How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Structure, Format, and Tips

Table of contents

  • 1 What is a 500 Word Essay?
  • 2.1 How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?
  • 2.2 How Many Pages Is A 500-word Essay?
  • 3.1 Create An Outline
  • 3.2 Write A Strong Introduction
  • 3.3 Composing The Body Paragraphs
  • 3.4 Write An Impressive Conclusion
  • 4 500-Word Essay Examples
  • 5 500-Word Essay Topics
  • 6 Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

We can say that a 500-word essay length is the best of both worlds. It is longer than a 250-word essay, so you have more space to express yourself, but it is shorter than 1000 words essay, so you don't have to provide tons of details and research. On the other hand, writing 500 words is not as simple or easy as you may believe. You still need to know all about the 500-word essay format, important guidelines, use of proper details, and so much more.

In general, this is an important and even essential piece of writing. Hence you need to know all the basics and even less-known facts in order to produce a paper that will get you the grade you deserve. Add the fact you will probably have to write one on a regular basis, and you can see why this page is just perfect for you. Papers Owl is here to explain all the things you need to know about these papers and also add all the facts you need to incorporate into your next paper.

What is a 500 Word Essay?

It is precise, as the name suggests. This is 500 words essay. As we have mentioned, it is the most appealing type because it can be relatively easy to complete, and it is not too long, so you have to invest countless hours into research and writing. How easy or hard you will write a paper of this kind depends on your abilities and the topic.

As always, choosing the best topic should be the mandatory first step, and you need to choose one that you like. If you are left with the one you don't like, or you find repelling, you can always use " write my essay " help and get the paper delivered to you within hours! This has been one thing many students have been using for a long time, and many more will use it due to obvious reasons.

You can write 500 words essay that you like and not all of the assigned ones. Writing 500 content will depend on many factors. One of the first things to know is that there are several types of these papers . A 500-word essay example can help you understand this issue more.

Depending on the goal of your writing, you may have to write:

  • Argumentative 500-word essay
  • Critical word paper
  • Analytical essay
  • Reflective paper
  • Narrative words paper

In most cases, you will have to explain a specific idea or a topic that is assigned to you. You have 500 characters to use, but you can go a few words more. It is important to add that you cannot write 1000 words in this case scenario. This is a different type of paper, and it is reserved for a different purpose. We also have 250-word (sort) essays that are much shorter but can be problematic. You usually don't have enough room to cover the topic you want. Hence you are left with generic and not very interesting content.

Teachers love these essays, and they consider them extremely important. The main reason for that is the fact these papers can be written in the class, and a teacher can check your writing capabilities and the details. These contents are essential because they can check your critical thinking, your opinion, and most commonly, how well you have understood a specific topic.

For example, you may have to write a 500 character essay related to the book you had to read for the class. This will depend on numerous factors, but usually, you have to write detailed and focused content. There is no room here to write about countless things and elements. You need to focus on one and stick to it.

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How to Format a 500-Word Essay?

One of the main steps and one of the essential pieces of guideline here is to format the paper. The structure is not something you can affect significantly and something you can change at any given moment. Yes, you need to complete five hundred words, but you need to know how to divide these. This is a well-known fact and something a quick essay writer can do with his eyes closed.

Now we will teach you how to do it as well. Pay close attention to details here. There are a lot of simple things that are mandatory, so don't skip them and don't try to be better than the professor. Use your own structure or something similar.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay?

The main thing here is to remember that these papers always have 5 paragraphs. One of them is the introduction, and it goes first. Then you have 3 body paragraphs and the conclusion paragraph . It is also important to divide the word count. The introduction part of an essay must be 100 words. Each paragraph must be 100 characters as well.

Lastly, we can see that conclusion is 100 characters as well. Of course, it doesn't have to be precisely 100 characters! Better said, the range should be between 90 and 110 characters per paragraph. Don't try to add too many sentences, or you will have problems and you won't write a well-structured paper.

How Many Pages Is A 500-word Essay?

In order to format a 500 word essay, you need to pay close attention to the pages as well. If you use single spaces, you will have 1 page of content. If you use double spacing, something that some students prefer, you will have 1.5 pages.

Try to remember that your academic writing should use 12-size font and also Times New Roman or Arial font style. These are the most common, and usually, professors will tell you to use them. Every single time when you are writing 500 words, you will have to use these elements. They are important and even mandatory.

How to Write a 500 Word Essay?

How easy you can complete this assignment will depend on your writing skills. However, you can use this small guide to get the help you need and complete the paper in less time and get 500 characters ideally organized and suitable for your purpose. Examples or better said, samples are very beneficial here and important due to so many reasons. Anyway, here we will reveal how to write a narrative essay like a professional and always be ready to impress the readers. Keep in mind that readers are professors, your colleagues, and many others.

Create An Outline

The first step is actually to start with the outline . The outline is the plan you will use for writing. It has to start with a thesis statement , which is a summary of your idea and the goal. Then, you need to make the plan. Use bullet points to make all of this organized and simple. Any essay example will have this before it was written!

The outline will contain points for the introduction, body paragraphs, and the conclusion. Each one will contain several points in which you should explain what you want to say or what you will say in the paper. Once you are done, you can continue to the next step or, better said to the actual writing.

Write A Strong Introduction

Once you have the thesis statement and the outline, you will have to start writing. The introduction is the first thing you will have to write. Always start with the string intro that has the main idea you want to reveal in the paper, and you want to share. This should be the point of view you have and what you want to present.

In addition, this section must be strong, to the point, and should intrigue the reader. You need to reveal just enough so he will want to read the whole paper. You can see the example later on and get a better idea about what you need to do.

Composing The Body Paragraphs

The definition here is simple. Each body paragraph needs to present one idea . Each idea must be accurate, simple, and detailed. You will have to make a clear and simple transition between paragraphs and make a reader want to continue reading. The samples below will help you more. This is also the hardest part of the content.

You can always pay for essay writing if you want to get the content in no time and professionally completed. All your ideas should be backed by the actual facts that must be accurate and detailed as you can imagine. In addition, never present opposite or strange facts in the sections. It will confuse the reader.

Write An Impressive Conclusion

The last thing you will have to do is to complete the conclusion. It must be strong and must reexamine the beginning and tell one point to the readers. In a nutshell, this is a very important section, and it can make a massive difference. You can get a better grade or a lower one if you make a mistake. There are complete guides related to this section only, so you can imagine how important it is. The conclusion should be completely focused on the main idea of your content.

500-Word Essay Examples

Here you can see a sample 500 characters that will help you understand the topic in detail and, at the same time, get the job done in less time and with better accuracy. Each 500 word essay example is written by an expert, so you can be positive that you will learn from the best.

  • Roosevelt, The Great Depression, And The Economics Of Recovery
  • Globalization in Business
  • LGBD Community in the United States
  • An Eye for an Eye Makes the Whole World Blind
  • “Snow” by Julia Alvarez: Unveiling Symbolism and Resilience

Each one is detailed and has been approved by actual college professors. Many of them are written by college professors, so once again, you can see the appeal. These are ideal for all beginners, students who are not proficient in this task, and who need help.

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500-Word Essay Topics

Here are 10 topics that are very common and very appealing. You will probably want to choose one or two. Keep in mind that you should always choose the one you like and you are interested in writing on. Don't try to complete one that you don't like or you don't want to learn about.

This is a simple secret that has a huge role overall.

  • Your best journey explained
  • Explain honesty
  • Explain racism
  • Can you make money on the internet?
  • Define the main objective of your life
  • Can you and how avoid problems while at college?
  • Challenges people with disabilities encounter every single day
  • What is punctuality?
  • Which effect does art has on people?
  • Explain the best day in this year that happened to you

Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Now when you have your sample 500, and you have all the details that you are going to need, we can reveal one section more. Here we will explain the tips you need to use in order to complete this assignment in less time and with better success. Keep your mind focused and try to use all of these tips just so you can expect the best grade. These may sound ordinary or obvious, but they do affect your content and your presentation.

  • Have two days to complete the task All native English professional writers know that this process takes time. In general, you will use the first day to draft the whole content. On the second day, you will read it and make needed changes, edit and proofread it. This is mandatory. You will look at the content with fresh eyes, and you can easily see any mistakes or make changes that have a huge effect.
  • Get help if possible Seeking assistance to help you with your work is a great way to ensure that your content is accurate and of the highest quality. You can get help from your professor, friend, or even a cheap essay writing service . The goal here is to be aware of any mistakes or get any insights into your content. Knowing the details of your work will make it easier to make changes, and you can get these from other readers. With their help, you can make sure that your work looks better and is of the highest quality.
  • Don't worry about the word count Just start and enjoy. Don't worry about the characters or anything like that. You can always make the content longer or shorter if you have to. If you worry about the length, you will be limited, and you can't end up with an excellent copy.
  • Proofread several times It is mandatory and the most obvious fact here. All the things you write will have to be proofread, and there is no other way. You can even hire a professional, or you can ask your friend. This is of huge importance.
  • Consider who will read your content Try to adjust the content for your reader. Think of what they want to see and want to know. Then, focus on these things most of the time and try to optimize your content as much as you can. The results are amazing, and you can see that all writers have been doing this for ages.

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Essay Writing Guide

500 Word Essay

Nova A.

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide

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A 500-word essay is a common format assignment that students have to deal with. It is a three-part paper that provides vivid descriptions of an event, object, or phenomenon.

This format of essay writing is very easy if you know the correct techniques to put down your ideas within a specific word limit. 

The best way to write an essay in this format is by using specific words and making your ideas flow well. This essay enables you to learn how to be concise but also poses significant essay writing challenges . 

In this blog, we will learn about 500-word essays in detail and explore everything about this type of essay format with examples. Keep reading!

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  • 1. What is 500 word Essay?
  • 2. 500 Words Essay Format 
  • 3. How Long is a 500 Word Essay?
  • 4. How to Write a 500-word Essay?
  • 5. 500 Word Essay Examples
  • 6. 500 Word Essay Topics 

What is 500 word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing typically assigned in schools and colleges. This type of essay format requires the writer to express their thoughts, ideas, or arguments within a concise word limit.

A 500-word essay usually includes 4 to 6 paragraphs, with each paragraph containing approximately 75 to 200 words. The specific number and length of paragraphs can vary based on the type and structure of the essay.

A 500-word essay can be the easiest and the most difficult one to write, at the same time. It all depends on two things; the Topic and the Writer’s Abilities . Teachers often assign 500-word essay assignments as it can help them quickly assess the student’s critical, analytical, and writing skills. 

500 Words Essay Format 

Here is the format and structure of a well-crafted 500-word essay.

  • Introduction (Approximately 50-75 words)
  • Body Paragraphs (2-3 paragraphs, Approximately 150-200 words)
  • Counterargument (Optional, Approximately 50-75 words)
  • Conclusion (Approximately 50-75 words)

Let's take a closer look at how a 500-word essay is set up and what each part does to make the writing strong and clear.

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How Long is a 500 Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is typically one to two pages long, depending on formatting and spacing. For APA style , use a 12-point font for serif (e.g., Times New Roman) and 11-point for sans-serif (e.g., Arial). With double spacing, it will extend to approximately 2 pages, while with single spacing, it usually fits onto 1 page.

How Long Should a 500 Word Essay Take? 

Typically, for an average writer, composing a 500-word essay might take around 1 to 2 hours. However, this estimate can vary significantly based on individual factors such as familiarity with the topic, writing experience, and the need for extensive research or revision.

How Many Paragraphs is a 500 Word Essay? 

A typical 500-word essay generally comprises 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each paragraph contains roughly 75 to 200 words. However, the exact number and length of paragraphs may vary depending on the essay's type and structure.

Word count is important in short essays. So, it’s best to aim for an introduction under 100 words, body paragraphs around 300 words each, and conclude within 100 words.

500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay 

A 500-word essay offers more depth than a 250-word one, allowing for additional detail and evidence. This extra content strengthens arguments or supports viewpoints, making the essay more effective.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

A 500-word essay is shorter than a 1000+ word essay. The 500-word one usually fits on one to two pages, while the longer essay can span several pages. With more words, the longer essay allows for a deeper exploration of topics and more detailed arguments. However, both essays require clear organization and effective communication of ideas.

How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is the same as classic essay writing. Here are some steps to keep in mind while writing a 500-word essay. 

  • Create an Outline
  • Write a Strong Introduction
  • Composing The Body Paragraphs
  • Write an Impressive Conclusion

Below is a detailed description of each step. 

Step 1: Create An Outline

First, make a clear and detailed essay outline , and do not miss anything at this point. It will serve as a backbone for your entire paper. 

The purpose of this outline is to break down the ideas in a logical and structured manner. 

Step 2: Write A Strong Introduction

The opening paragraph of an essay serves as the reader's initial window into the topic. Grab your reader from the start of this paragraph with an attention-grabbing hook . Make it as interesting and creative as you can so that they don't put down the essay before reading it all!

For writing an essay introduction , you need to introduce your main topic. And give an idea of what the reader may encounter in the rest of the essay. At the end of this paragraph pin your thesis statement . 

For Example: 

Step 3: Composing The Body Paragraphs

The body section of the essay is mostly divided into 3 paragraphs as discussed above in the format section. It is the point where you need to explain the different types of arguments you make in the essay. Support these arguments with relevant examples, facts, or personal interpretations. 

In a 500-word essay, it's best to stick to one main argument with supporting evidence. Longer essays, such as 1000-word essays , can explore multiple arguments as long as they're connected and contribute to a unified thesis.

Step 4: Write an Impressive Conclusion

Conclusion is the last part of the essay where you need to summarise the main argument of the essay. When writing the conclusion of your essay, begin by restating the thesis statement and explaining it with some strong points analyzed in the body section.

Make sure it does not completely iterate the introduction. Focus on providing critical insight into the main subject of discussion.

For Example:

Always proofread your essay for mistakes and inconsistencies. Also, make sure the writing convention checklist is followed, as it will give you a clearer idea of what needs to be improved before submitting! 

If you still need some guidance, here is a video on how to write a 500-word essay!

500 Word Essay Examples

All 500-word essays follow a different style and structure, making it difficult for a student to understand what their instructor expects. In such scenarios, 500-word essay examples can be of great help.

Below you can find some 500-word essay examples on different topics to better understand the various style formats.

500 Word Essay On Honesty

A 500-word essay on honesty is a commonly assigned task to high school and college students. It simply involves writing on how to develop a practice of speaking the truth always.

Here is an example 500-word essay on honesty that you can refer to for your understanding.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500 Word Essay On Integrity

Below, you can find a great 500-word essay on integrity written by one of our expert writers for your help.

500 Word Essay On Leadership

Leadership essay discusses the quality of leading people. Get help from the following leadership essay example and learn how you can write on one of the important aspects of life.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality  

Punctuality is an important trait that everyone should strive to possess. Take help from this punctual example essay and make your writing even more powerful.

500 Word Essay On Punctuality

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

Responsibility is an important value that everyone should possess. It dictates the way we interact with others and how we carry out our daily lives. Take a look at our example of an essay on responsibility to understand what it means to be responsible.

500 Word Essay On Responsibility  

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship  

Writing an essay explaining why you deserve a scholarship can be a challenging experience since students often feel like they’re bragging about themselves. Learn how to write a 500-word essay for scholarship that will make a strong case for your academic excellence with our sample!

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship Pdf

500 Word Essay on Respect 

Respect is a very important concept in today's society. It is an essential component of any successful relationship, both personal and professional. Check out our essay example on  Respect to begin learning more about this topic.

500 Word Essay On Respect

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher 

Writing essays about something you are passionate about is never an easy task. When it comes to writing about why someone wants to be a teacher, you can always get help from some great sample essays.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse 

Nursing is a passion for a lot of people. If you want to write an essay on why you want to be a nurse, you must look at our sample essay.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

500 Word Essay on Global Warming

Global warming is not just an environmental concern but a moral obligation for the well-being of our planet. Write a 500 word essay on global warming with the help of our sample.

Here are some more 500-word essay pdf samples on important topics for your understanding:

500 word essay about myself

500 word essay on corruption

500 word essay on social media

500 word essay on pollution

500 word essay about Islam

500 Word Essay Topics 

Here are some topics that you may find interesting.

  • Describe your favorite trip.
  • Is it possible to earn on the Internet?
  • What are the challenges of people living with disabilities?
  • How to avoid problems at college.
  • What is honesty?
  • Abstract art and its impact on people.
  • Causes of racism.
  • The best day of your life.
  • What is the objective of your life? 
  • What do you mean by punctuality? 

If you want to look at more topics, feel free to choose from our interesting list of essay topics .

Wrapping it Up!

Writing essays in a concise 500-word format may seem straightforward, but the process can often be challenging for students. The biggest hurdle? Squeezing in all the essential details while staying within the limit.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling to navigate this task, let MyPerfectWords.com handle it for you. 

Our essay writer service is here to transform your academic journey. Whether it's crafting a compelling narrative or refining your arguments, our experts are dedicated to delivering excellence.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many sentences is a 500-word essay.

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A 500-word essay typically contains around 5 to 10 sentences per paragraph, spread across 4 to 6 paragraphs.

