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How to make an Essay Longer – 21 Easy Tips!

Just about all the advice on the first page of google about how to make a paper longer sucks. No, really. The tricks they suggest suck so bad I can’t believe how bad it sucks.

Most advice on how to make your essay longer tells you to do gimmicky things that will lose you marks.

how to make an essay longer

How do I know? Because I read it. And I (yes, I’m a professor) would instantly see through all those things.

Let me tell you: if you’re wasting time turning “15” into “fifteen” to get an extra 6 characters into your essay , increasing font size, or sticking fluffy adjectives into sentences to make your essay longer and increase word count, you’re stuffing up. You’re flushing marks down the drain.

So, here’s what you SHOULD do to make your essay longer.

How to Make an Essay Longer

1. make sure you included everything.

I can’t tell you how many of my students submit assignments and forget to include important points! Go back to your writing prompt . That’s the thing that you’re going to be graded on.

Go and check out exactly what your teacher asked you to write about. Did you write about every point they suggested?

Related Article: 17+ Great Ideas For An Essay About Yourself

2. Make Every Paragraph at least 4 Sentences

Scan over each paragraph. Do you have any paragraphs that are less than 4 sentences long? This is your low-hanging fruit for making your paper longer. You need to make these paragraphs longer and your page count will naturally increase.

The best paragraphs should be 4 – 7 sentences long .

If you’ve got a 1, 2 or 3 sentence paragraph, make sure you go back through it. What new points can you include to make your paragraph better? Maybe you can:

  • Add a sentence at the start of the paragraph explaining what the paragraph is about;
  • Add a sentence giving a real-life example of the points you’re trying to make
  • Add a sentence giving an explanation of your points.

Or, you can try adding points explaining:

  • Why the thing is true;
  • Where the thing happened;
  • How the thing happened;
  • When the thing happened.

3. Define your Terms

Have you written a paragraph defining your key terms? If you’re writing an essay on modernism, write a paragraph defining modernism. If your essay is about education , write a paragraph giving a brief history of education. This will make your paper better – and longer!

You should have a paragraph or two right after your introduction defining and explaining what your topic is!

Now, if you are going to provide a definition for a term in college or university level writing , you need to read this article . In it, I show you how to write a full paragraph that defines a term in the right way using a research paper, not a dictionary!.

4. Get new Ideas from your Class Handouts

Below are the class handouts that you should go back through to add new ideas. They’re your most important sources. Go through all these sources and try to take down and more key points you can add:

  • Handouts or worksheets in class?
  • Readings or articles that they asked you to read?
  • Lecture slides?

6. Get new Ideas from Friends

You will have many classmates working on the same essay as you. What ideas have your friends come up with? See if you can find out. You want it to seem like you’re working to help each other out. You don’t want to be a sponge, taking from them and not giving back. Help each other out so you both get better marks. I recommend being strategic about this:

  • Offer to look over each others’ work and give suggestions;
  • Trade key points in bullet point format;
  • Brainstorm together to create a master list of key ideas.

8. Get new Ideas from Blogs

There are websites online about just about every topic that you can possibly imagine. That includes the topic you’re writing your essay on!

Let me ask you a question: Why would you waste your time trying to add padding to old sentences to increase your word count when you can write new ones that will win more marks?

It’s really so simple – google your essay topic or question and see what comes up. What have other people said on the topic? What ideas can you grab from others and use for yourself? You can also get new ideas from Google Scholar, which can provide you with a free to access research paper that will give you ideas as well. 

12. Use the Keep Writing Website

Keep Writing is a website where you can write your essay. But, it won’t let you delete anything. So you have to just keep on typing. This means you can just write ideas that roll off the top of your head. I gave this website a go to write this article you’re reading right now and it really did help me just write in a way that flowed nicely and added to my page count quickly. I must admit, after using the website, I copied the text and did some edits. But by that point I had a ton of words in there – more than enough – and I could shorten the essay by deleting the words that weren’t so good. I ended up having the opposite problem – too many words!

13. Include one new Example in Each Paragraph

Another thing you can do is go through each and every paragraph and add one more example and some supporting evidence. Even if you’ve included one example in each paragraph, that’s okay. You can still add more examples. In fact, teachers love to see examples and supporting evidence.

Good examples are what separates good and bad students.

Teachers love to see examples because you can only give examples if you understand the topic. So, when we see examples we go “Yes! You Got It! You understand it!”

16. Don’t add Pointless Words!

‘Padding’ is what we call it when you stick extra words in a sentence just to increase your word count. I’ve taken a sentence from earlier in this post and I’m going to show you the sentence as it is, then show it to you with padding.

Here’s the original:

“You’re going to need some new points to add to your essay. You should not try to make your sentences you’ve already written longer. You shouldn’t be trying to add in fluffy new words or saying things in a longer way.”

Here’s the padding:

“You’re going to need some new points to actually add to your essay , which actually is quite significant . You should not actually try to generally make your sentences you’ve already written longer , generally contrary to popular belief . You shouldn’t be trying to generally add in fluffy new words or saying things in a longer way , which is fairly significant. ”

Your teacher is going to read this and think “This student is a terrible writer.” And you’ll lose a ton of marks.

17. Don’t Change the Formatting

Increasing the line spacing, font size or character spacing will just make your paper worse. You should have ONE space between each word. Your line spacing should either be 2.0 or 1.5 spacing. That’s it. Those are your options. Stick to normal margins in Microsoft Word You should use font size 12. If you artificially change any of this, your teacher will see through it and grade you down .

Final Thoughts

Making an essay longer needs to be done in a way that will get you marks. I can’t believe that there are websites ranking high on google that recommend tricks like “make the space between lines bigger” and “increase your margins”.

If a student did that in my class, I’d fail them instantly. There are smarter and better ways to do it – whether you’re writing a grade 7 essay or dissertation chapter! Do it the right way and you’ll grow your marks and be on the way to success.

Chris

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
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It’s the roadmap to your essay, it’s the forecast for your argument, it’s...your introduction paragraph, and writing one can feel pretty intimidating. The introduction paragraph is a part of just about every kind of academic writing , from persuasive essays to research papers. But that doesn’t mean writing one is easy!

If trying to write an intro paragraph makes you feel like a Muggle trying to do magic, trust us: you aren’t alone. But there are some tips and tricks that can make the process easier—and that’s where we come in.

In this article, we’re going to explain how to write a captivating intro paragraph by covering the following info:  

  • A discussion of what an introduction paragraph is and its purpose in an essay
  • An overview of the most effective introduction paragraph format, with explanations of the three main parts of an intro paragraph
  • An analysis of real intro paragraph examples, with a discussion of what works and what doesn’t
  • A list of four top tips on how to write an introduction paragraph

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

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What Is an Introduction Paragraph? 

An introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay , paper, or other type of academic writing. Argumentative essays , book reports, research papers, and even personal  essays are common types of writing that require an introduction paragraph. Whether you’re writing a research paper for a science course or an argumentative essay for English class , you’re going to have to write an intro paragraph. 

So what’s the purpose of an intro paragraph? As a reader’s first impression of your essay, the intro paragraph should introduce the topic of your paper. 

Your introduction will also state any claims, questions, or issues that your paper will focus on. This is commonly known as your paper’s thesis . This condenses the overall point of your paper into one or two short sentences that your reader can come back and reference later.

But intro paragraphs need to do a bit more than just introduce your topic. An intro paragraph is also supposed to grab your reader’s attention. The intro paragraph is your chance to provide just enough info and intrigue to make your reader say, “Hey, this topic sounds interesting. I think I’ll keep reading this essay!” That can help your essay stand out from the crowd.

In most cases, an intro paragraph will be relatively short. A good intro will be clear, brief, purposeful, and focused. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s common for intro paragraphs to consist of three to five sentences . 

Effectively introducing your essay’s topic, purpose, and getting your reader invested in your essay sounds like a lot to ask from one little paragraph, huh? In the next section, we’ll demystify the intro paragraph format by breaking it down into its core parts . When you learn how to approach each part of an intro, writing one won’t seem so scary!

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Once you figure out the three parts of an intro paragraph, writing one will be a piece of cake!

The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph

In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement . Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay. 

Below, we’ll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an effective hook, providing context, and crafting a thesis statement. When you put these elements together, you’ll have an intro paragraph that does a great job of making a great first impression on your audience!

Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook

When it comes to how to start an introduction paragraph, o ne of the most common approaches is to start with something called a hook. 

What does hook mean here, though? Think of it this way: it’s like when you start a new Netflix series: you look up a few hours (and a few episodes) later and you say, “Whoa. I guess I must be hooked on this show!” 

That’s how the hook is supposed to work in an intro paragrap h: it should get your reader interested enough that they don’t want to press the proverbial “pause” button while they’re reading it . In other words, a hook is designed to grab your reader’s attention and keep them reading your essay! 

