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How to Format an Essay

Last Updated: July 29, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Carrie Adkins, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards. There are 15 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 92,913 times.

You’re opening your laptop to write an essay, knowing exactly what you want to write, but then it hits you: you don’t know how to format it! Using the correct format when writing an essay can help your paper look polished and professional while earning you full credit. In this article, we'll teach you the basics of formatting an essay according to three common styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style.

Setting Up Your Document

Step 1 Read over the assignment’s guidelines before you begin.

  • If you can’t find information on the style guide you should be following, talk to your instructor after class to discuss the assignment or send them a quick email with your questions.
  • If your instructor lets you pick the format of your essay, opt for the style that matches your course or degree best: MLA is best for English and humanities; APA is typically for education, psychology, and sciences; Chicago Style is common for business, history, and fine arts.

Step 2 Set your margins to 1 inch (2.5 cm) for all style guides.

  • Most word processors default to 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins.

Step 3 Use Times New Roman font.

  • Do not change the font size, style, or color throughout your essay.

Step 4 Change your font size to 12pt.

  • Change the spacing on Google Docs by clicking on Format , and then selecting “Line spacing.”
  • Click on Layout in Microsoft Word, and then click the arrow at the bottom left of the “paragraph” section.

Step 6 Put the page number and your last name in the top right header for all styles.

  • Using the page number function will create consecutive numbering.
  • When using Chicago Style, don’t include a page number on your title page. The first page after the title page should be numbered starting at 2. [5] X Research source
  • In APA format, a running heading may be required in the left-hand header. This is a maximum of 50 characters that’s the full or abbreviated version of your essay’s title. [6] X Research source

Step 7 Use a title page with APA or Chicago Style format.

  • For APA formatting, place the title in bold at the center of the page 3 to 4 lines down from the top. Insert one double-spaced line under the title and type your name. Under your name, in separate centered lines, type out the name of your school, course, instructor, and assignment due date. [8] X Research source
  • For Chicago Style, set your cursor ⅓ of the way down the page, then type your title. In the very center of your page, put your name. Move your cursor ⅔ down the page, then write your course number, followed by your instructor’s name and paper due date on separate, double-spaced lines. [9] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

Step 8 Create a left-handed heading for MLA Style essays.

  • Double-space the heading like the rest of your paper.

Writing the Essay Body

Step 1 Center the title of your paper in all style formats.

  • Use standard capitalization rules for your title.
  • Do not underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around your title, unless you include other titles of referred texts.

Step 2 Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) for all styles.

  • A good hook might include a quote, statistic, or rhetorical question.
  • For example, you might write, “Every day in the United States, accidents caused by distracted drivers kill 9 people and injure more than 1,000 others.”

Step 4 Include a thesis statement at the end of your introduction.

  • "Action must be taken to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, including enacting laws against texting while driving, educating the public about the risks, and giving strong punishments to offenders."
  • "Although passing and enforcing new laws can be challenging, the best way to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving is to enact a law against texting, educate the public about the new law, and levy strong penalties."

Step 5 Present each of your points in 1 or more paragraphs.

  • Use transitions between paragraphs so your paper flows well. For example, say, “In addition to,” “Similarly,” or “On the other hand.” [16] X Research source

Step 6 Complete your essay with a conclusion.

  • A statement of impact might be, "Every day that distracted driving goes unaddressed, another 9 families must plan a funeral."
  • A call to action might read, “Fewer distracted driving accidents are possible, but only if every driver keeps their focus on the road.”

Using References

Step 1 Create parenthetical citations...

  • In MLA format, citations should include the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information. If the author's name appears in the sentence, use just the page number. [18] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
  • For APA format, include the author’s last name and the publication year. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, use just the year. [19] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
  • If you don’t use parenthetical or internal citations, your instructor may accuse you of plagiarizing.

Step 2 Use footnotes for citations in Chicago Style.

  • At the bottom of the page, include the source’s information from your bibliography page next to the footnote number. [20] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
  • Each footnote should be numbered consecutively.

Step 3 Center the title of your reference page.

  • If you’re using MLA format, this page will be titled “Works Cited.”
  • In APA and Chicago Style, title the page “References.”

Step 4 List your sources on the references page by author’s last name in alphabetical order.

  • If you have more than one work from the same author, list alphabetically following the title name for MLA and by earliest to latest publication year for APA and Chicago Style.
  • Double-space the references page like the rest of your paper.
  • Use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) if your citations are longer than one line. Press Tab to indent any lines after the first. [23] X Research source
  • Citations should include (when applicable) the author(s)’s name(s), title of the work, publication date and/or year, and page numbers.
  • Sites like Grammarly , EasyBib , and MyBib can help generate citations if you get stuck.

Formatting Resources

essay format form 4

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

Write an Essay

  • ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-mla-document-formatting/
  • ↑ https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/392149/WE_Formatting-your-essay.pdf
  • ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalEnglish/unit10/Foundations/formatting-a-college-essay-mla-style.html
  • ↑ https://camosun.libguides.com/Chicago-17thEd/titlePage
  • ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/page-header
  • ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/title-page
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
  • ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/writing-speaking-resources/mla-8-style-format
  • ↑ https://cflibguides.lonestar.edu/chicago/paperformat
  • ↑ https://www.uvu.edu/writingcenter/docs/basicessayformat.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/cruzmayra/basicessayformat.pdf
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html
  • ↑ https://monroecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=589208&p=4073046
  • ↑ https://library.menloschool.org/chicago

About This Article

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Contoh Karangan Bahasa Inggeris SPM/ English Essays (Form 4, 5) Form 4, 5

Contoh Karangan Bahasa Inggeris SPM (English Essays/ Writing) MUET/ SPM. Tingkatan 4, 5, 6. Form 4, 5, 6. Sekolah Menengah. Secondary School. (52) (2/2)

Soalan Bahasa Inggeris SPM Kertas 2 + Jawapan . SPM English Paper 2 (Questions + Answers).

…………………………………………………………………………………

My idol (Email)  

The rising food prices in the country (Guided Writing)

My School Library (Article)  

An interesting song (Review)  

My hands were as cold as ice as I… (Story)

Let’s go for a mountain hike (Email)

Leadership course (Email)

Ways to improve English (Email)

The best theme park for a family day (Guided Writing)

Online learning (Guided Writing)

Birthday present (Email)  

The importance of the internet to students (Guilded Writing)  

My Ideal Classroom (Article)  

Review about a fascinating place which you had visited

Review of a Film

The planning of a health campaign (Guilded Writing)

How does playing computer games affect teenagers (Guilded Writing)

How your school can do to help keep the environment clean (Report)

What you would spend youe money on (Guilded Writing)

The challenging activities that you would like to do (Guilded Writing)

My snatch theft experience (Email)  

Healthy lifestyle (Guided Writing)

Rules Breaker (Report)  

My School (Review)  

I would never have imagined that… (Story)

Movie Review Essay (Lion King) (2)

The reasons for students’ lack of interest in sports (Guilded Writing)

A Safe Neighbourhood (Guilded Writing)

Be Responsible (Story)

Ten Years after the Covid-19 Pandemic (Story)

Getting Through a Difficult Time (Story)

Birthday Present (Email)

A Picnic With Our Friends (Email)

A Book Review (1)

Class Excursion (Story)

Suitable course for you (Email)  

The best educational place for a class trip (Guilded Writing)

Review of a Smartphone (1)

Island trip (Email)

Pointers to keep clean, hygienic and safe (Email)

The content of the talk given by our school counsellor (Email)

Where to shop (Email)

Extension on Deadline for Assignment (Email)

The advantage and disadvantages of mobile phones (Guided Writing)

Causes contributing to animal extinction (Guided Writing)

The benefits of online shopping (Guided Writing)

The best place to go during the holiday (Guided Writing)

How to practice 3R (Recycle, Reuse and Reduce) in our daily lives (Guided Writing)

My Ideal School Prefects’ Room (Article)  

Review on an interesting book (4)

A Memorable Day (Story)

Review of a Resort

Quality time with your brother (Email)

How you perceive friendship (Guilded Writing)

Write an essay on whether you agree that students should be involved in cleaning up school regularly (Guilded Writing)

Review on a smartphone (2)

My Ideal School Library (Article)

Sports Is for Everyone (Guided Writing)

A Book Review (3)

Do Not Fear Failure But Rather Fear Not Trying (Story)

An Unforgettable Trip (Story)

Holiday plans (Email)

Birthday present (Email)

A Movie Review (1)

My First Experience (Story)

Weekend’s Plan (Email)

Holiday trip (Email)

Review of a restaurant

A Book Review (2)

Report on a Visit to an Orphanage

Report on a Trip to a Beach for a Picnic

The Mysterious Old Lady (Story)

Teachers’ Day (Story)

The Day I Lost My Phone (Story)

Kindness (Story)

The Terrible Truth (Story)

A Dishonest Boy (Story)

A Dream Comes True (Story)

An Unforgettable Moment in My Life (Story)

Famous Tourist Attraction in Malaysia (Article)

Leisure Activities (Article)

Keeping Our Homes Safe (Article)

What A Farm Can Teach A Child (Article)

Cyberbullying: What Is It and How to Stop It (Article)

A birthday present for your grandfather (Guided Writing)

Youth Leadership Camp (Extended Writing – Article)

My Ideal Career (Extended Writing – Article)

Review of a shopping mall

Review of your favourite food

Outdoor activity you would like to do (Guided Writing)  

The ways to deal with mental health issues during the pandemic (Guilded Writing)  

Weekend Plan (Email)

Quarantine – English Project (Email)

English Camp (Report)

Complaints about the canteen (Report)

A Quarrel in the School Library (Report)

Report on the Findings of a Survey (Report)

International Students Visit (Report)

Review on a good book (5)

Review on a nice cafés in your state you have visited lately

Review on a writing app that helps you write more and write better lately

Review on a movie that you have watched recently (3)

Review on your favourite game

Teenagers vs Crime (Article)

Review about a hotel

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

SPM English Speaking Test (Ujian Bertutur Bahasa Inggeris) :

  • SPM English Speaking Test SPM: Contoh Soalan, Jawapan, Ramalan, Isi-isi Penting, Tips, Panduan (Ada Isi-isi Karangan Bahasa Inggeris yang Ringkas)

Modul Soalan Bahasa Inggeris SPM + Jawapan (Kertas 2/ Paper 2) (SK2) (Srw) [1] 

Paper 2 : Writing

A Book Review

Modul Bahasa Inggeris Paper 2 Writing  (Kertas 2/ Paper 2)  (KC) (Srw) [3]

English spm paper 2 : writing.

(Fmk) (Prk) [1]

Part 1 : Short Communicative Message

Answers : Short Communicative Message

Part 2 : Guided Writing

Answers : Guided Writing

Part 3 : Extended Writing

Article Writing

Review Writing

Report Writing

Answers : Extended Writing, Article Writing, Review Writing, Report Writing

Narrative Writing

Answers : Narrative Writing

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

English SPM Paper 2 : Writing

(MIP) (Trg) [1]

Part 1 : Short Message

Part 2 : Guided Essay

Part 3 : Review

Part 3 : Article

Part 3 : Story

Part 3 : Report

Suggested Answers – Modul Soalan

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

(PTRS) (Sel) [1]

Writing Paper (1)

Writing Paper (2)

Answers (PTRS) (Sel) [1]

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

(TTV2) (Prk) [2]

Bahasa Inggeris SPM (Kertas 2) : How To Write An Email + Model Answer (TTV2) (Prk) [2]

Bahasa Inggeris SPM (Kertas 2) : Guided Writing (TTV2) (Prk) [2]

Bahasa Inggeris SPM (Kertas 2) : Extended Writing + Answers (TTV2) (Prk) [2]

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Koleksi Contoh Karangan Bahasa Inggeris Tingkatan 5 KSSM.  Form 5 Sample Essays

(SMKSP) (Srw) [1]

Guided Writing / Mind Map :

Review on a good book

Review on a movie that you have watched recently

……………………………………………………………………………………….

SPM English Writing Module :

Extended Writing (Article Writing, Review Writing, Story Writing) :

SPM English Writing Module (Short Communicative Message) + Answers

Koleksi Contoh Karangan Bahasa Inggeris (English Essays) SPM, Tingkatan 4, 5

Friendship Is More Important Than Money. Do You Agree ?

