short essay response

The short-response essay is the most common type of writing students will encounter, but many don't understand how to approach it.

The Short Essay -- A Misunderstood Fellow

It is called by many names - the short essay, the short response, the essay paragraph, or, my favorite, the power paragraph . Whatever you call this piece of writing, it is easily the most commonly-written and generally misunderstood essay form out there. Multiple-paragraph essays stand as the paragons of academic composition, with the five-paragraph essay occupying the role of the grand old classic. But multiple-paragraph essays, when done properly, are thorough discussions ambitiously undertaken. They take time to write, and they take time to grade. As an English teacher, I assign a multiple-paragraph paper perhaps once or twice a month, and occasionally, I assign timed, multiple-paragraph papers.

What I assign weekly, if not twice or thrice weekly, however, are short-response tasks that generally follow some type of literature study or mini-unit and which students can complete in 15-45 minutes. These responses are definitely structured pieces of writing that follow a certain pattern and that are composed of specific elements, namely, a hook, a thesis or topic statement, evidence of some sort, analysis or commentary, and a closer. They are a great way to check for student understanding and a wonderful opportunity to reinforce academic-writing fundamentals without killing me with a truckload of papers to assess (More on reducing grading time at the end of this article).

Essaypop features pre-made, short-response templates that guide students through critical essay elements in a methodical and comprehensible way. Let's take a look at how this structure works, and just how diverse and flexible it is.

First, the template in its most basic form

The short-response template begins with the essential elements of a good academic paragraph. Again, these are a hook, a thesis or topic statement, evidence of some sort, analysis or commentary, and a closer. Here's what the writing area looks like when students first see it. Notice that each element is color-coded and that helpful advice about each element shows up in a retractable sidebar.

Now let's take a look at the templates, populated with student writing.

And of course, the frames are always being converted into an MLA document in real-time.

Notice that the writer is able to take on each important element one at a time. We have found that this approach takes a lot of pressure off of students, thus alleviating much of their writer's block. The color-coding helps kids internalize and remember the elements, even when they are not composing on essaypop. Also, notice that this is a formidable paragraph at 382 words. This is why we feel that it is more accurately called an essay paragraph or power paragraph. These are the kinds of responses that allow students to fully and cogently express themselves in shorter windows of time. It is also the type of writing that tends to allow students to do extraordinarily well when responding to standardized-test prompts.

Modifying and Augmenting the Template

The basic template can be modified as needed. New frames or boxes can easily be added, and they can be arranged and rearranged to create different types of cohesion and flow. This example, at 408 words, is starting to like more of a short essay as opposed to a paragraph, and perhaps even a paragraph break (or two) would be advised. The ability to add elements and rearrange them gives the writer absolute flexibility while ensuring that students have all of the critical elements within their essays.

And remember, every writing frame has a collection of dedicated sentence stems and phrases that students can select from to begin composing each element of their essays. Over time, they begin to learn and internalize these phrases.

Think of the short-response essay or power paragraph as an everyday writing task, something that can be assigned after a discussion, a mini-unit, or upon finishing up with a piece of literature. They can take anywhere from 15 -45 minutes to complete and are a great way to quickly see if students are comprehending and able to discuss the concepts within a lesson being taught. And our lightning-fast assessment tool makes grading this type of writing quite easy for the teacher, so they won't "pile up".

Feel free to guide students through creating all kinds of different paragraph and essay structures using this template. Here a useful article called "Master These Paragraph Structures and You'll Master Essay Writing" . Share it with your students and use it to inform your writing lessons.

Finally, The essaypop Style Guide goes into great detail about short-response writing and gets into the nitty-gritty of each essay element.

How To Teach Students to Write Effectively in a Short-Response World

Like it or not, we now live in a short-response world.

From emails to cross-curricular writing tasks to social media posts to standardized tests and assessments across the disciplines, short response rules the day. Attention spans are down, information overload is up, and the people who know how to be pointed, concise, and cogent with brisk, clean, mechanically sound writing possess a valuable skill that will serve them well in and out of school for the rest of their lives.

A Simple, Effective Writing System

Becoming a confident, capable writer in today’s world begins with mastering the skills to compose evidence-based short-response writing. And when it comes to building rock-solid short-response writers, simplicity leads to success.

The Triple C writing system, which I outline in  Mastering Short-Response Writing , is all about simplicity.

• The instructional model is simple.
• The student writing tasks are simple.
• The escalation of cognitive demands is simple.

It’s focused on argumentative and expository writing that scaffolds students toward concise and convincing responses to a prompt—an approach particularly effective for raising the skill sets of low-performing writers.

The Triple Cs

Teaching students how to craft rock-solid short responses is not merely a bridge to teaching multiparagraph essay writing; teaching students how to write rock-solid short responses is a highly valuable skill in and of itself.

To build strong student writers with skills that transfer across the disciplines—as well as beyond the classroom walls—we have to teach young writers how to compose an expository or argumentative short response that:

• Makes a claim.  CLAIM IT!
• Supports the claim with evidence.  CITE IT!
• Connects the evidence to the claim to create a rock-solid response.  CEMENT IT!

Through the Triple Cs, students not only learn the material, but the learning sticks! This will last our kids a lifetime. And to do so well open a world of possibility.

However, don’t mistake the simplicity of the Triple C writing system for inelegance or nonrigor. By the time your students have progressed through the Triple Cs, you’ll discover that by concentrating on simplicity you have opened a door to both complexity and creativity. Student writing will flourish but it will do so based on nothing more opulent than sound fundamentals.

To learn more about  Mastering Short-Response Writing: Claim It! Cite It! Cement It! ,  you can purchase the book  here .

About the author:

Alan Sitomer  is a California Teacher of the Year award winner and the founder of The Writer’s Success Academy. He’s taught English to urban high school students and has written more than 16 trade books for children and adolescents. He combines his passion for teaching and writing as a graduate-course lecturer, educational consultant, and inspirational keynote speaker. 

5 Tips for Providing Effective Feedback on Student Writing

Strong writing instructors understand that timely feedback is essential if your responses are going to have real value. However, for most writing teachers, this presents a conundrum.

Assessing writing in general can suck up lots of time. And when you’re a classroom teacher, time is a rare and precious commodity. Therefore, you face the double bind of either staying up till 1:00 in the morning just to get your students’ work evaluated or providing feedback to your young writers so many days after they’ve composed their work that both the assignment and their response are long since forgotten.

Hmm… what to do?

Well, the good news is that it’s not an either/or scenario. You can have your cake and eat it, too.

Here are five tips from  Mastering Short-Response Writing  that can help you provide timely feedback, manage the paper load, and execute a productive plan for student revisions.

1. Assign one short response writing task for five days, starting on Monday.  On Friday, have your students revise and proofread their BEST piece of work and turn in only that one for credit (with an emphasis on “this one is REALLY going to count!”) Then on Monday, provide feedback. The students wrote for five days (lots of formative practice), yet you only had to read one assignment (a reasonable volume for the teacher), and you’ve gotten to see their “best” effort. Of course, this also lets you clearly see your students’ strengths and weaknesses in a way that allows you to better plan your next phase of instruction.

2. Consider the complexity of the task.  New concepts that are intellectually demanding (such as the Third C: Cement it!) almost always require on-the-spot feedback. Therefore, plan accordingly because the immediacy of feedback is essential to effective instruction. On the other hand, things like spelling mistakes don’t require you to be standing over the shoulder of the student.

3. Avoid platitudes.  It’s common for teachers to scrawl “AWESOME!” across the top of a paper, but while we applaud the spirit of the comment, the writer is left to guess what exactly was “AWESOME!” about their work. Be precise in order to anchor skills. Instead of “AWESOME!” perhaps you write “AWESOME USE OF QUOTATION MARKS!” It takes a wee bit longer to pen but the positive returns on the extra effort make a huge difference.

4. Provide equal time to  all  kids.  All too often low-performing students get more attention than high-performing students. Is your allocation of feedback evenly balanced across your entire classroom? Do your top writers get an equal share of your attention? Always something to keep an eye on.

5. Plan more face-to-face time than face-to-page time.  Spending more time with your students’ writing than with your student writers is an easy trap to fall into. When you make comments on the writing, compose them as if the student were sitting right there next to you. Visualizing the student in this way as you assess written work helps keep you in sync with teaching the writer and not the writing.

To learn more about  Mastering Short-Response Writing: Claim It! Cite It! Cement It!,  you can purchase the book  here .

ENGL000: Pre-College English

Guide to short essay response rubric.

Grading Rubric for: 

• Reflection on the Sherlock Holmes Reading Essay Quiz
• Reflection on 'The Five Orange Pips' Essay Quiz
• Adventure of the Speckled Band Reflective Essay Assessment

Please use the rubric below to assess your essay response.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Responses should be no more than one to two paragraphs in length and thoughtfully composed.
• Review the tone of your response. Ask yourself what your reaction would be if you received it. Look for areas that might be misunderstood and rewrite these sentences to remove any ambiguity.
• Please proofread your response and look for grammar and spelling errors that may detract from your meaning.

