Block distractions while you’re writing.

  • Step away from your writing every 30 minutes to stretch your legs, get some water, and catch up on notifications before you dive back in.

Step 4 Practice good typing posture.

  • If you’re stuck in a certain spot of your writing, jump to a different section and keep going. You’re always able to come back and fill in areas when you have a better idea of what you want to write. [14] X Research source

Expert Q&A

  • Try your best not to procrastinate when you have a deadline for your writing. Starting early gives you more time to write and edit without all the stress of an approaching due date. [15] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how long does a 400 word essay take

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  • ↑ https://www.ramoswriter.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-write-500-words/
  • ↑ https://youtu.be/GpywysWTxtE?t=39
  • ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/writing-longer-papers
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
  • ↑ https://www.herzing.edu/blog/5-tips-improving-your-typing-speed-accuracy
  • ↑ https://www.uis.edu/learning-hub/writing-resources/handouts/learning-hub/writers-block
  • ↑ https://writingprompts.com/improving-essay-writing-speed/
  • ↑ https://goinswriter.com/writing-speed/
  • ↑ https://writetodone.com/how-to-write-without-distractions/
  • ↑ https://erinwrightwriting.com/four-tips-boost-writing-speed/
  • ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/procrastination/

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  4. Striking How Long Is A 400 Word Essay ~ Thatsnotus

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COMMENTS

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

    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 wideness 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.

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

    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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 400-Word Essay Samples: A+ Paper Examples for Free

    How Long Does a 400-Word Essay Take? It will take you about 8 to 16 minutes to type 400 words on your keyboard, depending on your typing speed. However, if you also need to perform research, make a reference list, add in-text citations, and graphic materials, you'll need more time - not less than 1 hour for 400 words.

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

    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.

  7. How Long Does It Take to Write 400 Words?

    Writing 400 words will take about 10 minutes for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 20 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 1.3 hours. Learn how to triple your writing speed.

  8. 400 Word Essay Examples & Writing Tips

    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.

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

    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.

  10. How Long Is 400 Words?

    At its most basic, 400 words is just under a page long (about 0.8 pages long) if it is single spaced, and then just over one and half pages long (1.6 pages long) if you are double spacing. However, there's a lot more to understand when it comes to the length of 400 words. This guide will help you understand all of the facets of the length ...

  11. How Many Pages Is 400 Words?

    400 words is 0.8 pages single-spaced or 1.6 pages double-spaced. Documents that typically contain 400 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles. It will take approximately 1 minutes to read 400 words. A 400 word count will create about 0.8 pages with single spacing or 1.6 pages double-spaced when using normal ...

  12. 400 Words Essay Examples: Free Sample Papers on Any Topic

    A 400 words essay would typically be about 2 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 400-word essay length are formatting and paragraph structure.

  13. How Long Should a College Essay Be?

    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.

  14. How Many Pages is 400 Words?

    3. Mins. How many pages does 400 words take? A word count of 400 words will result in around four-fifths of a page single spaced and and one and three-fifths of a page double spaced. Although it can vary, with a conventional page setup—Times New Roman or Arial 12 point font and default margins—400 words should be the same across most word ...

  15. 400 Word Essay, How to Guide, Example

    In short, the hook is the meta-theme of the 400 word essay. Example: 'Self-motivation is the surest way to stay focused.'. The thesis is the root of the introduction. You need to use such a sentence to sum up, the article. The thesis is the sentence that carries the meaning of the essay. It is short and summative.

  16. How Long Does It Take to Write a 1000 Word Essay?

    It takes about 33 hours and 20 minutes to write a 10,000 word essay. How long does it take to write a 12,500 word essay? It takes about 41 hours and 40 minutes to write a 12,500 word essay. How long does it take to write a 15,000 word essay? It takes about 50 hours to write a 15,000 word essay.

  17. How To Write a 400-word Essay

    A 400-word scholarship essay follows a similar structure to a shorter essay. Every paragraph has three to five well-written sentences and is between 75 and 125 words long. The format of a story or personal anecdote can resemble that of a novel rather than a news article. The principal elements of a 400-word essay consist of: Advertisement.

  18. How long does it take you on average to write an essay? : r/UniUK

    Probably an average of 15-20 hours. Although I'm not exactly the most efficient worker, so it's probably still a solid 10-15 hours of actual work. greew46783445987. •. Assuming it's 4-5000 words. I'll spend a while (week or two on research) getting the planning sorted and a week to write, long but needed.

  19. What Does 900 Words Look Like? The Ultimate Guide to Writing an

    To recap, the key points to keep in mind when writing a 900 word piece include: It will take the average reader around 3 minutes to read 900 words. At just under 2 pages single spaced or 4 pages double spaced, 900 words is well suited to essays, blog posts, and short articles. A 900 word essay will typically contain 5-7 paragraphs

  20. 4000 Word Essay Writing Guide: How to Structure & How Many ...

    As a rule, one double-spaced page contains an average of 275 words, so a 4000-words double-spaced essay should be 14.5 pages long. A single-spaced page includes 550 words on average, meaning 4000 words will fit into approximately 7 single-spaced pages. However, your paper's length may vary depending on your choice of font, spacing, margins ...

  21. How Long Does It Take to Read 400 Words?

    How Long Does It Take to Read 400 Words? The average reader will read 400 words in 1.3 minutes when reading at a speed of 300 words per minute (wpm). Documents that typically contain 400 words are high school and college essays, short blog posts, and news articles. You may read faster or slower than this depending on your average reading speed.

  22. How Long Is a 3000-Word Essay? Length and Formatting Tips

    A 3000-word essay can take anywhere between six and 24 hours to write, depending on the topic and the writer's proficiency. When single-spaced, a 3000-word essay is approximately 6 pages long, whereas double-spacing can extend it to 12 pages. Factors such as font type, margin size, and paragraph spacing can affect the length of the essay.

  23. How Long Does It Take To Write 1,000 Words?

    Things You Should Know. Writing 1,000 words at an average typing speed takes about 25 minutes or less. If you need to do light research for the writing topic, 1,000 words takes about 1-2 hours. Give yourself 3-4 hours to write 1,000 words if you need to do heavy research, citations, or editing.