Global Warming

Haze: A Danger To Health

Haze: A Danger To Health (Directed Writing)

Honesty (Speech)

Honesty Is The Best Policy (Story)

How I Spent My Holidays

How To Be A Responsible Student (Speech)

How To Be A Wise Consumer

How To Beautify The School (Formal Letter)

How To Develop Reading Skill In Children

How To Find A Right Job

How To Reduce Traffic Congestion (Formal Letter)

Informal Letter (Directed Writing)

Informal Letter (Visit To Pulau Langkawi)

Internet (Essay)

Interview A Policeman

It Was The Last Day Of School

Keeping Cool

Keeping Pets Is Good. Do You Agree ?

Letter Of Application (Directed Formal Letter)

Letter Of Complain (Formal Letter)

Letter Of Complaint (Stray Dogs)

Letter To Newspapers: Expressing Concern On Child Abuse

Lost At Shopping Mall

Making Use of Bottles As Decorative Items (Speech)

Mobile Phones Are A Nuisance. Do You Agree ?

Mother’s Day Celebration

My Best Friend

My Favorite Subject In School

My Favourite Place

My Favourite TV Programme

My First Day At School

My Life Years From Now

My Most Embarrassing Situation

My Most Unforgettable Character

My Mother (Descriptive Essay)

Nuclear Energy – Good Or Bad ?

Online Shopping

Online Shopping Versus The Local Mall

Picnic At Seaside

Police Report On Accident

Preventing Truancy

Proverb ‘Do Not Judge A Book By Its Cover’. Describe An Experience When This Was True For You

Recycling Campaign

Report (Fire In Laboratory)

Report (Problems In School Library)

Report To Principal – Complaint About School Canteen

Requesting For Permission To Voluntary Service (Formal Letter)

River Pollution (Formal Letter)

Road Safety (1)

Road Safety (2)

Road Safety (Speech)

Safety Tips When Going To School

Should Do’s And Should Not Do’s To Keep The School Clean, Hygienic and Safe

Should School Students Be Given A Mobile Phone? Discuss

Should School Students Be Given a Mobile Phone Discuss

Should Students Be Allowed To Work ? Discuss

Showing Favouritism

Single Session School – Advantages and Disadvantages

Small Families Are Happier Families. Do You Agree ?

Social Networking Website

Someone Insipiring

Speech: Love Your Environment Campaign

Study Skills (Speech)

Teacher’s Day (Speech)

Teachers’ Day (2)

Teenagers Don’t Smoke

The Advantages Of Sports In Schools

The Beauty Of Malaysia (Essay)

The Benefits of Taking Up Hobbies (Speech)

The Conservation Of Our Natural Forests (Speech)

The Government Should Not Continue With Compulsory National Service. Do You Agree ?

The Importance of Eating More Fruits and Vegetables

The Importance Of Examinations

The Importance Of Having A Budget

The Importance Of Making Friends

The Importance Of Studying English

The Importance Of Studying The English Language (Speech)

The Important Of Obeying School Regulations (Speech)

The Important Of Reading (Speech)

The Malaysian Tradition Of Having Open Houses Is Important And Should

The National Day Celebration

The Need For Rules

The Need For Self Discipline

The Night Market

The Person I Admire

The Person Who Has Influenced Me

The Unusual Experience

Tourism Is Good For Our Country. What Do You Think ?

Useful Ways To Spend Leisure Time

Visiting A Book Fair

Ways To Maintain A Good Health

Ways To Prevent Dengue

What Would You Do If You Had A Lot Of Money

Which Do You Prefer, Living in The Countryside or Living In The City? (City)

Which Do You Prefer, Living in The Countryside or Living in The City? (Countryside)

Why School Children Should Have Hobbies (Speech)

Women Can Be The Breadwinner In A Home. Discuss

Write About An Incident In Which You Acted Irresponsibly

Writing A Review Essay (TI)

Writing Tips And Essay Format English SPM (KSSM) (Zeti)

A Birthday Party

A Camping Experience

A Day I Wished Had Never Happened

A Difficult Life (Story)

A Festival Celebrated In Malaysia

A Hit-And-Run Accident

A Holiday At The Countryside

A Holiday I Would Never Forget

A Holiday In Cameron Highland

A Horror / Tragic Story

A Narrative Essay KSSM (Story)

A Picnic By The Sea

A Popular Tourist Spot That I Have Visited

A Road Accident (2)

A Trip To Mount Kinabalu

A Visit To SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

A Working Woman Makes A Useless Mother. State Your View

Advantages Of Unity

Advise Your Cousin On How To Lose Weight (Informal Letter)

An Unforgettable Experience

Anti Smoking Campaign Speech

Anti Smoking Campaign Speech Writing

Anti-Smoking Campaign (Speech)

Ban On Underage Smokers

Book Review Essay

Caning Is An Old-Fashioned Way Of Disciplining Students (Speech)

Caring For Our Old Folks

Cell phones – One of Our Greatest Technologies Misused

Challenges Of Home Learning During Covid 19  Pandemic

Co-Curricular Activities Are A Waste Of Time. Do You Agree?

Debate: “Advertisements Do More Good Than Harm”

Deepavali Celebration (Informal Letter)

Describe An Afternoon At The Bus Station

Describe An Important Family Celebration And How You Felt About It

Describe What Makes You Happy And Explain Why

Describe What You Understand About Success And Explain Why

Describe Your School Sports Day

Description on a Person – A Prominent Malaysian Leader

Descriptive Essays Describe What You Understand About Success and Explain Why

Directed Writing (Speech) : Obesity

‘Do Not Judge a Book By Its Cover’. Describe An Experience When This Was True For You.

Do You Think Homework Should Be Abolished ?

Does Academic Excellence Guarantees Success ? Discuss

Does School Prepare Us For Life

Drowning (Story)

English Essay : Challenges Of Home Learning During Covid 19 Pandemic

Essay on Healthy Lifestyle

Essay on Mother’s Day In English For School Kids and Children Mother’s

Essay on My Best Friend – 7 Selected Essays on My Best Friend

Experience of Being In A Busy City

Families That Play Together Stay Together

Favourite Holiday Destination

Fire (Report)

Flash Flood

Formal Letter: Complaint About Unsatisfactory Food And Restaurant Service

Formal Letter: Invite A Newspaper Reporter For Career Talk

Forms Of Discipline

……………………………………………………………………………….

  • Contoh-Contoh Karangan (Essays) untuk Soalan Percubaan Bahasa Inggeris (English) SPM (1)
  • Karangan Bahasa Inggeris (English Essays) SPM : Continuous Writing   
  • Karangan Bahasa Inggeris (English Essays) SPM : Directed Writing
  • Karangan Bahasa Inggeris (English Essays) SPM : Argumentative Essays

……………………………………………………………………………..

Koleksi Nota Ringkas dan Padat, Soalan, Latihan, Modul Tingkatan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 dan Tahun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 :

  • Koleksi Nota Ringkas dan Padat, Soalan, Latihan, Modul Tingkatan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 dan Tahun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Improve Your Spelling: Frequently Misspelled Words (1)
  • Improve Your Spelling: Frequently Misspelled Words (2)
  • Improve Your English : Frequently Confused Words (1)
  • Improve Your English : Frequently Confused Words (2)
  • Improve Your English : Frequently Confused Words (3)
  • Improve Your English : Frequently Confused Words (4)
  • Improve Your English : Frequently Confused Words (5)

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

  • KOLEKSI Soalan Peperiksaan Percubaan SPM + Skema Jawapan (Semua Subjek) (Terkini)
  • Koleksi Karangan Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Inggeris (English Essays), Bahasa Arab, PA : SPM, STPM, MUET, Tingkatan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Tahun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Important English Grammar Notes for Essay Writing  
  • Narrative Essay Writing Tips for English SPM

……………………………………………………………………………………………

  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Bahasa Inggeris (English) Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Bahasa Inggeris (English) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Buku Teks Digital KSSM Tingkatan 4 (Empat)
  • Koleksi Buku Teks Digital KSSM dan KBSM Tingkatan 5 (Lima)

Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan

Koleksi soalan dan latihan tingkatan 5 + jawapan.

……………………………………………………………………………………

  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Matematik Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Bahasa Melayu Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Bahasa Inggeris Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Sejarah Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Kimia Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Fizik Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Biologi Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Sains Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Pendidikan Islam Tingkatan 5 (SPM) + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Perniagaan Tingkatan 5 (SPM)+ Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics) Tingkatan 5 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Matematik (Mathematics) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Bahasa Melayu Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Sejarah Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Sains (Science) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Biologi (Biology) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Fizik (Physics) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Kimia (Chemistry) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Matematik Tambahan (Additional Mathematics) Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Perniagaan Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Pendidikan Islam Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Geografi Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Soalan dan Latihan Tasawwur Islam Tingkatan 4 + Jawapan
  • Koleksi Nota Ringkas dan Padat, Soalan, Latihan, KBAT, Peperiksaan, Ujian Tingkatan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 dan Tahun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

  • SPM, Tingkatan 5 : Soalan, Nota, Peperiksaan, Ujian, Bahan Rujukan Penting Semua Subjek
  • Tingkatan 4 : Soalan, Nota, Peperiksaan, Ujian, Bahan Rujukan Penting Semua Subjek
  • Bahan-Bahan Rujukan Penting dan Berguna untuk Subjek-Subjek Utama SPM, Tingkatan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, dan Tahun 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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How To Write An Essay

Essay Format

Barbara P

Essay Format - An Easy Guide & Examples

10 min read

Published on: Nov 14, 2020

Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024

Essay Format

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Drafting a perfect college essay is very important for students' academics. And to write a perfect essay, its formatting is important.

An essay is a formal piece of writing. Any formal writing requires proper structure and formatting. You can not just jumble up information and expect your essay to be effective. Its clarity depends on the format you choose. 

This blog is written to give a better understanding of an essay format and the general guidelines of each type of format to present the gathered information in a disciplined way. 

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What is an Essay Format? 

An essay format is a way in which the information is organized for your essay. The format of an essay has a lot to do with the presentation of the text. If your essay is poorly structured or lacks a format, your readers will have difficulty understanding the main argument and the idea. 

Readers will never continue reading something that is confusing or gives the impression that a writer is sloppy. 

A standard format to write your essay or paper is the linear approach. In this, each idea is presented to make it easier for the readers to understand. If you know how to structure an essay, you are halfway through. 

Types of Essay Formats 

There are 3 basic formatting styles or types in which all essays and papers are formatted. They are:

Whether you are writing a research paper or a general academic essay, you have to choose a format to draft it. Students are often assigned a format by their instructors, so they should read the guidelines carefully. 

How to Write an Essay in MLA Format? 

MLA format style is quite common in the humanities world. Papers and essays that are to be written in this format should fulfill the following requirements. 

  • The font you are using should be Times New Roman in 12pt.
  • Double spacing. 
  • No extra space between the new paragraphs
  • One inch margin on both sides of the paper
  • Page number in the header.
  • Essay title in the center of the page.
  • Sources mentioned in “work cited” 

MLA vs. APA

Before we move to another common essay format APA, you should know that MLA and APA are different from each other.  

Look at the table below and know their differences and similarities. 

How to Write an Essay in APA Format? 

Unlike MLA format, the APA format is used for scientific papers and essays. Essays are written for behavioral or social sciences follow this format. Following are the guidelines for the American Psychological Association format:

  • Font or Text in Times New Roman 12pt
  • One inch margin (both sides)
  • Double spacing in the text
  • A short title on the upper left-hand corner in the header
  • The page number on the right in the header
  • A title page with the information, including the writer’s name, institution, instructor, and date.
  • Reference page (for the citation)

APA Format Essay Example

Chicago Essay Format 

Chicago style essay format is a bit similar to the other format style guides. This format includes;

  • Double spacing
  • Margins (one inch both left margin and right margin)
  • Times New Roman 12pt font size
  • Page number in the header
  • Footnotes on quoted and paraphrased passages 
  • An alphabetical arrangement of citations on the bibliography page. 

Chicago Format Essay Example

Basic Parts of an Essay Format 

A typical and general format that an essay uses is simple. Every type of essay can be written in that format. Following are the parts that an essay format is based on:

In order to make sure that your academic essay is effective, each of the parts should be drafted professionally. 

Here is an essay structure! 












Continue reading to understand each part in detail. 

1. Cover Or Title Page   

The cover or title page is the first page on which the topic of your paper or essay is presented. Along with this, the title page includes other information such as the name of the writer, instructor, institution, course, and the submission date.   2. An Abstract 

An abstract is a brief summary of your essay or research paper. It is usually a 300-word long paragraph and precisely presents the purpose of the essay, the main thesis statement, and the study’s design. 