This means that the hook comes first in the intro paragraph format—it’ll be the opening sentence of your intro. 

It’s important to realize  that there are many different ways to write a good hook. But generally speaking, hooks must include these two things: what your topic is, and the angle you’re taking on that topic in your essay. 

One approach to writing a hook that works is starting with a general, but interesting, statement on your topic. In this type of hook, you’re trying to provide a broad introduction to your topic and your angle on the topic in an engaging way . 

For example, if you’re writing an essay about the role of the government in the American healthcare system, your hook might look something like this: 

There's a growing movement to require that the federal government provide affordable, effective healthcare for all Americans. 

This hook introduces the essay topic in a broad way (government and healthcare) by presenting a general statement on the topic. But the assumption presented in the hook can also be seen as controversial, which gets readers interested in learning more about what the writer—and the essay—has to say.

In other words, the statement above fulfills the goals of a good hook: it’s intriguing and provides a general introduction to the essay topic.

Intro Paragraph Part 2: Context

Once you’ve provided an attention-grabbing hook, you’ll want to give more context about your essay topic. Context refers to additional details that reveal the specific focus of your paper. So, whereas the hook provides a general introduction to your topic, context starts helping readers understand what exactly you’re going to be writing about

You can include anywhere from one to several sentences of context in your intro, depending on your teacher’s expectations, the length of your paper, and complexity of your topic. In these context-providing sentences, you want to begin narrowing the focus of your intro. You can do this by describing a specific issue or question about your topic that you’ll address in your essay. It also helps readers start to understand why the topic you’re writing about matters and why they should read about it. 

So, what counts as context for an intro paragraph? Context can be any important details or descriptions that provide background on existing perspectives, common cultural attitudes, or a specific situation or controversy relating to your essay topic. The context you include should acquaint your reader with the issues, questions, or events that motivated you to write an essay on your topic...and that your reader should know in order to understand your thesis. 

For instance, if you’re writing an essay analyzing the consequences of sexism in Hollywood, the context you include after your hook might make reference to the #metoo and #timesup movements that have generated public support for victims of sexual harassment. 

The key takeaway here is that context establishes why you’re addressing your topic and what makes it important. It also sets you up for success on the final piece of an intro paragraph: the thesis statement.

Elle Woods' statement offers a specific point of view on the topic of murder...which means it could serve as a pretty decent thesis statement!

Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis

The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way . The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph. 

Whether it’s making a claim, outlining key points, or stating a hypothesis, your thesis statement will tell your reader exactly what idea(s) are going to be addressed in your essay. A good thesis statement will be clear, straightforward, and highlight the overall point you’re trying to make.

Some instructors also ask students to include an essay map as part of their thesis. An essay map is a section that outlines the major topics a paper will address. So for instance, say you’re writing a paper that argues for the importance of public transport in rural communities. Your thesis and essay map might look like this: 

Having public transport in rural communities helps people improve their economic situation by giving them reliable transportation to their job, reducing the amount of money they spend on gas, and providing new and unionized work .

The underlined section is the essay map because it touches on the three big things the writer will talk about later. It literally maps out the rest of the essay!

So let’s review: Your thesis takes the idea you’ve introduced in your hook and context and wraps it up. Think of it like a television episode: the hook sets the scene by presenting a general statement and/or interesting idea that sucks you in. The context advances the plot by describing the topic in more detail and helping readers understand why the topic is important. And finally, the thesis statement provides the climax by telling the reader what you have to say about the topic. 

The thesis statement is the most important part of the intro. Without it, your reader won’t know what the purpose of your essay is! And for a piece of writing to be effective, it needs to have a clear purpose. Your thesis statement conveys that purpose , so it’s important to put careful thought into writing a clear and compelling thesis statement. 

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How To Write an Introduction Paragraph: Example and Analysis

Now that we’ve provided an intro paragraph outline and have explained the three key parts of an intro paragraph, let’s take a look at an intro paragraph in action.

To show you how an intro paragraph works, we’ve included a sample introduction paragraph below, followed by an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.

Example of Introduction Paragraph

While college students in the U.S. are struggling with how to pay for college, there is another surprising demographic that’s affected by the pressure to pay for college: families and parents. In the face of tuition price tags that total more than $100,000 (as a low estimate), families must make difficult decisions about how to save for their children’s college education. Charting a feasible path to saving for college is further complicated by the FAFSA’s estimates for an “Expected Family Contribution”—an amount of money that is rarely feasible for most American families. Due to these challenging financial circumstances and cultural pressure to give one’s children the best possible chance of success in adulthood, many families are going into serious debt to pay for their children’s college education. The U.S. government should move toward bearing more of the financial burden of college education. 

Example of Introduction Paragraph: Analysis

Before we dive into analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of this example intro paragraph, let’s establish the essay topic. The sample intro indicates that t he essay topic will focus on one specific issue: who should cover the cost of college education in the U.S., and why. Both the hook and the context help us identify the topic, while the thesis in the last sentence tells us why this topic matters to the writer—they think the U.S. Government needs to help finance college education. This is also the writer’s argument, which they’ll cover in the body of their essay. 

Now that we’ve identified the essay topic presented in the sample intro, let’s dig into some analysis. To pin down its strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to use the following three questions to guide our example of introduction paragraph analysis: 

  • Does this intro provide an attention-grabbing opening sentence that conveys the essay topic? 
  • Does this intro provide relevant, engaging context about the essay topic? 
  • Does this intro provide a thesis statement that establishes the writer’s point of view on the topic and what specific aspects of the issue the essay will address? 

Now, let’s use the questions above to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this sample intro paragraph. 

Does the Intro Have a Good Hook? 

First, the intro starts out with an attention-grabbing hook . The writer starts by presenting  an assumption (that the U.S. federal government bears most of the financial burden of college education), which makes the topic relatable to a wide audience of readers. Also note that the hook relates to the general topic of the essay, which is the high cost of college education. 

The hook then takes a surprising turn by presenting a counterclaim : that American families, rather than students, feel the true burden of paying for college. Some readers will have a strong emotional reaction to this provocative counterclaim, which will make them want to keep reading! As such, this intro provides an effective opening sentence that conveys the essay topic. 

Does the Intro Give Context?

T he second, third, and fourth sentences of the intro provide contextual details that reveal the specific focus of the writer’s paper . Remember: the context helps readers start to zoom in on what the paper will focus on, and what aspect of the general topic (college costs) will be discussed later on. 

The context in this intro reveals the intent and direction of the paper by explaining why the issue of families financing college is important. In other words, the context helps readers understand why this issue matters , and what aspects of this issue will be addressed in the paper.  

To provide effective context, the writer refers to issues (the exorbitant cost of college and high levels of family debt) that have received a lot of recent scholarly and media attention. These sentences of context also elaborate on the interesting perspective included in the hook: that American families are most affected by college costs.

Does the Intro Have a Thesis? 

Finally, this intro provides a thesis statement that conveys the writer’s point of view on the issue of financing college education. This writer believes that the U.S. government should do more to pay for students’ college educations. 

However, the thesis statement doesn’t give us any details about why the writer has made this claim or why this will help American families . There isn’t an essay map that helps readers understand what points the writer will make in the essay.

To revise this thesis statement so that it establishes the specific aspects of the topic that the essay will address, the writer could add the following to the beginning of the thesis statement:

The U.S. government should take on more of the financial burden of college education because other countries have shown this can improve education rates while reducing levels of familial poverty.

Check out the new section in bold. Not only does it clarify that the writer is talking about the pressure put on families, it touches on the big topics the writer will address in the paper: improving education rates and reduction of poverty. So not only do we have a clearer argumentative statement in this thesis, we also have an essay map!  

So, let’s recap our analysis. This sample intro paragraph does an effective job of providing an engaging hook and relatable, interesting context, but the thesis statement needs some work ! As you write your own intro paragraphs, you might consider using the questions above to evaluate and revise your work. Doing this will help ensure you’ve covered all of your bases and written an intro that your readers will find interesting!

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4 Tips for How To Write an Introduction Paragraph

Now that we’ve gone over an example of introduction paragraph analysis, let’s talk about how to write an introduction paragraph of your own. Keep reading for four tips for writing a successful intro paragraph for any essay. 

Tip 1: Analyze Your Essay Prompt

If you’re having trouble with how to start an introduction paragraph, analyze your essay prompt! Most teachers give you some kind of assignment sheet, formal instructions, or prompt to set the expectations for an essay they’ve assigned, right? Those instructions can help guide you as you write your intro paragraph!

Because they’ll be reading and responding to your essay, you want to make sure you meet your teacher’s expectations for an intro paragraph . For instance, if they’ve provided specific instructions about how long the intro should be or where the thesis statement should be located, be sure to follow them!