Can a 500-word essay have 4 paragraphs?

Yes, a 500-word essay can have 4 paragraphs, though it's more commonly structured with 5 or 6 paragraphs.

How many references are needed for a 500-word essay?

The number of references needed for a 500-word essay can vary depending on the topic and requirements, but generally, 2 to 4 references are sufficient for supporting arguments and providing evidence.

Does a 500-word essay have to be exactly 500 words?

Yes, that’s because the general rule for any academic essay is to not exceed the given word count by more than 10%. So applying the same rule, your 500 word essay length should ideally not exceed 10%, that is 550 words, so you should try to wrap up your thoughts within that word count or otherwise risk a negative marking by the professor.

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Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

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A 500-word essay is a very interesting type of essay writing. Like other academic writing assignments, this type of essay writing is quite often assigned to students at different academic levels.

A 500-word essay tends to polish the writing and analytical skills of a writer. It is not a very extensive composition, but still, it is meaningful and equally important. 

This type of essay writing is interesting and very easy to write. You have to be on point, which means that you do not have to do a lot of research and stay focused on your point of view.

A 500-word essay format is one of the easiest formats to follow for essay writing.

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What is a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is basically an essay with three sections that give clear depictions of an occasion or any item. This type of essay is a common article design that can be followed for composing any sort of exposition, for example, a descriptive essay, an argumentative essay, and so forth.

A 500-word essay is mostly doled out at secondary schools and universities. Almost every other student faces it multiple times throughout academic life. It doesn't have any broad heading, so you can show all your latent capacity by not relying on the subject and theme.

How to Format a 500-Word Essay?

The format of a 500-word essay is very simple and very similar to other types of essay formats. The only thing that makes it different is the essay length.

As the word count for this type of essay is less, thus the length of the paragraphs is also small, and the word count ranges from 75-125 words.

Each paragraph has 3-5 sentences. These sentences must be well-written so that despite being short in length, the sentence can explain its purpose.

Here is a standard format of a 500-word essay that has the following components with examples of each component.

The introduction is responsible for keeping the reader engaged. It provides a brief overview of the overall essay and contains the thesis statement for the essay topic.

It provides background information about your essay’s topic and mentions why you chose this topic in particular.

Also, there is a hook statement in the introduction paragraph. This is a statement that usually is a verse or a famous quotation. It is used as an opening sentence for the essay.

For Example 

After the introduction, the body of the essay starts. The body paragraphs make the body of an essay. For a 500-word essay, particularly, there are usually 4-6 paragraphs.

Each paragraph discusses a key element and provides the required evidence to give it a logical sense.

Like the body paragraph of any other essay, the paragraphs of the 500-word essay start with a topic sentence. This sentence acts as an introduction to the paragraph.

Each paragraph should end with a transition sentence to show a connection with the upcoming part.

Make sure that such a body paragraph is meaningful yet in a comprehensive form.

Here is a sample body paragraph to help you craft a winning 500-word essay

A conclusion paragraph is the extract of the whole essay. The writing skills of a writer are judged by the way they conclude an essay.

Writing the conclusion is the most complicated part of essay writing. To write a good conclusion, the writer must logically summarize all the key elements and reiterate the thesis statement.

Whatever is mentioned in the conclusion should give the reader a sense of closure and completion.

Let's continue with the cell phone example for a better understanding of the conclusion phase.

500 Word Vs. 250 Word Essay

500-word scholarship essays provide you with a significantly greater degree of writing freedom than 250-word ones. When you're given fewer words, it can be tricky to express your views in concise and effective phrases without sacrificing clarity.

With 500 words at hand though, you have ample space to make sure that all the facets of your opinion are expressed - yet don't need footnotes and cited resources as often!

500 Word Essay Vs. 1000 Word Essay

The length of a 500-word essay and a 1000-word essay is quite different. 

While a 500-word essay may not require much outside research or citations, it still requires more focus and organization than a 1000-word essay. 

A 1000-word essay requires far more time and effort to write than a 500-word essay. Plus, it requires you to be more thorough in your research, analysis, and composition. It will also require you to use a greater degree of critical thinking skills when making arguments.

Additionally, a 1000-word essay may call for the use of outside sources to support points or draw conclusions. Thus, writing a 1000-word essay can be a much more challenging task than writing a 500-word essay. 

How Long is a 500-word Essay?

You must be wondering how long exactly a 500-word essay is? As it is a very easy style of composing an essay, so every student prefers to complete it right away and get back to other activities.

One of the interesting facts about this essay type is that it is even shorter than we think. It depends on the formatting style, sizing, and spacing a writer chooses to use. If a writer wants a double-spaced writing format, that is also acceptable for writing such an essay.

To make sure that you write the essay with perfection, understand all the requirements provided by your instructor to compose this type of essay.

500-Word Essay Sample (PDF)

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How to Write a 500-word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is a very simple task to do. But things might get complicated if you do not follow a standard way of writing.

The following are the steps you should consider while writing a 500-word essay.

Before you start writing an essay, the first thing you should do is to understand the requirements provided by your instructor.

Understanding the requirements will help you to complete your essay without any mess and up to the mark. Proceeding according to the requirements will keep you composed through the essay writing process.

Once you have understood all the requirements, the next step is to think of some interesting ideas. Brainstorming helps you to use the creativity of your mind, especially when it comes to essay writing.

Note down all the elements that you come up with within your mind. Make a rough list of all the ideas and later on organize them to compose an effective essay.

After you have understood all the instructions and spent enough time brainstorming different ideas, it is time you choose a topic.

Always choose a unique and interesting topic. A good topic is highly responsible for making your essay attractive. Also, try that you have selected a topic that is not overdone. An overdone and repetitive topic would make your audience boring.

For a 500-word essay, a topic must be very interesting as you have to make the essay interesting within a very limited word count. Make sure that you choose such a topic about which you can easily collect evidence and facts to support it and make it stronger.

Conducting research on the selected topic is an essential part of essay writing. The research will help you collect all the relevant information that is necessary to make your essay stronger.

Also, researching a topic will make the writing process very smooth for you as you will have all the information that is needed for the essay.

Collect all information only from reliable sources as you don’t want to misguide your audience.

The outline is an element of an essay that can save time, make things easy, and earn a better grade.

Just write down all the main features and arguments you want to discuss in your 500-word essay. This will help you to get back on track if you forget the things you wanted to write about.

Moreover, your essay will always be structured and clear, so the audience will read it easily and will follow your thoughts without any challenges.

Since you have your topic and all the information related to the topic thus, you are all set to start writing your essay.

Essay writing starts with writing an introduction. As you are writing an essay of 500 words, an introduction should have only one paragraph. In that paragraph, you should explain the main topic and its importance and also the thesis statement.

After introducing the topic, state the body paragraph, and explain all the key elements in it. Usually, there are three body paragraphs in such essays to explain different key elements.

Don’t forget to add transition words, which will make the text smooth and readable. Also, ensure that you use the standard font styles, preferably Arial or Times New Roman.

The same as an introduction, your conclusion should be one paragraph long. Summarize all the key elements in a very precise way and do not add any new points.

Devoting some extra time to proofreading, revision, and editing can make your essay a whole lot better.

This is the simplest thing to do, but most students still skip it and make the biggest mistake. Proofreading ensures that there are no mistakes left behind in your document.

Always make sure that you revise your essay at least once and do the required editing.

Watch this video that shows cases the 5 common mistakes you might make in your 500-word essay writing. Learn how to avoid them to get the desired grade. 

500-Word Essay Examples

To understand any type of essay, one needs to look into some good examples. Unfortunately, when it comes to writing a 500-word essay, things become a bit technical for the writer.

To understand the method of writing a good 500-word essay on any topic, look at the following 500-word essay sample pdf examples. 

Leadership essays are written to discuss all the qualities of being a leader. Look at the given example and learn how you can write a 500-word essay on leadership

500-Word Essay on Leadership (PDF)

500-word essay writing assignments are often assigned to high school students. If you are a high school and want to see how you can perfectly write such an essay, look at the example given below.

500-Word Essay for High School (PDF)

Our changing environment is an important issue these days. An essay can be composed of different things related to it. The given example is a 500-word essay that discusses the environment in general.

500-Word Essay on the Environment (PDF)

Punctuality is one of the significant qualities of an individual. A well-written 500-word essay on punctuality is mentioned below to help you through.

500-Word Essay on Punctuality (PDF)

Teachers are the backbone of any educational system, and they play an essential role in developing students’ skills. However, many students aspiring teachers get confused writing 500-word essays due to their shortened length. Here is an example to help you out.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Teacher

Writing on nursing topics helps you to develop an understanding of the complexities of this field while also honing critical thinking skills. Below is a 500-word essay that can help future nurses.

500 Word Essay on Why I Want to be a Nurse

Honesty is an important value that must be cultivated in students from a young age. It helps to establish trust between individuals and sets the foundation for strong character development. Below is a 500 word essay on honesty to guide you on how to write on such a theme.

500 Word Essay on Honesty

500-word essay on why I deserve a scholarship is often dreaded among students. These essays require you to shorten yet express a compelling story that can win over the panel. Here is a pdf to help you out.

500 Word Essay On Why I Deserve a Scholarship PDF

Anger management is a difficult topic to tackle. It requires you to find effective solutions and ideas within such a limited word count. Check out the example given below for help.

500 Word Essay on Anger

The Second World War is one of the most important events in human history and its impact can still be felt today. Writing a 500-word essay on this subject requires research, understanding, and war insight. Below is a sample to help you get an idea about how to tackle such a topic.

500 word essay on ww2

Now that you know exactly what a 500 word essay looks like. Continue reading to select the perfect 500-word essay topic.

Great 500-Word Essay Topics

This type of essay is mostly assigned to high school and middle school students. The following are some amazing topics for 500-word essays.

  • Difference between Love and passion.
  • The love story of Romeo and Juliet.
  • Why is there a belief that marriage destroys love?
  • A religious aspect of love.
  • What is real love?
  • Is it possible to make a person truly love somebody?
  • The influence of love on a person’s life?
  • Why is real love often depicted in fairy tales?
  • How to write a 100 words essay in Times New Roman?
  • Can animals feel love for their owners?
  • The effects of single space formatting in an essay.
  • A journey to remember.
  • How to prepare for an exam?
  • Thoughts on spacecraft?
  • How do people earn from the Internet?
  • How can money influence people?
  • How can disabilities be a challenge?
  • Carrying guns by people underage.
  • Telling lies is sometimes useful.
  • Why is smoking the greatest threat to youngsters?

Writing assignments can be really daunting sometimes. To write an essay perfectly, you need to have strong writing skills and a lot of time to complete it. Instead of being stressed out, the best option is to seek professional help.

At  CollegeEssay.org , we have a qualified team of expert writer who can take care of any writing assignment. From writing a good college essay to providing you with the best research paper, we have got you covered.

You can always make the most of AI essay writing tools to refine and enhance your writing skills.

Get in touch with us now and place an order now for your 500-word scholarship essay or any other essay you need. We provide you with the best custom essay writing service  and an amazing experience.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

How many pages is a 500 word essay.

A 500-word essay page is approximately one page single-spaced, or two pages double-spaced. This may vary depending on your writing style and font size.Usually time new roman 12 is used. Typically, a 500 word essay will be about one page single or two pages double spaced.

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Writing a 500 Word Essay: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

By: Author Oliver

Posted on Last updated: September 7, 2023

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Are you looking to improve your English writing skills? One great way to do so is by practicing writing 500 word essays. This type of essay is a popular assignment in academic settings, and it can also be a helpful tool for those looking to improve their writing abilities. In this article, we will explore the basics of the 500 word essay, including its format, structure, and tips for writing a successful essay.

500 Words Essay

Writing a 500 Word Essay: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding a 500 Word Essay

What is a 500 word essay.

A 500-word essay is a type of academic writing that requires the writer to express their perspective on a particular topic or issue in 500 words. It is a concise and straightforward format that allows the writer to present their ideas in a clear and concise manner. This type of essay is commonly assigned to high school and college students as a way to develop their writing skills.

Importance in Academic Writing

The ability to write a 500 word essay is an essential skill for students in high school and college. It helps them to develop critical thinking, analytical, and writing skills. Writing a 500-word essay requires the writer to be concise and to the point, which is an essential skill for academic writing.

In addition, a 500 word essay is an excellent way for students to learn how to structure their ideas and arguments in a logical and coherent manner. It helps them to develop their writing skills, which are essential for success in college and beyond.

Here are some words and phrases that can be useful when writing a 500 word essay:

Example sentence: To write a successful 500-word essay, you must analyze the topic thoroughly and present a well-structured argument.

Planning the 500 Word Essay

Choosing a Topic

The first step in planning your essay is choosing a topic. The topic should be something that interests you and is relevant to the essay type you are writing. Brainstorming is an excellent way to come up with ideas for your topic. Write down all the topics that come to mind, and then narrow them down to the one that you feel most passionate about.

Creating a Thesis Statement

Once you have chosen your topic, the next step is to create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and specific. Your thesis statement should be included in the introduction paragraph of your essay.

Research and Gathering Facts

After creating your thesis statement, the next step is to research and gather facts to support your arguments. This step is crucial as it provides evidence to back up your claims. You can use various sources such as books, articles, and online resources to gather information. Ensure that the sources you use are credible and reliable.

To help you with your research, here are some words and phrases you can use to find relevant information:

The Structure of a 500 Word Essay

When it comes to writing a 500 word essay, having a clear and well-organized structure is crucial. In this section, we will discuss the three main components of an essay: the introduction, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

The Introduction

The introduction is the first part of your essay and it should be attention-grabbing. It should provide a brief overview of the topic you will be discussing and set the tone for the rest of the essay. A good introduction should include a thesis statement, which is a sentence that summarizes the main point of your essay.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your introduction:

The Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are where you will provide the main arguments and evidence to support your thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea and include supporting details. It’s important to use transition words and phrases to connect your ideas and make your essay flow smoothly. For a 500 word essay, there should be two body paragraphs, whose lengths should be about around 170 – 200 words.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your body paragraphs:

The Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part of your essay and it should summarize the main points you have made in your essay. It should also restate your thesis statement in a new way and provide a final thought on the topic.

Here are some words and phrases that you can use to start your conclusion:

Writing the 500 Word Essay

Writing a 500 word essay can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not confident in their writing skills. However, with the right approach, anyone can write a concise and compelling essay that effectively communicates their arguments and evidence.

Drafting the Essay

The first step in writing a 500 word essay is to draft the essay. This involves brainstorming ideas, outlining the essay, and writing a rough draft. When brainstorming ideas, it is important to focus on a specific topic and come up with a clear thesis statement. Once a thesis statement is established, the essay can be outlined, and the rough draft can be written.

Incorporating Arguments and Evidence

Incorporating arguments and evidence is a crucial part of writing a 500 word essay. To effectively incorporate arguments and evidence, it is important to use clear and concise language and to provide specific examples to support your arguments. When using evidence, it is important to cite your sources properly to avoid plagiarism .

Here are some words that can help you incorporate arguments and evidence:

For example, “The claim that technology has improved our lives is supported by ample evidence, including the fact that we can now communicate with people from all over the world in real-time.”

Maintaining Unity and Coherence

Maintaining unity and coherence is essential in writing a 500 word essay. Unity refers to the overall focus of the essay, while coherence refers to the logical flow of ideas. To maintain unity and coherence, it is important to use transitional words and phrases to connect ideas and to avoid repeating information.

Here are some words that can help you maintain unity and coherence:

For example, “Furthermore, the use of renewable energy sources is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective. Similarly, the implementation of energy-efficient technologies can significantly reduce energy consumption. Consequently, it is essential that we take steps to reduce our reliance on non-renewable energy sources.”

Revision and Proofreading

Revising the essay.

After writing the first draft of your 500 word essay, it is crucial to revise it. Revising the essay means looking at the content, structure, and language to ensure that it meets the requirements of the assignment. Here are some tips for revising your essay:

  • Read through your essay and check that it makes sense and flows logically.
  • Check that each paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supports the main idea of the essay.
  • Make sure that your essay has a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Check that your language is clear, concise, and free of errors.
  • Ensure that you have used reliable sources to support your arguments.

Proofreading for Errors

Once you have revised your essay, it is time to proofread it. Proofreading means checking for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Here are some tips for proofreading your essay:

  • Read your essay slowly and carefully, checking for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
  • Use a spell checker to help you catch any spelling errors.
  • Check that you have used correct grammar, such as subject-verb agreement and proper use of pronouns.
  • Ensure that your punctuation is correct, including commas, periods, and quotation marks.
  • Double-check that you have used the correct tense and verb forms throughout your essay.

Remember, revising and proofreading are essential steps in the writing process. By taking the time to revise and proofread your essay, you can ensure that it is clear, concise, and error-free.

Challenges and Solutions When Writing a 500 Word Essay

Common challenges.

Lack of Confidence

One of the most common challenges in essay writing is lack of confidence. If you think you’re not good at writing, you might have trouble starting your paper. You might doubt your capability to complete it as well. To overcome this challenge, try to focus on the task at hand and break it down into smaller, manageable parts. Start with an outline and gradually build up your essay. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you write, the more confident you’ll become.