3. Table Of Contents

When you are drafting a long essay or paper, a table of content is developed. In this table, headings and subheadings are presented along with their page numbers. The reader navigates your work using this table of content. 

4. Introduction 

An introduction is the first section of your essay. When writing a short essay of about 300 - 1000 words, a writer directly starts with an introduction after stating the essay topic. 

An introduction of an essay is as important as the body of it. The essay introduction discloses the main idea of the essay and attempts to motivate readers to read the essay. Apart from the presentation of the main idea, it also contains background information about the topic.

A writer then forms a thesis statement which is the main argument of an essay. A thesis statement is the essence of the essay, and all other information provided in the body of an essay justifies it and proves it.

5. Main Body 

The main body is the soul of an essay. Without it, the thesis statement will just be meaningless. The information you gather on the topic is presented in the body, which acts as evidence to prove the argument right or wrong depending on the writer. 

A format helps the body give a logical flow that walks the reader towards the end. The point to prove your argument is to persuade the reader that your thesis statement is right. Make sure you give a topic sentence to all your body paragraphs. 

6. Conclusion 

Then comes the conclusion part of the essay. This is the final verdict of an essay writer. In this, a writer avoids giving new ideas to the readers and tries to sum up the whole conversation. This is done by restating the thesis statement in different words and summarizing the key ideas. 

7. Appendix 

An appendix is formulated when a writer uses unusual terms, phrases, and words in the document. This is a list prepared to describe those unordinary words for the readers. 

8. Bibliography 

When gathering information for your essay or paper, a writer has to consult different sources. Therefore, when using such sources and information in your content, a bibliography is created to provide their references.

A bibliography is a reference list presented at the end of the essay where all the cited sources are given along with the details. 

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Formatting an Essay 

Formatting an essay means working on the essay structure. When writing an academic essay, make sure that every part is drafted according to format. Your title page, in-text citation, essay outline, and reference list should be following the chosen format. 

To understand the formatting of the different parts better, continue reading. 

  • Title Page Format 

According to the MLA style, the title page of an essay should be written in the following way:

  • Writing the name of the writer, course, instructor, and date. 
  • Double spacing between paragraphs
  • Institute’s name in the top center of a page
  • Title of your essay or paper
  • Font Times New Roman (12pt)

If you are using an APA style formatting for your essay, make sure to format your title page in the following way: 

  • Title written in all caps
  • The margin on both sides (1 inch)
  • 12pt font Times New Roman
  • Name of writer and institute

A title page is the first thing that an instructor sees in your assignment. Therefore, it is very important to form it in a neat format. 

  • First Page of an Essay 

Before you start writing your essay, format your first page. To do this, add a header in which you give your last name and the page number. Place the header on the right-hand corner of your page. 

Follow this for every page of your essay except the last page; the “work cited” page. 

On the left upper corner, write your name, instructor’s, course’s, and the date. Put the title in the center and use double-spacing throughout the essay. 

  • Cite According to Essay Format 

When you are conducting research for your essay, you will come across a lot of text which will complement your essay topic. Without knowing the consequences, people take the text from the internet and add it to the essay. 

Citing the source properly is essential. If you do not cite the sources properly, you will be accused of plagiarism, a crime in the writing world. Therefore, even if you are using other’s words in the form of quotation marks or rephrasing it, it needs to be cited to avoid plagiarism. 

Get to know which style of the in-text citations is recommended by your instructor and follow that. In APA format, the citation is done in the following way:

  • Give the author’s name (last name), followed by the publication date and the paragraph number of the original work. 

The other way is to cite in MLA style:

  • Give the author’s last name and the page number of the publication you are taking words from. 

Therefore, cite your sources according to the essay format and make your essay writing phase easy.   

  • Format The Bibliography

The last page of your essay is the “works cited” page. This page is written in the way presented below:

  • Sources are alphabetically arranged
  • Double spacing is used on the entire page
  • Hanging indention is also used. 

Essay Format Examples

There are several types of academic essays that students get assigned. No matter which type the essay is, it has to be properly formatted. Carefully examine the formats provided below for the different essay types:

Argumentative Essay Format

College Essay Format

Narrative Essay Format

Descriptive Essay Format

Scholarship Essay Format

Persuasive Essay Format

Essay Format for University

Expository Essay Format

Essay Format Template

Essay Format Outline

Writing a good essay includes the proper representation of the text. For this purpose, formatting is done. Unfortunately, when students rush to finish their assignments, they often end up with poorly formatted content. 

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The 3 Popular Essay Formats: Which Should You Use?

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Not sure which path your essay should follow? Formatting an essay may not be as interesting as choosing a topic to write about or carefully crafting elegant sentences, but it’s an extremely important part of creating a high-quality paper. In this article, we’ll explain essay formatting rules for three of the most popular essay styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

For each, we’ll do a high-level overview of what your essay’s structure and references should look like, then we include a comparison chart with nitty-gritty details for each style, such as which font you should use for each and whether they’re a proponent of the Oxford comma. We also include information on why essay formatting is important and what you should do if you’re not sure which style to use.

Why Is Your Essay Format Important?

Does it really matter which font size you use or exactly how you cite a source in your paper? It can! Style formats were developed as a way to standardize how pieces of writing and their works cited lists should look. 

Why is this necessary? Imagine you’re a teacher, researcher, or publisher who reviews dozens of papers a week. If the papers didn’t follow the same formatting rules, you could waste a lot of time trying to figure out which sources were used, if certain information is a direct quote or paraphrased, even who the paper’s author is. Having essay formatting rules to follow makes things easier for everyone involved. Writers can follow a set of guidelines without trying to decide for themselves which formatting choices are best, and readers don’t need to go hunting for the information they’re trying to find.

Next, we’ll discuss the three most common style formats for essays.

MLA Essay Format

MLA style was designed by the Modern Language Association, and it has become the most popular college essay format for students writing papers for class. It was originally developed for students and researchers in the literature and language fields to have a standardized way of formatting their papers, but it is now used by people in all disciplines, particularly humanities. MLA is often the style teachers prefer their students to use because it has simple, clear rules to follow without extraneous inclusions often not needed for school papers. For example, unlike APA or Chicago styles, MLA doesn’t require a title page for a paper, only a header in the upper left-hand corner of the page.

MLA style doesn’t have any specific requirements for how to write your essay, but an MLA format essay will typically follow the standard essay format of an introduction (ending with a thesis statement), several body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

One of the nice things about creating your works cited for MLA is that all references are structured the same way, regardless of whether they’re a book, newspaper, etc. It’s the only essay format style that makes citing references this easy! Here is a guide on how to cite any source in MLA format. When typing up your works cited, here are a few MLA format essay rules to keep in mind:

  • The works cited page should be the last paper of your paper.
  • This page should still be double-spaced and include the running header of your last name and page number.
  • It should begin with “Works Cited” at the top of the page, centered.
  • Your works cited should be organized in alphabetical order, based on the first word of the citation.

APA Essay Format

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. This format type is most often used for research papers, specifically those in behavioral sciences (such as psychology and neuroscience) and social sciences (ranging from archeology to economics). Because APA is often used for more research-focused papers, they have a more specific format to follow compared to, say, MLA style.

All APA style papers begin with a title page, which contains the title of the paper (in capital letters), your name, and your institutional affiliation (if you’re a student, then this is simply the name of the school you attend). The APA recommends the title of your paper not be longer than 12 words.

After your title page, your paper begins with an abstract. The abstract is a single paragraph, typically between 150 to 250 words, that sums up your research. It should include the topic you’re researching, research questions, methods, results, analysis, and a conclusion that touches on the significance of the research. Many people find it easier to write the abstract last, after completing the paper.

After the abstract comes the paper itself. APA essay format recommends papers be short, direct, and make their point clearly and concisely. This isn’t the time to use flowery language or extraneous descriptions. Your paper should include all the sections mentioned in the abstract, each expanded upon.

Following the paper is the list of references used. Unlike MLA style, in APA essay format, every source type is referenced differently. So the rules for referencing a book are different from those for referencing a journal article are different from those referencing an interview. Here’s a guide for how to reference different source types in APA format . Your references should begin on a new page that says “REFERENCES” at the top, centered. The references should be listed in alphabetical order.

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Chicago Essay Format

Chicago style (sometimes referred to as “Turabian style”) was developed by the University of Chicago Press and is typically the least-used by students of the three major essay style formats. The Chicago Manual of Style (currently on its 17th edition) contains within its 1000+ pages every rule you need to know for this style. This is a very comprehensive style, with a rule for everything. It’s most often used in history-related fields, although many people refer to The Chicago Manual of Style for help with a tricky citation or essay format question. Many book authors use this style as well.

Like APA, Chicago style begins with a title page, and it has very specific format rules for doing this which are laid out in the chart below. After the title page may come an abstract, depending on whether you’re writing a research paper or not. Then comes the essay itself. The essay can either follow the introduction → body → conclusion format of MLA or the different sections included in the APA section. Again, this depends on whether you’re writing a paper on research you conducted or not.

Unlike MLA or APA, Chicago style typically uses footnotes or endnotes instead of in-text or parenthetical citations. You’ll place the superscript number at the end of the sentence (for a footnote) or end of the page (for an endnote), then have an abbreviated source reference at the bottom of the page. The sources will then be fully referenced at the end of the paper, in the order of their footnote/endnote numbers. The reference page should be titled “Bibliography” if you used footnotes/endnotes or “References” if you used parenthetical author/date in-text citations.

Comparison Chart

Below is a chart comparing different formatting rules for APA, Chicago, and MLA styles.

 
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including the title page.

How Should You Format Your Essay If Your Teacher Hasn’t Specified a Format?

What if your teacher hasn’t specified which essay format they want you to use? The easiest way to solve this problem is simply to ask your teacher which essay format they prefer. However, if you can’t get ahold of them or they don’t have a preference, we recommend following MLA format. It’s the most commonly-used essay style for students writing papers that aren’t based on their own research, and its formatting rules are general enough that a teacher of any subject shouldn’t have a problem with an MLA format essay. The fact that this style has one of the simplest sets of rules for citing sources is an added bonus!

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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College essays are an entirely new type of writing for high school seniors. For that reason, many students are confused about proper formatting and essay structure. Should you double-space or single-space? Do you need a title? What kind of narrative style is best-suited for your topic?

In this post, we’ll be going over proper college essay format, traditional and unconventional essay structures (plus sample essays!), and which structure might work best for you. 

General College Essay Formatting Guidelines

How you format your essay will depend on whether you’re submitting in a text box, or attaching a document. We’ll go over the different best practices for both, but regardless of how you’re submitting, here are some general formatting tips:

  • There’s no need for a title; it takes up unnecessary space and eats into your word count
  • Stay within the word count as much as possible (+/- 10% of the upper limit). For further discussion on college essay length, see our post How Long Should Your College Essay Be?
  • Indent or double space to separate paragraphs clearly

If you’re submitting in a text box:

  • Avoid italics and bold, since formatting often doesn’t transfer over in text boxes
  • Be careful with essays meant to be a certain shape (like a balloon); text boxes will likely not respect that formatting. Beyond that, this technique can also seem gimmicky, so proceed with caution
  • Make sure that paragraphs are clearly separated, as text boxes can also undo indents and double spacing

If you’re attaching a document:

  • Use a standard font and size like Times New Roman, 12 point
  • Make your lines 1.5-spaced or double-spaced
  • Use 1-inch margins
  • Save as a PDF since it can’t be edited. This also prevents any formatting issues that come with Microsoft Word, since older versions are sometimes incompatible with the newer formatting
  • Number each page with your last name in the header or footer (like “Smith 1”)
  • Pay extra attention to any word limits, as you won’t be cut off automatically, unlike with most text boxes

Conventional College Essay Structures

Now that we’ve gone over the logistical aspects of your essay, let’s talk about how you should structure your writing. There are three traditional college essay structures. They are:

  • In-the-moment narrative
  • Narrative told over an extended period of time
  • Series of anecdotes, or montage

Let’s go over what each one is exactly, and take a look at some real essays using these structures.

1. In-the-moment narrative

This is where you tell the story one moment at a time, sharing the events as they occur. In the moment narrative is a powerful essay format, as your reader experiences the events, your thoughts, and your emotions with you . This structure is ideal for a specific experience involving extensive internal dialogue, emotions, and reflections.