The type of paper you’re writing can give you clues as to how to approach your intro as well. If you’re writing a research paper, your professor might expect you to provide a research question or state a hypothesis in your intro. If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you’ll need to make sure your intro overviews the context surrounding your argument and your thesis statement includes a clear, defensible claim. 

Using the parameters set out by your instructor and assignment sheet can put some easy-to-follow boundaries in place for things like your intro’s length, structure, and content. Following these guidelines can free you up to focus on other aspects of your intro... like coming up with an exciting hook and conveying your point of view on your topic!

Tip 2: Narrow Your Topic

You can’t write an intro paragraph without first identifying your topic. To make your intro as effective as possible, you need to define the parameters of your topic clearly—and you need to be specific. 

For example, let’s say you want to write about college football. “NCAA football” is too broad of a topic for a paper. There is a lot to talk about in terms of college football! It would be tough to write an intro paragraph that’s focused, purposeful, and engaging on this topic. In fact, if you did try to address this whole topic, you’d probably end up writing a book!

Instead, you should narrow broad topics to  identify a specific question, claim, or issue pertaining to some aspect of NCAA football for your intro to be effective. So, for instance, you could frame your topic as, “How can college professors better support NCAA football players in academics?” This focused topic pertaining to NCAA football would give you a more manageable angle to discuss in your paper.

So before you think about writing your intro, ask yourself: Is my essay topic specific, focused, and logical? Does it convey an issue or question that I can explore over the course of several pages? Once you’ve established a good topic, you’ll have the foundation you need to write an effective intro paragraph . 

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Once you've figured out your topic, it's time to hit the books!

Tip 3: Do Your Research

This tip is tightly intertwined with the one above, and it’s crucial to writing a good intro: do your research! And, guess what? This tip applies to all papers—even ones that aren’t technically research papers. 

Here’s why you need to do some research: getting the lay of the land on what others have said about your topic—whether that’s scholars and researchers or the mass media— will help you narrow your topic, write an engaging hook, and provide relatable context. 

You don't want to sit down to write your intro without a solid understanding of the different perspectives on your topic. Whether those are the perspectives of experts or the general public, these points of view will help you write your intro in a way that is intriguing and compelling for your audience of readers. 

Tip 4: Write Multiple Drafts

Some say to write your intro first; others say write it last. The truth is, there isn’t a right or wrong time to write your intro—but you do need to have enough time to write multiple drafts . 

Oftentimes, your professor will ask you to write multiple drafts of your paper, which gives you a built-in way to make sure you revise your intro. Another approach you could take is to write out a rough draft of your intro before you begin writing your essay, then revise it multiple times as you draft out your paper. 

Here’s why this approach can work: as you write your paper, you’ll probably come up with new insights on your topic that you didn’t have right from the start. You can use these “light bulb” moments to reevaluate your intro and make revisions that keep it in line with your developing essay draft. 

Once you’ve written your entire essay, consider going back and revising your intro again . You can ask yourself these questions as you evaluate your intro: 

  • Is my hook still relevant to the way I’ve approached the topic in my essay?
  • Do I provide enough appropriate context to introduce my essay? 
  • Now that my essay is written, does my thesis statement still accurately reflect the point of view that I present in my essay?

Using these questions as a guide and putting your intro through multiple revisions will help ensure that you’ve written the best intro for the final draft of your essay. Also, revising your writing is always a good thing to do—and this applies to your intro, too!

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What's Next?

Your college essays also need great intro paragraphs. Here’s a guide that focuses on how to write the perfect intro for your admissions essays. 

Of course, the intro is just one part of your college essay . This article will teach you how to write a college essay that makes admissions counselors sit up and take notice.

Are you trying to write an analytical essay? Our step-by-step guide can help you knock it out of the park.

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Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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Can an Introduction be Multiple Paragraphs: How to Write it

  • by Joseph Kenas
  • January 5, 2024
  • Writing Tips

Can-an-Introduction-Be-More-Than-One-Paragraph

An introduction plays a key role in setting the pace for the essay paper. In this guide, we will explore whether an introduction of an essay can have more than one paragraph and give you tips on how to do it well.

The length of the paragraph should correspond to the size of the essay paper. For instance, you can have a single introduction paragraph if your essay is short.

A more complex paper can have more than one introduction paragraph if you are expounding on the topic. 

The Optimal Length of the Introduction Paragraph

1. best length for intro of a short essay .

When you are writing a short essay, you would want to be price about giving the background information.

For example, if you are crafting a five-paragraph essay, it can be appropriate to retain a single-paragraph introduction. It gives you an allowance to have other items in the body to capture all corners. 

2. Long Essay

A long essay can even take more than 20 pages. That means that you will be handling a wide topic.

In such a situation, it will be great to hook the reader by giving more details in the introduction. Such introductions may exceed more than one paragraph. 

3. Research Paper

Here, an introduction can be long or moderate as long as the author wants to express the main idea in the introduction paragraphs.

There exist no rule for a paragraph. Some can extend to 150 words. However, for readability reasons, you can opt to divide it into smaller ones and make it more than one.  

4. Thesis or a Dissertation

Readers like to respond in short paragraphs. Suppose your dissertation exceeds 5000 words, then it calls for as many paragraphs as you can

Suppose you what to hook the reader within the introduction, then you should use many introduction paragraphs to make your idea clear to the audience. For this case, a thesis can have more than one introductory paragraph. 

Factors Determining the Length of an Introduction Paragraph

An introduction paragraph can either be long or short depending on many factors as detailed below:

1. The Type of the Hook

Sometimes it needs the skill to catch the reader’s attention and engage them throughout the content of your essay. Having a hook is one of the best ways to start an essay and get the attention of the reader. This makes it important for a good essay.

writing Introduction Paragraph

The type of the hook determines the length of the introduction part of an essay.

Some hooks are long, others are short. The hook could be short or long as per the writer’s preference.

Typically, a hook should tell you what the topic is all about, and the approach one is taking to pass the message should be straightforward. 

The hook can belong if you want to broaden the details of the topic in an engaging manner. It should state the general statement of the topic. 

2. The Context of the Essay

By context, we mean extra details you use to reveal the particular focus of your paper. It can only be effective if it assists the reader in knowing what you will be talking about in the essay. The author can include anywhere within many sentences within the introduction paragraphs. 

Just like the hook above, the hook can decrease or increase the length of the introduction paragraph. That is so because you will be describing a specific issue about your topic. 

3. Topic Complexity 

Some essay papers could be handling a simple or complex topic. For the case of a simple topic, it is easier to make a short introduction paragraph.

On the contrary, handling a complex topic may call for a longer introduction to enable the reader to have an overview of what is in the offing. 

d) Type of the Paper

Various papers can have different lengths of introductions. For example, you cannot expect a research paper with fifteen pages to have the same introduction as a two-paper essay paper. You must balance the introduction with the length of the words that your paper is carrying. 

How to Write a Good Introduction Paragraph

After creating a title and the abstract, the next challenge thing is to write the introduction. One needs to know what to include to engage the audience. In this section, we will be giving you some useful tips to make the essay worth reading. 

writing introduction

1. Begin Broadly

The author should make the first paragraph describe in brief what the research area is all about.

However, ensure to narrow it down to a specific focus.

One should strategically position them to make them accessible to the audience. 

At this point, you should state the aim and the significance of the topic to the reader. As such, you will be motivating the reader who wants to understand the gains of the topic.

The writer should say what he intends to achieve and encourage the reader to follow it to the end for further elaboration. 

2. Hook the Reader

The first sentence should set the pace and the tone of the essay. Again, spend quality time to craft a compelling hook. It is not advisable to use long sentences at this point. Begin with a concise and clear sentence to spark the reader’s attention. 

Let the hook direct the reader to follow the essay by giving a topical sense. You should avoid broad claims because they may draw the audience into confusion. 

3. Offer Background Information 

Another aspect worth noting is to giving context to the audience. Such an argument helps whoever is reading to know what that topic is all about. It should have a historical, social, or geographical context. 

The information in this part should be the outline of what you intend to say in the write-up. Furthermore, it should summarize the research about the topic. Most times, it should include the key definition terms. 

Avoid giving too many details in this area as you will elaborate more in the essay body. 

4. Present the Thesis Statement

Also, tell the audience what you are saying about the topic. The thesis statement will summarize the overall arguments as it is the most significant part of the introduction. The aim is to help you to convey your position about your central point. 

5. Keep Introduction Short 

There lacks a specific limit on how the introduction should be when you are writing your essay.

Introduction writing

Let the first sentences be short of setting the stage for the article.

Readers respond well to shorter sentences because they are impatient to read through the long article effectively. 