Below is a sample essay question (different from the questions used in quiz assignments) along with two sample responses from students. Using the rubric above, what grade would you assign these students? How do these compare to the response you've written for your own assigned essay prompt?

The class is nearing completion. Think back on your experiences over the last 10 weeks, the challenges you overcame to get to the end, the stories you read, and the skills you have learned.

Imagine you could go back to the beginning of the course, what one thing do you wish you would have known then that you know now? Think of some tip or suggestion that would have been the most helpful to you 10 weeks ago?

Student responses:

"After 10 weeks I would say one thing I wish would have known than that I know now is really using context clues and words to get a grip on the meaning of some things that I may be confused about. A suggestion that would have been the most helpful to me 10 weeks ago, is to read the material a couple times before rushing into anything else. I used the tips of the context clues and its surroundings in tests and homework questions to see if there was any key words that would help lead me to my answer. Also using it in reading material such as books is a huge factor. Yes, sometimes the answer or conclusion you come up with using such a technique may not always be right but if you use other resources as well it will give you a better understanding of everything that is being taught within the course."

"I really liked having an online class. I defiantly prefer it that having an English class in the classroom. English has never really been my favorite subject, so doing it online is way better than having to sit through a class. When I started the class, I kept an open mind, because I didn't know what to expect. I was kind of confused that we didn't have a textbook or any other reading material for that matter. I was really excited that everything was online and that I didn't have to read through section after section in a textbook. If you can't tell, I really don't like textbooks. It's also cheaper for the students if there isn't a textbook. I kind of wish my next English class it like this one. It wasn't complicated or anything."

Introduction

Goals and Goal Setting

Goals Common to All RST Writers

Other Goals to Consider

Defining My Own Goals

Advice about Assignments

Getting Started: Listing Topics to Write about in the Tutorial

Narrative One: Personal Piece on a Significant Experience

Narrative Two: Academic Piece on a Significant Experience

Summary/Response One

Summary/Response Two

Tutorial Evaluation Postscript

On Using the Resources for Writers

Generating and Developing Ideas

Finding/Expressing Main Ideas

Showing v. Telling Sentences

Focusing Topic Sentences

Thesis Statements

Reading Strategies

Assessing Your Reading Strategies

Summarizing

Writing Effective Summary and Response Essays

Discourse Analysis Worksheet

Trade Magazines

Selecting Readings

A summary is a concise paraphrase of all the main ideas in an essay. It cites the author and the title (usually in the first sentence); it contains the essay's thesis and supporting ideas; it may use direct quotation of forceful or concise statements of the author's ideas; it will NOT usually cite the author's examples or supporting details unless they are central to the main idea. Most summaries present the major points in the order that the author made them and continually refer back to the article being summarized (i.e. "Damon argues that ..." or "Goodman also points out that ... "). The summary should take up no more than one-third the length of the work being summarized.

The Response:

A response is a critique or evaluation of the author's essay. Unlike the summary, it is composed of YOUR opinions in relation to the article being summarized. It examines ideas that you agree or disagree with and identifies the essay's strengths and weaknesses in reasoning and logic, in quality of supporting examples, and in organization and style. A good response is persuasive; therefore, it should cite facts, examples, and personal experience that either refutes or supports the article you're responding to, depending on your stance.

Two Typical Organizational Formats for Summary/Response Essays:

1. Present the summary in a block of paragraphs, followed by the response in a block:

Intro/thesis Summary (two to three paragraphs) Agreement (or disagreement) Disagreement (or agreement) Conclusion

Note: Some essays will incorporate both agreement and disagreement in a response, but this is not mandatory.

2. Introduce the essay with a short paragraph that includes your thesis. Then, each body paragraph summarizes one point and responds to it, and a conclusion wraps the essay up.

Intro/thesis Summary point one; agree/disagree Summary point two; agree/disagree Summary point three; agree/disagree Conclusion

AFS Programs

How To Start A Response: Step-by-Step Guide

When you’re assigned to write a response to an article, a book, or even a restaurant review, it can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? What should you focus on? How can you analyze the text effectively? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide on how to start a response. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to writing a great response in no time!

The first thing you need to do is read the article, book, or review carefully. Take notes along the way to help you remember key points and important details. Once you’ve finished reading, take a moment to think about what you’ve read. What stood out to you? What did you agree or disagree with? These initial thoughts will help you decide on the focus of your response.

Next, it’s time to create an outline for your response. Start with a strong thesis statement that clearly states your main argument. This will be the backbone of your response and will help guide the rest of your writing. Use your outline to organize your thoughts and plan out the structure of your response. Make sure to include examples, evidence, and counterarguments to support your points.

As you move into the body of your response, make sure to take your time to explain your points and provide additional examples to support your arguments. Use strong and relevant evidence to back up your claims, and don’t forget to address any counterarguments that may arise. This will show the reader that you’ve thoroughly thought through your response and considered different perspectives.

When wrapping up your response, make sure to restate your thesis statement and summarize your main points. This will help to reinforce your argument and leave a lasting impression on the reader. Don’t forget to greet in a professional way and always ask if you can be of further help. Lastly, don’t forget to proofread your response for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-written and error-free response will make a much better impression on your teacher or professor!

Step-by-Step Guide on Starting a Response

Starting a response can sometimes be a daunting task, but with a step-by-step guide, you can easily break it down into manageable chunks. Here are some simple steps to help you get started:

1. Read and Understand the Prompt: Before you begin your response, make sure you thoroughly read and understand the prompt or question. Take note of any specific guidelines or requirements mentioned.

2. Identify the Main Points: Once you have grasped the key ideas of the prompt, identify the main points you want to address in your response. This will help you organize your thoughts and arguments.

3. Choose an Approach: Consider what type of response you want to write. Is it an academic essay, a report, or a personal reflection? Choose the approach that best suits the prompt and your writing style.

5. Provide Supporting Arguments: In the body paragraphs, present your arguments clearly and logically. Support them with relevant evidence, examples, and explanations. Use paragraphs to separate different ideas or points.

6. Avoid Brackets and Repetition: While it’s important to provide enough evidence and explanations, be cautious not to overuse brackets or repeat the same information multiple times. Keep the text concise and to the point.

7. Resuming the Arguments: In the concluding paragraph, summarize the main arguments you have made in your response. Restate your thesis statement and provide a brief concluding thought. Avoid introducing any new ideas or arguments at this point.

8. Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your response, make sure to proofread it for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Edit it for clarity, coherence, and flow of ideas. This will help you improve the overall quality of your paper.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more essays you write, the better you will become at starting your response. So don’t be afraid to seek feedback, ask for help, or think outside the box. Starting a response can be challenging, but the more you study, the more you work on it, the easier it will become.

Step 1: Understand the Prompt

Before you start writing your response, it’s important to fully understand the prompt or question that has been given to you. Taking the time to analyze and comprehend the prompt will help you structure your response effectively and ensure that you address all the necessary points.

Here are some helpful steps to follow when trying to understand the prompt:

By following these steps, you’ll be able to determine the main focus of the prompt and decide how to best approach your response. It’s also important to consider any particular personal experiences or examples that may be relevant to the prompt.

For example, if the prompt asks you to write a reflection on a book you read, you may want to think about the main themes, characters, and events that stood out to you. Similarly, if you are asked to write an essay on a historical event, consider the context, causes, and consequences.

Avoid making assumptions or overthinking the prompt. Stick to what is explicitly stated and ensure that your response directly addresses the question or task at hand.

By understanding the prompt thoroughly, you’ll be better equipped to start your response and provide a clear and concise summary of your thoughts and ideas.

Step 2: Analyze the Question

Take a moment to read the question carefully and identify the key words and phrases. Consider any specific conditions or examples that are mentioned. This will help you focus your response and ensure that you address all aspects of the question.

It’s also important to consider the type of writing you are being asked to do. Is it an academic essay, a personal reflection, or something else? Understanding the type of writing will help you choose the appropriate format and tone for your response.

Next, think about the arguments or ideas you want to include in your response. Are there any counterarguments that you need to address? What evidence or examples can you provide to support your points? Taking the time to brainstorm and plan your response will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow in your writing.

When analyzing the question, it’s also helpful to consider the audience for your response. Who will be reading it, and what are their expectations? This will help you choose the most appropriate language and tone for your writing.

Once you have analyzed the question and have a clear understanding of what is being asked, you can start writing your response. But don’t forget to refer back to the question periodically to make sure you stay on track and address all the necessary points.

Remember, analyzing the question is a key step in writing a good response. It helps you stay focused, organize your thoughts, and ensure that your response is complete and well-thought-out. So take the time to analyze the question and you will be well on your way to writing a successful and impactful response.

