Students of any academic level will agree that a short essay is one of the most assigned tasks in academics. It comes as no surprise that many assignments require students’ personal response. To get it, professors give a short essay to complete. However, there are many questions regarding this task because it may reflect upon many subjects. Let’s cover the most crucial aspects of a short essay, providing a model example.
What Is a Short Essay Format?
A short essay format is to be expected. The work consists of three central parts: the introduction, the main part, and a conclusion. Each section has its peculiar sub-parts, which require a broader analysis.
How Long Is a Short Essay?
Short texts vary in topics and word count. That is, your assignment might be a 250-word, a 400-word, or even a 500-word piece. It all depends on the subject and an instructor’s requirements. Take a look at a standard short essay format:
- Introduction
The first paragraph of a short essay is divided into three following units: an attention-getter, background information, and a thesis statement. Each has a unique purpose of sparking the reader’s attention and helping them understand what the piece will be about.
- Body
Depending on your word count, you might have to write several body paragraphs. Short assignments have 500 words. You need to have five paragraphs, and three of them will relate to the body part. Each body section has a topic sentence, the demonstration of a specific aspect stated in a thesis statement, an explanation (frequently, you have to back up your arguments with credible data), and a transition word.
- Conclusion
The last part focuses on recapping the content stated above. Moreover, you have to provoke the reader to start a discussion or delve into the topic afterward. This strategy is called a CTA, which stands for Call to Action.
How to Write a Short Essay
Like with every task, be it a dissertation, coursework, or case study, you need to be prepared to research, outline, and draft. The most useful techniques are the most straightforward ones. That is why pay attention to the following step-by-step ways to complete a short essay promptly:
- Wisely choose the topic
It might be easy to write about something you are proficient at. However, the odds are high that you will get stuck right after writing the first sentences. To prevent this, brainstorm the topics and ideas that come to your mind. If you are sure that you can elaborate and provide the reader with a solid piece of information, go for it. - Research the selected topic
Once you choose the topic for your assignment, you have to delve into it. Depending on your major and professor, you might have to include sources in your essay. When researching, make sure to retrieve information from credible sources, such as online libraries, Google Scholar, or websites with the .edu domain. - Outline
Outlining is a great way to organize your thoughts, bring them together, and build a solid, understandable piece. Simply jot down all the arguments and choose the most accurate and persuasive ones. Repeat the process once again, doing the same with the ideas you have selected. Once you have three convincing thoughts, you can outline the entire work. A layout doesn’t have to be extensive. You may even want to note only the first sentences from every section. This will be enough to help you remain organized. - Write the first draft
Once you have an outline, writing the essay’s first version is a no-brainer. You have all you need. So you may start crafting the first draft. - Edit and proofread
These steps are critical if you wish to polish your piece to a shine. It might take plenty of time to correct possible mistakes and do similar steps. However, proofreading and editing are necessary because they increase your chances of getting the highest degree. If you can, ask your friends, peers, or competent family members to analyze the piece.
How to Start a Short Essay
There are various ways to start a short assignment. Before choosing one of them, make sure to analyze your target audience and decide on the most appropriate hook. An opening sentence can be in the form of:
- Anecdote
Although it is an excellent way to start your paper, you have to be sure your joke doesn’t offend anyone. - Quotation
Choosing a quote from a respected person, you draw the reader’s attention and make them read or listen carefully. - Debunk misconceptions
With this technique, you pick a stereotype regarding your topic and disprove it. - Fact
The safest option is to provide the audience with a point that relates to your subject.
As to the length, make sure it is neither extensive nor concise. Your hook has to have one to two sentences.
Short Essay Template
What is the difference between the quarrel and the argument?
People always have arguments, quarrels, disagreements, and disputes. Sometimes it can be a troublesome aspect of the conversation, worsening people’s relationship ties. However, many people don’t know the fundamental differences between quarrels and arguments. The most predominant dissimilarities between them are the closeness between persons, diplomacy, and their unexpected effects.
While speaking of a quarrel, it is oftentimes related to family affairs, especially when it comes to problems connected with everyday life. A quarrel may well be an angry conversation between two or more friends or family members. For example, it can correlate with arranging cutlery in a specific place in the kitchen. That is, a wife offers the highest drawer, but a husband does not agree and proposes to put it on in the middle one. What is more, per the Collins Dictionary, quarrels can occur between countries or groups of people and have some political background, be diplomatic in nature, even cause fighting. Hence, the quarrel is suggested to be an angry debate either between family members, including swear words, or consular representatives of different nations.
Regarding the definition of an argument, the dictionary states that the argument is a set of statements that one uses to persuade people of a particular thought. This view tends to be more neutral, formal, and polite than a quarrel. Although the conversation’s overall tone may well be increased, the argument doesn’t involve physical interaction or hot polemics. Other than that, such an idea includes a diversity of valid points, which makes the overall meaning of the argument fruitful. Accordingly, the quarrel only relates to emotions and the increase of the voice pitch. An argument might be a proper and courteous debate. Its main reason is to prove an individual something by adding accurate information.
In conclusion, the contrast between the quarrel and the argument might be a vague one. Having lots of similarities in common, they have different senses, aims, and applications. A quarrel is agreed to be a debate between close individuals, such as parents or siblings, which can include an increased volume and swear words. Conversely, an argument is suggested to be a statement that is extensively used between people trying to convey their message, backing it up with valid information.