Here’s an example:

The morning of the Model United Nation conference, I walked into Committee feeling confident about my research. We were simulating the Nuremberg Trials – a series of post-World War II proceedings for war crimes – and my portfolio was of the Soviet Judge Major General Iona Nikitchenko. Until that day, the infamous Nazi regime had only been a chapter in my history textbook; however, the conference’s unveiling of each defendant’s crimes brought those horrors to life. The previous night, I had organized my research, proofread my position paper and gone over Judge Nikitchenko’s pertinent statements. I aimed to find the perfect balance between his stance and my own.

As I walked into committee anticipating a battle of wits, my director abruptly called out to me. “I’m afraid we’ve received a late confirmation from another delegate who will be representing Judge Nikitchenko. You, on the other hand, are now the defense attorney, Otto Stahmer.” Everyone around me buzzed around the room in excitement, coordinating with their allies and developing strategies against their enemies, oblivious to the bomb that had just dropped on me. I felt frozen in my tracks, and it seemed that only rage against the careless delegate who had confirmed her presence so late could pull me out of my trance. After having spent a month painstakingly crafting my verdicts and gathering evidence against the Nazis, I now needed to reverse my stance only three hours before the first session.

Gradually, anger gave way to utter panic. My research was fundamental to my performance, and without it, I knew I could add little to the Trials. But confident in my ability, my director optimistically recommended constructing an impromptu defense. Nervously, I began my research anew. Despite feeling hopeless, as I read through the prosecution’s arguments, I uncovered substantial loopholes. I noticed a lack of conclusive evidence against the defendants and certain inconsistencies in testimonies. My discovery energized me, inspiring me to revisit the historical overview in my conference “Background Guide” and to search the web for other relevant articles. Some Nazi prisoners had been treated as “guilty” before their court dates. While I had brushed this information under the carpet while developing my position as a judge, it now became the focus of my defense. I began scratching out a new argument, centered on the premise that the allied countries had violated the fundamental rule that, a defendant was “not guilty” until proven otherwise.

At the end of the three hours, I felt better prepared. The first session began, and with bravado, I raised my placard to speak. Microphone in hand, I turned to face my audience. “Greetings delegates. I, Otto Stahmer would like to…….” I suddenly blanked. Utter dread permeated my body as I tried to recall my thoughts in vain. “Defence Attorney, Stahmer we’ll come back to you,” my Committee Director broke the silence as I tottered back to my seat, flushed with embarrassment. Despite my shame, I was undeterred. I needed to vindicate my director’s faith in me. I pulled out my notes, refocused, and began outlining my arguments in a more clear and direct manner. Thereafter, I spoke articulately, confidently putting forth my points. I was overjoyed when Secretariat members congratulated me on my fine performance.

Going into the conference, I believed that preparation was the key to success. I wouldn’t say I disagree with that statement now, but I believe adaptability is equally important. My ability to problem-solve in the face of an unforeseen challenge proved advantageous in the art of diplomacy. Not only did this experience transform me into a confident and eloquent delegate at that conference, but it also helped me become a more flexible and creative thinker in a variety of other capacities. Now that I know I can adapt under pressure, I look forward to engaging in activities that will push me to be even quicker on my feet.

This essay is an excellent example of in-the-moment narration. The student openly shares their internal state with us — we feel their anger and panic upon the reversal of roles. We empathize with their emotions of “utter dread” and embarrassment when they’re unable to speak. 

For in-the-moment essays, overloading on descriptions is a common mistake students make. This writer provides just the right amount of background and details to help us understand the situation, however, and balances out the actual event with reflection on the significance of this experience. 

One main area of improvement is that the writer sometimes makes explicit statements that could be better illustrated through their thoughts, actions, and feelings. For instance, they say they “spoke articulately” after recovering from their initial inability to speak, and they also claim that adaptability has helped them in other situations. This is not as engaging as actual examples that convey the same meaning. Still, this essay overall is a strong example of in-the-moment narration, and gives us a relatable look into the writer’s life and personality.

2. Narrative told over an extended period of time

In this essay structure, you share a story that takes place across several different experiences. This narrative style is well-suited for any story arc with multiple parts. If you want to highlight your development over time, you might consider this structure. 

When I was younger, I was adamant that no two foods on my plate touch. As a result, I often used a second plate to prevent such an atrocity. In many ways, I learned to separate different things this way from my older brothers, Nate and Rob. Growing up, I idolized both of them. Nate was a performer, and I insisted on arriving early to his shows to secure front row seats, refusing to budge during intermission for fear of missing anything. Rob was a three-sport athlete, and I attended his games religiously, waving worn-out foam cougar paws and cheering until my voice was hoarse. My brothers were my role models. However, while each was talented, neither was interested in the other’s passion. To me, they represented two contrasting ideals of what I could become: artist or athlete. I believed I had to choose.

And for a long time, I chose athlete. I played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse and viewed myself exclusively as an athlete, believing the arts were not for me. I conveniently overlooked that since the age of five, I had been composing stories for my family for Christmas, gifts that were as much for me as them, as I loved writing. So when in tenth grade, I had the option of taking a creative writing class, I was faced with a question: could I be an athlete and a writer? After much debate, I enrolled in the class, feeling both apprehensive and excited. When I arrived on the first day of school, my teacher, Ms. Jenkins, asked us to write down our expectations for the class. After a few minutes, eraser shavings stubbornly sunbathing on my now-smudged paper, I finally wrote, “I do not expect to become a published writer from this class. I just want this to be a place where I can write freely.”

Although the purpose of the class never changed for me, on the third “submission day,” – our time to submit writing to upcoming contests and literary magazines – I faced a predicament. For the first two submission days, I had passed the time editing earlier pieces, eventually (pretty quickly) resorting to screen snake when hopelessness made the words look like hieroglyphics. I must not have been as subtle as I thought, as on the third of these days, Ms. Jenkins approached me. After shifting from excuse to excuse as to why I did not submit my writing, I finally recognized the real reason I had withheld my work: I was scared. I did not want to be different, and I did not want to challenge not only others’ perceptions of me, but also my own. I yielded to Ms. Jenkin’s pleas and sent one of my pieces to an upcoming contest.

By the time the letter came, I had already forgotten about the contest. When the flimsy white envelope arrived in the mail, I was shocked and ecstatic to learn that I had received 2nd place in a nationwide writing competition. The next morning, however, I discovered Ms. Jenkins would make an announcement to the whole school exposing me as a poet. I decided to own this identity and embrace my friends’ jokes and playful digs, and over time, they have learned to accept and respect this part of me. I have since seen more boys at my school identifying themselves as writers or artists.

I no longer see myself as an athlete and a poet independently, but rather I see these two aspects forming a single inseparable identity – me. Despite their apparent differences, these two disciplines are quite similar, as each requires creativity and devotion. I am still a poet when I am lacing up my cleats for soccer practice and still an athlete when I am building metaphors in the back of my mind – and I have realized ice cream and gummy bears taste pretty good together.

The timeline of this essay spans from the writer’s childhood all the way to sophomore year, but we only see key moments along this journey. First, we get context for why the writer thought he had to choose one identity: his older brothers had very distinct interests. Then, we learn about the student’s 10th grade creative writing class, writing contest, and results of the contest. Finally, the essay covers the writers’ embarrassment of his identity as a poet, to gradual acceptance and pride in that identity. 

This essay is a great example of a narrative told over an extended period of time. It’s highly personal and reflective, as the piece shares the writer’s conflicting feelings, and takes care to get to the root of those feelings. Furthermore, the overarching story is that of a personal transformation and development, so it’s well-suited to this essay structure.

3. Series of anecdotes, or montage

This essay structure allows you to focus on the most important experiences of a single storyline, or it lets you feature multiple (not necessarily related) stories that highlight your personality. Montage is a structure where you piece together separate scenes to form a whole story. This technique is most commonly associated with film. Just envision your favorite movie—it likely is a montage of various scenes that may not even be chronological. 

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée , while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “ Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

This essay takes a few different anecdotes and weaves them into a coherent narrative about the writer’s penchant for novel experiences. We’re plunged into her universe, in the middle of her Taekwondo spar, three years before the present day. She then transitions into a scene in a ballet studio, present day. By switching from past tense to present tense, the writer clearly demarcates this shift in time. 

The parallel use of the spoken phrase “Point” in the essay ties these two experiences together. The writer also employs a flashback to Master Pollard’s remark about “grabbing a tutu” and her habit of dorsiflexing her toes, which further cements the connection between these anecdotes. 

While some of the descriptions are a little wordy, the piece is well-executed overall, and is a stellar example of the montage structure. The two anecdotes are seamlessly intertwined, and they both clearly illustrate the student’s determination, dedication, reflectiveness, and adaptability. The writer also concludes the essay with a larger reflection on her life, many moves, and multiple languages. 

Unconventional College Essay Structures

Unconventional essay structures are any that don’t fit into the categories above. These tend to be higher risk, as it’s easier to turn off the admissions officer, but they’re also higher reward if executed correctly. 

There are endless possibilities for unconventional structures, but most fall under one of two categories:

1. Playing with essay format

Instead of choosing a traditional narrative format, you might take a more creative route to showcase your interests, writing your essay:

  • As a movie script
  • With a creative visual format (such as creating a visual pattern with the spaces between your sentences forming a picture)
  • As a two-sided Lincoln-Douglas debate
  • As a legal brief
  • Using song lyrics

2. Linguistic techniques

You could also play with the actual language and sentence structure of your essay, writing it:

  • In iambic pentameter
  • Partially in your mother tongue
  • In code or a programming language

These linguistic techniques are often hybrid, where you write some of the essay with the linguistic variation, then write more of an explanation in English.

Under no circumstances should you feel pressured to use an unconventional structure. Trying to force something unconventional will only hurt your chances. That being said, if a creative structure comes naturally to you, suits your personality, and works with the content of your essay — go for that structure!

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How to Write an Essay in APA Format

What is apa format, apa essay format basics.

  • Steps to Follow

Frequently Asked Questions

If your instructor has asked you to write an APA format essay, it might at first seem like a daunting task, especially if you are accustomed to using another style such as MLA or Chicago. But you can master the rules of APA essay format, too.

An essay is one type of paper that can be written in APA format; others include lab reports, experimental reports, and case studies. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with some of the basic guidelines for writing a paper in APA format. Of course, it will also be important to follow any other formatting instructions that are part of your assignment.

How do you write an essay in APA format? The basic elements you need to include are:

  • A title page
  • An abstract
  • An introduction, main body, and conclusion
  • A reference section
  • Proper APA formatting with regard to margins, layout, spacing, titles, and indentations

This article discusses how to write an essay in APA format, including the basic steps you should follow and tips for how to get started.

Whether you’re taking an introductory or graduate-level psychology class, chances are strong that you will have to write at least one paper during the course of the semester. In almost every case, you will need to write your paper in APA format, the official publication style of the American Psychological Association . It is also used for academic journals.

Such rules are generally the same whether you are writing a high school essay, college essay, or professional essay for publication.

APA format is used in a range of disciplines including psychology , education, and other social sciences. The format dictates presentation elements of your paper including spacing, margins, and how the content is structured.

Most instructors and publication editors have strict guidelines when it comes to how your format your writing. Not only does adhering to APA format allow readers to know what to expect from your paper, but it also means that your work will not lose critical points over minor formatting errors. 

While the formatting requirements for your paper might vary depending on your instructor's directions, writing APA essay format means you will most likely need to include a title page, abstract, introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.

Your APA format essay should have a title page . This title page should include the title of your paper, your name, and your school affiliation. In some instances, your teacher might require additional information such as the course title, instructor name, and the date.

  • The title of your paper should be concise and clearly describe what your paper is about.
  • Your title can extend to two lines, but it should be no longer than 12 words.

An abstract is a brief summary of your paper that immediately follows the title page. It is not required for student papers, according to APA style. However, your instructor may request one.

If you include an abstract , it should be no more than 100 to 200 words, although this may vary depending upon the instructor requirements.

Your essay should also include a reference list with all of the sources that were cited in your essay,

  • The reference section is located at the end of your paper.
  • References should be listed alphabetically by the last name of the author.
  • References should be double-spaced.
  • Any source that is cited in your paper should be included in your reference section.

When writing in APA essay format, the text will include the actual essay itself: The introduction, body, and conclusion.

  • There should be uniform margins of at least one inch at the top, bottom, left, and right sides of your essay.
  • The text should be in Times New Roman size 12 font or another serif typeface that is easily readable.
  • Your paper should be double-spaced.
  • Every page should include a page number in the top right corner.
  • The first word of each paragraph in your paper should be indented one-half inch.

For professional papers (usually not student papers), every page of the essay also includes a running head at the top left. The running head is a shortened form of the title, often the first few words, and should be no more than 50 characters (including spaces).