Step 3: Brainstorm Ideas and Key Points

Once you have a clear understanding of the prompt and have read or watched the article, video, or text that you need to respond to, it’s time to start brainstorming ideas and key points for your response.

Begin by jotting down any thoughts or feelings that come to mind as you reflect on the material. This can include your initial reactions, questions that arise, or any personal connections you make. Don’t worry about organizing these ideas just yet – the goal is to get everything down on paper.

Next, take a closer look at the prompt and identify the main points or key ideas that the author or creator is trying to convey. These may be explicitly stated or implied, so make sure to read between the lines. Consider the thesis statement or main argument, as well as any supporting evidence or examples that are provided.

As you analyze the text, try to put yourself in the author’s shoes. What conditions or experiences might have shaped their perspective? What message are they trying to communicate to the reader? Keep in mind that not everyone may have the same background or worldviews, so it’s important to consider different perspectives.

After gathering and analyzing these ideas, it’s time to decide on the focus of your response. What aspects of the material do you want to explore further? Are there any specific points or examples that you want to respond to? This will help you narrow down your ideas and create a more cohesive and focused response.

Once you have a clear focus, consider what evidence or examples you can use to support your points. Look for quotes, statistics, or specific examples from the material that can help strengthen your arguments. Remember to always cite your sources and provide proper attribution.

A helpful technique is to create a visual representation of your ideas. This could be in the form of bullet points, a mind map, or even a table. Use whatever method works best for you to organize your thoughts and establish the logical flow of your response.

When brainstorming, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Sometimes the most interesting and creative ideas come from unexpected connections or angles. Don’t forget to consider opposing viewpoints and anticipate counterarguments – this will make your response more thorough and well-rounded.

In summary, the brainstorming process is crucial for generating ideas and identifying key points in your response. By reflecting on the material, considering the author’s perspective, and organizing your thoughts, you’ll be better equipped to write a thoughtful and well-structured response.

Step 4: Craft a Clear Thesis Statement

A good thesis statement should be concise and specific. It should clearly state your position or claim on the topic you are writing about. This statement will be the main idea that you will support throughout your essay or paper.

When constructing your thesis statement, consider these simple steps:

Step 1: Analyze the prompt or topic

Read the prompt or topic carefully and make sure you understand it fully. Take some time to think about the key arguments or ideas that you want to address in your paper.

Step 2: Choose a position

Consider the arguments and evidence you have gathered and choose a position that you want to argue for. Remember, your thesis statement should reflect your main point of view.

Step 3: Summarize your main points

Consider your main points or arguments and think about how you can summarize them in one or two sentences. This summary will become your thesis statement.

Step 4: Craft a clear and focused thesis statement

Write your thesis statement, making sure it is clear, concise, and focused on your main argument. Avoid using vague language or general statements. Instead, aim for a specific and direct thesis statement that clearly states your position.

Remember, your thesis statement is not a summary or a personal feeling. It should be a strong and assertive statement that highlights the main point you will discuss in your essay or paper.

Here are some additional tips to consider when crafting your thesis statement:

• Make sure your thesis statement is arguable. It should not be a statement of fact that everyone agrees with.
• Consider including counterarguments in your thesis statement, as this shows a deeper understanding of the topic.
• Avoid using vague qualifiers such as “somewhat,” “kind of,” or “sometimes.” Be clear and confident in your statement.
• Think about the audience and the purpose of your essay or paper. Your thesis statement should address their needs and expectations.
• Take your time to refine your thesis statement. It is okay to go through multiple drafts before you settle on the perfect one.

Crafting a clear thesis statement may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a simple and straightforward process. Just remember to follow these steps and tips, and you’ll be on your way to writing a strong and effective thesis statement.

Step 5: Develop a Structured Outline

When creating your outline, first consider the main needs of your response. For instance, are you writing an academic paper where you’ll need to include a thesis statement and supporting arguments? Or are you writing a personal reflection where you can freely express your thoughts and feelings?

Next, break down your response into smaller sections or paragraphs. For example, you can choose to begin with a quick summary of the essay or article you are responding to, followed by an analysis of the author’s main arguments and evidence. Then, you can discuss your own thoughts and opinions on the topic.

Within each section or paragraph, think about what points you want to include. It may be helpful to jot down specific ideas or examples that support your main arguments. Don’t forget to include any important conditions or limitations that may affect your response.

Remember to keep your outline organized and logical. A well-structured outline makes it easier for both you and the reader to follow your thoughts and arguments. It also helps you avoid repeating information or going off-topic.

Here is an example of a structured outline:

• Summary: Provide a concise summary of the main points in the essay or article.
• Analysis: Analyze the author’s arguments, evidence, and any flaws or strengths in their reasoning.
• Personal Response: Share your own thoughts and opinions on the topic, supported by examples or personal experiences.

By following these steps and developing a structured outline, you’ll be better prepared to write a cohesive and well-organized response. It will also help you ensure that you address all the necessary points and support your arguments effectively. So, take the time to develop a good outline before you begin writing and you’ll find that the writing process becomes much easier and more enjoyable.

What is a response paper?

A response paper is a form of written communication that allows you to express your thoughts, feelings, and opinions on a particular piece of literature or any other topic.

How do I start writing a response paper?

To start writing a response paper, you should first read the piece of literature or article that you want to respond to. Then, you can brainstorm your thoughts and make notes on what stood out to you. After that, you can organize your thoughts, create an outline, and begin writing your response.

What should I include in a response paper?

In a response paper, you should include a brief summary of the piece of literature or article you are responding to, your personal thoughts and opinions, and examples or evidence to support your claims. You can also provide a critique or analysis of the work, discussing its strengths and weaknesses.

Can I use personal pronouns in a response paper?

Yes, you can use personal pronouns such as “I” and “me” in a response paper. Since it is a personal reflection, it is expected that you will be expressing your own thoughts and opinions. However, make sure to back up your statements with evidence or examples to support your claims.

By Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for studying aging, genetics, and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics. His scientific research has been published in the most reputable international magazines. Alex holds a BA in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Southern California , and a TEFL certification from The Boston Language Institute.

• A-Z Directory
• Campus Maps
• Faculties and Schools
• International
• People and Departments
• Become A Student
• Give to Memorial
• Faculty & Staff
• Online Learning
• Self Service
• Other MUN Login Services
• Academic Success Centre
• Learning skills resources

Exam Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Exams

Essay exams involve a significant written component in which you are asked to discuss and expand on a topic.  These could include written responses in the form of a formal essay or a detailed short-answer response.

• Short answer vs essay questions

Preparing for an essay exam

Answering essay questions.

Check out our visual resources for " Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions " below!

What is the difference between a short answer and an essay question?

• Both short-answer and essay questions ask you to demonstrate your knowledge of course material by relating your answer to concepts covered in the course.
• Essay questions require a thesis (argument) and supporting evidence (from course material - lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments) outlined in several paragraphs, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Short-answer questions are more concise than essay answers - think of it as a “mini-essay” - and use a sentence or two to introduce your topic; select a few points to discuss; add a concluding sentence that sums up your response.
• Review your course material - look for themes within the topics covered, use these to prepare sample questions if your instructor has not given direction on what to expect from essay questions.
• Create outlines to answer your practice questions. Choose a definite argument or thesis statement and organize supporting evidence logically in body paragraphs. Try a mnemonic (like a rhyme or acronym) to help remember your outline.
• Practice! Using your outline, try using a timer to write a full response to your practice or sample questions within the exam time limit.
• Review the question carefully. Think about what it is asking - what are you expected to include?  What material or examples are relevant?
• Underline keywords in the question to identify the main topic and discussion areas.
• Plan your time. Keep an eye on the time allowed and how many essay questions you are required to answer. Consider the mark distribution to determine how much time to spend on each question or section.
• Make a plan. Take a few minutes to brainstorm and plan your response - jot down a brief outline to order your points and arguments before you start to write.
• Include a thesis statement in your introduction so that your argument is clear, even if you run out of time, and help structure your answer.
• Write a conclusion , even if brief - use this to bring your ideas together to answer the question and suggest the broader implications.
• Clearly and concisely answer the question :
• In your introduction, show that you understand the question and outline how you will answer it.
• Make one point or argument per paragraph and include one or two pieces of evidence or examples for each point.
• In your conclusion, summarize the arguments to answer the question.

"Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions"

Does your next test have short answer or essay questions? Let's look at how to prepare for these type of questions, how to answer these types of questions, and strategies to keep in mind during the exam. Fight exam writer's block and achieve your best marks yet!

• "Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions" PDF
• "Test Taking Strategies: Short Answer & Essay Questions" Video

Looking for more strategies and tips? Check out MUN's Academic Success Centre online!