The great strategy is to avoid burying the key idea in the deep of the article.

Give a hint in the introduction to entice the reader who is looking for that information. 

6. Dedicate Special Sentences

One can dedicate at least one or two sentences to talks about what the article is covering. It is necessary to layout such sentences to assist the reader in knowing what to expect in the essay.

That determines if the reader will scroll through other parts or not depending on you presented it. 

7. Refer to a Concern a Reader may Have 

The introduction is a perfect place to pull the pain point of the reader. Even better, you should encourage the reader to peruse the essay to discover the solution to what the problem is all about. The writer should communicate the problem and be sympathetic to the reader. 

8. Check Journal Requirements 

Different journals have varying requirements in the introductions. For instance, some usually state the maximum word count that should appear in the introduction. Some of the guidelines might include specific content. It should be a summary of the main results. 

9. Use Statists

Finally, it is important to communicate the statistics to give the importance of your research to the reader. Look for eye-catching statistics and make them real to the reader to covey a clear idea that uplifts the understanding. 

how to make a intro paragraph longer

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Writing Tips / How to Make an Essay Longer the Smart Way

How to Make an Essay Longer the Smart Way

Meeting an essay’s required page or word count can sometimes be a struggle, especially if you’re juggling multiple papers or exams. In a pinch, students often rely on tricks like increasing margin size or making their font slightly bigger. Though these tricks do increase page length, there are easier (and smarter) ways to write a longer, high-quality essay. Making a paper meet minimum word or page counts doesn’t have to be an agonizing process—you can add length while also adding clarity and depth.

Here are 10 tips on how you can write a longer and a smarter essay, even if the deadline is fast approaching:

Tip #1: Look Back at Your Prompt/Rubric/etc.

If you’ve been provided a comprehensive prompt or rubric for an essay, read it, and read it again. Think about the following:

  • Did you answer all of the questions in the prompt?
  • Did you provide supporting evidence to back up whatever claims you made?
  • Did you leave out any information that might increase the reader’s understanding of your argument?
  • Did you meet all requirements (besides length) for the paper?

If the answer isn’t a decisive “yes” to every question on this list, go back and revise.

Tip #2: Go Back Through Your Introduction and Conclusion

Often times, ideas evolve while writing a paper. If the first thing you wrote was the introduction, go back and reread the first paragraph. You might decide that you left out key information that aids the reader in understanding your argument. When looking back on the conclusion, make sure you’ve both summarized the main points within the essay and provided your reader with a solution to consider. If you don’t feel you’ve done this, go back through and revise the paper.

Tip #3: Have Someone Proofread Your Essay

Even if you’re short on time ask a friend, sibling, or parent to read through your paper, specifically noting any points they find confusing. Then, go back and revise the parts that were unclear, adding in more information to provide readers with further clarity. You have a more comprehensive understanding of what you’re writing about than your reader, so having someone else look over your paper can be a helpful way to ensure that you haven’t missed any important details.

Tip #4: Use Quotations

Chances are, you have already used quotes in your paper. Quotations are a great way to enhance your argument while also driving up a paper’s word count, but don’t add quotes just for the sake of doing so. If you’re short on words, read through your source materials again to see if you’ve missed any valuable quotes. You can also do a little more research to see if there are any other sources you can add to provide the reader with more evidence toward your argument. Longer quotes aren’t necessarily better, but if you’re really in a bind, you might want to lengthen some of the quotes that are already included.

Tip #5: Review Your Outline

Did you make an outline to plan the essay when you first started? Go back through that initial outline and make sure you’ve hit all of your intended points. It’s possible that you’ve left out an important piece of your argument that would both increase page count and make for a better essay.

Tip #6: Include More Transitional Phrases

Graders often look for traditional words linking sentences to each other, like “therefore,” “even though”, and “on the other hand.” Read through your essay and make sure the sentences flow smoothly into each other. If they don’t, go back and add in transitional phrases like the ones listed above. Your writing will be easier to read, and you’ll get closer to the minimum page requirement in the process.

Tip #7: Read Your Paper Out Loud

This might sound like a silly tip, but when you read your paper out loud, you become increasingly aware of any grammatical or syntactical issues. When you rephrase sentences to fix these, you might end up increasing the paper length a bit. In the process of reading out loud, you also might realize that you didn’t include sufficient details within a particular paragraph. If that’s the case, go back in and add more to increase length.

Tip #8: Take a Break From Your Essay

You’ve probably been staring at your computer screen for hours, hoping words will magically pop into your head. Take a break. Eat a snack, go for a walk, or talk to a friend on the phone. You’ll come back to the essay with a fresh perspective after some time away, and you might have new ideas after you’ve had time away from your paper.

Tip #9: Ask Your Instructor for Help

Most teachers, teaching assistants, and professors are willing to look over papers for students before the final submission date. If there is still time, ask if you can make an appointment to go over your paper or head over to office hours. Your instructor might offer tips on how to better answer the prompt, and this in turn may also increase the word count of the paper.

Tip #10: Use multiple examples to back up your argument

If you’ve only used one source or anecdote to explain a given point, find a second source to provide additional evidence for the reader. This method will help drive up a paper’s word count while also providing further support for your argument.

Although hitting a minimum page count can sometimes be challenging, you can do it the smart way by increasing the information you provide to the reader—there’s no reason to resort to tricks like increasing line spacing or font size. If you’re really in a bind at the last minute, you might want to break up some of your paragraphs. This increases length while also making text more manageable for a reader. But after going through the tips on this list, your paper should be adequate in length without you having to even consider spacing.

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How to Make an Essay Longer

How to Make an Essay Longer

  • 7-minute read
  • 10th May 2023

So you have an essay due the next day. You’ve been holed up in your dorm all day writing it, and now you’ve finished the conclusion. You shake your fist in celebratory fashion as you punctuate the paper’s last sentence. However, your jaw drops in horror when you focus on the word count. The essay rubric states that you must write at least 1,500 words, but you’ve written only 1,000 ! How can this be? You worked so hard to do what the assignment asked you. We know the feeling, and we’re sure every college student experiences it at least once.

So with time running out, you can do the following:

●  Submit the essay and hope the professor doesn’t notice

●  Add some gibberish sentences to get close enough to the required word count

We don’t recommend these options. Making an essay longer seems daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. That’s why we’re providing this post on expanding your essay while keeping it relevant to the topic. We’ll share our helpful tips, and by the end of the post, you’ll know what to do next time your essay falls short of the word count.

1. Add Content to the Essay

Adding more details is a great starting point for increasing the word count. Review your essay and see whether you should have addressed additional points about the topic. Could you include a few more arguments?  

You’ll likely have to review your sources to find additional claims. We understand that you might not want to do this, especially if the clock reads midnight and your class starts in nine hours. However, adding more content not only increases the word count; it also makes your essay more credible. 

If you need to add content, make sure it’s relevant to the topic. Consider the following example:

Personal details about the source’s author are irrelevant. Submitting such details will only earn you the wrath of your professor’s red ink. Let’s try an alternative:

Expanding on the citation with personal insight about screen time adds punch while keeping the discussion relevant. Additional details must move your essay forward the way dialogue and narrative do for a work of fiction.  

2. Add Transitional Sentences and Phrases

Your essay might be short of words because it lacks transitional phrases, so you should add some to the mix. In fact, every academic paper should include a healthy blend of transitional sentences and transitional words/phrases . Not sure what we mean by that? You know words and phrases such as however , moreover , and in addition . 

As with details, transitional phrases help to move the essay forward, so make sure to use them correctly. Let’s take an example from an essay about the late Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic:

As you can see, the writer uses transitional phrases correctly, adding value and words to the essay. When you use them correctly, transitional sentences and phrases improve the flow of your writing , enhancing readability. Professors expect coherent essays that flow smoothly, so transitional sentences and phrases are mandatory, regardless of word count. 

That being said, it can be easy to overuse linking words, particularly if you’re a non-native writer. Check out this interesting article from Fabio Cerpeloni, who argues that linking words can impact the readability of your text . 

3. Spell Out Words and Numbers

If you have contractions in your essay, such as can’t , won’t , and couldn’t , write them out in full. You shouldn’t use contractions at all in academic writing because they’re considered informal. Although using full versions of words seems to be a miniscule measure, doing so can go a long way to increasing your word count. And as a rule, you can also spell out numbers one through eleven. Again, doing this will help expand your essay.

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To save time switching out your contractions, make sure you’re familiar with Microsoft Word’s find and replace tool .  

4. Add More Examples

Using at least two examples, you should aim to support every argument you present. If you have only one example for an argument, add a couple more. Provide citations to support your claims; otherwise, your professor will question your knowledge. As with details, examples will strengthen your essay. It’s a win–win situation!