Time Management

Another common challenge is time management. You might have other assignments to complete, or you might be working a part-time job. To manage your time effectively, create a schedule that includes time for research, writing, and editing. Stick to your schedule and avoid distractions, such as social media or TV. If you’re struggling to manage your time, consider seeking help from a tutor or mentor.

Choosing a topic can also be a challenge. You might be given a specific topic, or you might have to choose your own. To choose a topic, consider your interests and the requirements of the assignment. Brainstorm ideas and narrow down your options until you find a topic that you’re passionate about and that fits the assignment.

Solutions and Tips

Research is key to writing a successful 500-word essay. Start by gathering information on your topic from credible sources, such as academic journals, books, and reputable websites. Take notes and organize your information into an outline. This will help you stay focused and ensure that your essay is well-researched and informative.

Structure is also important in essay writing. A well-structured essay is easy to read and understand. Start with an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention and provides background information on your topic. Follow this with body paragraphs that provide evidence and support for your argument. Finally, end with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Editing and Proofreading

Editing and proofreading are crucial to writing a successful 500-word essay. Once you’ve completed your essay, take a break and come back to it later with fresh eyes. Read through it carefully, looking for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Make sure your essay flows well and that your ideas are clear and concise. Consider asking a friend or family member to read through your essay as well, as they might catch errors that you missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some tips for writing a 500 word essay in English?

Writing a 500 word essay in English can be challenging, but with the right tips, you can make it easier. Here are some tips to help you:

  • Plan your essay: Before you start writing, plan your essay by creating an outline. This will help you organize your thoughts and ideas.
  • Use simple language: Use simple and clear language to express your ideas. Avoid using complex words and sentences that may be difficult for the reader to understand.
  • Write in short paragraphs: Write in short paragraphs to make your essay easier to read. Each paragraph should focus on one idea or point.
  • Edit and proofread: After you have finished writing your essay, edit and proofread it to ensure that it is free of errors.

What are some common English language essay topics?

There are many English language essay topics that you can write about. Here are some common ones:

  • My favorite hobby
  • The importance of education
  • The effects of social media on society
  • The benefits of exercise
  • The impact of technology on our lives

How can I improve my English vocabulary in my essay writing?

Improving your English vocabulary is essential for writing a good essay. Here are some ways to improve your vocabulary:

  • Read extensively: Reading extensively will expose you to new words and help you understand how they are used in context.
  • Use a dictionary: Use a dictionary to look up new words and their meanings.
  • Practice writing: Practice writing essays to improve your vocabulary and writing skills.

What are the benefits of learning English for non-native speakers?

Learning English has many benefits for non-native speakers. Here are some of them:

  • Improved communication: Learning English will improve your ability to communicate with people from different countries and cultures.
  • Better job prospects: English is the language of business, and many employers require employees to speak English.
  • Access to information: English is the language of the internet, and learning English will give you access to a wealth of information online.

What are some strategies for starting a 500 word essay in English?

Starting a 500-word essay in English can be daunting, but with the right strategies, you can make it easier. Here are some strategies to help you:

  • Start with a hook: Start your essay with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote to grab the reader’s attention.
  • Create an outline: Creating an outline will help you organize your thoughts and ideas before you start writing.
  • Write a strong thesis statement: Your thesis statement should clearly state the main point or argument of your essay.
  • Write the introduction last: Write the introduction last to ensure that it accurately reflects the content of your essay.

Writing a 500-word essay in English can be challenging, but with the right tips, you can make it easier. Here are some tips to help you:

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There are many resources that can help you with writing a 500-word essay. Here are some of them:

  • Writing guides: There are many writing guides available online that can help you with writing essays.
  • Writing apps: Writing apps like Grammarly and Hemingway can help you improve your writing skills and catch errors.
  • Writing tutors: If you need more personalized help, you can hire a writing tutor to work with you one-on-one.

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  • Start with a hook: Start your essay with an interesting fact, quote, or anecdote to grab the reader's attention.
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  • Applying For Scholarships

How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

David Feb 14, 2018

How to Write a Great 500 Word Essay

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During your scholarship applications, you may need to submit a 500-word essay answering a specific question. The theme of the essay can range from personal achievements to political controversies. This means you can adjust your writing style to fit the message of the prompt. This guide will explain how to write a 500-word scholarship essay. We will also provide an example for inspiration.

How to Format a 500-Word Scholarship Essay

The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article.

The main components of a 500-word essay include:

Introduction paragraph that engages the reader and establishes the thesis. The thesis may be a question that you will later answer in the essay content, or it can be a statement that you support in the body paragraphs. If you are writing a story, your “thesis” may not be as apparent.

4-6 body paragraphs that provide evidence to back up your thesis. Each paragraph should be a cohesive element with an intro and conclusion. The body paragraphs should flow well from one point to the next.

A conclusion paragraph that reminds the reader of the thesis and highlights key points from the body text. The conclusion should answer the question or complete the statement made in the introduction. It should give the reader a sense of closure and resolution

500-word essays do not have to be exactly 500 words, but they should be as close as possible. The essay prompt may say “in under 500 words” or “in at least 500 words,” which would state whether 500 is the minimum or maximum word count. If that information is not specified, write as much as you need to comprehensively address the prompt without frivolous content.

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500-Word Essay vs. 250-Word Essay

500-word scholarship essays offer more writing flexibility than 250-word essays . With a shorter word count, you are often forced to summarize long-winded thoughts into quick to-the-point snippets. 500 words give you more room to express your opinion. Yet, it is still short enough that it does not need footnotes and cited resources, usually.

500-Word Essay vs. 1000+ Word Essay

Another scholarship essay length you may encounter is 1,000 words. With a 1,000-word scholarship essay, you will need to cite sources and provide detailed references to support your claims. 1,000+ word essay prompts are often used for writing competitions, where you may be asked to create a fictional story. The extra length gives room for extra creativity, but it also requires more time to put the perfect piece together.

You should approach all essays with the same mentality, regardless of their length. Your goal is to compose a piece that clearly guides the reader through your thoughts and reasoning. You may have to adjust how you convey those thoughts based on the length. Your essay should always have a beginning, middle, and end.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Looking for scholarships for high school seniors? You’ve come to the right place! This handy guidebook will give you all the information (and more) you need to find scholarships for high school seniors. In this guide, you’ll learn about scholarships for different types of students, different scholarships by subject, scholarship applications, easy and weird scholarships, local scholarships, corporate scholarships, fraternity and sorority scholarships, and more. Read on for more information on how you can win scholarships for high school seniors…

READ THE GUIDE

A Step-by-Step 500-Word Essay Example

To help you see how to write a 500-word scholarship essay, we want to show you each section of the essay step-by-step. Use this as a general guide when you write your essay. However, feel free to add your own spin to it. Our writing sample will be in green, and the commentary will be in plain text. So…let’s begin!

TOPIC: Should cell phone usage be controlled in college classrooms?

Step 1 – Create a Thesis

Everything in your essay revolves around your thesis. This is the big point you are trying to make, which is usually an answer to a question in the essay prompt. You will use the rest of the essay to support this thesis.

For the topic Should cell phone usage be controlled in college classrooms? our thesis will be:

“Cell phone usage should be controlled in college classrooms, as long as it does not hinder students’ rights.”

Step 2 – Write the Introduction

The introduction should grab your reader’s attention and prepare for an explanation of the thesis. It usually starts with a general statement related to the topic at hand, followed by supplementary sentences that lead into the thesis. Here is a sample introduction for our essay, including the thesis at the end of the paragraph:

Cell phones have gone from a sought-after luxury to a daily necessity. While these devices provide convenient access to the outside world, they can be problematic for educators. High school teachers can tell children in their classes to put their phones away, but should professors have the same control over adult men and women? The key is to create cell phone usage policies that limit distractions without hindering student rights.

Word count: an Intro paragraph, 70 words.

Step 3 – Write the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs should provide support for the thesis. Why do you think this way, and what evidence do you have to support those beliefs? The paragraphs should flow from one to the next like a constant stream of thought. Each paragraph should conclude the statement made at the beginning of the paragraph.

Building on the thesis “Cell phone usage should be controlled in college classrooms, as long as it does not hinder students’ rights,” we will now explain how colleges can control cell phones in class while preserving student rights. If our thesis was that cell phones should NOT be controlled in college, we would explain the dangers of not having access to cell phones.

No matter which side of the argument you choose, you should acknowledge the other angle and negate those statements. As you will see below, we remark on why some students may not want cell phone usage policies. We will also suggest how to get around those concerns. Doing this provides the best possible support for your thesis because it shows you have taken every angle into consideration.

Here is the body for our 500-word essay sample:

The primary argument supporting cell phone control in the classroom is the fact that phones can be distracting. Not only do cell phones distract instructors, but they may also distract students trying to pay attention to the lecture. This is the same effect as a moviegoer looking at his phone in a theater. Even if the phone makes no noise, the light from the screen is enough to catch someone’s attention. Arguments against cell phone control typically focus on safety concerns. Should a crisis occurs in the classroom, students should have their phones on hand to make a call. If a student has a child, he or she may need a phone in case of a medical emergency. If the student is on call for work, he or she will need access to a phone. The list of exception-worthy scenarios is endless. The best solution is to create cell phone usage rules that allow devices to be accessible without disturbing other students’ educational opportunities. Students should be permitted to keep their phones in their bags, pockets, or other belongings as long as the phones are on silent in class. Vibrate settings may be permitted if the instructor does not believe it will distract him or her, since the noise of the vibration may not be noticeable in a large classroom. If a student needs to answer the phone during an emergency, he or she can step out of the classroom to do so. This setup would give the students and the instructor peace of mind. Cell phone restrictions in classrooms should also include specific disciplinary actions for breaking the rules. If a student is caught using the phone in class, he or she should be excused for the rest of the day. Professors should refrain from physically taking possession of a student’s phone because of liability conflicts. If the phone is damaged while in the professor’s possession, the school or the instructor could be held responsible for the repairs. It is safer to ask the student to leave the classroom than it is to take the phone away completely.

Word count: Body paragraphs, 349 words. Total essay is now 419 words.

Step 4 – Wrap It up with a Conclusion

Once you have covered all your points, you should summarize the essay’s contents in the conclusion. This is your last opportunity to convince the reader of your thesis. Touch on the most important aspects of your essay then leave the reader with something to think about. Here is an example of how to conclude our essay:

Each school, professor and student body is different. Colleges must adapt their rules and discipline efforts to reflect the current needs of their students. Eliminating cell phones in college classrooms is an overstretch, but there are ways to balance students’ rights and instructors’ rights. With the right amount of control and flexibility, colleges can create a pleasant learning environment with maximum safety and minimal interruptions.

Notice how our conclusion was definitive but optimistic. We explain that colleges need to adapt their rules to fit the needs of their students. Yet still, confirm that cell phone use policies should be enforced.

Word count: Conclusion paragraph, 65 words. Total essay is now 484 words.

But wait! You’re 16 words short! We know that. The essay covered everything we wanted to without the need for extra words. If the prompt asked for at least 500 words, we would add another sentence to support one of the paragraphs. Since that was not a requirement though, we kept the essay as-is to avoid sounding wordy or repetitive.

The Complete 500-Word Essay Example

Cell phones have gone from a sought-after luxury to a daily necessity. While these devices provide convenient access to the outside world, they can be problematic for educators. High school teachers can tell children in their classes to put their phones away, but should professors have the same control over grown men and women? The key is to create cell phone usage policies that limit distractions without hindering student rights. The primary argument supporting cell phone control in the classroom is the fact that phones can be distracting. Not only do cell phones distract instructors, but they may also distract students trying to pay attention to the lecture. This is the same effect as a moviegoer looking at his phone in a theater. Even if the phone makes no noise, the light from the screen is enough to catch someone’s attention. Arguments against cell phone control typically focus on safety concerns. Should a crisis occurs in the classroom, students should have their phones on hand to make a call. If a student has a child, he or she may need a phone in case of a medical emergency. If the student is on call for work, he or she will need access to a phone. The list of exception-worthy scenarios is endless. The best solution is to create cell phone usage rules that allow devices to be accessible without disturbing other students’ educational opportunities. Students should be permitted to keep their phones in their bags, pockets, or other belongings as long as the phones are on silent in class. Vibrate settings may be permitted if the instructor does not believe it will distract him or her, since the noise of the vibration may not be noticeable in a large classroom. If a student needs to answer the phone during an emergency, he or she can step out of the classroom to do so. This setup would give the students and the instructor peace of mind. Cell phone restrictions in classrooms should also include specific disciplinary actions for breaking the rules. If a student is caught using the phone in class, he or she should be excused for the rest of the day. Professors should refrain from physically taking possession of a student’s phone because of liability conflicts. If the phone is damaged while in the professor’s possession, the school or the instructor could be held responsible for the repairs. It is safer to ask the student to leave the classroom than it is to take the phone away completely. Each school, professor and student body is different. Colleges must adapt their rules and discipline efforts to reflect the current needs of their students. Eliminating cell phones in college classrooms is an overstretch, but there are ways to balance students’ rights and instructors’ rights. With the right amount of control and flexibility, colleges can create a pleasant learning environment with maximum safety and minimal interruptions.

Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Here are some tips to help you write a great 500-word scholarship essay:

Give yourself at least two full days to write the essay. You can use the first day to write a draft and do some minor editing. Then on the second day, you can look at the essay with fresh eyes to do your final edits.

If you have a chance to show your essay to your English instructor or academic adviser, do so. You can use the feedback to improve the essay before submitting it.

Don’t focus on the word count as you write. Get all your thoughts on paper, and you can extend or shorten the essay during the editing process.

Write the first draft from start to finish, even if you know your thoughts are out of order. You can re-arrange them at a later time, but the initial run through will be as fluid as possible.

Re-read the prompt several times before writing. You don’t want to write an entire essay only to find out you were completely off topic.

Always think about your audience when writing a scholarship essay. What organization is issuing the scholarship, and how can you tie that into your writing? What is the underlying information they want to learn from your essay? Write in a way that shows you are the best candidate for the scholarship.

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How to Write a 500 Word Essay

outline for 500 word essay

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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outline for 500 word essay

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

outline for 500 word essay

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

How to Write a 500 Word Essay

With only about a page and a half to get your point across, every word counts in a 500 word essay. A succinct response packed with impactful examples can easily put you ahead of the crowd!

Follow our concise step-by-step guide to write an effective 500 word essay:

Start with an outline

Applying the outline to an example.

  • Deciding on how many examples to use

Don’t worry about the word count in your first draft

Don’t forget to proofread.

Keep reading to learn how to write the best 500 word essay you have ever written!

Don’t miss:  Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

Writing essays with word limits can be a balancing act. You may have a lot you want to say, but not enough space to sufficiently explain each point that you want to make. That’s why it is a great idea to start by outlining the 3-4 main ideas you’d like to address in your essay. Trying to pack any more than four main ideas into a 500-word essay could prevent you from effectively explaining your examples.

We suggest making a bullet point list for your outline, which could look something like this:

  • Hook the reader with an engaging first line and introduce your response.
  • Expand on your first point or example
  • Elaborate on your second point or example
  • Expand on your third point or example
  • Expand on your fourth point or example
  • Tie your examples together and conclude your essay with a meaningful last line

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Let’s try using this outline to respond to a prompt: Please describe your commitment to working within your community . With a prompt like this, you could hook your reader with a sentence emphasizing what community work means to you on a personal or emotional level, or how you first started working with your community.

Each body paragraph would be a description of different experiences you’ve had working in your community, and what they taught you. And you could use your conclusion to point out a common thread between these experiences; now that the reader has read all about your involvement in the community, you can use this opportunity to describe how the experiences have come together to reshape your relationship with community work. 

See more : How to write a winning scholarship essay

Comparing essay lengths

As you sit down to write your essay, you might wonder how you should adjust your approach to a 500 word essay as opposed to a 250 or 1000 word essay. 250 word essays are expected to be extremely brief, with only minimal elaboration on each point, and 1,000 word essays are expected to be more thorough, and might even include citations. A 500 word essay falls in a grey area between these two; it gives you the freedom to elaborate on the details you find to be the most important.

Will an admissions officer keep reading my essay if I go over?

You might be wondering “what happens if I go over the word limit? Will an admissions officer still read my essay?”

As with many topics related to the admissions process, it depends. If you have gone way over and wrote 2,000 words, it is possible that the admissions officer will not continue to read your essay or may just skim it. Remember, admissions officers and scholarship essay readers are busy people who have to get through many applications and essays.

So if you go over by a few words or sentences, you are probably fine and the admissions officer will likely not even notice. However, if you go over the word count in an obvious, noticeable way, this is something that is unlikely to help you (even if the writing is excellent).

Also see: How to write a 250 word essay

Deciding on how many examples you should use

A common question for writing a 500 word essay is whether or not you should include a fourth example. If your examples require a lot of thorough explanation in order to be impactful, it might be best to only include three. It’s better to have three impactful examples than four examples that don’t resonate with the reader. However, if the prompt is straightforward and you can explain your examples quickly, go ahead and add that fourth body paragraph!