Carnegie Mellon University. (n.d.). Successful exam strategies. Carnegie Mellon University: Student Academic Success. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/other-resources/fast-facts/exam-strategies.pdf

Memorial University of Newfoundland. (n.d.). Exam strategies: Short answer & essay exams. Memorial University of Newfoundland: Academic Success Centre. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.mun.ca/munup/vssc/learning/exam-strategies-essays.php

Trent University. (n.d.). How to understand and answer free response or essay exam questions. Trent University: Academic Skills. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-study/prepare-and-write-exams/how-understand-and-answer-free-response-or-essay-exam

University of Queensland Australia. (n.d.). Exam tips. University of Queensland Australia: Student support, study skills. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/study-skills/exam-tips

University of Waterloo. (n.d.). Exam questions: Types, characteristics, and suggestions. University of Waterloo: Centre for Teaching Excellence. Retrieved April 1, 2022 from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/exams/questions-types-characteristics-suggestions

• Learning supports
• Peer-Assisted Learning
• Help centres
• Study spaces
• Graduate student supports
• Events and workshops
• Faculty & staff resources

Related Content

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 4 tips for writing perfect university of washington essays.

College Essays

The University of Washington is often ranked among public Ivy Leagues —that is, public schools with the academic clout and selectivity to elevate their reputations. So if you want to be a Husky, it's not just about good grades and test scores. You'll also need to prove yourself with a good University of Washington essay, combining your technical skill with your knowledge of the school and your reasons for wanting to attend to attract attention from admissions officers.

But to do that, you need to know how to write great UW essays. The University of Washington uses the Common Application , which can be submitted to multiple schools and includes an essay section with several different prompts. The supplemental UW essay prompts are pretty standard, but we have all the helpful tips you need to make sure your application is set to impress.

Feature Image: Cody Logan/ Wikimedia

What's Included in the University of Washington Essay Section?

There are two required essays you need to write for the University of Washington, along with an optional third essay. These essays are:

• Common App essay (650 words)
• Short response (300 words)
• Additional information (optional, 200 words)

Part of the Common App includes answering an essay prompt in 650 words or less. While there are seven Common App essay prompts, the University of Washington doesn't allow you to choose which prompt to answer; all applicants must answer the same prompt and submit them as part of their Common Application .  

The University of Washington application also includes a required short response question of 300 words and an optional short essay of 200 words.

Additional space is available, but it's recommended that you don't take it unless you absolutely need it. Show restraint when responding to UW essay prompts; it shows that you can be concise and follow directions , and you won't run the risk of volunteering too much information or making yourself memorable for the wrong reasons. That said, we'll cover some exceptions below!

What Is the Common Application Essay Prompt?

Although there are seven Common App essay prompts , the University of Washington requires you to answer a specific prompt; you don't get to choose. The maximum length of this essay is 650 words, but the University of Washington recommends the essay be closer to 300-400 words.

This is the Common App essay prompt you must answer:

Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.

This essay prompt is pretty broad; it allows you to focus on any significant experience in your life. To answer it effectively, you'll want to relate a specific anecdote or event that had a strong impact on you as a person and how you define yourself today.

When answering this prompt, you'll want to choose a particularly significant experience. It doesn't need to be super rare, but the experience should hold deep meaning for you. Ask yourself: what defines you? What do you find important? Can you connect a key part of your personality or a goal you have to a specific event in your life?

You should also focus on only one experience. Don't try to cram in as many stories as possible—concentrate on the one incident that's most important to you, and use this essay as a chance to really delve into the specifics of it. How did the experience make you feel at the time? Why did it have such an impact on you?

If you decide to write about a negative experience, try to put a positive spin on it. You don't need to stick with a happy-go-lucky story—maybe you lost a friend because of a heated argument, or forgot to pick up your little brother from school one day. Regardless of the incident, keep the focus on how this situation ultimately taught you something important about life, such as the value of responsibility or the meaning of maturity.

Tips For Brainstorming Topics for Your University of Washington Essay

If you're struggling to come up with an experience to write about, try these brainstorming ideas:

• A time you helped someone in need, such as a friend, a classmate, or a sibling, and how your assistance revealed to you the value of cooperation or compassion. For example, did you tutor a peer in math? Help your sibling recover from a bullying incident?
• A time you made a mistake or acted against your true character and what this taught you about morality and being true to yourself. Perhaps you lied about a grade you got to your parents or said something out of anger to a friend and later regretted it.
• An incident that emphasizes a particular skill or ability you have. For example, you could write about the time you organized a winter holiday food drive at your high school and how it highlights your leadership skills and passion for social work.
• A time you faced a challenge and how you ultimately overcame it. Maybe you struggled severely with geometry and were about to fail your math class, but because of a great friend who encouraged you to keep trying, you eventually raised your grade from a D- to a B.

When writing this essay, make sure to avoid pretending something is more important or unique than it actually is. Don't tell a story the admissions committee has likely heard hundreds of times. Choose an event that speaks to your life and has had a large impact on how you see yourself. Basically, don't write about what you think the admissions committee wants to read. For example, instead of discussing how you've been in Honor Society since 9th grade, it'll be a lot more interesting if you wrote about somebody you met through Honor Society or why you decided to drop out of it.

Also, don't focus too much on the negative part of the story. While it's OK to write about a time when you made a mistake, did something wrong, or faced a challenge, try to avoid writing only about the bad parts. Your story should overall be optimistic and reveal something positive about yourself.

What Is the Short Answer Prompt?

Once you've finished the Common Application essay, the University of Washington has an additional requirement for you—a short response question with a 300 word limit.

The University of Washington suggests that concise writing is particularly valuable, and recommends that the Common App essay be between 300 and 400 words rather than 650. Though they don't offer word count recommendations for the other prompts, it's best to assume they're looking for short answers. Cutting out 100 words might feel excessive, but do try to leave some breathing room within your essay rather than squeaking in right under the allotted 300 words .

Additionally, the University of Washington states that students tend to answer this essay more informally than the longer essay. However, they expect formal, polished essays for both prompts, so don't slack off on proofreading or editing this essay.

For the UW short response essay, here is the required prompt:

Our families and communities often define us and our individual worlds. Community might refer to your cultural group, extended family, religious group, neighborhood or school, sports team or club, co-workers, etc. Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW.

UW offers a helpful tip right below the prompt: "Keep in mind that the UW strives to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, values and viewpoints." What this means is that UW wants to see students who are going to be right at home in that diverse student body. When answering this question, consider specifically what you might add to the community. What perspective do you bring? What traits make you a good fit?

Some students might struggle with this, because it's easy to assume that UW means they're only looking for students from diverse backgrounds, such as students of color, LGBTQ+ students, or students of other marginalized identities. But the prompt doesn't at all mean that you have no chance if you don't belong to one of those communities. Students who fit into those groups may have an easier time of identifying what diversity they bring to the school, but belonging to a marginalized group doesn't in any way guarantee admission.

The University of Washington is looking for students who foster and embrace diversity, so be sure to think on those terms. Consider, for example, how your rambunctious family Thanksgiving taught you to embrace chaos, and how your ability to stop Great Aunt Kathy from throwing mashed potatoes at your cousin for bringing up a sensitive political issue translates to a college campus. Think about how having several different friend groups in high school—nerds and jocks, for example—taught you to move between spaces while always being your authentic self.

For students who are of marginalized backgrounds, the same advice still applies. You likely have different lived experiences than other students, but UW wants to know exactly what you're going to bring to the student community . You can discuss advocacy work, for example, or how your less advantageous upbringing taught you to work hard for everything you want. Always come back to that request to "Describe the world you come from and how you, as a product of it, might add to the diversity of the UW."

Embracing diversity isn't just about being a member of a marginalized community; think about how you participate in your social groups and how your experiences before college will help you have and, more importantly, create a good experience for others. Again, it's not about what identity you do or do not have, but rather about how you build communities and support others. UW is a big school, but you'll still be interacting with people from all walks of life on a daily basis—how will you navigate difference and fit into a student body made up of so many different people?

Let UW know exactly how they're going to help you make a slam dunk.

What Should You Add in the Additional Information Section?

The University of Washington essay prompt offers an additional 200 words for you to talk about yourself and your unique circumstances. This section is optional, and UW advises that the following types of students may benefit from taking the opportunity to expand on their application:

• You have experienced personal hardships in attaining your education
• Your activities have been limited because of work or family obligations
• You have experienced unusual limitations or opportunities unique to the schools you attended

Even if you don't fall into one of these groups, it's wise to take advantage of this additional space. Everyone has a goal that's important to them, after all, which is explicitly included in the second bullet point. However, you only have 200 words, so you'll need to make them count .

Again, UW mentions earlier in their guidelines for the writing section that they value brevity. Don't try to hit that 200 word mark just because it's there—use only the space that you need. Be succinct and clear about any obstacles you've overcome, what draws you to your major, and what makes you want to attend UW specifically.