Steps to a Successful APA Format Essay

In addition to ensuring that you cite your sources properly and present information according to the rules of APA style, there are a number of things you can do to make the writing process a little bit easier.

Choose a Topic

Start by choosing a good topic to write about. Ideally, you want to select a subject that is specific enough to let you fully research and explore the topic, but not so specific that you have a hard time finding sources of information.

If you choose something too specific, you may find yourself with not enough to write about. If you choose something too general, you might find yourself overwhelmed with information.

Research Your Topic

Start doing research as early as possible. Begin by looking at some basic books and articles on your topic to help develop it further. What is the question you are going to answer with your essay? What approach will you take to the topic?

Once you are more familiar with the subject, create a preliminary source list of potential books, articles, essays, and studies that you may end up using in your essay.

Remember, any source used in your essay must be included in your reference section. Conversely, any source listed in your references must be cited somewhere in the body of your paper.

Write Your Rough Draft

With research in hand, you are ready to begin. Some people like to create an outline to organize their argument prior to drafting. You may want to start with a very rough outline, and then add details.

Once you have a detailed outline, the next step is to translate it from notes to complete sentences and paragraphs. Remember, this is a first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect.

As you write your paper in APA essay format, be sure to keep careful track of the sources that you cite.

How do you start an APA paper? Your paper should begin with an introduction that includes a thesis statement that presents your main ideas, points, or arguments. Your introduction should start on the third page of your paper (after the title page and abstract). The title of your paper should be centered, bolded, and typed in title case at the top of the page.

Review and Revise

After you have prepared a rough draft of your essay, it's time to revise, review, and prepare your final draft. In addition to making sure that your writing is cohesive and supported by your sources, you should also check carefully for typos, grammar errors, and possible formatting mistakes.

When citing information or quotations taken from an interview, APA format requires that you cite the source, how the information was collected, and the date of the interview. They should not be included in the reference section, however, because they are not something that can be located by a reader in any published source or searchable database.

Instead, the information should be cited parenthetically in the main body of the text. For example: “There was an increase in the number of college students who screened positive for depression/anxiety” (R. Heathfield, personal communication, May 9, 2021).

If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems , editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

According to APA format, a two-part essay is formatted the same as an essay, however, you'll need to create two title pages.

If you're including a short direct quote in your APA-format essay, you will need to cite the author, year of publication, and page number (p.) or page number span (pp.). Quotations longer than 40 words should omit the quotation marks and be put in the text using block quotation formatting, on its own line and indented 1/2 inch from the left margin.

The cover page or "title page" in APA essay format should always include the title of your paper, your name, and school affiliation as well as the course title, instructor name, and date, if requested by your teacher.

Nagda S.  How to write a scientific abstract.   J Indian Prosthodont Soc.  2013;13(3):382-383. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0299-x

American Psychological Association.  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2019.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Learn the Standard Essay Format: MLA, APA, Chicago Styles

essay format form 4

Being able to write an essay is a vital part of any student's education. However, it's not just about linearly listing ideas. A lot of institutions will require a certain format that your paper must follow; prime examples would be one of a basic essay format like MLA, the APA, and the Chicago formats. This article will explain the differences between the MLA format, the APA format, and the Chicago format. The application of these could range from high school to college essays, and they stand as the standard of college essay formatting. EssayPro — dissertation services , that will help to make a difference!

What is an Essay Format: Structure

Be it an academic, informative or a specific extended essay - structure is essential. For example, the IB extended essay has very strict requirements that are followed by an assigned academic style of writing (primarily MLA, APA, or Chicago):

Title Page Paragraph 1 must include a research question, thesis, and outline of the essay’s importance.
Abstract Comprised of 3 paragraphs, totaling about 300 words, with 100 words in each. Paragraph 2 covers key resources, scope and limits of research, etc. Paragraph 3 concludes what you’ve already reached in your essay.
Table of Contents (with page numbers) Includes sections like Research question, Thesis, Introduction, Arguments, Sub-headings, Conclusion, Appendix, Works cited (bibliography).
Introduction The research question is required.
Body
Conclusion
Bibliography/Works Cited

This outline format for an extended essay is a great example to follow when writing a research essay, and sustaining a proper research essay format - especially if it is based on the MLA guidelines. It is vital to remember that the student must keep track of their resources to apply them to each step outlined above easily. And check out some tips on how to write an essay introduction .

Lost in the Labyrinth of Essay Formatting?

Navigate the complexities of essay structures with ease. Let our experts guide your paper to the format it deserves!

How to Format an Essay (MLA)

mla format

To write an essay in MLA format, one must follow a basic set of guidelines and instructions. This is a step by step from our business essay writing service.

Font 12pt Times New Roman
Spacing Double spaced everywhere
No extra spaces, especially between paragraphs
Heading Example of the heading on the first page of the essay (upper left corner):
Margins One-inch margin on the top, bottom, left and right
Page Numbers Last name and page number must be put on every page of the essay as a “header”. Otherwise, it would go in place of the text.
Title There needs to be a proper essay title format, centered and above the first line of the essay of the same font and size as the essay itself
Indentation Just press tab (1/2 inch, just in case)
Align Align to the left-hand side, and make sure it is aligned evenly

Essay in MLA Format Example

Mla vs. apa.

Before we move on to the APA essay format, it is important to distinguish the two types of formatting. Let’s go through the similarities first:

  • The formatting styles are similar: spacing, citation, indentation.
  • All of the information that is used within the essay must be present within the works cited page (in APA, that’s called a reference page)
  • Both use the parenthetical citations within the body of the paper, usually to show a certain quote or calculation.
  • Citations are listed alphabetically on the works cited / reference page.

What you need to know about the differences is not extensive, thankfully:

  • MLA style is mostly used in humanities, while APA style is focused more on social sciences. The list of sources has a different name (works cited - MLA / references - APA)
  • Works cited differ on the way they display the name of the original content (MLA -> Yorke, Thom / APA -> Yorke T.)
  • When using an in-text citation, and the author’s name is listed within the sentence, place the page number found at the end: “Yorke believes that Creep was Radiohead’s worst song. (4).” APA, on the other hand, requires that a year is to be inserted: “According to Yorke (2013), Creep was a mess.”

Alright, let’s carry over to the APA style specifics.

Order an Essay Now & and We Will Cite and Format It For Free :

How to format an essay (apa).

The APA scheme is one of the most common college essay formats, so being familiar with its requirements is crucial. In a basic APA format structure, we can apply a similar list of guidelines as we did in the MLA section:

Font 12pt Times New Roman
Spacing Double-space
Page Numbers Add a concise title header to the top left of each page, keeping it under 50 characters.
Also, include a page number in the top right corner.
Title Page
Headings Format all headings in bold and title case. Apply specific additional criteria for different heading levels as needed.

If you ask yourself how to format an essay, you can always turn to us and request to write or rewrite essay in APA format if you find it difficult or don't have time.

Note that some teachers and professors may request deviations from some of the characteristics that the APA format originally requires, such as those listed above.

apa format

If you think: 'I want someone write a research paper for me ', you can do it at Essaypro.

Essay in APA Format Example

Apa format chronobiology, chicago style.

The usage of Chicago style is prevalent in academic writing that focuses on the source of origin. This means that precise citations and footnotes are key to a successful paper.

Chicago Style Essay Format

The same bullet point structure can be applied to the Chicago essay format.

Title Page Below the page, put the title in regular text. If it's longer than one line, double-space it. Center your full name in the middle. Double-space each line for the course number, instructor's name, and the date separately.
Margins Use one-inch margins apart from the right side.
Spacing Double spaced everywhere. No extra spaces, especially between paragraphs.
Font Times New Roman (12pt)
Page Numbers On each page, add your last name and page number in the top right corner. Don't number the title page. Begin numbering the text from the second page.
Footnotes The Chicago format requires footnotes on paraphrased or quoted passages.
Bibliography The bibliography is very similar to that of MLA. Gather the proper information and input it into a specialized citation site.

chicago style

Tips for Writing an Academic Paper

There isn’t one proper way of writing a paper, but there are solid guidelines to sustain a consistent workflow. Be it a college application essay, a research paper, informative essay, etc. There is a standard essay format that you should follow. For easier access, the following outline will be divided into steps:

Choose a Good Topic

A lot of students struggle with picking a good topic for their essays. The topic you choose should be specific enough so you can explore it in its entirety and hit your word limit if that’s a variable you worry about. With a good topic that should not be a problem. On the other hand, it should not be so broad that some resources would outweigh the information you could squeeze into one paper. Don’t be too specific, or you will find that there is a shortage of information, but don’t be too broad or you will feel overwhelmed. Don’t hesitate to ask your instructor for help with your essay writing.

Start Research as Soon as Possible

Before you even begin writing, make sure that you are acquainted with the information that you are working with. Find compelling arguments and counterpoints, trivia, facts, etc. The sky is the limit when it comes to gathering information.

Pick out Specific, Compelling Resources

When you feel acquainted with the subject, you should be able to have a basic conversation on the matter. Pick out resources that have been bookmarked, saved or are very informative and start extracting information. You will need all you can get to put into the citations at the end of your paper. Stash books, websites, articles and have them ready to cite. See if you can subtract or expand your scope of research.

Create an Outline

Always have a plan. This might be the most important phase of the process. If you have a strong essay outline and you have a particular goal in mind, it’ll be easy to refer to it when you might get stuck somewhere in the middle of the paper. And since you have direct links from the research you’ve done beforehand, the progress is guaranteed to be swift. Having a list of keywords, if applicable, will surely boost the informational scope. With keywords specific to the subject matter of each section, it should be much easier to identify its direction and possible informational criteria.

Write a Draft

Before you jot anything down into the body of your essay, make sure that the outline has enough information to back up whatever statement you choose to explore. Do not be afraid of letting creativity into your paper (within reason, of course) and explore the possibilities. Start with a standard 5 paragraph structure, and the content will come with time.

Ask for a Peer Review of Your Academic Paper

Before you know it, the draft is done, and it’s ready to be sent out for peer review. Ask a classmate, a relative or even a specialist if they are willing to contribute. Get as much feedback as you possibly can and work on it.

Final Draft

Before handing in the final draft, go over it at least one more time, focusing on smaller mistakes like grammar and punctuation. Make sure that what you wrote follows proper essay structure. Learn more about argumentative essay structure on our blog. If you need a second pair of eyes, get help from our service.

Want Your Essay to Stand Out in Structure and Style?

Don't let poor formatting overshadow your ideas. Find your essay on sale and ensure your paper gets the professional polish it deserves!

What Is Essay Format?

How to format a college essay, how to write an essay in mla format.

Adam Jason

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

essay format form 4

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Thursday, June 26, 2014

46 good spm english model essays / free essay samples for o-level, ielts, toefl & muet writing.

46 Model Essay Samples for SPM English, O-level, IELTS, TOEFL & MUET Writing

        descriptive essays.

  • My Best Friend
  • Describe an afternoon at the bus station
  • A Horrifying Swim
  • A Prominent Malaysian Leader
  • A Demonic Gold
  • My Favourite TV Programme
  • The Night Market

Narrative Essays

  • A Horror / Tragic Story
  • Finally, A Voice Message
  • That is the reward for my patience and hardwork
  • A Holiday I Would Never Forget
  • Couple Foils Robbery Attempt
  • Write a story starting with: “The widow had to work hard to bring up her little son alone...”
  • My Most Embarrassing Situation
  • A Road Accident
  • Autumn on Sugarbush Street
  • Of Bombs and Ice-Cream

Argumentative / Persuasive Essays

  • Haze: A Danger to Health
  • Cell phones - One of Our Greatest Technologies Misused
  • Importance of Studying English

Reflective Essays

  • Are undergraduates ready for the real world?
  • Does School Prepare Us for Life
  • What would you do if you had a lot of money

Factual Essays

  • Social Networking Website

Directed Writing

  • Anti-Smoking Campaign Speech
  • Informal Letter
  • Informal Letter Sample
  • Formal Letter: Letter of Application
  • Formal Letter: Letter of Complain
  • Complain Report About School Canteen
  • Book Report
  • Police Report on Accident

essay format form 4

48 comments:

Is there any chinese language essay?? can recommend??

lol u retarded?

Why are you so mean? Which part of it is retarded?

Maybe he lack of attention in his life

Dude, there are really chinese essay in spm. What's wrong with you guys

Are you lost mate? This webpage is for english essays, not chinese retard

Cmon he just asking if theres any chinese language essay... nothing wrong with it... sorry i think u are the one who is retarded here... no one r supporting ya...

what is naratif composition

essay format form 4

Lol retarded 9 yr olds hating over a single question

WTH????? He is just asking. FGS he is not even asking u man..That question were asked to the admin. Pls just mind your own bussiness..