If the essay has enough citations but still needs more words, you could try paraphrasing claims from sources. Just be sure to paraphrase effectively . You wouldn’t want to fall into the trap of plagiarism!

5. Review the Introduction and Conclusion

Now that you’ve written the essay, go back to the introduction and the conclusion. You might be able to expand on them and provide extra details. Remember that the introduction serves as a lead-in to the essay. In other words, it captures your readers’ attention and makes them want to keep reading. If your introduction appears weak, add details that will engage the reader properly.

And for the conclusion, provide a takeaway for the reader and offer a call to action. For example, what are the most important things to remember about your essay? The conclusion may lack punch, so add some details to improve it.

6. Expand Your Research on the Topic

The amount of research you’ve done could affect the word count. One way to check this is by reviewing your reference list. It should have at least five sources, so if yours has fewer, you need to do more research. Again, it’s not something you’d like to do in the middle of the night; however, sacrifices must be made if your essay needs more research. We guarantee your professor will notice if you haven’t done enough research. Here’s an extra tip: adding details will be much easier if you’re fully knowledgeable about the topic. Trust us on this!

While making an essay longer may seem daunting, doing so is easier if you’ve adequately researched the topic. The essay likely needs more ideas or examples, so go ahead and add them. Additional details will lend value, improve flow, and make your essay more credible. The most important thing to remember is that any details you add must be relevant. Simply adding fluff will weaken your essay and cost you marks. So never submit an essay with a low word count; your professor will notice! And after all, expanding on an essay is part of mastering essay writing skills .

We recommend not waiting until the last minute to check that your essay meets the required word count. Adding details or doing additional research the night before will only spell trouble. We understand the difficulty of making time when multiple papers are due in the same week. However, college life will test your time management skills like nothing else! Use your time wisely!

1.  Why do essays fall short of the required word count?

This is often due to a lack of details and transitional sentences. Review your essay to see whether it’s missing important examples that can strengthen your claims.

2.  Can I simply add “fluff” to increase the word count?

Anything you add to the essay must be relevant and must add value. Your professor is no fool, after all!

3. I hear proofreading is essential before submitting my essay. Can anyone help me with this?

We suggest our proofreading experts at Proofed! They can check your writing for grammar and punctuation errors and ensure perfect spelling and concision. Consider submitting a 500-word document for free today!

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UMGC Effective Writing Center The Introductory Paragraph

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The paragraph that begins an essay causes students the most trouble, yet carries the most importance. Although its precise construction varies from genre to genre (and from essay to essay), good introductory paragraphs generally accomplish the same tasks and follow a few basic patterns. Some of them are listed below, but keep in mind that what follows are guidelines, not immutable templates.

Tasks:  The introductory paragraph to a short essay usually attempts to do three things:

  • Introduce the topic  with some indication of its inherent interest or importance, and a clear definition of the boundaries of the subject area
  • Indicate the structure and/or methodology of the essay , often with the major sections of the essay or its structural principle clearly stated
  • State the thesis of the essay , preferably in a single, arguable statement with a clear main clause

Not every essay does all three in the first paragraph, and the degree to which an essay declares its structure or methodology may vary widely, depending on how necessary that information will be to the readers. Sometimes, the entire first paragraph will serve no other purpose than to generate interest in the subject or raise a question, leaving the other tasks for the second paragraph. However, this kind of opening requires a lot of skill, and you can lose your readers in the second and third paragraphs if do not make your purpose clear.

Patterns:  The standard pattern for an introductory paragraph follows the order of the tasks outlined above. Below is an outline of that pattern, written as if it were the first section of a formal outline of the entire essay:

Introduction

  • Its boundaries
  • Why it is interesting
  • The essay’s main sections (structure)
  • Why they come in that order (structural principle)
  • How the author plans to draw the necessary conclusions from the information available (methodology)
  • Its premise (the general claim about the information available)
  • Its conclusion (the consequences of the first claim)

Not every essay contains every element in precisely this order, but most good essays cover all of them, either explicitly or implicitly. In longer and more scholarly essays, the structure/methodology section should be longer, or can even be its own paragraph. It should also include some mention of the essay’s position within the field as a whole.

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How to Write a Page-Long Introduction

Nadine smith.

Brown wooden bookshelf.jpg

Upper-year college or graduate students face the challenge of filling 10 or more pages for an essay assignment. A 10-page paper requires a long introduction, roughly a page or more. Writing a one-page introduction may seem daunting, but you have several options as to what you can include. The structure and content of your page-long introduction depends on the type of assignment you are completing.

Explore this article

  • Grab your reader s
  • Present the historical or social context
  • Frame the issue
  • State your thesis

1 Grab your reader s

Grab your reader’s attention by beginning with a relevant quotation, anecdote or question. “History knows no greater display of courage than that shown by the people of the Soviet Union,” a World War II quote by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, sets the stage for a history essay that explores the role of the Soviet Union in defeating the Germans.

2 Present the historical or social context

Present the historical or social context of your topic. Most long papers require research; you have likely become an expert on your topic through your reading. However, your reader may not share your knowledge of the subject and will not be able to grasp the significance of your thesis without some context. Context answers who, what, where, when and why about a topic. For example, after the quote about the courage of the Soviet Union, you could describe the conditions under which the Soviet army fought, how long, where and why they fought and how many soldiers died. Explain the context in 50 to 200 words. Cite any references to research.

3 Frame the issue

Frame the issue. Without giving away your ultimate argument, position or focus, explain the theme or issue you will be discussing. For instance, if your essay argues that the Soviet’s role in World War II was superfluous, describe the current scholarly debate on this issue. Brief the reader on what either side believes. Frame the issue in 50 to 100 words.

4 State your thesis

State your thesis. The thesis contains the argument of your paper. In a paper on the Soviet Union’s role in World War I, the thesis might read “Despite popular belief, the Soviet Union suffered needlessly in World War II, because the Allies could have won without their effort on the Eastern front.” The thesis is usually the final sentence of an introduction.

  • Think of your introduction as preparation for your thesis, which comes at the end. All sentences prior to the thesis should build up to it.
  • Divide your introduction into paragraphs if you feel you have presented an overwhelming number of sentences in a row.
  • Your thesis can also contain your paper's three major points.
  • 1 Michigan State University: Thesis, Quotations, Introductions and Conclusions
  • 2 Los Angeles Trade Technical College: Writer Center

About the Author

Nadine Smith has been writing since 2010. She teaches college writing and ESL courses and has several years experience tutoring all ages in English, ESL and literature. Nadine holds a Master of Arts in English language and literature from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, where she led seminars as a teaching assistant.

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Essay Extender for Students

Have you ever struggled to reach the specific word count while writing an essay? Our online essay extender can help you get the desired word count with just a few simple steps. All you have to do is:

  • Copy and paste your essay.
  • Choose how many words you need in your paper.
  • Click the "Extend" button.

💎 5 Key Advantages of the Essay Extender

🙋 when to use the ai essay extender, 📜 essay extender free examples, 🖇️ essay word extender tips, 🔗 references.

Our essay word extender offers a range of benefits that can enhance your writing experience. Here are some of them:

With its user-friendly interface, our online essay extender can assist you in various ways. Check out these ideas on how you can use the tool.

1. To Increase the Word Count

One of the most common uses of our essay extender is to increase an essay's word count. You add words to the entire text or a specific part, for example, introduction, conclusion, or body paragraphs. This gives you more control over where you want to expand an essay and helps you tailor the extension to the academic requirements .

Our tool adds words without compromising the quality of their writing. Since it uses advanced AI algorithms, it extends the text while maintaining the coherence and flow of the original content.

2. To Add a New Part

AI essay extender can also help you add a new part to your essay. For example, if you have already written the introduction and body paragraphs but are struggling with the conclusion, our tool can generate it.

Similarly, if you need to add a new body paragraph to support your argument , our essay extender can generate a paragraph based on your prompt. This feature is particularly useful when you are short on time and need to complete your essay quickly.

3. To Get New Ideas

Sometimes, you only need a fresh perspective to improve your writing. Our essay extender can generate unique ideas by developing a body paragraph on any topic. This feature is helpful for those who are stuck with their writing and need some inspiration to continue. You can use this generated paragraph as a starting point and further develop it according to your ideas and arguments.

Wanna see how essay extender generator works in practice? Let's try it together. Imagine you're writing an argumentative essay on "Should all internships be paid?" We'll use our tool to add some words to a body paragraph and then develop an effective introduction.

All internships should be paid for the simple fact that interns are providing valuable work and skills to the company. It is unfair to expect young workers, who are often already struggling with student debt, to work for free. Interns are not just shadowing or observing; they actively contribute to the company's operations and success. By not compensating them, companies are perpetuating a cycle of unpaid labor and exploiting the enthusiasm and eagerness of young workers. Furthermore, paying interns shows that their time and contributions are valued, allowing them to gain practical experience without financial strain.