For example, say you, like many prospective UW students, are interested in becoming a doctor. The University of Washington is highly ranked among medical schools , so saying you want to go there because it's a good medical program isn't doing any legwork in setting you apart from other students . Instead, use this space to talk about why your major is important to you, and why placement at UW is going to help you achieve more.

Following the medical school example, maybe your primary care doctor was a UW grad, and the depth of care they gave you convinced you it wasn't just what you know as a doctor that matters, but also how you deploy that knowledge. Because you want to make the same difference in somebody's life, you're applying to UW to have access to the same information and instruction that your doctor did. In essence, use this space to explain something you didn't have space to explain elsewhere, but make it count .

Be careful not to retread the same ground! This is an opportunity to flesh out your application, not to hammer something home. If you haven't had a chance to discuss that your grades slipped sophomore year because of a family illness or that your local library has a special box for you because of all the engineering books you keep checking out, now's the time to mention it. Keep it short, direct, and original—the admissions office is reading this supplemental section in the context of your application, so you don't need to revisit anything.

Careful not to fall into the trap of using more space than you need.

Should You Use the Additional Space? How?

It can be tempting to use UW's provided additional space to squeeze a few more words into your application, but resist it . Those word counts are there for a reason, and you should aim to get under, not exceed them.

That said, there are legitimate reasons to use this additional space. The University of Washington mentions clarifying answers from elsewhere on the application or providing extra information to the admissions office.

If you have special considerations as a student that you want to be sure the office is aware of, but that you didn't discuss in the previous additional information section, you could include that here. You could also include relevant awards or distinguishing recognition you've received. If your high school had an unusual grading system, it might be useful to explain how to interpret your grades.

But don't take the lack of a word requirement to mean that you can talk about whatever you want, or that you should use this space to expand on one of your earlier essays . Use only what you need, no more. Try to keep it under 200 words. Brevity is important!

Want to build the best possible college application?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Tips and Advice for the University of Washington Essays

Specific advice for each prompt will help you craft a better essay, but there are some general things to keep in mind, too !

Proofread Your UW Essays

It's a small space, so there should be fewer mistakes, right? Nope . You still need to proofread . Consider writing your essays by hand and then transcribing the drafts—it feels like more work, but turning written words into typed words is a great way to spot mistakes. Go through multiple drafts, and read your essay out loud before you submit it.

Don't let typos get through; no matter how good the rest of your essay is, a typo will make it look as though you didn't edit it at all, suggesting you didn't take your time. Do everything you can to avoid the perception that you wrote it up without thinking! On the UW admission website they are very specific that you should “write like it matters, not like you’re texting. This is an application for college, not a message to your friend.”

Get Editing Help

Seek feedback from those you trust, not just those who are going to tell you your essays are great . You want your essays to be as good as possible, so let people who are going to be truthful with you make suggestions. They'll help you write a better essay, and a fresh pair of eyes can spot holes in your logic and errors you might miss after repeated revisions.

Think about going to teachers or counselors rather than friends or family. Though they undoubtedly want to help you, they might also be worried about hurting your feelings. Someone who's a little more objective but still wants to see you succeed is the kind of editor you want.

Be Specific

Always remember that you're applying to the University of Washington. Don't just write an essay that could impress any college (that's what the Common Application essay is for!); write one that ties into UW's core values . Their vision includes an emphasis on discovery, research, community, optimism, and even celebrating the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. All of these are angles ripe for exploration in your essays . If one of your answers is lacking, try folding a little of this vision into it by finding parts of your essay that match the mission and making them stand out more.

Read Essays That Got Students Into UW

It can be tricky finding essays that got applicants into UW, but it can also be a great indicator of what the school values in an application. Take these essays by Issa Rice . Though written for a different set of prompts, it's not hard to see why Rice was accepted.

Notice how his essays could only come from him; they're so tied to personal experience that it's unlikely anyone else would have the same essay. That's the kind of personalization you want to strive for. Your essay should speak about your own unique experience and leave the admissions office with a clearer picture of who you are as a person, not just as a collection of grades and test scores.

What's Next?

Crafting a perfect essay is just one part of the admissions process to the University of Washington. Because UW is a moderately selective school, you need to be aware of all admissions requirements before applying to be sure that your application is up to snuff .

As you're writing and rewriting your UW essay, be sure that it meets all the guidelines of a good college essay in addition to the UW requirements. A little extra polish will go a long way to cementing your application in the admission office's memory!

If you're struggling to understand why UW uses the Coalition App and what that means, never fear! We have all the information on what distinguishes one application system from another , helping you plan your college applications with less stress.

Want to write the perfect college application essay? Get professional help from PrepScholar.

Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We'll learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay that you'll proudly submit to your top choice colleges.

Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now :

Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• College University and Postgraduate
• Academic Writing

How to Write a Short Essay

Last Updated: January 17, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 110,950 times.

Essay writing is a common assignment in high school or college courses, especially within the humanities. You’ll also be asked to write essays for college admissions and scholarships. In a short essay (250-500 words), you will need to provide an introduction with a thesis, a body, and a conclusion, as you would with a longer essay. Depending on the essay requirements, you may also need to do academic or online research to find sources to back up your claims.

Picking a Topic and Gathering Research

• If you have any questions about the topic, ask your instructor. If your essay doesn't respond to the prompt, you likely won't receive full credit.

• If you're writing an essay for an in-class test or for an application, tailor the essay to the given prompt and topic. Quickly brainstorm a few ideas; for example, think of positive things you can say about yourself for a college-entrance essay.
• For example, the topic “depression in American literature” is far too broad. Narrow down your topic to something like “Willie Loman’s depression in Death of a Salesman .”
• Or, you could write about a narrow topic like “the increase in the USA’s national debt in the 1950s” rather than a broad topic like “the American economy in the 20th century.”

• Depending on the field in which you’re writing the essay—e.g., hard sciences, sociology, humanities, etc.—your instructor will direct you towards appropriate databases. For example, if you’re writing a high-school or college-level essay for your English class, visit online literary databases like JSTOR, LION, and the MLA Bibliography.
• If you're writing the essay for a college or graduate-school application, it's unlikely that you'll need to include any secondary sources.
• If you're writing a timed or in-class essay, you may not be able to find research articles. But, still do draw information from texts and sources you've studied both in and out of class, and build from points made in any provided reading passages.

• If you’re writing about current events or journalism topics, read articles from well-known news sites like CNN or the BBC.
• Avoid citing unreliable websites like blogs or any sites that have a clear bias about the topic they’re reporting on.

Composing the Essay

• If you write the essay without outlining, the essay will be poorly organized.

• This thesis statement is far too weak: “ Death of a Salesman shows the difficulty of living in America after WWII.”
• Instead, hone your thesis to something like: “Arthur Miller uses Death of a Salesman to show that the American Dream is materialist and impractical.”

• So, avoid beginning the paragraph by writing something like, “Since the beginning of time, all people have been consumed with the desire for their father’s approval.”
• Instead, write something like, “In the play Death of a Salesman , Willie Loman’s sons compete for their father’s approval through various masculine displays."
• Then, you can say, "To examine this topic, I will perform a close reading of several key passages of the play and present analyses by noted Arthur Miller scholars."

• In a short essay, the conclusion should do nothing more than briefly restate your main claim and remind readers of the evidence you provided.

• So, take the example about Death of a Salesman . The first body paragraph could discuss the ways in which Willie’s sons try to impress him.
• The second body paragraph could dive into Willie’s hopelessness and despair, and the third paragraph could discuss how Miller uses his characters to show the flaws in their understanding of the American Dream.

• Always cite your sources so you avoid charges of plagiarism. Check with your instructor (or the essay prompt) and find out what citation style you should use.
• For example, if you’re summarizing the inflation of the American dollar during the 1930s, provide 2 or 3 years and inflation-rate percentages. Don’t provide a full-paragraph summary of the economic decline.
• If you're writing an in-class essay and don't have time to perform any research, you don't need to incorporate outside sources. But, it will impress your teacher if you quote from a reading passage or bring up pertinent knowledge you may have gained during the class.

• If no one agrees to read the essay, read over your own first draft and look for errors or spots where you could clarify your meaning. Reading the essay out loud often helps, as you’ll be able to hear sentences that aren’t quite coherent.
• This step does not apply to essays written during a timed or in-class exam, as you won't be able to ask peers to read your work.

• It’s always a mistake to submit an unrevised first draft, whether for a grade, for admissions, or for a scholarship essay.
• However, if you're writing an essay for a timed exam, it's okay if you don't have enough time to combine multiple drafts before the time runs out.

Condensing Your Essay

• So, if you’re writing about Death of a Salesman , an article about symbolism in Arthur Miller’s plays would be useful. But, an article about the average cost of Midwestern hotels in the 1940s would be irrelevant.
• If you’re writing a scholarship essay, double-check the instructions to clarify what types of sources you’re allowed to use.