Recommended: Wondering how to format your essay? Scholarships360’s guide will tell you all that you need to know!

Try writing out a first draft without worrying about your 500 word limit! This is a great way to get all your thoughts down on paper. It’s easier to cut the extra content down at the end than it is to keep interrupting your writing to edit it as you go. This can take you out of your writing flow, and make the essay take longer

A 500 word essay requires a lot of editing in order to make a point effectively in a limited number of words. It’s a great idea to ask a friend or family member to proofread your final copy. They can catch simple mistakes that you have been glossing over, or come up with new ways to reword your essay and slim it down to fit the word limit.

With this said, it’s important for you to maintain ownership over the voice of your essay. The job of the proofreader or editor is to catch mistakes and give general feedback–it is not to rewrite the entire essay.

A few more resources

Learn how to effectively conclude your scholarship essay by reading our guide on how to end scholarship essays . Many scholarships want to know more about you, so it’s important to know how to write an essay about yourself . If you are looking for additional scholarship opportunities that involve writing, check out our list of top writing & essay scholarships .    

Remember, writing scholarship essays is an opportunity to show exactly why you are deserving of a scholarship. Learn to write in a way that puts your best self forward, and  win all the awards that you qualify for!

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How to Write a 500-word essay-Advice by Experts

how to write a 500 words essay

Whether it is a scholarship application, an admission essay, an in-class essay, a standard essay assignment, or a college essay, sometimes you are required to submit a 500-word essay. It can as well be a current event essay .

College students often find it hard to write a 500-word essay. While it is indeed a short essay , it is comparatively challenging to put together compared to the long essays. Thus, this article on how to write a 500-word essay will help.

In this article, we demystify your concerns on how much is a 500-word essay? What is a 500-word essay? And how many paragraphs should a 500-word essay have? Plus, many more complex questions on 500-word essays.

What is a 500-word essay?

As the name suggests, a 500-word essay is a short essay comprising an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph as its three main sections where the writer discusses, describes, analyzes, and writes about a topic. It is just a paper written in 500 words, either as one single-spaced paper or two double-spaced pages.

It is a common format preferred for short exam essay-based questions, college essays, descriptive essays , persuasive essays, argumentative essays, or personal essays. If you have come across a short essay about yourself, friendship, family, or a prolific person, you would agree that most of them are written in 500 words.

A 500 words essay is nearly the same as a two-page essay. It is mostly assigned in college, university, and high school.

From its name, it is clear that a 500-word essay is an essay that requires you to follow the 5-paragraph essay format. It involves writing on a topic, an issue, or a question in five hundred words. So naturally, the word count is usually 500 words.

How long is a 500-word essay?

How Many Pages are 500 Words? This is a common question. Well, we have an answer to it.

A page is approximately 500 to 550 words single-spaced. On the other hand, when considering a double-spaced page, the word count is 250-275 words. Therefore, a 500-word essay can either be one single-spaced page or two double-spaced pages.

And you might be interested in the number of paragraphs that make a 500-word essay. Well, given the understanding of the pages and the word count, a 500-word essay follows the classic five-paragraph essay format.

Thus, it has an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. You could have approximately 100 words paragraphs of 6-7 short sentences. Some of the prompts allow either plus or minus 10% of the indicated word count.

The time it takes to complete a 500-word essay

You probably wonder how long it might take to complete this variant of a short essay. Assuming that you are familiar with the topic and are researching and writing, it could take 1-3 hours to write an excellent 500-word essay.

If you are a professional, expert essay writers can write 500-word essays in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Of course, they are mavens in essay writing. Besides, they work with the best essay writing service .

Format of a 500-word Essay

A 500-word essay follows the conventions of five-paragraph writing in terms of structure. You are expected to follow an appropriate essay format to present your ideas. When writing a 500-words essay, consider the following structure.

  • It differs depending on the formatting style chosen, e.g., MLA, APA, Havard, or Chicago styles.
  • It consists of your credentials, university name, professor's name, and date of submission
  • It also entails the title of your essay
  • A hook statement that grabs the attention of the readers
  • Background information that expounds on the topic
  • A roadmap that explains how you explore the topics
  • The thesis statement that is the controlling idea for your essay
  • Body paragraph 1 : Topic sentence (your first main point or idea), evidence (facts, examples, illustrations, explanations, and interpretations), closing sentence, and transition to the next paragraph.
  • Body paragraph 2 : Topic sentence (your second main point or idea), evidence (facts, examples, illustrations, explanations, and interpretations), closing sentence, and transition to next paragraph.
  • Body paragraph 1 : Topic sentence (your last main point or idea), evidence (facts, examples, illustrations, explanations, and interpretations), closing sentence, and transition to the conclusion.
  • Summary of your claims, arguments, and discussions.
  • Rephrased thesis statement
  • Your final account on the essay: recommendation, observation, or suggestion.
  • If you have used references, list them alphabetically (A-Z) depending on the citation format, such as APA, MLA, Chicago, or Havard formats.

Seven Steps to Write a 500-word Essay

You can simply follow the steps of classic essay writing to complete your 500-words essay. As long as your essay has solid arguments supporting your claim, you are good to go. Writing a 500-word essay should take less time than, say, a 1000-word essay , considering that it is short. Here are some steps you can use to craft a 500-word essay successfully.

1. Read the Requirements

Although most students either ignore this or do it lightly, reading the essay prompt prepares you to write the essay and sets you up for success. Therefore, read and comprehend the requirements, including the topic, preferred approach, paragraphing rules, citation style and format, and the deadline.

2. Brainstorm for ideas

 You can either use your computer or pen and paper to brainstorm and record your ideas based on the instructions. You can highlight some of the most exciting ideas that come to mind. Doing so also helps to use your creativity and critical thinking, which essay writing tests. Your rough list comes in handy during research and when writing the essay.

3. Select a good topic

With everything held in place, it is now time to choose a topic. You can either do this from the list provided by your professor or choose an independent but relevant and interesting topic. Select a topic that you find exciting and has not been overdone. You can focus on controversial social issues, current affairs, and debatable areas related to your interests or field of study.

A topic for a 500-word essay should be exciting and narrow so that you share your insights and concepts briefly but exhaustively. The topic you choose should have enough content. You can gauge this by looking for evidence from scholarly articles.

4. Conduct a thorough research

If you are running short of time, you can combine research and writing. However, if you have adequate time, spend more time researching for resources that you can use to support your claims in the paper.

Consolidating the information you need to explore your chosen topic reduces time wastage during the writing process. Assuming that you organize the sources, you can write as you cite to avoid plagiarism .

5. Create an outline

You can then create a detailed outline to envision the structure of your essay. Remember, you only have 500 words to convince or inform your readers. Therefore, adequate planning is necessary. An outline is your essay plan or roadmap. It is the backbone upon which your essay rests.

Break down the main points for each section of your essay to ensure a logical and structured flow of information. Then, ensure that you refine the content to have an essay that is coherent, competent, clear, and classy.

Your outline will help you stay on course when writing.

6. Write the essay beginning with body paragraphs

Break the monotony of beginning your essay with an introduction during the writing process. Instead, start your 500-word essay by writing the body paragraphs first now that you have an outline. This approach is better because you can write the body paragraphs that support the thesis. And suppose there are changes in the paragraphs. In that case, you can tweak the thesis statement to reflect the change instead of cumbersomely doing it otherwise.

The body paragraphs comprise 80% of your word count. So, you have 400 words to spread the content of three body paragraphs, meaning you have to have short paragraphs. The paragraphs should each have at least 133 words. Remember you have a + or–10% word count allowance. So, a paragraph of 4-6 short sentences would suffice. The body paragraphs should have a topic sentence highlighting the main idea, examples and evidence, and a concluding sentence.

Related: Paragraph writing rules

Once you are done with the body paragraphs, write your introduction. Your introduction should be strong as it is a selling point to your readers. Convince your readers by including attention grabbers. Introduce the topic and give some background information. Finally, have a strong thesis statement to wrap up your introduction. For this, you have 100 words, which means you need not include irrelevant words and sentences.

Finally, write an impressive conclusion for your essay. It would help to summarize your main argument and then restate the thesis statement.

When writing, use relevant transition words for smooth flow and quality arguments.

7. Revise, edit, Proofread, and Polish

Finally, because you focused on writing first and editing last, revise and polish your essay as a final step.

Read the essay aloud to yourself and correct the spelling, grammatical, punctuation, and stylistic errors you can identify. As well, check your paper through a plagiarism checker to ensure it is devoid of plagiarism.

Proofread your essay well and if you need help, especially for critical essays such as personal essays, SOPs, and scholarship essays, hire a professional proofreader.

Helpful Tips when writing a 500 Word Essay

Everybody looks forward to writing an essay that earns them good grades. To do so, you can use these tips used mainly by top students when writing short essays.

  • Always read instructions . Reading the instructions helps you comprehend what your instructor will be looking for as they mark your paper.
  • Take a break before proofreading . Before you edit and proofread your 500-word essay, ensure that you take a break. Doing so helps you develop an objective mind, making it easier to spot mistakes.
  • Use academic phrases . Avoid using cliché words when writing your essay. Instead, use academic writing phrases that will entice grades from your professor. Instead of overloading your 500-word essay with complicated vocabulary, maintain simplicity and express your ideas directly. Keep your content pristine, organized, and 100% non-plagiarized.
  • Use strong verbs . You are writing an essay in just 500 words. Therefore, structure your arguments and use strong verbs to avoid wasting words. Always use simple language. Avoid jargon and complicated vocabulary, as well as synonyms.
  • Use active voice . Like any other academic paper, ensure that you use active voice unless the passive voice is unavoidable. Check out our guide on using active voice .
  • Each paragraph has one idea . As you structure your paragraphs, ensure that each body paragraph focuses on a single idea. As well, ensure that you use transition words to connect your paragraphs. Your body should have topic sentences, supporting facts (well-cited), and concluding sentences.
  • Confirm your instruction vs. your paper before submitting it . Reread the essay prompt and then your paper before submitting it. When writing, editing, and proofreading the essay, always have the audience in mind.
  • Research widely . Research online to get credible sources of information. We recommend starting on a Google search to understand your topic. You can also get scholarly articles online to supplement your arguments. Research is invaluable as you write or familiarize yourself with the topic.

500-word essay Topics

Below are some suggestions or topic ideas for your upcoming 500 words essay.

  • The importance of Names
  • Is diversity a good thing within a team, and why?
  • Is living longer necessarily a good thing?
  • Is it fair to use children in television advertisements?
  • Why Housing Mentally Ill Offenders in Prisons is Wrong
  • High school doesn't prepare you for life
  • Should students work part-time while studying?
  • Should student debt be discharged in the face of bankruptcy?
  • The Wrongs of Polygamy
  • Is the US HealthCare System Broken?
  • Dogs are better friends than humans
  • Keeping pets is beneficial
  • Benefits of stem cell technology
  • Emotional impacts of HIV and Aids
  • Benefits of being earnest
  • Causes and consequences of wars
  • Role of ethics in business
  • Benefits of CSR activities
  • The American Dream
  • Video games and violence
  • Impact of covid on marriages
  • Impact of social media on relationships
  • Does social media promote promiscuity?
  • Why I want to be a nurse
  • The best leadership styles
  • Profile essay on Putin
  • Benefits of punctuality
  • Benefits of integrity in the workplace
  • Role of code of ethics
  • Why people should have respect for others
  • Time management strategies for students
  • How to score the best grade in math
  • Is a college education worth it?
  • Rising student loan debts
  • Essay on responsibility
  • Education should be free
  • How social media enables human trafficking
  • Ethics of human trafficking
  • How to spend summer vacation
  • How to revise for exams
  • A perfect day
  • An ideal society
  • Teenagers should be educated on sex
  • Suicide rates among teenagers
  • Impacts of driving when texting
  • Rape victims should not be questioned
  • Happiness is a choice
  • Importance of sleep on human growth
  • Animal testing should be prohibited
  • Impacts of covid 19 on education

Final Remarks

Understanding how to write a 500-word essay is integral to your academic journey. Students taking English courses would agree that writing essays and research papers is mandatory.

For your English 102 essay , you might be required to write a 500-word essay. Whichever subject you are pursuing and you need to write such an essay, do everything we have highlighted and set yourself up for success.

Now, if you are pressed on time, have thought about your essay at the last minute, and all you need is help with writing the 500-word essay, we can help. Our last-minute essay writers can craft your 500-word essay in less than 2 hours. Again, we are talking about you getting a 100% unique, custom-written, and plagiarism-free essay.

If this sounds like what you are after, do not hesitate to place an order through the order form on our homepage. Consider some of these benefits:

The writers can choose the best 500-word essay topics for you.

You get a free 500-word essay outline.

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At the click of a button, we can help you avoid the stress of writing under the pressure of a deadline. Talk to us!

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How to write a 500-word Essay in Seven steps

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Our essay nerds know better when it comes to writing essays in 500 words because they have completed thousands of 500-word essays to date.

500-word essay writing guide for beginners

Writing an essay can be traumatizing, stressful, and challenging, especially if it is your first. However, we have good news for you: you can transform that fear, stress, or intimidation into a powerful motivation that elevates your creativity and brings to life your writing skills.

In high school, college, or university, instructors/professors love assigning 500-word essays. Therefore, to stay ahead of the game and maintain a good GPA, you need to understand the tips, tricks, and structure of the dreaded 500-words essay.

In this article and guide, you will learn how to write an excellent 500-word essay, a skill that will be very helpful to you throughout your college life. In this post, you will discover everything you need to know about writing essays in 500 words perfectly.

Let's begin our journey through mastering the art of writing a 500-word essay.

What is a 500-word essay?

Let's start from the general perspective. An essay is a focused piece of writing where you explore or develop an argument, topic, or idea using evidence, analysis, and interpretation.

A 500-word essay is simply an essay that is five hundred words long. In other words, any assigned essay that requires a 500-word requirement is a 500-word essay. It could be a scholarship essay, a persuasive essay, or anything else.

A 500-word essay is an essay that is 500 words long. Usually, you are advised not to exceed the word limit. So, if asked to write a 500-word essay, you should try not to write a word beyond 500.

When typed, it is usually about 1.5 pages long. And when handwritten, it is often between two to three pages long. In terms of writing, a 500-word essay can be completed within an hour or two. 

Pages and Paragraphs

When writing a 500 words essay, you will write a full single-page, single-spaced. If you are writing in double spaces, you will write two pages considering that a page is 275 words. This happens assuming you are using Times New Roman or Arial font 12. We assume you can use the plus or minus 10% assignment word count rule.

A 500-word essay can be organized into five paragraphs. These include an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

Related Read:

  • How many paragraphs make an essay
  • How to write an analytical essay.

How long it takes to write a 500 words essay

It depends on the knowledge you have on the topic. If you have plenty of knowledge on a topic, it will take you between 40 minutes and 50 minutes to write a good 500-word essay.

If you do not know a topic, it will take 1 hour and 2 hours to research and write a 500-word essay. You will need more time to write a 500-word essay on a topic you do not know much about because you will need extra research, outlining, and proofreading.

Standard 500-word essay format/outline

The standard format for writing a 500-word essay has three key sections - introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction and the conclusion are usually just one paragraph long. The body is typically three paragraphs long.

Let's dive in.

1. Introduction

The introduction part of your essay should introduce or present your work to your reader. It must be engaging and interesting to grab the attention of the reader. Upon reading your introduction, your professor should know what you will be trying to do in your essay.

Do not forget to write your hook and thesis when outlining your introduction paragraph. Writing these down will make it easier for you to write your essay.

The body of your essay should have three paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one idea. Of course, the idea should support your thesis. So when writing each paragraph, make sure you start with an idea. And then follow the idea with evidence (facts, research, examples) and explain it. Lastly, conclude it nicely, linking it to your thesis or paragraph idea.

When outlining the body of your essay, you should outline each body paragraph and its essential points.

3. Conclusion

The conclusion paragraph of your essay should begin with a restatement of your thesis, followed by a restatement of your main supporting ideas or arguments. Finally, it should end with a powerful closing statement.     

When outlining your conclusion paragraph, you should at least restate your thesis and write your closing statement.   

You can format your 500 words into five paragraphs as follows

  • Introduction - 50 words
  • Body Paragraphs - 400 words
  • Conclusion - 50 words

Types of 500-word essays

There are several types of 500-word essays. The most common ones are argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, and descriptive essays. The biggest similarity between these essays is that they all have a 500-word limit.

Learn more about these types of 500-word essays below.

1. Argumentative essays

An argumentative essay assignment requires you to choose a position and defend it. To write an excellent argumentative essay, you must have a strong thesis. And you need to defend it using strong evidence. You also need to present the opposite position and refute it.

2. Expository essays

An expository essay assignment requires you to provide a clear and detailed explanation of a topic. To write a good expository essay, you must conduct thorough research to ensure your essay is balanced and well-informed. You must also organize your essay nicely.

Related: How to write explanatory essays.