Senyap ar semua

Ahaha. Retarded indeed.

Ni nk buat rujukan ke gaduh?

Spm around the bout

guys i think,personally that this site helps you a lot in your studies.Amazing essays which are wonderfull

This is a fabulous site , helps me a lot😍

hey there.. im just here looking through the comments

i honestly thought that no one gonna be on this blog in 2021

bunch of pointless people arguing about an idiot

The test score works as a proof of their language proficiency and knowledge. Finding the Best TOEFL Coaching it self is a task because the objective of TOEFL classes is to give you interactive examples of TOEFL test questions.

Good Work for English learnes

This is important to remember while you are browsing IELTS or TOEFL preparation course, if you are planning on applying for citizenship or collage and intend to use your results as an entry requirement.

klau tuk repeat bi spm ngan st ada x ?

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The MBA is a master's degree in business administration which helps people attain a better understanding of the scientific approach in management.

With such programs it will be more easy for the students to get the good writing ideas and the techniques, looking forward to most important among them.

Transferring to a four year university may actually be a cheaper way to get a high quality education. This article provides tips for students who wish to transfer in.

That's really huge list of sample essays for students those need to write essay and facing difficulties. I am sure that will be very helpful for students studying in various level.

To be honest All the 46 Model essays are uncomparable to the O level English Standard. In fact,writing such a essay in o level english will guarantee a fail

Woah,these essays are actually good for SPM level. Seeing this comment,I wonder how am I going to survive after SPM with my own level of English. HUhu..T-T

totally useful for me

thank you much for the God's sake who had done this blog :) You pretty had aid me much in essays

thanks for the essay samples! I was struggling what I want to write about for my mid term examination.. But not anymore :)

Hey I would like to get in touch with you about publishing one of my articles here? Any way to do that??

Click here for email address to submit your article.

Thank you for sharing. This is a good material for the development of creative thought. I'm writing an essay for more than five years. Sometimes creative crisis comes. In this moment you need to distract yourself with other thoughts. Good luck to all with essay writing.

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Any spm 2020 candidates here?. How's your life going?. Mine is cursed

Same and im goin through mid year exams rn...smh

Me, a 12 year old that wants to write longer than the word limit in primary school: wow, this is cool

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How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example

If you’re a student, you’ve heard about a formal essay: a factual, research-based paper written in 3rd person. Most students have to produce dozens of them during their educational career. 

Writing a formal essay may not be the easiest task. But fear not: our custom-writing team is here to guide you through the process. This article will:

  • explain what a formal essay is;
  • show how to write it step by step;
  • provide you with an essay sample. 

👔 Formal Essay Definition

  • ✅ How to Write
  • ✍️ Writing Rules
  • 🖥️ Essay Format
  • 📑 Sample Paper

🔍 References

A formal essay is a well-structured piece of writing with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. This type of essay often includes cited research, uses an academic tone, and is written in 3rd person. While writing a formal essay, it’s necessary to back up your arguments with factual evidence.

What Is an Informal Essay vs. Formal Essay?

Essays come in two formats: formal and informal (also known as personal .) They differ in terms of style and context. You can choose one of the formats depending on the situation and the type of paper you need to write.

Don’t know how to tell the difference between them? Well, here are some key characteristics of these essay types:

Characteristics Informal essay Formal essay
Usually, the purpose of an informal essay is to share opinions or to entertain the reader. A formal essay aims to critically analyze facts, details, and ideas to prove a point. 
Addresses the reader directly and uses 1st-person pronouns. Uses 3rd-person pronouns and doesn’t address the reader.
Expresses the writer’s thoughts and opinions and tends to be more subjective. Strives to be objective and uses arguments to support its ideas.
Doesn’t have to be as structured as a formal essay. Should be well-structured and logical.
The thesis may be stated in any part of the work or not explicitly stated at all. The thesis is clearly stated and located in the essay’s first paragraph.
Uses everyday language, slang, 1st- and 2nd-person pronouns such as “I,” “you,” and “me.” Uses jargon and avoids using slang and 1st- or 2nd-person pronouns.

As you can see, these types of writing are almost total opposites. Informal essays are only reserved for creative assignments, which means that most of the papers you write need to be formal.

Our article on creative essays can help you write an informal paper. But how do you craft a perfect formal essay? Keep reading to find out.

✅ How to Write a Formal Essay

Traditionally, a formal essay it’s composed of 3 sections: an introduction, 3 or more body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Let’s examine each part in detail.

Formal Essay Introduction

The introduction is what your essay starts with. Its primary goal is to catch the reader’s attention with a hook, briefly introduce the topic, and lead toward the thesis statement located at the end of the first paragraph.

Here is what you might want to keep in mind while writing the introduction:

✔️ It should be related to the topic and give the reader an overall idea of the paper.
✔️ It’s good to start your introduction with a quotation, an interesting fact, or a statistic.
Try not to make the introduction too far-fetched or in-your-face.
Avoid using questions in an introduction of a formal essay.

If you want some more inspiration for your introduction, check out our article on hooks in writing .

Now on to the thesis statement : the key idea of your essay. When working on it, keep in mind that it should answer the central question in your topic and reflect your essay’s overall structure. your essay’s overall structure.

Suppose your topic is related to the teaching methods involving poetry. In that case, the thesis statement can be like this:

Teaching methods that involve reading and writing poetry in elementary school are beneficial for children as they enhance their capacity for empathy, develop creativity, and help with self-realization.

Formal Essay Body

The next part of an essay is the main body paragraphs. They support the thesis statement with well-developed arguments and explore the topic in-depth. Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence stating its main point. The length of a paragraph can vary, but the best option is to have between 4 and 7 sentences.

To make the text flow easily, you may use transitional words. Here are some examples:

  • after all, 
  • for instance, 
  • on the one/other hand, 
  • initially, 
  • as a result.

How to Write a Formal Essay Conclusion

Lastly, every essay needs closure. A good conclusion summarizes the essay’s main ideas, includes a paraphrased thesis, and encourages the readers to think more about the topic.

The structure of a conclusion may change slightly depending on the subject. For instance, it can suggest some solutions to a problem, express an opinion, or give a recommendation. It’s important to remember that the conclusion is a part that emphasizes your essay’s most important points and doesn’t introduce new information.

If you’re curious about writing each essay part, check out our article on 5-paragraph essays .

✍️ Formal Writing Rules

Just like choosing the proper attire to wear to a formal event, we need to use the right words while writing a formal essay. Here are some suggestions that can help you maintain a formal tone in your paper:  

Dos of formal writing

  • Pay attention to your vocabulary. The words you will use in a formal essay will likely have a nuanced meaning. Make sure you know exactly what the terms mean, and do your best to sound precise.
  • Use punctuation correctly. Here are some of the things to watch out for: Avoid exclamation marks; Use dashes for insertions; Use colons with enumerations; If you’re unsure of whether to use a punctuation mark or not, rewrite the sentence in a way that doesn’t require it.
  • Use varied sentence structure. In formal writing, there is always a danger of sounding monotonous. Avoid repeating sentence structures to make your essay more readable.
  • Provide references. It’s essential to cite every idea that you borrow. Try to paraphrase quotations from your sources: it will help you avoid plagiarism.

Don’ts of formal writing

  • Avoid using pronouns.  With words such as “I,” “me,” “we,” or “us,” an essay becomes wordy. It also makes the author seem less sure of their ideas. If you want to use personal pronouns, try substituting them with words like “the reader,” “viewers,” or “one.”
  • Avoid using slang expressions and nonstandard diction. Slang words in a formal essay will make it less appealing to the readers. If you want to be taken seriously, it’s best to avoid those expressions and use proper Standard English.
  • Avoid informal tone.  When you write a formal essay, incorporate the language and the expressions you would use while delivering a speech, not the words you use when you casually talk to friends. A formal tone suggests that the author is serious about the topic and respects the audience.
  • Avoid passive voice. Passive verbs are hard to read, and they are wordy. Use active voice to sound more straightforward and concise.

Contractions in Formal Writing

A contraction is usually a combination of two words into one, such as “don’t,” “isn’t,” “can’t,” and “wouldn’t.” When you work on a formal essay, it’s essential to be careful about contractions. It’s inappropriate to use them in academic writing, so it’s best to stick to the full variant.

However, there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, when working with direct quotations, it’s essential to reproduce words exactly as they are used in the original. To learn more about it, be sure to check out the University of North Florida’s article on in-text citations .

What to Use Instead of “You” in an Essay

Another common mistake students make is using the “you” and “yours” pronouns to address the readers. This mistake can make the essay overly informal and lead to misinterpretations of the text.

How do you fix it? Our advice is to replace 2nd-person pronouns with the following words:

  • individuals,

You can find more formal writing tips in this informative video from Smrt English:

🖥️ Formal Essay Format

Now that we’ve discussed formal essay writing in detail, it’s time to look at the formatting. A formal essay is usually written in MLA or APA formats. If you’re asked to write a paper in one of these formats, you may find the guidelines below helpful:

MLA APA
Write your name, the instructor’s name, your class, and the date in the upper left corner of the 1st page. Make the title centered and place it after the heading information in the same font as the rest of your paper. Create a separate . Make your title centered and written in boldface. Add your name, instructor’s name, school affiliation, and date.
Write your last name and the number of each page in the upper right corner. Write the number of each page in the upper right corner.
Use 12-point Times New Roman font.
Make your essay double-spaced without extra spacing between the paragraphs.
Add a 1-inch margin on each side of the page.
Make the 1st line of each paragraph indented 1/5 inch.
Line up your text flush against the left margin. 

📑 Formal Essay Example

Here is an excellent sample of a formal essay that uses all the guidelines mentioned in this article. It will help you to produce a perfect paper of your own:

Title Adverse effects of sponsorship in the sports industry
Sponsorship plays a significant role in the sports industry these days. Many sports associations, football leagues, and clubs are entering partnerships with famous brands. However, it does not mean that all sponsorship has a good impact. This essay argues that a questionable sponsorship may undermine the image of a sport or a team and adversely influence the viewers.
Important sports events such as FIFA or The Olympic Games are sponsored by brands such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Cadbury’s, and Budweiser. These are also brands that promote unhealthy lifestyles and foods that lack nutritional value and have high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats. Such kind of sponsorship aims to obtain a favorable change in the attitude toward the brand itself by connecting it with sport and a healthy lifestyle.
While alcohol and junk food brands link themselves to sports bodies and active lifestyles, their main targets are children and sports fans. The growing popularity of products high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar, including potato chips, sugary drinks, and confectionary, results in them being not simply a treat but a daily staple for many people. It creates various health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Finally, an association with a widely criticized brand is likely to damage the reputation of a team or even a sport itself (Crompton, 2014). People tend to expect their favorite teams to partner with fair, responsible sponsors. If the partnership is questionable, the fans may think that the sports body compromised their virtue for profit.
To sum up, some kinds of sponsorship, such as alcohol or junk food, may use the sport’s image to attract more people and increase sales. It leads to the excessive consumption of sponsored products by children and teenagers and causes various health issues. It is also likely to affect the public image of a sports body.

For more information, check out Purdue OWL’s resources on various formatting styles .

Formal Essay Topics

  • Stress management techniques
  • The effects of coffee 
  • Negative effects of technology on children
  • Causes and outcomes of organizational conflicts in sports
  • Different types of friends
  • Same-sex marriages in the United States
  • Are early marriages harmful or beneficial?
  • How do nutrition and hydration improve athletes’ performance? 
  • Is polygamy morally acceptable?
  • Different features of sports business
  • What characterizes friendship in the age of media?
  • Positive and negative effects of tourism on environment in the Caribbean
  • How does society treat single parents?
  • How does the uninvolved parenting style affect child’s future well-being?
  • The role of family relationships in Odyssey
  • Financial concepts in sport finance
  • Main features of a strong marriage
  • The importance of media coverage for sport teams
  • Reasons why students choose to get internship
  • The role of stadiums in the sports industry
  • The multiracial family: the Carters case analysis
  • Characteristics of children’s sports
  • Crucial factors affecting health fitness 
  • How is technology used in hotel management?
  • Structure and operational context of Four Seasons
  • What are the main qualities of a true friend?
  • Different websites that promote rental properties
  • The imperative aspects of tourism
  • Importance of hotel training 
  • What factors determine adolescents’ adjustment after they experience parental divorce? 
  • How does tobacco use affect the human body?
  • The importance of language and world view for communication
  • What makes a combination of reinforcement and punishment in parenting efficient?
  • The scientific approach of sports economics
  • How does divorce affect children?
  • Living on-campus vs. living off-campus when attending university: a comparison
  • How does the New Moves program promote a healthy lifestyle? 
  • How to be an effective counselor
  • Various types of restaurants in Ireland
  • Carolina Dog’s characteristics
  • Comparison of Monzameon’s The Love Suicides at Amijima and Tartuffe by Moliere
  • Comparing homosexual and heterosexual families
  • How is family presented in Everyday Use by Alice Walker ?
  • In what ways can Anaerobic Threshold be assessed? 
  • Is bad parenting a healthcare problem? 
  • Why student-athletes should benefit from sports
  • Mind-body awareness and its health benefits
  • Can punishment boost academic performance?
  • Techniques to teach students swimming
  • Issues faced by the sports licensing field

Thanks for reading through this guide! We hope that you found it helpful and now have a better idea of how to write an excellent formal essay. Don’t hesitate to share our article with a friend who may need it. Good luck!