• A common cliche you might find in an essay is a statement like, "I'm the hardest working student at my school."
• For example, this sentence is too verbose: “I have been a relentlessly stellar student throughout my entire high school career since I am a seriously dedicated reader and thoroughly apply myself to every assignment I receive in class.”
• Shortened, it could read: “I was a stellar student throughout my high school career since I was a dedicated reader and applied myself to every assignment I received.”

• Avoid writing something like, “Willie Loman can be seen as having achieved little through his life because he is not respected by his sons and is not valued by his co-workers.”
• Instead, write, “Arthur Miller shows readers that Willie’s life accomplishments have amounted to little. Willie’s sons do not look up to him, and his co-workers treat him without respect.”

• For example, if you’re trying to prove that WWII pulled the USA out of the Great Depression, focus strictly on an economic argument.
• Avoid bringing in other, less convincing topics. For example, don’t dedicate a paragraph to discussing how much it cost the USA to build fighter jets in 1944.

Short Essay Template and Example

Expert Q&A

• When composing the text of your essay, resist the temptation to pull words from a thesaurus in an attempt to sound academic or intelligent. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• If your high school or college has an online or in-person writing center, schedule an appointment. Taking advantage of this type of service can improve your essay and help you recognize structural or grammatical problems you would not have noticed otherwise. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/choosing_a_topic.html
• ↑ https://monroecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=589208&p=4072926
• ↑ https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/march-2017/4-ways-to-differentiate-a-good-source-from-a-bad-source.html
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/essay-outline/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/
• ↑ https://libguides.newcastle.edu.au/how-to-write-an-essay/essay-introduction
• ↑ https://lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/undergraduates/writing-guides/how-do-i-write-an-intro--conclusion----body-paragraph.html
• ↑ https://mlpp.pressbooks.pub/writingsuccess/chapter/8-3-drafting/
• ↑ https://www.trentu.ca/academicskills/how-guides/how-write-university/how-approach-any-assignment/writing-english-essay/using-secondary
• ↑ https://patch.com/michigan/berkley/bp--how-to-shorten-your-college-essay-without-ruining-it
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/style/ccs_activevoice/
• ↑ https://wordcounter.net/blog/2016/01/26/101025_how-to-reduce-essay-word-count.html

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

D. L. Smith

Sep 9, 2019

Did this article help you?

Aug 15, 2023

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

Short Answer Response on Working at Burger King

Joel Describes the Surprising Rewards of a High School Work Experience

• Essay Samples & Tips
• College Admissions Process
• College Profiles
• College Rankings
• Choosing A College
• Application Tips
• Testing Graphs
• College Financial Aid
• Advanced Placement
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Many colleges and universities ask an applicant to write a brief essay that elaborates on a high school extracurricular activity or work experience. This might be a supplement for the Common Application or a part of the school's own application. The majority of students choose to focus on extracurricular activities , but Joel makes the unusual decision to focus on a rather unglamorous job, working at Burger King.

Joel's Short Essay on His Work Experience

For the past year I have worked part-time at Burger King. It's a job I picked up to help pay for my class trip to Germany. The job is what you'd expect — I'm on my feet the whole time assembling burgers, squirting ketchup, and cooking fries. The pace can be frantic at times, and the pay is low. My friends who come into the restaurant make fun of me. The job is neither strengthening my calculus skills nor improving my writing ability. However, I have been surprised by the relationships I've developed with my coworkers. Some are high school students like me, but others are twice my age working full time and struggling to support their families. When I applied to Burger King I simply wanted a paycheck, but I now am grateful for the opportunities I've had to build friendships with and learn from people very different from me.

Critique of Joel's Short Answer Response

Joel takes a risk in his short answer response because he describes a job that isn't something most people (often wrongly) would want to highlight. However, Joel makes a couple moves in his response to make it effective.

First, he manages to slip in his reason for taking this job — he wants to travel to Germany. The fact that he is willing to work hard to have this travel experience shows a level of motivation and global interest that should impress the admissions officers.

The writing itself is clear and free of errors, and the essay comes in at 833 characters/150 words — the maximum limit for Joel's essay prompt. With extremely short essays like this,  the recommended essay length  should be close to the upper limit. You have so little space to say something meaningful that you should take advantage of the space you have. Had Joel's essay had a 250-word limit, he could have provided some more details about the people with whom he worked, and expand upon the lesson he learned from the experience.

When it comes to Joel's job, he doesn't try to present it as something it isn't. In a somewhat humorous way, he describes the nature of his Burger King employment. Joel is clearly not trying to impress the admissions folks with the job itself. That said, work experience strengthens college applications , and schools recognize that not all students have the luxury of participating in lots of extracurricular activities when their situation demands they earn money.

What Joel reveals is that even the most mundane job can have its own rewards, and that a job is often defined by coworkers more than by the duties of the job itself. Joel doesn't have space in the short answer to explain exactly what he has learned from his coworkers, but we leave his response with the feeling that Joel is someone who is open-minded and can get along with and learn from people different from himself. He is also someone who is willing to work hard for his goals. These are qualities that will be attractive to a college.

A Final Word on Short Answer Essays

Don't underestimate the importance of the shorter essays a college or university requires as part of their application. While the main Common Application essay is certainly important, it is "common" — you're submitting that same essay for every school that uses the Common Application. The supplemental essays address specific issues of interest to the specific college. If you fail to follow the best practices for these short essays , you will likely fail to convince the college that your interest is sincere. Work hard to avoid common short answer mistakes .

For another example of a good short answer, Christie does a good job in her essay on her love of running . Doug's essay on a business he started , on the other hand, strikes the wrong tone and could end up hurting his application.

• Sample Short Answer on Soccer
• Common Application Short Answer Essay on Entrepreneurship
• Sample Short Answer Essay on Running
• Sample College Application Short Answer Essay
• How Long Should Your Common Application Short Answer Essay Be?
• Short Answer Mistakes
• Common Application Short Answer Tips
• What Counts as an Extracurricular Activity for College Admissions?
• The Common Application
• How to Ace Your University of Wisconsin Personal Statements
• What Are the Best Extracurricular Activities?
• Sophomore Year and College Admissions
• Sample Weak Supplemental Essay for Duke University
• How to Get Into an Ivy League School
• Sample Responses to a College Deferral Letter
• How to Demonstrate Interest in a College

Mastering the Short-Response Essay

Michael Hicks 0

The short-response essay is the most common type of writing students will encounter, but many don’t understand how to approach it.

The Short Essay — A Misunderstood Fellow

It is called by many names – the short essay, the short response, the essay paragraph, or, my favorite, the power paragraph . Whatever you call this piece of writing, it is easily the most commonly-written and generally misunderstood essay form out there. Multiple-paragraph essays stand as the paragons of academic composition, with the five-paragraph essay occupying the role of the grand old classic. But multiple-paragraph essays, when done properly, are thorough discussions ambitiously undertaken. They take time to write, and they take time to grade. As an English teacher, I assign a multiple-paragraph paper perhaps once or twice a month, and occasionally, I assign timed, multiple-paragraph papers.

What I assign weekly, if not twice or thrice weekly, however, are short-response tasks that generally follow some type of literature study or mini-unit and which students can complete in 15-45 minutes. These responses are definitely structured pieces of writing that follow a certain pattern and that are composed of specific elements, namely, a hook, a thesis or topic statement, evidence of some sort, analysis or commentary, and a closer. They are a great way to check for student understanding and a wonderful opportunity to reinforce academic-writing fundamentals without killing me with a truckload of papers to assess (More on reducing grading time at the end of this article).

Essaypop features pre-made, short-response templates that guide students through critical essay elements in a methodical and comprehensible way. Let’s take a look at how this structure works, and just how diverse and flexible it is.

First, the template in its most basic form

The short-response template begins with the essential elements of a good academic paragraph. Again, these are a hook, a thesis or topic statement, evidence of some sort, analysis or commentary, and a closer. Here’s what the writing area looks like when students first see it. Notice that each element is color-coded and that helpful advice about each element shows up in a retractable sidebar.

Now let’s take a look at the templates, populated with student writing.

And of course, the frames are always being converted into an MLA document in real-time.

Notice that the writer is able to take on each important element one at a time. We have found that this approach takes a lot of pressure off of students, thus alleviating much of their writer’s block. The color-coding helps kids internalize and remember the elements, even when they are not composing on essaypop. Also, notice that this is a formidable paragraph at 382 words. This is why we feel that it is more accurately called an essay paragraph or power paragraph. These are the kinds of responses that allow students to fully and cogently express themselves in shorter windows of time. It is also the type of writing that tends to allow students to do extraordinarily well when responding to standardized-test prompts.

Modifying and Augmenting the Template

The basic template can be modified as needed. New frames or boxes can easily be added, and they can be arranged and rearranged to create different types of cohesion and flow. This example, at 408 words, is starting to like more of a short essay as opposed to a paragraph, and perhaps even a paragraph break (or two) would be advised. The ability to add elements and rearrange them gives the writer absolute flexibility while ensuring that students have all of the critical elements within their essays.