All internships should be paid for the simple fact that interns are providing valuable work and skills to the company. It is unfair to expect young workers, who are often already struggling with student debt, to work for free. Interns are not just shadowing or observing; they actively contribute to the company's operations and success. For example, a student who is completing an unpaid internship at a marketing firm may be responsible for creating social media content, conducting market research, and assisting with client meetings. These tasks require time, effort, and skills, and the intern should be compensated for their contributions. By not compensating them, companies are perpetuating a cycle of unpaid labor and exploiting the enthusiasm and eagerness of young workers. Moreover, unpaid internships often come with hidden costs that can be a significant burden for students. For instance, a student interning in a different city may have to cover transportation, housing, and other expenses on top of working for free. Furthermore, paying interns shows that their time and contributions are valued, allowing them to gain practical experience without financial strain. Companies should recognize the contributions interns bring to their organization and compensate them accordingly for their hard work.

Internships have become a common way for students to gain practical experience and valuable skills in their chosen field. However, the issue of whether these internships should be paid or not has sparked a debate. While some argue that unpaid internships provide valuable learning opportunities, others believe that all internships should be paid to ensure fair treatment of young workers. In this essay, we will explore why all internships should be paid, including the value that interns bring to organizations and the hidden costs of unpaid internships.

Check out these helpful tips to work on your academic writing skills and extend an essay manually.

  • Expand your arguments . Instead of simply stating your point, provide more detailed examples to support your ideas.
  • Use transitional phrases . Transition phrases such as "in addition," "furthermore," and "moreover" can help you connect your ideas and add more depth to your essay.
  • Include relevant statistics and data . Adding statistics and data from reliable sources can boost the credibility of your essay and help you expand your arguments.
  • Incorporate quotes . Including quotes from experts or authoritative individuals adds depth and weight to your essay.
  • Provide background information . If you feel that certain concepts need more explanation, you can provide background information to help the reader better understand your points.

Remember, when expanding on your arguments, it is essential to do so smartly. This means providing detailed explanations and relevant examples that add length to your essay and strengthen your points.

❓ Essay Extender FAQ

Updated: Dec 11th, 2023

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On this page, you can find a free essay extender for students. With the help of this tool, you can increase the word count of any text – paste it into the related field and add the necessary details. The essay extender can add particular paragraphs or double your words in two clicks! Don’t miss the helpful tips and examples of text expansion.

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How To Make Your introductory Paragraph Stand Out | The intro paragraph are the eyes into your essays soul. Having a great intro paragraph will help your professor love your essay. Click through for lots of great tips on your next introductory paragraph.

How To Make Your introductory Paragraph Stand Out

Today's blog is all about one thing: creating a kick-ass introductory paragraph that gets your essay noticed and adored by your professors. A clear, concise, and dare I say kick-ass opening paragraph truly sets up your essay for success. Your intro paragraph can help organize your essay. Below you will find my best tips for being concise, relevant, humorous, professional, and enticing in your introductory paragraph. You don't have to use every single suggestion, but listen up y'all, we are going on an adventure in writing land.

As a sociology student, I write a lot of papers. Every week in my Violence & Society class we are assigned a 2-page single spaced paper (aka about 1400 words a week, ouch!) Writing a great introductory paragraph is my key to starting my essays off with a bang, and I want to show you how to do that today.

How To Make Your introductory Paragraph Stand Out | The intro paragraph are the eyes into your essays soul. Having a great intro paragraph will help your professor love your essay. Click through for lots of great tips on your next introductory paragraph.

Having a concise introductory paragraph is key to a great introductory paragraph. This paragraph doesn't need to be long, but it needs to set up the entire essay. The easiest way to be concise? List exactly what you will be talking about.

As you can see in the introductory paragraph above I stated:

 Below you will find my best tips for being concise, relevant, humorous, professional, and enticing in your introductory paragraph.

As you can tell by now, these are my goals; this is what I want you to learn as you scroll through my article. A reader should be able to see your introductory paragraph and know precisely what you intend to talk about throughout the essay. This is introductory paragraph 101, but using this method in my introductory paragraph has never steered me wrong, even as I am working on my Master's degree.

Being concise also means that you should stick to a sentence limit (five sentence paragraph, yes please!), make sure you proofread to cut out sentences that repeat or don't add value to your writing, and that you are sharing your best work first. A great introductory paragraph can boost the mood of the entire paper honestly.

Intro paragraph length does change as you create longer articles. For example, when your article is 25+ pages, you're introduction will likely be much longer than five sentences. Make sure that your intro paragraph is concise as it relates to the larger goal of your paper. Longer page lengths require more setup and a longer intro.

Be Relevant

The reason that I want you to be relevant is simple–including current events makes a statement. A few months ago I did a paper on gun control and gun violence for my Violence & Society class, and it was around the time of Sarah Palin's Donald Trump rally speech, so I included the following in my paper:

We have a lot of gun violence, but is gun control the right way to go about this issue? Also what exactly does our 2nd Amendment right give us the right to? What about the Right-winging, bitter-clinging, proud clingers of our guns, our God, and our religion, and our Constitution that Sarah Palin was talking about? How does that fit into the gun violence debate?

The reason I love including current events in my introduction paragraph is that it ties the issues discussed in the reading to events happening now. Your professor will appreciate the injection (where appropriate) of more current stories into the papers that you write. Most of all it shows that you can make connections between what you are writing about and real-life events. Especially in the liberal arts field, I believe that being able to make connections is essential. It shows that you can apply what you read and research to real-life situations.

Be Humorous

Your professors are reading a lot of papers usually when they read for class, why not give them a little humor in your paper to make the time grading seem a bit less harsh. In the example I gave above I used humor in bringing up a recent event in the introduction of my paper on gun violence and gun control.

Humor is one of those topics that I feel is important when writing, but using the correct amount and type of humor is important. You don't want to be unnecessarily crude in your papers–after all this is a professional paper. Injecting a few funny words here and there is a great way to get on your professor's good side.

Be Professional

When writing, I think we all need to remember to be professional! Yes, you want to do a lot of other things in your college papers, but above all else, you want to keep it professional.

  • Be mindful of contractions: If you are like me, I love a good contraction. I love to say y'all, isn't, ain't, and everything else. Contractions and I are best friends, but it's just simply not professional. We are great friends here on The Happy Arkansan, so I'm not going to clean up my contractions here (sorry, not sorry) but be sure that you are keeping up with contraction use in your introductory paragraph and your college papers as a whole.
  • Grammar and Spelling Matters: Besides contractions, other grammar and spelling matters in college writing. Be sure that you run your paper through a spelling and grammar checker. Run your paper by a friend or two as well. You get used to writing your paper and miss grammar and spelling errors after a while.
  • Remember to use your writing center: This is such an important part of writing a professional intro, but also a professional paper. Your universities writing center has a ton of amazing people hired to help you write better articles. If you need help with any of the following things you can get that help from your writing center.

Be Enticing

Last, but not least, be enticing. Why should someone want to continue to read your paper? Your professors are going to read your paper anyway, but why not give them a great paper to read instead of a boring one? Entice your professor by giving away just the right amount of content in your introductory paragraph, the right amount of humor, the right amount of relevance, etc. This is so important if you want to use your paper for something in the future like a conference or something of that nature. There will come a time where people won't have to continue to read your paper after they read your introduction if they don't want to. You want to make sure you entice those people too.

What will you do to create a better paper in the future?

how to make a intro paragraph longer

Amanda Cross

Amanda is the original voice behind The Happy Arkansan. She is a happiness enthusiast with a passion for helping others, marketing, and red/purple lipstick.

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Great tips Amanda 🙂 fashionphases.com

Merisa Ferrell

These are really great writing tips in general. A truly original and helpful post too, perfect timing! xx Merisa | Monogrammed Magnolias

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How to Write a Research Paper Introduction (with Examples)

How to Write a Research Paper Introduction (with Examples)

The research paper introduction section, along with the Title and Abstract, can be considered the face of any research paper. The following article is intended to guide you in organizing and writing the research paper introduction for a quality academic article or dissertation.

The research paper introduction aims to present the topic to the reader. A study will only be accepted for publishing if you can ascertain that the available literature cannot answer your research question. So it is important to ensure that you have read important studies on that particular topic, especially those within the last five to ten years, and that they are properly referenced in this section. 1 What should be included in the research paper introduction is decided by what you want to tell readers about the reason behind the research and how you plan to fill the knowledge gap. The best research paper introduction provides a systemic review of existing work and demonstrates additional work that needs to be done. It needs to be brief, captivating, and well-referenced; a well-drafted research paper introduction will help the researcher win half the battle.