3. Narrative essays

A narrative essay assignment requires you to present either a personal experience or an imagined experience. To write an excellent narrative essay, you must try to make your work engaging and structure it properly to make it easy to understand.

4. Descriptive essays

A descriptive essay assignment requires you to provide a detailed description of an object or place. You should think of it as a focused narrative essay. You are allowed to use creative words when writing a descriptive essay. However, you should not go overboard when doing so.

How to Write a 500-Word Essay - The steps

500-word essay assignments are among the most common assignments students are required complete during a semester. Of course, the topic and the instructions will most likely determine whether the assignment will be easy to complete. However, you only have to write 500 words should motivate you to start and finish any 500-word assignment.

Generally, the same process you follow when writing a standard or comprehensive essay applies here. Let's get into the details.

Follow the steps below to write a 500-word essay from scratch.

1. Read and comprehend the instructions

This is probably the most important thing you want to do before researching or writing an essay. Failure to fully understand the instructions can lead to poorly researched essays and a low grade.

Therefore, read the instructions provided by your professor keenly to comprehend every word. Make sure you understand your professor's expectations before moving to step 2 below.

2. Think about what you want to write

Skip this step if you have been given a topic to focus on. If you have not been given a specific topic, you should think hard about what you want to write. Try to be as creative as possible when thinking about the topic. Imagine what topic will impress your professor if you write about it.

Imagine all the different things you will include in the essay and how you will structure it. Note down all the ideas you come up with. They will help you in the next step.

3. Choose a topic

After reading the instructions and thinking about what you want to write, you should choose a topic. Skip this step if you were already given a topic to focus on. If not, you should select an interesting topic.

It should be easy for you to develop a topic if you follow the step above and brainstorm to develop ideas. Ensure your chosen topic will be attractive enough for the reader (your instructor). If it is not, you may not get as high a grade as you might want. Also, ensure the topic can be comfortably discussed and supported within the 500-word limit.

4. Conduct a thorough research  

You should conduct thorough research after choosing the topic you want to write about. Researching the topic you want to write about is probably the most crucial part of essay writing. You will find all the important information you need about the topic through research.

This information should help make it easy for you to write your essay. Make sure you only gather information from credible or reliable sources. You don't want to lose marks for using random websites and unreliable sources.

5. Create an outline

You now know how to create a 500-word essay outline. So, create one using the information you gathered through research.

A good essay outline will make it very easy for you to write your 500-word essay. It will also make your essay structured and easy to read and understand.

Professors like structured essays usually give some marks/points for good organization.

Ensure the essay outline you create has your thesis, main arguments, and supporting evidence. If you do this, you will most likely never get stuck when writing your essay because you will have a map to guide you.

6. Write your essay

Now, you've got everything you need to write an excellent 500-word essay. You need to start. Start with the introduction paragraph, follow it with body paragraphs, and end your essay with a conclusion.

Some people do not write their introduction until they are done writing everything. Doing this is okay but not always recommended.

Writing your essay introduction first will help you clearly state your thesis and make your writing more oriented toward supporting it.

Doing it the other way helps if you want to change the thesis statement depending on how you have developed the body paragraphs. Whatever you choose, ensure that the introduction has an attention grabber , a brief background statement, and a thesis statement.

You can structure the body into three well-balanced paragraphs. The section should be approximately 300-400 words long. Use adequate transition words, phrases, examples, illustrations, citations, and evidence. Every paragraph should have a single idea that connects to your thesis. Since there is not much room for deep arguments, you should be focused. Avoid straying your thoughts or beating around the bush.

Finally, conclude your essay by summarizing your main argument and reaffirming the relevance of this argument. You should restate your thesis, present a few vital points, and finalize by giving your final thoughts. The conclusion can be 50-100 words long and should offer critical insights into the subject or topic.

When writing the paper, focus on writing and leave editing for the next stage.

7. Proofread and edit

When writing your essay, write! Follow the outline and write. Stop after writing your closing sentence in the last paragraph- the conclusion.

Do not worry about grammar, transition words, organization, and flow as you write your essay. You only need to worry about these things after you are done.

So, write everything first and then proofread and edit. When proofreading your work, try to make everything as clear as possible. Use transition words where necessary to enhance flow and readability. Remove grammar errors, typos, and so on. By the time you finish this step, your essay will be ready for submission.

Ensure that your paper meets the paragraphing rules before you submit it. You can use editing software such as Hemingway Editor, Pro Writing Aid, Grammarly, or Ginger software.

500-Word Essay Topics

Below are examples of 500-word essay topics. Picking an interesting essay topic will make your work easy and ensure it is not dull if you write it right.

  • Advantages and disadvantages of student loans
  • What is success?
  • What is the meaning of power?
  • What had the most significant impact on your childhood?
  • Is democracy the best form of governance?
  • What are your views on social welfare?
  • How can racism be stopped?
  • What causes homelessness in the United States?
  • How has COVID-19 affected your life?
  • What are the pros and cons of social media?
  • Causes of religious extremism
  • BREXIT and its effects on UK foreign policy
  • The importance of honesty
  • Importance of world peace
  • Benefits of cell phones
  • Is Google making us stupid?
  • Impacts of the Covid-19 global pandemic
  • Impacts of the Russian-Ukraine war

9 Tips for writing a 500 words essay

Follow the tips below to write an excellent 500-word essay.

  • Always have an outline. It is crucial to write an outline before you begin writing your essay. An outline will make it easier for you to write your essay.
  • Develop a strong thesis. To develop a strong thesis, craft your essay prompt or topic as a question and answer it. Without a strong thesis, you won't be able to write an outstanding essay. Therefore, make sure you write a strong thesis in your introduction.
  • Focus on your introduction. You have between 50 and 100 first sentences and words to convince your readers, do not waste yourself. Instead, succinctly invite your readers to read your essay from start to end. A good attention grabber will do the magic.
  • Provide your point of view. It is vital to ensure that your thoughts and views are visible throughout the essay. Your essay should be largely evidence-based but try to infuse your understanding of the evidence and arguments throughout your work.
  • Check grammar. You should never submit your essay before checking grammar and editing out everything wrong in it. A well-edited essay will be a joy for your instructor to read.
  • Proofread your paper (dot your I and cross your t). ensure that your essay lacks grammatical, syntax, spelling, punctuation, and presentation errors. Read your essay aloud or hand it over to a friend, professional proofreader, or classmate to get a second opinion and perspective that can help you improve the paper.
  • Check for plagiarism. Sometimes, you might paraphrase, summarize, or quote wrongly in the heat of a hurry. To ensure that everything is okay, assess your work for plagiarism. You can do so using an online plagiarism checker such as PlagScan.
  • Read Samples. Reading samples of 500-word essays online can help you understand how to address a topic or question in an essay without veering off. You will get inspiration on how to structure and organize the essay.
  • Stick to the word count . You should not exceed the word count when asked to write a 500-word essay. Ensure your essay is between 400 and 500 words to avoid being penalized during marking. Only focus on the word count as you edit your essay and not when writing. You can always condense points when done rather than painfully use tactics to make an essay longer to meet the word count.

Although writing a 500-words essay can be intimidating at first, it becomes fun when you have these nerd tips and tricks at your fingertips. Even when an essay is part of an exam, sensitive scholarship essay, or personal statement, your composure matters the most. You should strive to assert your intellectual prowess, writing skills, and creativity. Make it count!

Concluding remarks

In this step-by-step guide, you have learned almost everything important you need to know about writing a 500-word essay. The most important thing you need to do to write a good essay is to create a good outline, plan well, and research well. A good outline will make it easy for you to write your essay because it will act as a map you can follow whenever you are lost.

Related Article: how to prepare for ACT and score better.

If you want an excellent 500-word essay right away, order one from us. Essaymaniacs.com has expert writers who will ensure your essay is well-researched, well-written, untraceable, 100% original, and without errors.

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How to Write a 500-Word Essay – Guide & Examples

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A Complete Guide To The 500 Word Essay featured image intro image

Five hundred words may not sound much. But when you have little to no knowledge of a topic, it isn’t easy to even reach 100 words. So how do you get 500 on your word count?

Keep reading for my step-by-step guide on how to write a 500-word essay easily. These tips will increase your chance of obtaining a perfect score, getting a scholarship, or convincing your readers to do something.

What Is a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay is a piece of writing considered a common requirement among students. This paper usually has three parts: an introductory statement or thesis statement, a body paragraph, and a conclusion.

The 500-word essay format may have a consistent structure. But the types of essays vary according to the subject matter or requirement. You may be required to present an argument, describe a phenomenon, or recall an event.

Producing a 500-word essay is easy if you know the requirements and have enough writing skills. Exceptional techniques ensure that all sentences are coherent and essential to the entire paper.

500-Word Paper Essay Types

Your essay type will depend on the requirements and overall theme of the paper. For instance, you can write argumentative essays for your political science class or a scholarship essay when applying for college. Here are the most common essay types you’ll encounter.

Narrative Essay

A narrative essay tells a story about different things. It can be a college essay telling your life story or personal experiences. It can also be an effective essay that requires creativity and imagination.

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Narrative essays also follow the basic structure of an essay. But it would help if you used literary techniques in this essay type, such as metaphors, analogies, imagery, and metaphors.

Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is a concise paper that offers a detailed description of a certain topic. You might describe a past event, place, object, or scientific method. Descriptive essays should also have an exceptional essay flow to show a complete and understandable explanation.

Argumentative Essay

Argumentative essays require analytical skills because you must take a side on a particular topic. You need to base your paper on facts rather than emotion. For example, your argumentative essay can be about being for or against a new policy.

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay aims to convince readers to side with your opinion or do something. Writing essays of this kind requires both emotional appeal and facts.

For example, your persuasive essay can be a letter to your parents telling them why they should buy you a new gadget.

How to Format a 500-Word Piece

A 500-word writing piece should have this format to ensure that the arguments are clear to the reader.

Introduction Paragraph

  • Hook statement
  • Background details
  • Compelling thesis statement

Body Paragraphs

  • Essay topic sentence
  • Supporting details
  • Concluding sentence
  • Restate the thesis statement
  • Summarized key points
  • Final thought

How to Write a 500-Word Essay

outline for 500 word essay

Now let’s look at this step-by-step guide to making a 500-word essay.

Create an Outline

The first thing to writing an excellent essay is to create an outline. This will allow you to plan every element of your paper using the common structure. Creating an outline is also easy if an essay prompt is already provided.

One common mistake among essay writers is not making a list for the outline. Use bullet points to make the entire plan simple and organized, from the introduction to the conclusion. Here’s a basic example of an outline for an essay about why we should read more books.

Introduction

  • Hook statement: Have you ever felt stressed, lonely, or depressed?
  • Background details: 73% of people have stress that impacts their mental health.
  • Thesis statement: Individuals should read more books to improve their mental health.

Body Paragraph 1

  • Essay topic sentence: Reading allows you to wind down before bedtime.
  • The mind races before bedtime.
  • Importance of putting down the phone before bedtime.
  • Physical books are better than e-books when reading at night.
  • Concluding sentence: Read a physical book at least one hour before bedtime.

Body Paragraph 2

  • Essay topic sentence: Reading makes humans more understanding.
  • Research states that literary fiction improves a reader’s capacity to think and feel.
  • When we read about similar experiences, we feel less alone.
  • Concluding sentence: Read fictional novels and short stories to improve your empathy.

Body Paragraph 3

  • Essay topic sentence: Reading improves your focus and overall brain function.
  • Thinking and imagining make your brain stronger.
  • Following words builds your memory.
  • Concluding sentence: Start reading any genre to improve your concentration.
  • Restate thesis statement: Individuals should read more books to improve their mental health.
  • Summarized key points: Reading helps you wind down before bedtime, makes you more understanding, and improves your focus.
  • Final thought: Suggestions on where to buy inexpensive books in town.

Write a Good Introduction

Once you have an outline, writing a good introduction should be a breeze. Since it’s the first part of the essay, take it as an opportunity to grab the attention of readers. Depending on your target audience, it can be through a joke, statistics, or personal anecdote.

An amazing essay should not have a long introduction. For a 500-word essay task, the standard requirement for an intro is about 3-5 brief sentences. Aside from the hook statement or background, this section should include your thesis statement or main point.

Example: “Have you ever felt highly stressed or depressed that you struggled to find a coping mechanism? If you do, you may be one of the 73% of Americans whose stress impacts their mental health. One way to battle mental health problems is by reading.”

Compose the Body Paragraphs

Once you’re done with the hook introduction, it’s time to compose the body. This includes your arguments, supporting details, and possible counterarguments against your claim. The key to writing a compelling essay is to start with the topic sentence.

To make your essay more organized, divide the body paragraphs into the number of arguments you have. Since we have three points to make in our essay, we should compose a 3-paragraph body with around 100-150 words each.

Creating the body paragraph can be a challenging task. So, re-examine your main point of view and present solid facts. You can also appeal to your reader’s emotions or show off your creative writing skills, depending on your essay type.

Below is an example body paragraph for “Reading improves your focus and overall brain function.”

“Reading also improves your focus and overall brain function. Studies show that reading stimulates a human being’s part of the brain responsible for concentration, decision-making, and attention called the prefrontal cortex. No matter the genre of the book, reading can enhance brain connectivity and increase one’s attention span. Reading also improves your memory and vocabulary due to the new neurons being produced in the brain. It is a helpful pastime for students who need to study several hours a day or aging individuals who do not want their cognitive abilities to decline. You don’t need to consume technical non-fiction to improve your brain function. Pick up any book that sparks your interest to have great focus and memory.”

Draft a Compelling Conclusion

The biggest mistake you can make when writing an essay is forgetting the conclusion. The conclusion is one of the key elements for tying everything together and reaffirming your essay question.

A 3000-word essay may include additional key elements in the conclusion, such as recommendations for future research. However, classic essay writing treats the conclusion as a cohesive element that merely summarizes everything.

Professional essay writers repeat the thesis statement and present general conclusions in this section.

“Individuals should read to improve their mental health. Reading physical books, especially before bedtime, helps you wind down and escape from different stressors. Literary fiction improves a person’s ability to understand or empathize with others. Lastly, this activity enhances one’s focus and memory. Therefore, it’s best to read physical books, primarily literary fiction, before bedtime to enhance one’s overall mental health and well-being. Go to the nearest bookstore at Oak Lane now and pick any book that interests you.”

Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay

Writing a 500-word essay may get complicated if you do not follow these tips.

Understand the Requirements

Reading and following instructions from your professor can make essay writing a simple task. Usually, the instructor provides an essay question you should answer, a topic, or a theme.

But if you are free to write about anything, your choice of theme must appeal to their interest.​ Understanding the requirements will also give you an idea of your audience. It will help you decide on the style and form of your writing.

The requirements also include the standard format of the paper. Aside from the essay length, you will be asked to write using a specific font, usually Times New Roman. Check whether you need to use single spaces or double spaces.

Once you know the essay format and other requirements, it’s time to brainstorm the essay content. For many college students, this step takes the longest time. In fact, starting an essay from scratch involves a longer brainstorming process than the writing process.

Think of exciting ideas that will allow you to craft a perfect essay. Write all your ideas down, then filter them in the next stage. You can also try freewriting to determine whether a topic is worth pursuing.

Some visual learners prefer drawing a map of ideas instead of lists. Break down big ideas into smaller ones. For example, if your teacher asks you to write about the different aspects of your life, reflect on what you will include in your social, family, and academic life.

Refrain from pressuring yourself at this stage because brainstorming does not require you to plan the entire essay. Consider it a baby step to deciding on your topic and creating an outline.

Once you know the standard essay format and have an awesome theme for your 500-word writing piece, it’s time to do some research. If you’re a college or university student, you must already have some sort of experience with this task.

Refrain from being swayed by a single source. Otherwise, you’ll end up being biased or copying this paper. Have sufficient background knowledge about the topic, then learn how to take a critical approach.

Cite Your Sources

College papers or any academic essay will require you to cite sources to check which parts of your paper are original. Having a space for your list of references also lets your readers know that your piece is reliable.

Check the requirements on the citation style you should use. It could be MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE, or Turabian.

Make Sure to Edit and Proofread Several Times

Even if you have a concise piece, it helps to perform several rounds of edits on your work before submitting it. Keep it free from confusing sentences, grammar errors, and typos. You also want to ensure your citations are correct, especially when paraphrasing or quoting.

Have Someone Read Your Essay

An expert who offers essay writing services might help you create an attention-grabbing piece. The work of an editor goes beyond correcting writing mistakes. They allow you to see gaps in your arguments, evaluate your target audience, and teach proper formatting.

Take Breaks

Sometimes, we lose objectivity and creativity when we work too much on the same piece. Taking a break lets you return to work with a fresh mind and a better perspective.

Get enough sleep and go out. Instead of living inside your head, observe your environment and take inspiration from it.

You can also take breaks by reading. Evaluate how an author has caught your attention and see what methods you can imitate from them.

500-Word Essay Topics

Here are some essay examples you might consider as topics for your next paper.