And remember, every writing frame has a collection of dedicated sentence stems and phrases that students can select from to begin composing each element of their essays. Over time, they begin to learn and internalize these phrases.

Think of the short-response essay or power paragraph as an everyday writing task, something that can be assigned after a discussion, a mini-unit, or upon finishing up with a piece of literature. They can take anywhere from 15 -45 minutes to complete and are a great way to quickly see if students are comprehending and able to discuss the concepts within a lesson being taught. And our lightning-fast assessment tool makes grading this type of writing quite easy for the teacher, so they won’t “pile up”.

Feel free to guide students through creating all kinds of different paragraph and essay structures using this template. Here a useful article called “Master These Paragraph Structures and You’ll Master Essay Writing” . Share it with your students and use it to inform your writing lessons.

Finally, The essaypop Style Guide goes into great detail about short-response writing and gets into the nitty-gritty of each essay element.

Related Posts

How to Create a Multiple-Paragraph Essay

How to Assign a Quickwrite

Invite Students to Join Your Classes

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Essay Guides
• Main Academic Essays
• How to Write a Response Paper: Outline, Steps & Examples
• Speech Topics
• Basics of Essay Writing
• Essay Topics
• Other Essays
• Research Paper Topics
• Basics of Research Paper Writing
• Miscellaneous
• Chicago/ Turabian
• Data & Statistics
• Methodology
• Admission Writing Tips
• Admission Advice
• Other Guides
• Student Life
• Studying Tips
• Understanding Plagiarism
• Academic Writing Tips
• Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

• Research Paper Guides
• Formatting Guides
• Basics of Research Process
• Admission Guides
• Dissertation & Thesis Guides

How to Write a Response Paper: Outline, Steps & Examples

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

Response essays are a frequent assignment in many academic courses. Professors often ask students to share their thoughts and feelings about a variety of materials, such as books, articles, films, songs, or poems. To write an effective response paper, you should follow a specific structure to ensure that your ideas are well-organized and presented in a logical manner.

In this blog post, we will explore how to write a good outline and how it is used to develop a quality reaction essay. You will also come across a response paper example to help you better understand steps involved in writing a response essay.  Continue reading to explore writing tips from professional paper writers that you can use to improve your skills.

What Is a Response Paper?

It is vital to understand the meaning of a response essay before you start writing. Often, learners confuse this type of academic work with reviews of books, articles, events, or movies, which is not correct, although they seem similar.  A response paper gives you a platform to express your point of view, feelings, and understanding of a given subject or idea through writing. Unlike other review works, you are also required to give your idea, vision, and values contained in literal materials. In other words, while a response paper is written in a subjective way, a review paper is written in a more objective manner.  A good reaction paper links the idea in discussion with your personal opinion or experience. Response essays are written to express your deep reflections on materials, what you have understood, and how the author's work has impacted you.

Purpose of a Response Essay

Understanding reasons for writing a reaction paper will help you prepare better work. The purpose of a response essay will be:

• To summarize author's primary ideas and opinions: you need to give a summary of materials and messages the author wants you to understand.
• Providing a reflection on the subject: as a writer, you also need to express how you relate to authors' ideas and positions.
• To express how the subject affects your personal life: when writing a response paper, you are also required to provide your personal outcome and lesson learned from interacting with the material.

Response Essay Outline

You should adhere to a specific response paper outline when working on an essay. Following a recommended format ensures that you have a smooth flow of ideas. A good response paper template will make it easier for a reader to separate your point of view from author's opinion. The essay is often divided into these sections: introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs.  Below is an example of a response essay outline template:

• Briefly introduce the topic of the response paper
• State your thesis statement or main argument
• Provide a brief summary of the source material you are responding to
• Include key details or arguments from the source
• Analyze the source material and identify strengths and weaknesses
• Evaluate the author's arguments and evidence
• Provide your own perspective on the source material
• Respond to the source material and critique its arguments
• Offer your own ideas and counterarguments
• Support your response with evidence and examples
• Summarize your main points and restate your thesis
• Provide final thoughts on the source material and its implications
• Offer suggestions for further research or inquiry

Save time and effort with our high-quality academic paper assistance. Buy college papers from experts and get an A+ with ease!

Response Paper Introduction

The success of response papers is partly dependent on how well you write the introductory paragraph. As with any academic paper, the introduction paragraph welcomes targeted readers and states the primary idea.  Below is a guideline on how to start a response essay:

• Provide a compelling hook to capture the attention of your target audience.
• Provide background information about the material, including the name and author of the work.
• Provide a brief summary of main points to bring readers who are unfamiliar with the work up to task and enable them to follow up on your subsequent analysis.
• Write a thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph to inform readers about the purpose and argument you are trying to relay.

Response Essay Thesis Statement

A thesis statement summarizes a paper's content within a sentence or two. A response essay thesis statement is not any different! The final sentence of the introductory paragraph of a reaction paper should give readers an idea of the message that will be discussed in your paper.  Do you know how to write a thesis statement for a response essay? If you follow the steps below, you should be able to write one:

• Review the material you are responding to, and pinpoint main points expressed by authors.
• Determine points of view or opinions you are going to discuss in the essay.
• Develop your thesis statement. It should express a summary of what will be covered in your reaction. The sentence should also consider logical flow of ideas in your writing.
• Thesis statement should be easy to spot. You should preferably place it at the end of your introductory paragraph.

Response Paper Body Paragraph

In most instances, the body section has between 1 and 3 paragraphs or more. You should first provide a summary of the article, book, or any other literature work you are responding to.  To write a response essay body paragraph that will capture the attention of readers, you must begin by providing key ideas presented in the story from the authors' point of view. In the subsequent paragraph, you should tell your audience whether you agree or disagree with these ideas as presented in the text. In the final section, you should provide an in-depth explanation of your stand and discuss various impacts of the material.

Response Paper Conclusion

In this section of a response paper, you should provide a summary of your ideas. You may provide key takeaways from your thoughts and pinpoint meaningful parts of the response. Like any other academic work, you wind up your response essay writing by giving a summary of what was discussed throughout the paper.  You should avoid introducing new evidence, ideas, or repeat contents that are included in body paragraphs in the conclusion section. After stating your final points, lessons learned, and how the work inspires you, you can wrap it up with your thesis statement.

How to Write a Response Paper?

In this section, we will provide you with tips on how to write a good response paper. To prepare a powerful reaction essay, you need to consider a two-step approach. First, you must read and analyze original sources properly. Subsequently, you also need to organize and plan the essay writing part effectively to be able to produce good reaction work. Various steps are outlined and discussed below to help you better understand how to write a response essay.

1. Pick a Topic for Your Response Essay

Picking a topic for response essay topics can be affected either by the scope of your assignment as provided by your college professor or by your preference. Irrespective of your reason, the guideline below should help you brainstorm topic ideas for your reaction:

• Start from your paper's end goal: consider what outcomes you wish to attain from writing your reaction.
• Prepare a list of all potential ideas that can help you attain your preferred result.
• Sort out topics that interest you from your list.
• Critique your final list and settle on a topic that will be comfortable to work on.

Below are some examples of good topics for response essay to get you started:

• Analyzing ideas in an article about effects of body shaming on mental health .
• Reaction paper on new theories in today's business environment.
• Movies I can watch again and again.
• A response essay on a documentary.
• Did the 9/11 terror attacks contribute to issues of religious intolerance?

2. Plan Your Thoughts and Reactions

To better plan your thoughts and reactions, you need to read the original material thoroughly to understand messages contained therein. You must understand author's line of thinking, beliefs, and values to be able to react to their content. Next, note down ideas and aspects that are important and draw any strong reactions.  Think through these ideas and record potential sequences they will take in your response paper. You should also support your opinions and reactions with quotes and texts from credible sources. This will help you write a response essay for the college level that will stand out.

3. Write a Detailed Response Paper Outline

Preparing a detailed response paper outline will exponentially improve the outcome of your writing. An essay outline will act as a benchmark that will guide you when working on each section of the paper. Sorting your ideas into sections will not only help you attain a better flow of communication in your responsive essay but also simplify your writing process.  You are encouraged to adopt the standard response essay outline provided in the sample above. By splitting your paper into introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs, you will be able to effectively introduce your readers to ideas that will be discussed and separate your thoughts from authors' messages.

4. Write a Material Summary

For your audience to understand your reaction to certain materials, you should at first provide a brief summary of authors' points of view. This short overview should include author's name and work title.  When writing a response essay, you should dedicate a section to give an informative summary that clearly details primary points and vital supporting arguments. You must thoroughly understand the literature to be able to complete this section.  For important ideas, you can add direct quotes from the original sources in question. Writers may sometimes make a mistake of summarizing general ideas by providing detailed information about every single aspect of the material. Instead of addressing all ideas in detail, focus on key aspects.  Although you rely on your personal opinion and experience to write a response paper, you must remain objective and factual in this section. Your subjective opinion will take center stage in the personal reaction part of the essay.