The introduction for a research paper is where you set up your topic and approach for the reader. It has several key goals:

  • Present your research topic
  • Capture reader interest
  • Summarize existing research
  • Position your own approach
  • Define your specific research problem and problem statement
  • Highlight the novelty and contributions of the study
  • Give an overview of the paper’s structure

The research paper introduction can vary in size and structure depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or is a review paper. Some research paper introduction examples are only half a page while others are a few pages long. In many cases, the introduction will be shorter than all of the other sections of your paper; its length depends on the size of your paper as a whole.

  • Break through writer’s block. Write your research paper introduction with Paperpal Copilot

Table of Contents

What is the introduction for a research paper, why is the introduction important in a research paper, craft a compelling introduction section with paperpal. try now, 1. introduce the research topic:, 2. determine a research niche:, 3. place your research within the research niche:, craft accurate research paper introductions with paperpal. start writing now, frequently asked questions on research paper introduction, key points to remember.

The introduction in a research paper is placed at the beginning to guide the reader from a broad subject area to the specific topic that your research addresses. They present the following information to the reader

  • Scope: The topic covered in the research paper
  • Context: Background of your topic
  • Importance: Why your research matters in that particular area of research and the industry problem that can be targeted

The research paper introduction conveys a lot of information and can be considered an essential roadmap for the rest of your paper. A good introduction for a research paper is important for the following reasons:

  • It stimulates your reader’s interest: A good introduction section can make your readers want to read your paper by capturing their interest. It informs the reader what they are going to learn and helps determine if the topic is of interest to them.
  • It helps the reader understand the research background: Without a clear introduction, your readers may feel confused and even struggle when reading your paper. A good research paper introduction will prepare them for the in-depth research to come. It provides you the opportunity to engage with the readers and demonstrate your knowledge and authority on the specific topic.
  • It explains why your research paper is worth reading: Your introduction can convey a lot of information to your readers. It introduces the topic, why the topic is important, and how you plan to proceed with your research.
  • It helps guide the reader through the rest of the paper: The research paper introduction gives the reader a sense of the nature of the information that will support your arguments and the general organization of the paragraphs that will follow. It offers an overview of what to expect when reading the main body of your paper.

What are the parts of introduction in the research?

A good research paper introduction section should comprise three main elements: 2

  • What is known: This sets the stage for your research. It informs the readers of what is known on the subject.
  • What is lacking: This is aimed at justifying the reason for carrying out your research. This could involve investigating a new concept or method or building upon previous research.
  • What you aim to do: This part briefly states the objectives of your research and its major contributions. Your detailed hypothesis will also form a part of this section.

How to write a research paper introduction?

The first step in writing the research paper introduction is to inform the reader what your topic is and why it’s interesting or important. This is generally accomplished with a strong opening statement. The second step involves establishing the kinds of research that have been done and ending with limitations or gaps in the research that you intend to address. Finally, the research paper introduction clarifies how your own research fits in and what problem it addresses. If your research involved testing hypotheses, these should be stated along with your research question. The hypothesis should be presented in the past tense since it will have been tested by the time you are writing the research paper introduction.

The following key points, with examples, can guide you when writing the research paper introduction section:

  • Highlight the importance of the research field or topic
  • Describe the background of the topic
  • Present an overview of current research on the topic

Example: The inclusion of experiential and competency-based learning has benefitted electronics engineering education. Industry partnerships provide an excellent alternative for students wanting to engage in solving real-world challenges. Industry-academia participation has grown in recent years due to the need for skilled engineers with practical training and specialized expertise. However, from the educational perspective, many activities are needed to incorporate sustainable development goals into the university curricula and consolidate learning innovation in universities.

  • Reveal a gap in existing research or oppose an existing assumption
  • Formulate the research question

Example: There have been plausible efforts to integrate educational activities in higher education electronics engineering programs. However, very few studies have considered using educational research methods for performance evaluation of competency-based higher engineering education, with a focus on technical and or transversal skills. To remedy the current need for evaluating competencies in STEM fields and providing sustainable development goals in engineering education, in this study, a comparison was drawn between study groups without and with industry partners.

  • State the purpose of your study
  • Highlight the key characteristics of your study
  • Describe important results
  • Highlight the novelty of the study.
  • Offer a brief overview of the structure of the paper.

Example: The study evaluates the main competency needed in the applied electronics course, which is a fundamental core subject for many electronics engineering undergraduate programs. We compared two groups, without and with an industrial partner, that offered real-world projects to solve during the semester. This comparison can help determine significant differences in both groups in terms of developing subject competency and achieving sustainable development goals.

Write a Research Paper Introduction in Minutes with Paperpal

Paperpal Copilot is a generative AI-powered academic writing assistant. It’s trained on millions of published scholarly articles and over 20 years of STM experience. Paperpal Copilot helps authors write better and faster with:

  • Real-time writing suggestions
  • In-depth checks for language and grammar correction
  • Paraphrasing to add variety, ensure academic tone, and trim text to meet journal limits

With Paperpal Copilot, create a research paper introduction effortlessly. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through how Paperpal transforms your initial ideas into a polished and publication-ready introduction.

how to make a intro paragraph longer

How to use Paperpal to write the Introduction section

Step 1: Sign up on Paperpal and click on the Copilot feature, under this choose Outlines > Research Article > Introduction

Step 2: Add your unstructured notes or initial draft, whether in English or another language, to Paperpal, which is to be used as the base for your content.

Step 3: Fill in the specifics, such as your field of study, brief description or details you want to include, which will help the AI generate the outline for your Introduction.

Step 4: Use this outline and sentence suggestions to develop your content, adding citations where needed and modifying it to align with your specific research focus.

Step 5: Turn to Paperpal’s granular language checks to refine your content, tailor it to reflect your personal writing style, and ensure it effectively conveys your message.

You can use the same process to develop each section of your article, and finally your research paper in half the time and without any of the stress.

The purpose of the research paper introduction is to introduce the reader to the problem definition, justify the need for the study, and describe the main theme of the study. The aim is to gain the reader’s attention by providing them with necessary background information and establishing the main purpose and direction of the research.

The length of the research paper introduction can vary across journals and disciplines. While there are no strict word limits for writing the research paper introduction, an ideal length would be one page, with a maximum of 400 words over 1-4 paragraphs. Generally, it is one of the shorter sections of the paper as the reader is assumed to have at least a reasonable knowledge about the topic. 2 For example, for a study evaluating the role of building design in ensuring fire safety, there is no need to discuss definitions and nature of fire in the introduction; you could start by commenting upon the existing practices for fire safety and how your study will add to the existing knowledge and practice.

When deciding what to include in the research paper introduction, the rest of the paper should also be considered. The aim is to introduce the reader smoothly to the topic and facilitate an easy read without much dependency on external sources. 3 Below is a list of elements you can include to prepare a research paper introduction outline and follow it when you are writing the research paper introduction. Topic introduction: This can include key definitions and a brief history of the topic. Research context and background: Offer the readers some general information and then narrow it down to specific aspects. Details of the research you conducted: A brief literature review can be included to support your arguments or line of thought. Rationale for the study: This establishes the relevance of your study and establishes its importance. Importance of your research: The main contributions are highlighted to help establish the novelty of your study Research hypothesis: Introduce your research question and propose an expected outcome. Organization of the paper: Include a short paragraph of 3-4 sentences that highlights your plan for the entire paper

Cite only works that are most relevant to your topic; as a general rule, you can include one to three. Note that readers want to see evidence of original thinking. So it is better to avoid using too many references as it does not leave much room for your personal standpoint to shine through. Citations in your research paper introduction support the key points, and the number of citations depend on the subject matter and the point discussed. If the research paper introduction is too long or overflowing with citations, it is better to cite a few review articles rather than the individual articles summarized in the review. A good point to remember when citing research papers in the introduction section is to include at least one-third of the references in the introduction.

The literature review plays a significant role in the research paper introduction section. A good literature review accomplishes the following: Introduces the topic – Establishes the study’s significance – Provides an overview of the relevant literature – Provides context for the study using literature – Identifies knowledge gaps However, remember to avoid making the following mistakes when writing a research paper introduction: Do not use studies from the literature review to aggressively support your research Avoid direct quoting Do not allow literature review to be the focus of this section. Instead, the literature review should only aid in setting a foundation for the manuscript.