  • Admissions essay
  • Scholarship applications
  • Essay on honesty
  • Leadership essay
  • What is love?
  • Building your online presence
  • The pros and cons of homeschooling
  • My summer vacation
  • Importance of sports
  • Festivals in my country
  • What is religion?
  • What is an ideal student?
  • How to save water

How Many Paragraphs Are in a 500-Word Essay?

It depends on the requirement. But essays should always have one paragraph for the introduction and another for the conclusion. Standard outlines require three paragraphs for the body, giving you a total of five paragraphs.

How Many Pages Is a 500-Word Essay?

It depends on your font style, size, and spacing. A 500-word essay can fit on one page if you use single spaces. But if you use double spaces, you will need about 1.5 pages.

How Long Should It Take to Write a 500-Word Essay?

The time it takes to write a 500-word essay depends on your writing skills. But you must allot at least two days to complete the task.

Become a Better Essay Writer

This comprehensive guide revealed all the secrets you need to write a 500-word essay. A 500-word piece should be long enough to fit all your ideas and short enough not to make you feel tired after writing.

Allot two days for brainstorming, outlining, writing, and editing. Don’t forget to take quick breaks and continue researching your topic.

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 10, 2023

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

Essay Outline

To write an effective essay, you need to create a clear and well-organized essay outline. An essay outline will shape the essay’s entire content and determine how successful the essay will be.

In this blog post, we'll be going over the basics of essay outlines and provide a template for you to follow. We will also include a few examples so that you can get an idea about how these outlines look when they are put into practice.

Essay writing is not easy, but it becomes much easier with time, practice, and a detailed essay writing guide. Once you have developed your outline, everything else will come together more smoothly.

The key to success in any area is preparation - take the time now to develop a solid outline and then write your essays!

So, let’s get started!

Essay Outline

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What is an Essay Outline?

An essay outline is your essay plan and a roadmap to essay writing. It is the structure of an essay you are about to write. It includes all the main points you have to discuss in each section along with the thesis statement.

Like every house has a map before it is constructed, the same is the importance of an essay outline. You can write an essay without crafting an outline, but you may miss essential information, and it is more time-consuming.

Once the outline is created, there is no chance of missing any important information. Also, it will help you to:

  • Organize your thoughts and ideas.
  • Understand the information flow.
  • Never miss any crucial information or reference.
  • Finish your work faster.

These are the reasons if someone asks you why an essay outline is needed. Now there are some points that must be kept in mind before proceeding to craft an essay outline.

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Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

Your teacher may ask you to submit your essay outline before your essay. Therefore, you must know the preliminary guidelines that are necessary before writing an essay outline.

Here are the guidelines:

  • You must go through your assignments’ guidelines carefully.
  • Understand the purpose of your assignment.
  • Know your audience.
  • Mark the important point while researching your topic data.
  • Select the structure of your essay outline; whether you are going to use a decimal point bullet or a simple one.

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How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and organized piece of writing. Follow these four simple steps to create an effective outline:

Step 1: Understand the Topic

To begin, thoroughly grasp the essence of your essay topic. 

Break it down into its key components and identify the main ideas you want to convey. This step ensures you have a clear direction and focus for your essay.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Gather Ideas

Let your creativity flow and brainstorm ideas related to your topic. 

Jot down key pieces of information, arguments, and supporting evidence that will strengthen your essay's overall message. Consider different perspectives and potential counterarguments to make your essay well-rounded.

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts

Now it's time to give structure to your ideas. 

Arrange your main points in a logical order, starting with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by body paragraphs that present your arguments. 

Finally, tie everything together with a compelling conclusion. Remember to use transitional phrases to create smooth transitions between sections.

Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints

To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. 

These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

By following these four steps - you'll be well on your way to creating a clear and compelling essay outline.

Essay Outline Format

It is an easy way for you to write your thoughts in an organized manner. It may seem unnecessary and unimportant, but it is not.

It is one of the most crucial steps for essay writing as it shapes your entire essay and aids the writing process.

An essay outline consists of three main parts:

1. Introduction

The introduction body of your essay should be attention-grabbing. It should be written in such a manner that it attracts the reader’s interest. It should also provide background information about the topic for the readers.

You can use a dramatic tone to grab readers’ attention, but it should connect the audience to your thesis statement.

Here are some points without which your introduction paragraph is incomplete.

To attract the reader with the first few opening lines, we use a hook statement. It helps engage the reader and motivates them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences ranging from quotes, rhetorical questions to anecdotes and statistics, and much more.

Are you struggling to come up with an interesting hook? View these hook examples to get inspired!

A thesis statement is stated at the end of your introduction. It is the most important statement of your entire essay. It summarizes the purpose of the essay in one sentence.

The thesis statement tells the readers about the main theme of the essay, and it must be strong and clear. It holds the entire crux of your essay.

Need help creating a strong thesis statement? Check out this guide on thesis statements and learn to write a statement that perfectly captures your main argument!

2. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an essay are where all the details and evidence come into play. This is where you dive deep into the argument, providing explanations and supporting your ideas with solid evidence. 

If you're writing a persuasive essay, these paragraphs will be the powerhouse that convinces your readers. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, your body paragraphs will work their magic to sway your audience to your side.

Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and no more than one idea. A topic sentence is the crux of the contents of your paragraph. It is essential to keep your reader interested in the essay.

The topic sentence is followed by the supporting points and opinions, which are then justified with strong evidence.

3. Conclusion

When it comes to wrapping up your essay, never underestimate the power of a strong conclusion. Just like the introduction and body paragraphs, the conclusion plays a vital role in providing a sense of closure to your topic. 

To craft an impactful conclusion, it's crucial to summarize the key points discussed in the introduction and body paragraphs. You want to remind your readers of the important information you shared earlier. But keep it concise and to the point. Short, powerful sentences will leave a lasting impression.

Remember, your conclusion shouldn't drag on. Instead, restate your thesis statement and the supporting points you mentioned earlier. And here's a pro tip: go the extra mile and suggest a course of action. It leaves your readers with something to ponder or reflect on.

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Structure

An outline is an essential part of the writing as it helps the writer stay focused. A typical 5 paragraph essay outline example is shown here. This includes:

  • State the topic
  • Thesis statement
  • Introduction
  • Explanation
  • A conclusion that ties to the thesis
  • Summary of the essay
  • Restate the thesis statement

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Essay Outline Template

The outline of the essay is the skeleton that you will fill out with the content. Both outline and relevant content are important for a good essay. The content you will add to flesh out the outline should be credible, relevant, and interesting.

The outline structure for the essay is not complex or difficult. No matter which type of essay you write, you either use an alphanumeric structure or a decimal structure for the outline.

Below is an outline sample that you can easily follow for your essay.

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

An essay outline template should follow when you start writing the essay. Every writer should learn how to write an outline for every type of essay and research paper.

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

Given below are essay outline examples for different types of essay writing.

Argumentative Essay Outline

An  argumentative essay  is a type of essay that shows both sides of the topic that you are exploring. The argument that presents the basis of the essay should be created by providing evidence and supporting details.

Persuasive Essay Outline

A  persuasive essay  is similar to an argumentative essay. Your job is to provide facts and details to create the argument. In a persuasive essay, you convince your readers of your point of view.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

A  compare and contrast essay  explains the similarities and differences between two things. While comparing, you should focus on the differences between two seemingly similar objects. While contrasting, you should focus on the similarities between two different objects.

Narrative Essay Outline

A narrative essay is written to share a story. Normally, a narrative essay is written from a personal point of view in an essay. The basic purpose of the narrative essay is to describe something creatively.

Expository Essay Outline

An  expository essay  is a type of essay that explains, analyzes, and illustrates something for the readers. An expository essay should be unbiased and entirely based on facts. Be sure to use academic resources for your research and cite your sources.

Analytical Essay Outline

An  analytical essay  is written to analyze the topic from a critical point of view. An analytical essay breaks down the content into different parts and explains the topic bit by bit.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

A rhetorical essay is written to examine the writer or artist’s work and develop a great essay. It also includes the discussion.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A  cause and effect essay  describes why something happens and examines the consequences of an occurrence or phenomenon. It is also a type of expository essay.

Informative Essay Outline

An  informative essay  is written to inform the audience about different objects, concepts, people, issues, etc.

The main purpose is to respond to the question with a detailed explanation and inform the target audience about the topic.

Synthesis Essay Outline

A  synthesis essay  requires the writer to describe a certain unique viewpoint about the issue or topic. Create a claim about the topic and use different sources and information to prove it.

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

A  literary analysis essay  is written to analyze and examine a novel, book, play, or any other piece of literature. The writer analyzes the different devices such as the ideas, characters, plot, theme, tone, etc., to deliver his message.

Definition Essay Outline

A  definition essay  requires students to pick a particular concept, term, or idea and define it in their own words and according to their understanding.

Descriptive Essay Outline

A  descriptive essay  is a type of essay written to describe a person, place, object, or event. The writer must describe the topic so that the reader can visualize it using their five senses.

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

In a problem-solution essay, you are given a problem as a topic and you have to suggest multiple solutions on it.

Scholarship Essay Outline

A  scholarship essay  is required at the time of admission when you are applying for a scholarship. Scholarship essays must be written in a way that should stand alone to help you get a scholarship.

Reflective Essay Outline

A reflective essay  is written to express your own thoughts and point of view regarding a specific topic.

Getting started on your essay? Give this comprehensive essay writing guide a read to make sure you write an effective essay!

With this complete guide, now you understand how to create an outline for your essay successfully. However, if you still can’t write an effective essay, then the best option is to consult a professional academic writing service.

Essay writing is a dull and boring task for some people. So why not get some help instead of wasting your time and effort?  5StarEssays.com is here to help you. All your  do my essay for me  requests are managed by professional essay writers.

Place your order now, and our team of expert academic writers will help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

  • Working outline
  • Speaking outline
  • Full-sentence outline

All three types are different from each other and are used for different purposes.

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

A full sentence outline contains full sentences at each level of the essay’s outline. It is similar to an alphanumeric outline and it is a commonly used essay outline.

What is a traditional outline format?

A traditional essay outline begins with writing down all the important points in one place and listing them down and adding sub-topics to them. Besides, it will also include evidence and proof that you will use to back your arguments.

What is the benefit of using a traditional outline format and an informal outline format?

A traditional outline format helps the students in listing down all the important details in one palace while an informal outline will help you coming up with new ideas and highlighting important points

Nova A.

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas

Writing a 500-word essay may seem like a piece of cake. But don’t get fooled by it! Although a paper of this length is short and takes only one page, its writing process has its pitfalls. And the most complicated aspect is finding a balance between the small size and the depth of argumentation.

A typical 500-word paper can be:

  • a traditional 5-paragraph essay
  • a college admission essay
  • a personal statement
  • a book report
  • a critical analysis essay, and many other types of written works.

If you need to write one of these, then definitely check out this article. Our simple explanations and inspirational topics will help you craft an exceptional 500-word paper. And make sure to check out our free essay examples for even more ideas!

  • 🎓 Personal Statement Examples
  • 📜 500-Word Memoir Topics
  • ✨ My Values Essay Examples
  • ✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay Topics
  • 💬 Narrative Essay Examples

✍️ How to Write a 500-Word Essay

  • 😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay Samples
  • 🚀 Sample Essays on Accountability
  • 💡 Essay Topics on Respect
  • 🎯 Example Essays on Career Goals
  • 📚 Topics on the Importance of Education
  • 🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Topics
  • ❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay Examples
  • 🏫 College Essay Topics

🎓 500-Word Personal Statement Examples

  • Personal Statement for a Major in Geography and Planning From my perspective, geography is a prominent professional field that has incredible potential, and I want to contribute to the advancement of this area to improve the lives of societies and organizations.
  • Personal Teaching Philosophy Statement: Encouraging Lifelong and Individual Learning Thus, the learners will more easily relate to music, and as a result, necessary prerequisites for active engagement in the studies, and an enthusiasm for the required material, can be expected.
  • APRN Program Applicant Personal Statement While studying to be a nurse, I discovered the function of nurse practitioners and felt it was exactly what I was searching for.
  • Personal Statement on My Most Effective Learning Style Thus I believe my mode of learning is the best to use when studying. Through the use of this method, I have found learning to be more exciting and captivating.

📜 500-Word Memoir Topics to Write About

  • Describe your most exciting adventure.
  • Share a story of a volunteer experience that changed your life.
  • How you rediscovered your passion for an old hobby.
  • Write about a lesson you’ve learned from a unique friendship.
  • What life events had the most significant impact on your personality?
  • Discuss your experiences in competitive sports.
  • Explore and discuss your heritage and cultural roots.
  • Write about the situation when you had to step out of your comfort zone.
  • Reveal your path to forgiveness and reconciliation.
  • What is your favorite childhood memory? Why is it significant?

✨ My Values Essay: 500 Words Examples

  • Social Work: Values, Experience, and Educational Goals First of all, I would like to start with the fact that people, as phenomena, have always attracted me, and also aroused a desire to help, if necessary.
  • Values in Caring for Dying Patients Therefore, medical professionals’ main task is to provide the most satisfying life for patients and peace of mind for loved ones. In conclusion, the care and treatment of dying patients imply adherence to certain professional […]
  • Nursing Values and Responsibilities Some of the legal responsibilities of a nurse include preventing malpractice cases and respecting a patient’s confidentiality. The legal responsibilities of a nurse involve preventing malpractice and respecting a patient’s confidentiality.
  • The Importance of Values and Virtues To further illustrate this concept in a more detailed manner, I will refer to a couple of the values I follow, while depicting a situation when I have broken them.
  • Businessperson’s Vision, Mission, and Values Statement In addition, I intend to use my skills and knowledge in finance to mitigate the risks that the company is facing.
  • Personality and Values in Human Services Practice In order to overcome this problem, I plan to find a colleague who can help me review the plans and assessments of current situations to ensure that I cover all the basic issues.

✊🏿 Rosa Parks Essay: 500 Words Topics

  • What were the early years of Rosa Parks and her upbringing?
  • Describe Rosa Parks’ involvement in the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  • Explore Rosa Parks’ collaboration with Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Write about Parks’ later years and continued activism.
  • What was Rosa Parks’ personal philosophy?
  • The cultural depictions of Rosa Parks in literature, film, and art.
  • Analyze Parks’ contribution to the fight for racial equality.
  • Study the cultural and historical context of Parks’ actions.
  • Discuss the legacy of Rosa Parks’ writings and speeches.
  • What is the significance of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, Alabama?

💬 Narrative Essay Examples: 500 Words

  • Counseling and Social Work Challenges Also, it may be important to try to work with different people and assess the impact that individual differences have on the work results.
  • Blog Response: Developing Different Kinds of Narratives I get the news set that makes her keep asking “is this journalism” and feel relaxed as she makes me realize am reading and not in the situation.
  • A Horrible Walk in the Wilderness Upon some reflection, Ashley concluded that she should have asked someone to meet her at the bus stop when she arrived at 10 o’clock and guide her to the picnic site.”One would have thought that […]
  • Walking Tour: Irving Street in San Francisco The first place, which you can see is the Baskin Robbins store at the corner of the 24th avenue. The fine restaurant is located nearby the intersection of the Irving Street and the 23rd avenue.
  • Architectural Design of the Autostadt Roof This is one of the main attributes of this architectural design. It should be kept in mind that this work is located on the territory of Autostadt, the museum of Volkswagen.

Writing 500 words is not much work. If the topic is simple, you can easily finish everything in a couple of hours. However, writing essays on more complex issues is an entirely different process. It is essential to structure everything well and cover the topic fully within the tight word limit. Not sure how to do it? Have a look at the guide below.

500-Word Essay Structure

If you want to write an excellent 500-word essay, then make sure to outline it first. A standard 5-paragraph piece will have the following structure:

  • 1 intro paragraph that provides the necessary background and states your thesis
  • 3 body paragraph with a detailed presentation of all evidence and arguments
  • 1 conclusion paragraph that sums everything up.

Each paragraph should contain about 100 words. Such length is enough to cover almost any topic.

An explanation of a 500-word essay structure.

Did you know you can use the power of AI to create an excellent essay plan? Our outline generator can make you a perfect one in no time.

500-Word Essay Introduction

In a 500-word paper, an introduction is usually 50—100 words long, which takes up about 10—20% of the general word count. The size may vary depending on the complexity of the topic.

Here are a few helpful tips on writing a good introduction:

  • Start with an arresting hook. It can be a thought-provoking question, a quote, or an intriguing piece of statistics. Need some inspiration? Try our essay hook generator !
  • Provide enough background. That’s a tricky part. The context you give should be sufficient for understanding your topic and arguments but not overly detailed.
  • Present a well-formulated thesis statement. It’s the most critical part of your intro. To create it quickly and painlessly, you can use our thesis statement generator .
  • Remember to use transition sentences. They will make your writing smoother and more logical. We recommend using them in body paragraphs as well.

500-Words Essay Conclusion

The conclusion of a 500-word paper is about the same size as an introduction. It wraps up all you’ve been discussing before and gives a sense of closure to your readers.