Further reading:

  • How to Write a Critical Thinking Essay: Examples & Outline
  • What Is a Discourse Analysis Essay: Example & Guide
  • How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
  • How to Write a Précis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 

❓ Formal Essay FAQs

It’s best not to use pronouns such as “I,” “my,” “we,” “our,” etc., in a formal essay since it give the paper an informal tone and the text becomes wordy. It also makes the writer seem less sure about their ideas.

It’s better to avoid using parentheses and dashes in formal academic writing. If the information you want to include in the essay is important enough, it should be a part of the sentence. Otherwise, you can simply omit it.

The formal and informal essays differ in style and context. While a formal essay is a piece of well-structured writing that tries to convince the reader by providing arguments, an informal essay has no set structure. It reflects the author’s personal thoughts or opinions.

Starting your sentence with “because” in formal writing is not the best idea. The word “because” is a subordinate conjunction, which means it’s used to join the main clause to a subordinate clause, not to start a sentence.

It’s best to avoid using 1st- and 2nd-person pronouns, slang expressions, nonstandard diction, and contractions in a formal essay. They are primarily used in daily speech and are considered inappropriate in academic writing. 

  • Point of View in Academic Writing: St. Louis Community College
  • Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
  • Introductions & Conclusions: University of Arizona Global Campus
  • How to Improve Your Academic Writing: University of York
  • Nine Basic Ways to Improve Your Style in Academic Writing: University of California, Berkeley
  • Academic Writing Style: Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: University of Southern California
  • Formal and Informal Style: Northern Illinois University
  • Formal Writing: Davenport University: LibGuides
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FORM 4 ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS

Dear Sir/ Madam, I am a concerned resident and I am writing in response of your article about the CEO's plans to build a modern shopping centre in Taman Bunga Georgetown. First of all, I do agree with the CEO that a shopping centre would be very convenient for everybody. In addition to creating more job opportunities, it would be more options for entetainment. Who would say no to a cinema complex or food court with different cuisines, for instance? On the other hand, it is outrageous to even think of destroying the Taman Bunga Georgetown. I am very disappointed that the CEO shows such a lack of sensitivity for environmental issues. Air pollution is a growing problem in Penang and as Mr Kumar points out, Taman Bunga Georgetown must be saved at all costs. Surely a more suitable location can be found for the shopping centre. In conclusion, we do not need to destroy Taman Bunga Georgetown in order to build the new shopping centre. If we consider the alternative solutions more carefully, we can find one that is acceptable for everyone in Penang. Yours faithfully, Serena Tan CHECKLIST TIME! Look back at the a letter (to the editor) plan. Does the letter follow the plan correctly? Do a checklist to see if she does. 47 The following announcement was published in a local magazine. Read it an underline the keywords. WRITE AN ARTICLE FOR THE MALAYSIA'S FIRST TRAVEL AND NATURE MAGAZINE! Tell us about a nature reserve or place of natural beauty that you know. Describe the place, say what attracts visitors to it and refer to any other special features of the place. The most interesting articles will be published in the next issue. Your friend, Chan , wrote an article for the magazine e. Read the article she wrote below: Have you ever wondered where those cute, cuddly Orangutans you see in the television or zoo come from? Earlier this year I went to Sabah and that is when I found out about the Orangutans. I visited the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It was unforgettable experience. Sepilok Orangutan Rehalibitation Centre is a rehabilitation centre for orphanaged Orangutans and these Orangutans are today freely living in this reserve. They are living in their natural habitat and there are nurseries for the young orphaned Orangutans too. Recently rehabilitated individuals have their diet supplemented by daily feedings. The additional food supplied by the centre is purposefully designed to be monotonous and boring so as to encourage the apes to start to forage for themselves. Sepilok is considered by the Wildlife Department to be a useful educational tool with which to educate both the locals and visitors alike, but they are adamant that the education must not interfere with the rehabilitation process. Visitors are restricted to walkways and are not allowed to approach or handle the apes. Although I can only see the Oranguatans from afar, it felt satisfying just by looking their happy faces. Since the place is fully natured, a nature lover would love to come to this place. The view is very breathtaking and getting prettier everyday. I bet that if don't make your time to come here, you will regret it in your future. 48 Do you think the article Chan wrote will have a chance to be featured? Why/ Why not? What is important when you want to write an article? 1.Having a title that catches the reader's attention. 2.Using descriptive language. eg: colourful adjectives. 3.Adressing the reader personally. 4. Asking rhetorical questions. TRY AND ERROR Chan asked you to help and improve her article. Help Chan using the important tips provided before. Test your knowledge of your understanding of writing the article without looking at the format.  49 WRITE an article describing a place LET'S PLAN! When writing AN ARTICLE DESCRIBING A PLACE, follow the plan below TITLE Think of an interesting title. INTRODUCTION -Give general information about the place you are going to describe. -Refer to what makes the place interesting or why you are going to write about it. MAIN PART (1-2 PARAGRAPHS) -Describe the place, the sights and any other attractions. -Give your impression of the place and/or describe your feelings 50 CONCLUSION --Sum up your opinion by making a general comment about the place or by expressing your feelings. WRITING TIME! Now that you got a grasp of the format and how to write an article describing a place, rewrite a better article for your friend, Chan, to have a better chance to be featured in the magazine. You may use a mind map for the convenience to write the article. 51 IT'S TIME FOR THE ASSESMENT! EXERCISE 1 CALLING FOR ALL READERS OF NATURALLY NATURE MAGAZINE! Have you ever wanted to be featured in the one of these sections inside of the magazine? We are searching for an interesting article of the natures that you had experienced before no matter how far or how close it is to you. The most interesting article will be featured in our next month's magazine. Good luck! Based on the announcement above: 1. Create a mind map of your ideas of the place you want to describe. 2. Write an article describing the place you had in mind. Use the previous done mind map to help you. REMEMBER! USE THE IMPORTANT TIPS AND DO A CHECKLIST OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS THERE IN YOUR ARTICLE. 52 1. CREATE YOUR MIND MAP 53 2. WRITE YOUR ARTICLE DESCRIBING A PLACE 54 EXERCISE 2 Making Houses for Everyone The government is planning to sell half of the  reserved forest for the developers to build more houses and malls for the citizens. It is seen to make it more comfortable for the citizens.  However, many were opposed to this idea and demand the government to stop the plan. One of the citizens, Ahmad, says " What is the use of the forest was reserved in the first place if we don't save it for our future? How many more trees are we going to lose just because we want to modernize our country? I want fresh air and greenier country for my childrens in the future. We must protect the forest no matter what happens. Your mother read the article while she was hospitalized due to her ilness. She was very concerned as she is one of the nature lover and would love to write a letter to the editor to express her opinions. Due to her being sick, you were asked to write it for her instead. Write a letter to the editor and deliver your concern mother's feelings . REMEMBER! USE THE IMPORTANT TIPS AND DO A CHECKLIST OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE OR NOT DONE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS THERE IN YOUR LETTER. 55 WRITE YOUR LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARTICLE 56 CHAPTER 4: BEING A TEEN Values - Expressing opinions - Advantages and disadvantages writings - Exercises At the end of this chapter, you will : -Write a paragraph expressing opinions -Learn to write an essay presenting advantages and disadvantages 57 1.EXPRESSING OPINIONS WHAT IS AN OPINION ESSAY? A common question among students is: “What is an Opinion Essay?” It is an assignment which contains questions that allow students to share their point-of view on a subject matter. Students should express their thoughts in a precise manner while providing opinions on the issue related to the field within reasonable logic. Some assignments of this type require references to back the writer’s claims. Opinion writing involves the use of a student’s point-of-view which is segregated into a point. It is backed by examples and explanations. 1.A.DISCUSS 58 59 60 1.B. EXAMPLES OF OPINIONS ESSAY EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 61 EXAMPLE 3 62 63 2.Discussing advantages and disadvantages WHAT IS ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES QUESTION ? Tips ! 1. INTRODUCTION – Introduce the subject of the essay and both sides of the topic 2. MAIN PART (2 PARAGRAPHS) – cover both sides of the topic equally 3. CONCLUSIONS- make a general statement FOR REFERENCE 64 Writing the Introduction and Conclusion: • In the introduction, you should first make a general statement connected to the topic. • Then you should paraphrase the exam question in your own words. • Finally, you need to say what you are going to do in the essay. • In the conclusion, you need to say what the essay focused on. 65 3. EXERCISES EXERCISE 1: EXPRESSING OPINIONS A. FILL IN THE BLANK WITH SUITABLE LINKING WORDS OR PHRASES 66 B. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE APPROPRIATE LINKERS 67 68 EXERCISE 2: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES WRITING A. Read the essays below and choose the most suitable topic sentence for each advantage and disadvantages ESSAY 1 69 70 ESSAY 2:List the advantage and disadvantage of overpopulation 71 72 73 ESSAY 3: List the advantages and disadvantages of credit card 74 75 76 CHAPTER 5: IMAGE Values - Helping others - Thoughtful - Appreciating the diversity of arts At the end of this chapter, you will : - Learn to ask and give advice -Learn to write a letter giving advice - Learn to express regret and provide suggestions - Learn how to write several types of report including giving suggestions to improve something, book report and newspaper report. - Learn how to use Passive Voice in report writing 77 Giving Advice Letter LET'S TALK ABOUT ·Have you ever read about the advice column in the magazine, newspaper or website? Why or Why not?  · Do you think it is helpful? Why or Why not? 78 LET'S REVIEW Read the advice column, Siti’s To The Rescue. Identify the letter of giving and asking advice. Evaluate whether the advise is helpful or not. SITI'S TO THE RESCUE Dear Siti, I haven’t been writing to you since the Movement Control Order started, I assume. I hope you are in the pink of health despite the pandemic Covid-19. Speaking of Movement Control Order, you knew how hectic it could be with the online classes and homework. I am having trouble to catch up with the online classes. This is because my father got fired during the MCO. To help my parents and earn some money to buy data for the classes, I did business, which is doodling batik at tote bags. I am so glad it went well. Unfortunately, I am having difficulties to complete the order and my homework at the same time. Please advise me what to do, dear Rosie. I am clueless right now. Thank you for your time Troubled Mei Ling. Dear Mei Ling, Thank you for writing up to me. I am so glad to hear from you. I understand how you are feeling right now, but it is such a sweet gesture for you doing business to earn more pennies for the family. I can see that you are facing time management problem. First thing, you need to plan your time well. Allocate the time for you to finish homework, attend classes, doing business and exercise. I suggest you study and complete your homework in the morning as I have read somewhere stating that it is the best time to study. Next, set the target for the orders in business. You must try to receive order based on your abilities to finish it at the promised time. Well, we surely do not want to disappoint our customers. Lastly, do not forget to exercise and spend quality time with your family. After all, these could help to boost your day! All the best, my dear Mei Ling! The one who cares, Siti. 79 LET'S PLAN Giving advice letter falls into the Informal Letter category. Follow these steps to write this type of letter. 80 LET'S WORK A. Identify expressions or phrases that are appropriate for seeking advice and giving advice. Complete the chart as many as you can. A. Seeking for travel advice. Read the letter that you received from your friend, asking you the travel advices as he/ she is going to visit the place that you know well. You can give advice on things like climate, public transport, crime, shopping, food and drink, places with nice view and more.(You are free to decide the place.) 81 Write your reply over here. A. Read both of seeking advice letter. Then, provide advice on why he/ she should and should not do. 82 83 TIPS !! When writing a letter giving advice, you SHOULD 84 REPORT LET'S TALK ABOUT 85 LET'S PLAN Follow these steps below to write a report. 86 TIPS !! When writing report: -Keep in mind whom you are writing report to and the purpose of writing it. - If writing to the superior, use formal, appropriate way whereas if writing to peer group, use semi-formal - Provide three to four points and organize them in separate paragraphs - Headings can be used to highlight the main point on each paragraph - Present the idea in an impersonal, formal way (e.g. Using Passive Voice) LET'S WORK A. Identify all three pictures on the Art Society Day Trip to Pusat Jagaan Anak Yatim An-Nur. Describe each picture as if you are going to write it in the report. Use the headline given. 87 A. Determine the most appropriate headings for each paragraph. 88 B. Describe the process in passive voice. Poster making in canva Process of playing gasing How to label Jalur Gemilang 89 D. Describe the main points that should be included based on several different types of report. You may use Passive Voice in your writing. Include the subheadings too for each main point. 90 91 Assessment Giving Advice Letter Amri had received his SPM result last two weeks. Now, he is currently choosing the place and the field that he will pursue his study. However, he is having conflict with his parents regarding this matter as he wanted to pursue in photography, the one that he is good at whereas his parents wanted him to choose education. Amri is feeling confused right now. Therefore, he wrote the letter to seek advice from you. Write the advice letter to give advice and suggestions on what he should do, follow his heart or his parents’ preferences. Your letter must contain: · Express how you felt about Amri’s result · Give suggestion on what he should do whether to follow his heart or his parents’ preferences.. *Do not forget to use the right expressions and phrases. Include the linking words in tour writing. 92 Assessment Report 93 Checklist 94 95

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Format

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Essay Format: A Basic Guide With Examples

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Are you having trouble making your essay look just right? Lots of students find formatting tricky, so you're not alone. 