Example of a Response Summary

Below is a sample summary response essays example to help you better understand how to write one. A Summary of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

The classic film The Adventure of Robin Hood (1938), as directed by Michael Curtis and William Keighley, stars an infamous outlaw, Robin Hood, who "robbed from the rich and gave to the poor''. The charismatic and charming Saxon lord, Robin Hood (Flynn), becomes an outlaw and seeks justice for poor people by fighting Sir Guy of Gisborne (Rathbone), Sheriff of Nottingham (Copper), and Prince John (Rains), who were oppressing people. After assembling an outlaw group, Robin defies the excessive taxes imposed on poor people by stealing from wealthy individuals and redistributing wealth to the destitute in society. Robin Hood is eventually lured into an archery tournament and gets arrested, but survives an execution. He later helps King Richard to regain his lost throne and banish Prince John.

5. Share Your Reaction

After summarizing the original material, the second part of a response paper involves writing your opinion about author’s point of view. After a thorough review of the material, you should be able to express your perspective on the subject.  In this section, you are expected to detail how the material made you feel and how it relates to your personal life, experience, and values. Within the short response essay, you may also be required to state whether you agree or disagree with author's line of thinking. How does the material relate to current issues, or in what way does it impact your understanding of a given subject? Does it change your opinion on the subject in any way? Your reaction should answer these questions.  In addition, you may also be required to outline potential advantages and shortcomings of the material in your reaction. Finally, you should also indicate whether or not you would endorse the literal work to others.

Reaction in Response Body Paragraph Example

Below is a reaction in a response essay body paragraph sample to help you improve your skills in writing the response body paragraph: Reaction Paragraph Example

My main takeaway from watching The Adventure of Robin Hood (1938) is that society should prioritize good and justice over laws if the set rules oppress people. Prince John, Sir Guy, and Sheriff Cooper were cruel and petty and used existing laws to oppress and exploit poor people. In response, Robin Hood employed unorthodox means and tried to help oppressed people in society. I agree with his way of thinking. Laws are made to protect people in society and ensure justice is served. Therefore, when legislation fails to serve its purpose, it becomes redundant. Even in current society, we have seen democratic governments funding coups when presidents start oppressing their people. Such coups are supported despite the fact that presidency is protected by law. Although Robin Hood's actions might encourage unlawfulness if taken out of context, I would still recommend this film because its main message is advocating for justice in the community.

6. Conclude Your Response Essay

Do you know how to write a response paper conclusion? It should be the icing on the cake. Irrespective of how good previous sections were, your reaction essay will not be considered to be exceptional if you fail to provide a sum up of your reaction, ideas, and arguments in the right manner.  When writing a response essay conclusion , you should strive to summarize the outcome of your thoughts. After stating your final point, tell readers what you have learned and how that material inspired or impacted you. You can also explain how your perspective and the author's point of view intertwine with each other.  Never introduce new ideas in the conclusion paragraph. Presenting new points will not only disrupt the flow of ideas in the paper but also confuse your readers because you may be unable to explain them comprehensively.  You are also expected to link up your discussions with the thesis statement. In other words, concluding comments and observations need to incorporate the reaffirmation of the thesis statement.

Example of Response Paper Conclusion

You can use the responsive essay conclusion sample below as a benchmark to guide you in writing your concluding remarks: Conclusion Example

There are a lot of similarities between the film's message and my opinion, values, and beliefs. Based on my personal principles, I believe the actions of the main character, Robin Hood, are justifiable and acceptable. Several people in modern society would also agree with my perspective. The movie has provided me with multiple lessons and inspirations. The main lesson acquired is that laws are not ultimate and that we should analyze how they affect people rather than adhere to them blindly. Unless legislation protects people and serves justices, it should be considered irrelevant. Also, morality outweighs legislation. From the movie, I gathered that morality should be the foundation for all laws, and at any time, morality and greater good should be prioritized above laws. The main inspiration relates to being brave in going against some legislation since the end justifies the means sometimes. My point of view and that of the movie creators intertwine. We both advocate for human decency and justice. The argument discussed supports the idea that good and justice is greater than law.

Proofread Your Response Paper

It is important to proofread your response paper before submitting it for examination. Has your essay met all instructional requirements? Have you corrected every grammatical error in your paper? These are common questions you should be asking yourself.  Proofreading your work will ensure that you have eliminated mistakes made when working on your academic work. Besides, you also get the opportunity to improve your logical flow of ideas in your paper by proofreading.  If you review your work thoroughly before submitting it for marking, you are more likely to score more marks! Use our Paper Rater , it is a tool that can help you pinpoint errors, which makes going through your work even simpler.

Response Essay Examples

If you have never written this type of academic paper before, responsive essay examples should help you grasp the primary concepts better. These response paper samples not only help you to familiarize yourself with paper's features but also help you to get an idea of how you should tackle such an assignment. Review at least one written response essay example from the compilation below to give you the confidence to tackle a reaction paper. Response essay example: Book

Response paper example: Poem

Response paper sample: Movie

Example of a response paper: Article

Sample response essay: Issue

Response Paper Format

It is important to follow a recommended response essay format in order to adhere to academic writing standards needed for your assignment. Formats depend on your institution or the discipline.  A reaction paper can be written in many different academic writing styles, including APA, MLA, and Chicago, with each demanding a slightly different format.  The outlook of the paper and referencing varies from one writing style to another. Despite the format for a response paper, you must include introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs.

Response Essay Writing Tips

Below are some of the best tips you can use to improve your response papers writing skills:

• Review your assignment instructions and clarify any inquiries before you start a response paper.
• Once you have selected topics for response essay, reviewed your original materials, and came up with your thesis statement, use topic sentences to facilitate logical flow in your paper.
• Always ensure that you format your work as per the standard structure to ensure that you adhere to set academic requirements. Depending on the academic writing style you will be using, ensure that you have done your in-text citation as per the paper format.
• If you have never worked on this kind of academic paper, you should review examples and samples to help you familiarize yourself with this type of work. You should, however, never plagiarize your work.
• You can use a first-person perspective to better stress your opinion or feelings about a subject. This tip is particularly crucial for reaction part of your work.
• Finally, before submitting your work, proofread your work.

Bottom Line on Response Paper Writing

As discussed in this blog post, preparing a response paper follows a two-step approach. To successfully work on these sections, you need to plan properly to ensure a smooth transition from the reading and analyzing the original material to writing your reaction. In addition, you can review previous works to improve your writing skills.  So, what is a response essay that will immediately capture the attention of your instructor? Well, it should have a captivating introduction, evidence backed reaction, and a powerful conclusion. If you follow various tips outlined above and sum up your work with thorough proofreading, there is no chance that you can fail this type of assignment.

Order a response essay from our academic writing platform! Send us a ‘ write my college paper ’ message and our experienced writers will provide you with a top-notch essay according to your instructions. 

FAQ About Response Paper

1. how long is a short response essay.

The length of a short response essay varies depending on topic and your familiarity with the subject. Depending on how long original sources are and how many responsive points you have, your reaction paper can range from a single paragraph of 150-400 words to multiple paragraphs of 250-500 words.

2. How to start a response body paragraph?

Use an argumentative topic sentence to start your responsive paper paragraph. Failing to begin a paragraph with an elaborate topic sentence will confuse your readers. Topic sentences give readers an idea of what is being discussed in the section. Write a responsive body paragraph for every new idea you add.

3. Is reaction paper similar to a response paper?

Yes. Reaction papers and response essays are used interchangeably. Responsive essays analyze author's point of view and compare them with your personal perspective. This type of academic writing gives you freedom to share your feelings and opinion about an idea. People also discuss how ideas, concepts, and literature material influence them in a response paper.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

You may also like

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

5.7: Sample Response Essays

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 92549

• City College of San Francisco via ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative

Media Alternative

Listen to an audio version of this page (36 sec):

• Sample response paper "Spread Feminism, Not Germs" in PDF with margin notes     
• Sample response paper "Spread Feminism, Not Germs" accessible version with notes in parentheses     
• Sample response paper "Typography and Identity" in PDF with margin notes  
• Sample response paper "Typography and Identity" accessible version with notes in parentheses  

TOPICS A. Fill-in-the-Blank Items B. Essay Questions C. Scoring Options

Assignments

Extended Response

Extended responses can be much longer and complex then short responses, but students should be encouraged to remain focused and organized. On the FCAT, students have 14 lines for each answer to an extended response item, and they are advised to allow approximately 10-15 minutes to complete each item. The FCAT extended responses are scored using a 4-point scoring rubric. A complete and correct answer is worth 4 points. A partial answer is worth 1, 2, or 3 points.