Follow these tips to write a striking conclusion:

  • Restate your thesis statement. Try paraphrasing your thesis to showcase a fresh understanding you’ve developed throughout your essay.
  • Sum up the main points you’ve used to support your opinion. Try to introduce them in a way that clearly shows how they are connected.
  • Finish with a memorable final thought. Our closing sentence generator will help you ensure perfect results.

How Many References for 500-Word Essay Should You Include?

The number of references in a 500-word essay may differ depending on the assignment type, academic level, and your instructor’s specific requirements. Generally, an essay includes 8 to 12 citations for every 1000 words. So, if the number is not specified, you can safely use 4—6 references for your 500-word paper. Want to be sure that your citations are correctly formatted? Make them with our AI-based citation generator !

😱 Stress Impact on Health Essay: 500 Words Samples

  • Effects of Stress on Human Health There are numerous theories and researches on stress and health, they all agree that stress has an adverse effect on human health; the statement goes “a stressed man is an unhealthy man”.
  • The Relationship Between Stress and Health: Article Summary The implications of the study allow for stating that the increased exposure to stress at work leads to worsened health of the stressed individuals.
  • Coping with Stress and Physical Health Problems In this regard, Julie, first of all, needs to accept the situation as it is, to appreciate the things and the context that she is no longer able to change.
  • Coping with Stress: Stress and Health In terms of physical, emotional, and behavioral signs, Julia is experiencing severe stress, which requires the help of specialists and the introduction of various techniques that contribute to the normalization of all aspects of life.
  • Occupational Health: Workplace Stress To avoid noise-related stress, Ruth handles her job with a positive attitude and this makes it easy to enjoy work. In conclusion, work-related stress is a major cause of poor performance by employees due to […]
  • Health and Stress in College Students We may believe that stress has only psychological relevance, but the perspective of psychologists is that stress is the physiological and psychological reaction of an individual to a condition that poses a threat calling for […]
  • Minority Stress and Health: Societal Issues Due to the peculiarities of the LGBT people’s personal life, they might experience limited support and restricted access to medical services.

🚀 500-Word Essay on Accountability: Examples

  • Pursuing Professional Accountability and Just Culture It is suitable to combine the quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluate organizational culture since this ensures that the strength of the other adjusts for the shortcomings of one method.
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act: Privacy and Security Rules Violation Most cases present with the use of malicious malware to access protected data without the consent of the insurers and inappropriate use of that information.
  • Social Work Career, Professional Behavior and Accountability I have the desire to fight for human rights and social change, and I want to fight for justice in all corners to make society a better place.
  • Civil Society and Political Accountability in Samoa Also, one of the priorities in the political life of Samoa is the attraction of local communities and governments to the state governance system to ensure progress in all aspects of the country’s life.
  • Accountability in Healthcare Organizations and Improving the Quality of Service This is true in view of the fact that the clients of a health care organization may not possess the knowledge to judge the technical quality of the healthcare service provided and the clients’ wellbeing […]
  • A Critical Reflection of “Accountability in the Shadow of Hierarchy” by Thomas Schillemans The article by Schillemans addresses the emergence of the phenomenon of horizontal accountability in response to the accountability deficit of agencies.
  • Wise Judgment: Ethics, Accountability, and Human Conscience The man, now in a state of dilemma, does not know whether to blow the whistle and lose his job or just maintain a blind eye to his manager’s unethical acts.

💡 Topics for a 500-Word Essay on Respect

  • The significance of respect for building healthy relationships.
  • Is self-respect a necessary condition for a happy life?
  • The unseen power of silent respect in non-verbal communication.
  • Discuss the importance of respecting and understanding different religious beliefs.
  • Write about the role of respect for older people in different cultures.
  • Should society show respect to criminals? In what way?
  • Explain the importance of politeness and open-mindedness in online communication.
  • Why is the ethical treatment of animals important?
  • Analyze how disrespect in the workplace affects productivity and motivation.
  • Recognition and respect towards indigenous cultures and traditions.

🎯 500-Word Essay on Career Goals Examples

  • Short and Long-Term Goals for Nursing Career For one to fulfill long-term goals, it takes him or her a lot of time while short-term goal is a part of the several steps involved in the long-term goal.
  • Family Nurse Practitioner Career Goals As I plan to deal with children, I will be involved with planning the care of children with their parents and treating childhood illnesses.
  • A Degree in Social Work: Reasons for Seeking, Career Goals and Aspirations I would like to pursue a degree in social work at this because I am in a position to accommodate the strict nature of the study being fresh from school, young and energetic at the […]
  • How the DTC Major Supports Your Career Goals Digital technology and culture ensures that the knowledge people have in art is updated depending on the modern technology and everyone for communication to be effective understands the language used.
  • Reaching the Career Goals: In Search for a Place Under the Sun Quicksilver Nespresso Fastsing Narrowing the Choice Down to Three Options While the list provided above offers a fairly detailed account of the career options that I can possibly use in order to achieve success in […]
  • Career Goals in Educational Technology The University offers the Master of Arts and the doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Technology. One of the spread and reasonable career goal for an applicant is to achieve success in the field of […]

📚 Topics for an Essay on Importance of Education in 500 Words

  • Importance of Higher Education Education creates awareness in the minds of individuals, a new sense of responsibility, openness to change and progress, all of which are important factors in the development of a nation.
  • The Importance of Education in the Global Society The role and the importance of education in the modern world is a subject of this essay. The elementary and secondary education is obligatory and free in the majority of them.
  • Importance of Education to Student-Athletes Education enables student athletes to develop appropriate skills that they require to be independent and to succeed in academics. Although athletics forms a vital part of a student athletes’ life, it is vital to understand […]
  • Importance of Sex Education for Teens One of the advantages of cohabitation in modern society is that it eliminates the obligations of marriage while providing sexual and emotional intimacy for couples. One of the disadvantages is that for most couples, cohabitation […]
  • Importance of Managing Students in the Education System This would not only benefit the students, but also the teachers who will be able to understand the capacity of the students they are admitting to the institution.

🩺 Alzheimer’s Disease Essay: 500 Words Topics

  • Describe early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • How does Alzheimer’s impact caregivers?
  • Explain the importance of overcoming the stigma associated with dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s disease and gender differences: prevalence and effects.
  • Discuss the common misperceptions of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Is there a connection between Alzheimer’s and one’s lifestyle?
  • Study the role of music and art therapy in treating Alzheimer’s patients.
  • Write about the significance of inclusive clinical research of dementia.
  • Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of physical activity.
  • Explore non-pharmacological interventions for Alzheimer’s patients.

❤️ Romeo and Juliet Essay: 500 Words Example Texts

  • Analysis of the Play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ Another interesting scene of the production that makes it real understanding of the authors work is the casting of the romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, the physical love of the nurse and the contractual […]
  • Analysis of “Romeo and Juliet” Directed by Simon Godwin The actors played in the theater without an audience, and the shooting itself took two and a half weeks, but also due to the director’s attempt to combine the action on the theater stage and […]
  • Romeo and Juliet: Analysis of Play Being a tragedy, the story narrates the challenges two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, go through due to the enmity between their respective families. For example, the story of Juliet and Romeo presents a romantic and […]
  • Nurse and Friar Laurence in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” The way Friar Laurence supported Romeo and Juliet to get Married, The way the Nurse is opposing in her regards of Romeo and Paris, When Friar Laurence clandestinely married them, the way the Nurse is […]
  • “Analysis of Causes of Tragic Fate in Romeo and Juliet Based on Shakespeare’s View of Fate” by Jie Li The article is easy to read and makes a compelling case for the reasons that precipitated the tragedy in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

🏫 500-Word College Essay Topics

  • Describe a book or movie that made a profound impact on you.
  • What academic achievement influenced your career choice?
  • Share the life lesson you’ve learned from a memorable mistake.
  • Write about the impact of a mentor on your academic or personal growth.
  • Describe a life-changing act of kindness.
  • How did participation in a community service project influence you?
  • Tell about a project or initiative you’ve started and its impact.
  • Talk about the time when you stood up for your beliefs.
  • What is your vision of a better world? How do you plan to contribute?
  • How did you discover your passion for a particular field of study?

📌 500 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 500 word essay is how many pages.

How many pages is 500 words of academic text? According to the guidelines of all the key citation styles, one page should contain approximately 250 words (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced). If you follow these guidelines, your 500-word essay will be 2 pages. If you make it single-spaced, it will take one page.

📌 How Much Is 500 Words in Paragraphs?

How many paragraphs is a 500-word essay? Since a typical paragraph in academic writing contains 50-100 words, an essay of 500 words will consist of 5 to 7 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 500 Words?

How many sentences is a 500-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 500 words are not less than 25-28 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 500-Word Essay?

A 500-word essay outline usually follows a standard five-paragraph structure. Start your paper with a short introduction that includes an attention-grabber, some background information, and a thesis. Then add three body paragraphs that focus on your arguments. Finish your 500-word paper with a conclusion that contains a restated thesis and a summary of your ideas.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 500 Words?

How long does it take to write a 500-word essay? It will take you 10-20 minutes to type 500 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend not less than 1 hour and 40 minutes for a 500-word paper.

📌 How Many Body Paragraphs Are in a 500 Word Essay?

A typical 500 words essay consists of 4 to 6 paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs should contain 75-150 words.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 23). 500 Word Essay Examples + Topic Ideas. https://ivypanda.com/essays/words/500-words-essay-examples/

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Structure suggestions for a 500 word essay

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By Amy Price DPhil (Oxon)

The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. It is ok to use 10% less or more words.

The main components of a 500-word essay include:

  • This first step is to write a topic sentence. This could be a question or statement that you will answer or explain in the balance of the essay. The other sentences in the first paragraph open up the topic and can be 3-4 sentences. (60-90 words) 
  • Some people use the PEE principle (point, evidence , explanation). At the most use 1 point per paragraph.
  • Every paragraph should be able to stand on its own and also lead into the next paragraph. (You can test this by reading it back to yourself aloud).
  • The body of the essay will be about 290-360 words with paragraphs using (70-120 words).
  • Remind your reader about your key points and bring them together.
  • Answer the question with your solution, not something a system, government, or groups should do.
  • Share what you and readers might do about the points you raised or if it is about you how this changed you and how this helped.
  • Remember your reader is craving a sense of closure, something to think about or a resolution. If it is a position or placement you are applying for they want to say yes! 

Some extra tips for short essay success

Some people like to use a mind mapping tool where they can organise their essay thoughts and many of these are free, simple and available on a phone.

Use an online dictionary to find connector words for writing help and to avoid repetition.

Tell your story/essay to someone and record this with your phone as the way you explain it to a living person may be clearer than what you have in writing.

Write your essay like an email or tell it to SIRI and record as an email and then improve by editing this.

Use a spell checker and read to make sure the essay edits your spell checker makes are correct.

Try Grammarly, the free version is all you need for a short essay

Do not worry about tenses and which person (first , second or third) to use on the first essay draft. Change it later instead.

Do your own work and have fun!

The views expressed here are the authors and they do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Stanford University School of Medicine. External websites are shared as a courtesy. They are not endorsed by the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The introductory paragraph is to get your reader's attention and lay a foundation for your essay.

Amy Price, DPhil (Oxon) Editor, The Mentor

How to Write a 500 Word Essay, With Outline

Published by gudwriter on February 1, 2022 February 1, 2022

500 Words Essay Writing

Sometimes, writing a 500-word essay can be quite a daunting task. It is challenging to identify the things that you must include and those that you can leave out in most cases. Moreover, depending on the topic that you are handling, five hundred words might not be enough to cover all the details. Thus, your essay should have three well developed and illustrated parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion.

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Here are the Five Paragraphs for Your Research Essay

I. introduction.

  • Creative opening to catch the audience’s attention. Students can use quotes, interesting facts, and figures, jokes or anecdotes, etc.
  • Background information
  • Preview of the main points of the essay.
  • Thesis Statement affirms the main idea of the essay.

Paragraph 1

  • The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and transitions from the paragraph before it.
  • Supporting details defend or strengthen the topic sentence. Students should use at least two supporting details in each paragraph.
  • Supporting details can include facts, examples, and expert opinions about a specific subject. If primary or secondary sources are used, students must use MLA parenthetical citations.

 Paragraph 2

  • The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and transitions the paragraph before it.
  • Supporting details defend or strengthen the topic sentence.

Paragraph 3

  • Supporting details defend or strengthen the topic sentence
  • More paragraphs can be created using the same format.

III. Conclusion

  • Restate the thesis statement. Students should reword the thesis statement.
  • Summarize the main points. Students should reword topic sentences.
  • Tie to Opening. Students should relate their conclusion to the opening of the essay.

 If your ideas are not flowing as smoothly as you want them to, do not procrastinate but instead make use of our effective essay maker tool .

Make a Plan

Do extensive research on your subject of interest and outline the essential points. As you make this plan, add the necessary hints, and eliminate ideas that you might deem unnecessary. An outline is the best way to avoid reckless mistakes and be more coherent. 

It also allows you to stick to the topic and prevent irrelevancy.

Main Parts of a 500-Word Essay

1. title .

The headline is the most critical part of an essay. Without it, the readers might not show any interest in the piece. Thus, it should capture the audience’s attention while describing what the reader expects in the essay. 

For instance, “ Why China’s Path to the Top is Unstoppable. ” For effective essay titles that will grab your readers attention, use our free essay title generator .

2. Introduction 

This comes right after you have written the skeleton of your essay. It would help if you tactfully designed your introduction to capture the attention of your reader. It determines whether your audience will read or ignore your work. It should be straight to the point, without fluff or unimportant information. Introduce and briefly describe your subject. 

The introduction of your essay should be appealing and captivating. State your thesis statement to inform your reader about your argument. Ideally, let your introduction be 100 words, just like each of the paragraphs. 

There is also one tip that most students do not know about. That is, they are allowed to write the introduction of the essay when they feel most comfortable. Some students prefer writing it before they start working on the body, while others prefer writing the introduction at the end.

The introduction is where most students get stuck, but once they pull it through their essay flow. Do not waste too much time on the introduction if you can start with other parts of the essay.

For example ;

Eye-capturing thesis statement: China is going to overtake the United States on GDP to become the world’s wealthiest country.                                                              

Other supportive sentences: The Far East country’s economy is proliferating, and many pundits believe it’s a renaissance (N Phillips – Nature, 2017). 

The world’s largest population not only banks on its favorable demographics, but also lays strategies towards becoming a global economic leader. Choosing its trade treaties wisely to ensure they always end up with the better deal. Again, the country has open policies when it comes to offering loans to other countries, and this has increased its share in the world market. Here are the reasons China will be top of the world in a few years. 

3. Body 

This is the central part of your essay. It is usually the longest, and it supports your thesis statement. Ensure that you thoroughly elaborate on your points. It is also crucial to develop them so that you can answer all the reader’s questions. 

In this part, state facts and cite credible sources to support them. Focus on the essential points and information. 

Each paragraph should cover a distinct point elaborated in 100 words. In a 500 word essay, you need to keep it brief. The body contains about three paragraphs. 

For example ; 

China has a large market base. The local population provides the country with a favorable domestic market and a cheap labor force. China’s population stands at 1,451,387,010, which forms about a fifth of the global consumer base (United Nations, 2022). The majority of their products are sold locally, but the rest is distributed to its overseas market. Overseas, the Asian giant has trade treaties with several countries in Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, which allows the sale of their products (China Embassy Org., 2017). Thus, Chinese industries can produce large amounts of products at a low cost and then sell them to a large market. This explains why her industries are expanding and, ultimately, boosting economic growth. 

4. Conclusion 

After you have described all your points in your body, you can then write the conclusion. This section forms the last part of writing your essay. This is where you provide a recap of what you have written in your body. Restate your thesis statement and also summarize the points that you have used to support it. Like the introduction, it should be appealing to prevent your audience from regretting why they read your paper. 

Example of a 500-word essay conclusion 

China owes its rapid economic growth to a plethora of factors. First, the Asian giant has set out favorable strategies to get there, such as signing favorable agreements and loaning local investors. Second, the country has an extensive domestic and international market for its products. The country serves as the second most crucial trading ally for Europe and the most important for Africa. 

Third, China has a favorable policy for the growth of its local economy. They sieve out the products that get to their country and execute an affirmative action towards local producers. Together, these factors project to China becoming the world’s leader in economic matters. 

500-Word Essay Outline

If you want to enjoy writing your essay, you must start with an outline before diving into writing. An outline will come in handy in a myriad of ways. Note that you will have to write down how your paragraphs will be organized in the outline. This will ensure that your essay is cohesive, as much as it is short.

An outline also ensures that no points are left out, and they are organized so that the essay will make sense to the reader. It also provides that every idea that the writer has is fully developed. Getting stuck when writing essays is nothing new to students. However, some students no longer get stuck after realizing how an outline helps ideas flow.

Tips and Pointers on Writing a 500-Word Essay

1. proofreading .

After you are done writing your essay, proofread it. This enables you to eliminate all the careless mistakes you might have made while writing it. If you are not fully satisfied or happy with the piece, this is the time to make corrections.

Like all essays, there are certain things that you ought to be careful about when writing a five hundred word essay. 