This guide is here to help you figure out how to format your essay. We've got examples of essays in APA, MLA, Chicago, and other styles to make it easier for you to learn.

So, keep reading!

Arrow Down

  • 1. What is an Essay Format?
  • 2. How To Format Essay in MLA Style
  • 3. How to Format Essay in APA
  • 4. How to Format Essay in Chicago Style
  • 5. Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles
  • 6. Essay Format PDF Examples
  • 7. How to Determine What Format to Follow

What is an Essay Format?

An essay format refers to a set of guidelines that decides how the elements of your paper should be arranged. No matter what type of essay you’re writing, formatting is an essential step in the essay writing process.

The format guidelines cover the essay structure, essay title , citations, and the basic essay outline . 

When formatting a paper, there are certain things that you need to pay attention to. These include the structure of an essay, title page, works cited page, and citation styles . 

or attention-grabber (main argument)

with a clear .

Note: Essay formats for university, college, and high school students differ mainly in the depth of research and analysis required, with higher academic levels demanding more detailed work. While the structure of most essays follows the basic 5-paragraph essay format. 

How To Format Essay in MLA Style

Formatting an essay in MLA style is a common requirement in many academic settings, particularly in the humanities.

MLA provides guidelines for various aspects of your essay, from font and margins to citations and bibliography. Here’s an essay format MLA you can use as a reference:

MLA Essay Format Template

  • Title Page: MLA does not typically require a separate title page. Instead, place your title at the top of the first page, centered, and do not use bold, italics, or underline for the title. Below the title, include your name, the instructor's name, the course name and number, and the due date, each on a separate line, left-aligned.
  • Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with your last name and page number in the upper right corner of every page, half an inch from the top, and flush with the right margin. For example: Smith 1.
  • Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch, and use double-spacing throughout the essay.
  • Font and Size: Use a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
  • Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches, which can be done automatically using the "Tab" key.
  • Paragraphs: Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks within sentences.
  • Title: Place the title of your essay (centered) at the top of the first page. Do not use bold, italics, or underlining for the title. Capitalize major words.
  • Citations: MLA uses in-text citations to acknowledge sources. When quoting or paraphrasing, include the author's last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 45).
  • Works Cited Page: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Works Cited." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific MLA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample MLA Essay

Take a look at the essay format example in MLA style:

MLA Format Paper - MyPerfectWords.com

How to Format Essay in APA

Formatting an essay in APA style is commonly used in the social sciences and psychology. 

APA provides a set of guidelines for various elements of your essay, including formatting, citations, and references. Here’s how to format essay in apa:

APA Essay Format Template

  • Title of the Essay (centered, bold, and in title case)
  • Your Name (centered)
  • Institutional Affiliation (centered)
  • Running head [Shortened Title] (flush left, in uppercase)
  • Page Number (flush right)
  • Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with the title of your essay in all capital letters, followed by a colon and a shortened version of the title (up to 50 characters), in the upper left corner of every page. The page number should be in the upper right corner.
  • Font and Size: Use a clear and readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
  • Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a hanging indent for references on the reference page.
  • Citations: Use in-text citations to acknowledge sources. Include the author's last name and the publication year (e.g., Smith, 2023) when quoting or paraphrasing.
  • Title: Use bold and title case for the title of your essay on the title page. On subsequent pages, use a shortened version of the title (in uppercase) as the header.
  • References Page: At the end of your essay, create a separate page titled "References." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific APA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample APA Essay

Here is an essay format sample in APA style:

APA Format Paper - MyPerfectWords.com

How to Format Essay in Chicago Style

Formatting an essay in Chicago style, often used in history and some other humanities disciplines, requires specific guidelines for citations and formatting. Here are the guidelines to format your essay in Chicago style:

Chicago Essay Format Template

  • Title Page: The title page in Chicago style includes: Title of the Essay (centered, in headline-style capitalization) Your Name (centered) Course Name and Number (centered) Instructor's Name (centered) Date (centered)
  • Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch. Use double-spacing throughout the essay.
  • Page Numbers: Number pages in the upper right corner of each page, beginning with the first page of the main text (usually page 1). Page numbers should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).
  • Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a block paragraph style with no extra space between paragraphs.
  • Citations: In Chicago style, you have two citation options: footnotes and endnotes. In your text, place a superscript number (e.g., ^1) at the end of the sentence containing the cited information. Corresponding footnotes or endnotes should provide full citation details.
  • Title: Use headline-style capitalization for the title of your essay (e.g., "The History of Ancient Civilizations").
  • Bibliography: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Bibliography." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific Chicago citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample Chicago Essay

Let’s check out a short essay format word sample in chicago style:

Chicago Format Paper - MyPerfectWords.com

Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles

An in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your essay or research paper that indicates the source of information you have incorporated into your writing.

Each of the formatting style have a unique way for adding in-text citations. Here's a table summarizing the in-text citation formats for the common styles:

Author's last name, publication date, and page number (if applicable) within parentheses.(Smith, 2020, p. 27)
Author's last name and page number without any punctuation between them.(Jones 42)
Author's last name and publication date within parentheses.(Smith 2021) or "According to Smith (2021),..."
Numbered footnotes or endnotes with a superscript number in the text, corresponding to a full citation in a footnote or endnote.Johnson argues that "the data is unconvincing."¹ ²

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Essay Format PDF Examples

Here are some essay format sample pdf for students to download and get a better understanding.

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Essay Format For CSS

How to Determine What Format to Follow

Selecting the appropriate citation format for your academic writing is essential to ensure that your work meets the expected standards. To make an informed decision, consider the following factors:

Factor 1- Subject and Discipline

  • APA Style: Primarily used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It is also common in business and nursing disciplines.
  • MLA Style: Commonly employed in humanities disciplines, including literature, languages, and cultural studies. It's widely used for papers related to literature and the arts.
  • Chicago Style: Used in history, some social sciences, and certain humanities disciplines. Chicago offers both author-date and notes and bibliography styles, making it versatile for various subjects.

Factor 2- Professor's Instructions

Always adhere to your professor's specific instructions regarding citation style and writing convention . Professors may have preferences or requirements based on the nature of the course or assignment.

For instance, an English professor might prefer MLA for literary analysis essay , while a psychology professor may opt for APA to encourage familiarity with research norms. However, when formatting styles are not specified by the instructor, you can follow whatever is appropriate for your subject.

Factor 3- Institutional Guidelines

Your educational institution may have established guidelines or standards for citation formats. 

Check your institution's style guide or consult with academic advisors to ensure compliance with their specific requirements.

By considering the subject matter, your professor's preferences, and your institution's guidelines, you can confidently choose the appropriate citation style to enhance the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing.

To Sum it Up, Now that you've gained a solid understanding of the basics of three major formatting styles, you're well-prepared to tackle your essay formatting with confidence. 

Whether you're crafting an essay, a research paper, or any academic document, these formatting principles will help you present your ideas professionally.

If you find yourself in a time crunch, our expert writers are here to help you tackle your academic challenges in no time. 

With our custom essay writing service , you get reliable help with any type of assignment, even with tight deadlines. Our writers are sure to deliver you 100% original papers that meet your requirements. 

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  • The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

Essay type Skills tested Example prompt
Has the rise of the internet had a positive or negative impact on education?
Explain how the invention of the printing press changed European society in the 15th century.
Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
Describe an object that has sentimental value for you.

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

  • The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
  • The body presents your evidence and arguments
  • The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

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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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

  • In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
  • In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
  • In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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    Expository essay outline. Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages. Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press. Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

  12. The 3 Popular Essay Formats: Which Should You Use?

    In this article, we'll explain essay formatting rules for three of the most popular essay styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago. For each, we'll do a high-level overview of what your essay's structure and references should look like, then we include a comparison chart with nitty-gritty details for each style, such as which font you should use for ...

  13. How to Format and Structure Your College Essay

    1. In-the-moment narrative. This is where you tell the story one moment at a time, sharing the events as they occur. In the moment narrative is a powerful essay format, as your reader experiences the events, your thoughts, and your emotions with you. This structure is ideal for a specific experience involving extensive internal dialogue ...

  14. SPM Factual Essay

    4 Pages • Essays / Projects • Year Uploaded: 2022. This document includes two model answers for factual essay, on discussing the causes or effects of cheating in school as well as the difference between younger and older generation. These model essays are based on the SPM Form 4 standard. This document is 15 Exchange Credits.

  15. How to Write an Essay in APA Format

    If the essay is in a chapter of a book, edited collection, or anthology, APA format states that you should cite the last name, first name, title of essay, title of collection, publisher, year, and page range. For example: Smith, John, "The Light House," A Book of Poems, editing by Peter Roberts, Allworth Press, 2005, pp. 20-25.

  16. How to Format an Essay

    Otherwise, it would go in place of the text. Title. There needs to be a proper essay title format, centered and above the first line of the essay of the same font and size as the essay itself. Indentation. Just press tab (1/2 inch, just in case) Align. Align to the left-hand side, and make sure it is aligned evenly.

  17. 46 Good SPM English Model Essays / Free Essay Samples for O-level

    Below is the list of 46 free model essays for SPM English, O-level, IELTS, TOEFL & MUET Writing. Descriptive Essays. Friend; Friends; My Best Friend; Describe an afternoon at the bus station; A Horrifying Swim; A Prominent Malaysian Leader; A Demonic Gold; My Mother; My Favourite TV Programme; The Night Market; Malaysia, a Unique Country ...

  18. Example Essay Form 4

    Example essay form 4 - Free download as Word Doc (.doc / .docx), PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. The document provides tips for writing a factual essay for continuous writing in the SPM examination. It discusses three main points: 1) Adopting the 3Rs of reduce, reuse and recycle to participate in saving the environment.

  19. Example of a Great Essay

    This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people's social and cultural lives.

  20. How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example

    Title. Write your name, the instructor's name, your class, and the date in the upper left corner of the 1st page. Make the title centered and place it after the heading information in the same font as the rest of your paper. Create a separate title page. Make your title centered and written in boldface.

  21. FORM 4 ENGLISH WRITING SKILLS

    3.Adressing the reader personally. 4. Asking rhetorical questions. TRY AND ERROR. Chan asked you to help and improve her article. Help Chan using the important tips provided. before. Test your knowledge of your understanding of. writing the article without looking at the format.

  22. Essay Format: A Basic Guide With Examples

    Note: Essay formats for university, college, and high school students differ mainly in the depth of research and analysis required, with higher academic levels demanding more detailed work. While the structure of most essays follows the basic 5-paragraph essay format.. How To Format Essay in MLA Style. Formatting an essay in MLA style is a common requirement in many academic settings ...

  23. The Four Main Types of Essay

    An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays. Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and ...