2. Plagiarism 

Plagiarism happens when you copy someone’s ideas, text, or any other writing piece and present it as your own. When you plagiarize your work, it loses all credibility, and for most readers, it is a significant turn-off. You must, therefore, include the sources of the information that you have used. To be safe, cite your work appropriately and give a list of your references at the end. 

Also, to ensure nothing in your essay that screams unoriginal, ensure that you run your work through a plagiarism checker .

3. Style and tone 

How you choose to write your five hundred word essay determines whether your target audience likes it. Use descriptive words and a unique, simple style that they can easily understand. Using jargon might not be the best way to convey the information that you intend to. One reader might like and admire you for it; another might loathe your work. 

It would help if you also used the right tone, depending on the topic that you are tackling.  

4. Cohesiveness 

How well do your ideas flow? When you are writing the essay, always make sure that your ideas flow well and logically. This maintains the attention of the reader and allows them to read your article to the end. 

As hard as you may think it is at first, writing a 500-word essay is easy. All you have to do is carefully craft your introduction, body, and conclusion. You also have to avoid plagiarism and using the wrong style and tone. Again, it is vital to make sure that you have presented the ideas in your content flow. Now that you understand how to write a 500-word essay, also get to know how to write a descriptive essay .

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500 Word Essay – Writing Guide and Examples

Jan 27, 2022

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Jan 27, 2022 | Blog

A perfect 500-word essay typically consists of 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph for the introduction, three paragraphs for the body section, and one paragraph for the conclusion.

For beginners, their first essay is required to complete in a maximum 500-word limit

500-word essays are popular in the education system for two reasons:

  • They are short – a student should not take ages to finish.
  • Still, they are long enough to accommodate all the basic elements of an academic paper (introduction, body, and conclusion).

That said, it still requires effort to research and write a 500-word paper.

In this ultimate type of essay writing, we will guide you on how to create an outline for such an essay and explain how you should write each section of the essay.

Also, we have provided two exemplary samples that put the information in this guide into perspective.

 Definition of a 500-word essay

A 500-word essay is an interesting type of essay writing that requires the writer to convey their experience or opinion on an issue. An essay of 500 words is not a specific type, but rather an established common format that may be followed while writing different types such as:

  • Argumentative Essay
  • Analytical Essay
  • Narrative Essay
  • Critical Essay
  • Reflective Essay
  • Scholarship Essay

Teachers love to assign 500-word assignments, and they help students learn critical analytical writing skills quickly. As a student, it is advisable to follow this required essay format of essay writing carefully to get your idea.

A 500 words essay is the easiest to write and also the most difficult. The answer will depend on both the story and the writer.

500 Word Essay Topics

The best essay topics are waiting for you. Read on to find the topic that speaks to your heart and head, then get writing.

  • Describe your favorite trip.
  • Education should be free.
  • Students should not be allowed to play PUBG
  • Should plastic be banned?
  • The best day of your life.
  • What do you mean by punctuality?
  • Smoking in public places should be banned.
  • Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
  • Pollution due to Urbanization
  • Causes of racism.
  • Facebook should be banned.
  • What are the challenges of people living with disabilities?
  • Selling Tobacco should be banned
  • How to avoid problems at college.
  • What is the objective of your life?
  • What is honesty?
  • Is it possible to earn on the internet?
  • Abstract art and its impact on people.

The list of topics we have compiled for you is comprehensive and will appeal to various interests. If your instructor has not assigned the topic, you can choose from the above list and start the writing process.

Requirements Of A 500 Word Essay

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

500-word essays differ in goals – they could be informative, argumentative, expository, analytical, comparative, and so on.

Whatever the paper’s goal, you should not go beyond the five-hundred-words limit, which is about two pages on a double-spacing page count. But on single spacing page count, its one page despite being 500 words on the word counter on Google docs or Microsoft Word processors.

Like most essays, it should have an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

In most cases, it takes the classic 5-paragraph structure , where the first paragraph is the introduction, the last paragraph, the conclusion, and the other paragraphs are the body.

How To Write A 500 Word Essay?

Writing a 500-word essay is creative and engaging because it requires you to be persuasive, informative, or discuss trending topics.

The 500-word essay structure has three sections: an introduction with your thesis statement (your claim) and supporting arguments.

An elaboration of the points in the body paragraphs by using evidence from outside sources such as articles/evidence books.

Then finally, sum up everything that has been discussed so far before coming back to your original argument, which should come first when writing an essay.

Follow the following steps to write an excellent 500-word essay .

1. Conduct Your Research For Such an Essay

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

An essay is not the same as a  research paper , but preparing one for college still asks for preliminary research.

Well-written essays are founded on solid arguments , which means that you’ll need authentic evidence and references from reliable sources to back your original claims.

Some types of essays, like reflective essays , do not require research, but you will still need to think about the personal experiences to write.

To avoid forgetting your main points, jot down short notes as you research.

2 Create an outline

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

An outline, basically, is a rough draft of the paper you will write.

Be it detailed or rough; an outline should serve as a skeleton for your entire essay.

Its purpose is to help you break down a topic logically, structure your thoughts, and make them clearer and more coherent. Use headings to separate arguments into paragraphs and start expanding on them.

It guides you on the structure and highlights the content to include in each paragraph.

With an outline, you are not likely to get stuck when you start writing your paper .

In the paper, an outline can help break down ideas logically and in a structured way.

This prevents messy writing that makes it difficult for readers to follow your thoughts or arguments; instead, they will be able to see how you are building on each point sequentially.

3. Write your paper

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

With good research and an outline, you are ready to write your paper.

Write A Strong Introduction

Do you know how some people start their writing with an intriguing introduction?

Well, your first paragraph is the same for a 500-word essay. Introduce your topic quickly and grab their attention from the beginning to continue reading to learn more about what you have to say.

An introduction plays an important role in making an impression on the reader’s mind.

Based on the introduction, the readers decide whether they want to read the rest of the essay or not. Here is how you can compose the  introduction paragraph :

  • It should start with a strong hook that grabs the reader’s attention immediately.
  • Provide a little background information that helps the reader understand the topic.
  • Conclude the intro with a compelling thesis that you will support in the body.

The introduction to an essay can set the tone for the rest of your paper. The opening paragraph should introduce a topic and give readers some idea of what they may encounter as you elaborate on that point throughout the text.

Ending with a strong and relevant thesis statement will be enough encouragement for them to continue reading, even if it’s not so interesting at first glance.

Composing The Body Paragraphs

The body section of your 500-word essay is the key to successful work. It provides your arguments and backing with facts, personal interpretation, or examples to convince the reader you have their best interest at heart.

The main points for success in the body paragraphs part in a 500-word essay are:

  • It’s important to examine the main point of view when discussing a topic. We must provide solid facts to support any argument or opinion.
  • Introduce a new idea with detailed information, examples, and evidence from reliable sources.
  • Make sure every idea described in the body paragraphs is concise and relevant throughout.
  • Make clear transitions between body paragraphs and sentences for the readers to understand the relationship between your ideas.

Write An Impressive Conclusion

The final section of the essay summarizes its main argument. You’ll restate your thesis statement and analyze it with some points from within the body section.

Finally, finish off with how these insights have led to new connections or conclusions about what it means to be human.

The conclusion paragraph to a paper should not simply repeat what was said in the introduction. Create an insightful ending that will make your readers want more information about the topic you discussed without reiterating everything they’ve just read.

4. Edit your final draft

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

Revise and edit your work until you are satisfied; you have come up with the best possible version of the essay .

As you edit your work , pay attention to the strength of your points and the flow of ideas.

Of course, correct grammar errors and typos.

5. Have someone else proofread your work

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

Human beings tend to be oblivious to their own mistakes.

Therefore, it is advisable to have someone else proofread your work and give you feedback.

The Best 500 Word Essay Length

Many students wonder about three things when they see an assignment that requires them to write 500 words.

How long does a 500-word essay take?

How many paragraphs should make up this type of paper, and finally, do you need any special font or formatting requirements for such papers?

The answers seem simple enough, but if someone asked me those same questions, I would be wondering too!

This article will elaborate on all three points so your worries can lay down with ease, knowing exactly what 1 page equals, as well as some helpful hints.

How Many Pages Is A 500-word Essay?

A 500-word essay takes about 1 page if single-spaced, while double spacing means the paper would measure around 1 ½ pages long. Also, try sticking to the commonly used fonts such as Times New Roman or Arial.

How Many Body Paragraphs Is A 500 Word Essay?

A good rule of thumb is 5 paragraphs: one-paragraph introduction, three body paragraphs, and finally ending with a conclusion that sums up everything from before while providing new information about how this knowledge will help readers out. Each of these sections has a particular purpose and a recommended word count.

The most important aspect of a 500-word essay is the word count. Beginners should be careful to follow this rule because it will help ensure that their writing does not exceed 500 words. They can still make an effective argument supporting or against whatever topic may arise on any given day.

You’re given 500 words from the start. Your introduction must be 100-words long, and you should have 3 body paragraphs totaling 300 words in length. Keep your conclusion to just 100 more or less so that it doesn’t take anything away from what came before. It would help if you asked about going over the word count because it depends on the instructor.

How To Create An Outline For A 500 Word Essay

Writing a 500 Word Essay - Easy Guide

An outline for your 500-word paper should include the following sections:

1. Introduction and Thesis Statement

The introduction states your thesis.

It should also have a hook , a statement, fact, or rhetorical question that will grab the reader’s attention.

In a 500 word essay , the introduction will not be long (it will be about 50 words).

However, you should ensure in that small paragraph; you clearly inform the reader of the purpose of your paper.

The body consists of three paragraphs.

Each paragraph should present a new point, idea, or argument.

Remember, you have a specific word limit – so keep everything brief by going straight to the point.

3. Conclusion

We all know what you are expected to do in conclusion, summarizing the main ideas in your paper.

Also, remember to restate your thesis and relate it to your main points.

However, if you want a strong conclusion, consider finishing it with a rhetorical question, questions for further research, or a call to action.

500 Word Essay Examples To Improve Your Writing Skills

The 500-word essay can be difficult to understand, especially when the instructor is unclear about what they want. But thanks to these great examples and sample essays with various topics and styles, understanding will no longer be an issue. See the following example:

500-word Essay Example #1

500-word essay example #2, get reliable help for your 500 word essay.

So now you know what a 500-word essay is, how to write one, and the best length.

Writing an essay of 500-word essay format seems easy, but different types of students find difficulty in the actual writing process.

If it’s still unclear or you need help with your own essay, contact us for reliable assistance from our team of experts who are ready to answer any questions that come up along the way.

We are an online essay help of specialists who can write any essay topic, follow the provided important instructions, and provide the required length of the paragraphs.

We offer live chat support so that there’s never an off time when we can’t offer guidance on writing essays at all hours. No matter which question comes up about your paper or brainstorming for ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out.

You’ll get weekly tips and tricks for improving your own writing and for achieving academic success through your writing.

We also have the experts and services necessary to provide great help in creating a well-formulated, high-quality essay that will score higher than your competition’s.

Our team of professional essay writers holds graduate and professional degrees from major universities. It has helped many students in their academic careers with writing essays at any length, including those for college admissions or scholarship essays.

If you’re looking for reliable assistance with your essay, our native English professional writers can make it happen.

sarah Bentley

With a passion for helping students navigate their educational journey, I strive to create informative and relatable blog content. Whether it’s tackling exam stress, offering career guidance, or sharing effective study techniques

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  1. How to Write a 500 Word Essay [Structure + Format]

    3.1 Create An Outline. 3.2 Write A Strong Introduction. 3.3 Composing The Body Paragraphs. 3.4 Write An Impressive Conclusion. 4 500-Word Essay Examples. 5 500-Word Essay Topics. 6 Tips for Writing a Great 500-Word Essay. We can say that a 500-word essay length is the best of both worlds. It is longer than a 250-word essay, so you have more ...

  2. How to Write a 500 Word Essay

    Let's take a closer look at how a 500-word essay is set up and what each part does to make the writing strong and clear. 1- Introduction: Start with a compelling hook or a thought-provoking question to engage your reader. Provide a clear thesis statement that covers the main idea or argument of your essay.

  3. 500 Word Essay

    The standard 500-word essay template has 5 paragraphs. It has one introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. The word count is divided into 5 paragraphs evenly. The introduction and conclusion are 100 words long each. While the body paragraphs need to be 300 words long.

  4. 500 Word Essay

    Create an Outline for A 500-Word Essay. The outline is an element of an essay that can save time, make things easy, and earn a better grade. Just write down all the main features and arguments you want to discuss in your 500-word essay. This will help you to get back on track if you forget the things you wanted to write about.

  5. Writing a 500 Word Essay: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

    Drafting the Essay. The first step in writing a 500 word essay is to draft the essay. This involves brainstorming ideas, outlining the essay, and writing a rough draft. When brainstorming ideas, it is important to focus on a specific topic and come up with a clear thesis statement.

  6. 500 Word Essay Guide from Nerds (UPDATED for 2019)

    From there on, the entire process of writing a 500 word essay should go as follows. Step 1: Drafting an Outline. Be it detailed or rough, an outline should serve as a skeleton for your entire ...

  7. Easy Guide To Writing A Killer 500 Word Essay (W/ Example)

    How to Format a 500-Word Scholarship Essay. The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. The main components of a 500-word ...

  8. How to Write a 500 Word Essay

    Follow our concise step-by-step guide to write an effective 500 word essay: Start with an outline. Applying the outline to an example. Deciding on how many examples to use. Don't worry about the word count in your first draft. Don't forget to proofread!

  9. How to Write an Essay Outline

    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.

  10. 500-word Essay: A writing guide with tips, tricks, and examples

    A 500 words essay is nearly the same as a two-page essay. It is mostly assigned in college, university, and high school. From its name, it is clear that a 500-word essay is an essay that requires you to follow the 5-paragraph essay format. It involves writing on a topic, an issue, or a question in five hundred words.

  11. 500 Words Essay: Writing Steps (Guide), Tips, Outline, and Topics

    A 500-word essay is an essay that is 500 words long. Usually, you are advised not to exceed the word limit. So, if asked to write a 500-word essay, you should try not to write a word beyond 500. When typed, it is usually about 1.5 pages long. And when handwritten, it is often between two to three pages long.

  12. How to Write a 500 Word Essay: Guide for Students

    2. Create a 500 word essay outline. Before writing a 500 word essay, make a plan attributing what will be in the introduction, in the main part, and in the conclusion. Thus, you will have your thoughts formed in paragraphs; you will know what is being said in each part. 3.

  13. 500-word Essay: Tips For Successful Writing

    Learn how to write a perfect 500-word essay. In our helpful guide you can find recommendations about appropriate structure, outline, format, suitable topics and essay types as well as basic writing tips. ... How to Compose a 500-Word Paper Outline. If you want to write good work, you need a plan. After all, a 500 word essay without a plan is ...

  14. Here's How You Can Pen the Perfect 500 Word Essay

    A 500-word essay is a piece of writing considered a common requirement among students. This paper usually has three parts: an introductory statement or thesis statement, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. The 500-word essay format may have a consistent structure. But the types of essays vary according to the subject matter or requirement.

  15. How to Write an Essay Outline

    Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints. To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

  16. 500 Word Essay Examples + 500 Word Essay Topics

    500-Word Essay Structure. If you want to write an excellent 500-word essay, then make sure to outline it first. A standard 5-paragraph piece will have the following structure: 1 intro paragraph that provides the necessary background and states your thesis; 3 body paragraph with a detailed presentation of all evidence and arguments

  17. Structure suggestions for a 500 word essay

    The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. It is ok to use 10% less or more words. The main components of a 500-word ...

  18. How to Write a 500 Word Essay

    Each paragraph should cover a distinct point elaborated in 100 words. In a 500 word essay, you need to keep it brief. The body contains about three paragraphs. For example ; China has a large market base. The local population provides the country with a favorable domestic market and a cheap labor force.

  19. 500 Word Essay

    How To Create An Outline For A 500 Word Essay. An outline for your 500-word paper should include the following sections: 1. Introduction and Thesis Statement. The introduction states your thesis. It should also have a hook, a statement, fact, or rhetorical question that will grab the reader's attention.

  20. How To Write An Amazing 500 Word Essay For College And ...

    It might also be impossible to input more than 500 words for your essay if you're applying online. So, if the prompt asks for 500 words, aim to write somewhere between 400-500 words! #5 Don't submit your first draft Your first draft for any essay will never be your best draft. And that's okay. It isn't supposed to be.

  21. How to write an effective outline for academic essays

    The advantages of writing an outline for any essay whether a short 500-word essay or a 10,000-word senior thesis are: Structure: following a coherent flow and giving some order to your ideas. Focus: prevents you from going off on a tangent.

  22. Outline Template for Essay

    Literacy Essay Analysis Outline Example (udc.edu) Download. Narrative Essay Outline Format for PDF (rbgusd.k12.ca.us) Download. Persuasive Essay Outline Example (english-zone.com) Download. Research Proposal Essay Outline for PDF (alexandercollege.ca) Download. Sample Argumentative Essay Outline for PDF.