Remember the following key points for writing a good research paper introduction: 4

  • Avoid stuffing too much general information: Avoid including what an average reader would know and include only that information related to the problem being addressed in the research paper introduction. For example, when describing a comparative study of non-traditional methods for mechanical design optimization, information related to the traditional methods and differences between traditional and non-traditional methods would not be relevant. In this case, the introduction for the research paper should begin with the state-of-the-art non-traditional methods and methods to evaluate the efficiency of newly developed algorithms.
  • Avoid packing too many references: Cite only the required works in your research paper introduction. The other works can be included in the discussion section to strengthen your findings.
  • Avoid extensive criticism of previous studies: Avoid being overly critical of earlier studies while setting the rationale for your study. A better place for this would be the Discussion section, where you can highlight the advantages of your method.
  • Avoid describing conclusions of the study: When writing a research paper introduction remember not to include the findings of your study. The aim is to let the readers know what question is being answered. The actual answer should only be given in the Results and Discussion section.

To summarize, the research paper introduction section should be brief yet informative. It should convince the reader the need to conduct the study and motivate him to read further. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, choose trusted AI academic writing assistants like Paperpal to effortlessly craft your research paper introduction and other sections of your research article.

1. Jawaid, S. A., & Jawaid, M. (2019). How to write introduction and discussion. Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia, 13(Suppl 1), S18.

2. Dewan, P., & Gupta, P. (2016). Writing the title, abstract and introduction: Looks matter!. Indian pediatrics, 53, 235-241.

3. Cetin, S., & Hackam, D. J. (2005). An approach to the writing of a scientific Manuscript1. Journal of Surgical Research, 128(2), 165-167.

4. Bavdekar, S. B. (2015). Writing introduction: Laying the foundations of a research paper. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 63(7), 44-6.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.  

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.  

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!  

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  • How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

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Table of contents

The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

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how to make a intro paragraph longer

The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

  • Thesis statement
  • Discussion of event/period
  • Consequences
  • Importance of topic
  • Strong closing statement
  • Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
  • Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
  • Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
  • High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
  • Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
  • Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
  • Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
  • Implications of the new technology for book production
  • Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
  • Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
  • Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
  • Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
  • Summarize the history described
  • Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

  • Synthesis of arguments
  • Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
  • Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
  • Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
  • Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
  • Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
  • Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
  • Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
  • Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
  • Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
  • Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
  • Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
  • Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

  • Point 1 (compare)
  • Point 2 (compare)
  • Point 3 (compare)
  • Point 4 (compare)
  • Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
  • Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
  • Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
  • Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
  • Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
  • Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
  • Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
  • Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

  • Introduce the problem
  • Provide background
  • Describe your approach to solving it
  • Define the problem precisely
  • Describe why it’s important
  • Indicate previous approaches to the problem
  • Present your new approach, and why it’s better
  • Apply the new method or theory to the problem
  • Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
  • Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
  • Describe the implications
  • Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
  • Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
  • Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
  • Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
  • Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
  • Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
  • Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
  • Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
  • This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
  • This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
  • It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
  • Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

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Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows.  It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what  comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

  • The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
  • The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 2, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-structure/

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How to Make a Paragraph Longer the Right Way

March 4, 2024

The number of words in a paragraph is a vital component of any good college work. When you do a task and stick to the minimum number of words, font size, and other instructions, it shows your teacher that you studied and could meet the needs. It also shows that you gave writing the paragraph a lot of thought and work.

Understanding the Importance of Paragraph Length

Writing well means knowing “why” and “how” to make a paragraph longer. But why is paragraph length so important? The answer lies in its impact on readability, clarity, and engagement. A paragraph that’s too short may lack depth, while one that’s too long can overwhelm the reader. The key is to strike a balance, ensuring each paragraph fully develops an idea without becoming tedious.

how to make a intro paragraph longer

Why Does Paragraph Length Matter?

  • Clarity and Cohesion: The right length lets your ideas grow, which makes your work more logical and easy to understand.
  • Reader Engagement: Changing the length of your paragraphs can keep the reader interested by giving your writing a flow that keeps people’s attention.
  • Skimmability: People today skim through text a lot, so well-structured paragraphs make it easier for them to find what they need.
  • Argumentative Strength: Longer paragraphs give you more room to give detailed proof and analysis, which makes your arguments stronger.

Use of Sentence Variety

Once we knew what role length played in the paragraph, we realized that using different types of sentences is a key way to make a paragraph longer while keeping its interesting quality. This method is more than just adding words; it’s about giving your writing flow and movement, which keeps people interested.

Imagine a paragraph as a musical composition. Harmony is created by combining short, sharp sounds with longer, flowing ones. A well-written paragraph does the same thing. It combines short, punchy sentences with longer, more complex ones. Additionally, this mix makes your work longer, more interesting, and simpler to understand. Key points are quickly communicated in short sentences, while complicated ideas, background information, and details are woven into longer sentences. Changing the length and form of the sentences keeps the reader interested.

Addition of Supporting Details and Examples

Adding details and examples to back your points is another good way to make a paragraph longer. With this method, you’ll improve your work, not just lengthen it. By using applicable examples and going into more detail, you not only make your paragraphs longer, but they also become more convincing and in-depth.

Details and examples that back up your point or story are what strengthen it. They take general statements and turn them into lively, captivating points that your readers will remember. For example, if you’re talking about an idea, giving a real-life example or a scientific fact can help people understand it better. Not only does this make your text longer, but it also makes your writing stronger and easier to understand.

how to make a intro paragraph longer

Incorporation of Quotations and Citations

Using quotes and citations stands out as one of the best ways to make a paragraph longer. Adding more words isn’t enough; you also need to add authoritative voices and well-researched information to make your material better.

Consider this example:  If you’re writing about the importance of sustainable living, you might include a quote from a renowned environmentalist. For instance, “As Jane Goodall once said, ‘What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.'”  This quote adds length to your paragraph and brings in an authoritative perspective that reinforces your point.

Citations are just as important as quotes when it comes to supporting your claims. For example, citing a study from the Journal of Environmental Psychology about how environmentally friendly practices can affect mental health not only makes your paragraph longer, but it also backs up what you’re saying with real-world proof. This method shows your readers that your arguments are based on good study, making your writing more credible and in-depth.

Expansion through Elaboration and Explanation

Building on ideas and giving more information is another powerful way to make a paragraph longer. This method involves going into more detail about the topic, which gives the reader a fuller understanding.

For example, suppose you are writing about the benefits of mindfulness in daily life. A simple statement like “ Mindfulness improves mental health ” can be significantly expanded by explaining how and why this occurs. You might add, “ Studies have shown that mindfulness meditation contributes to a decrease in stress and anxiety. By focusing on the present moment and acknowledging one’s thoughts and feelings without judgment, individuals can experience a significant reduction in the symptoms of stress and anxiety. ” This extra information makes your paragraph longer and gives you more information about how mindfulness works and its benefits.

Employment of Transitional Phrases and Words

Transitional phrases and words connect ideas, making your work flow better and giving the reader a better experience. While transitions add length, they also make your writing easier to understand and follow by linking words and paragraphs more smoothly.

how to make a intro paragraph longer

For instance, consider a paragraph discussing the benefits of a balanced diet on physical health. You might start with a statement about the importance of nutrients and then use a transitional phrase like “Furthermore,” or “In addition to this,” to introduce information about the role of diet in disease prevention. An example sentence could be: “Furthermore, a balanced diet plays a crucial role in disease prevention. Studies have found that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. ” This transition to make a paragraph longer creates a smooth, logical flow from one point to the next.

Introduction of Counterarguments and Rebuttals

By giving counterarguments and then rebuttals, you can make a paragraph longer in a more advanced way. This method not only makes your paragraph longer, but it also shows that you have a deep knowledge of the subject and can consider different points of view.

Take, for example, a paragraph that talks about why digital books are better than printed books. Here’s a common counterargument you could use after listing the pros of digital books: “ However, some argue that digital books lack the tactile experience and the unique smell of paper that many readers cherish. ” Following this, you can provide a rebuttal: “ While this sentiment is understandable, the convenience and accessibility of digital books, especially for people with disabilities, significantly outweigh these sensory experiences. Additionally, digital books are more environmentally friendly, as they reduce the need for paper and physical transportation. ”

It does more than one thing to answer counterarguments and then respond to them with well-thought-out rebuttals. First, it makes your paragraph longer in a way that makes sense. This gives your case more depth and complexity. Second, it shows your readers that you have thought about the problem from different points of view, which makes your point of view more credible.

Provision of Additional Context and Background Information

On your way to make a paragraph longer, one good way is to give more background and context information. Using this method, you should add historical, cultural, or situational details to your sentences that help put your main points in a bigger picture.

how to make a intro paragraph longer

That is, if you are writing about the effects of green energy sources, you could begin by talking about how they are used now. Then, you could add additional information to give it more depth and length: “ To fully appreciate the significance of this shift, it’s important to understand the historical reliance on fossil fuels. Since the Industrial Revolution, fossil fuels like coal and oil have been the primary energy sources, leading to significant environmental concerns. The recent move towards renewable energy represents a critical turning point in addressing these ecological challenges. ” This addition also helps your readers fully grasp why switching to green energy is essential.

When you give background information like this, it helps to paint a full picture of your subject. This makes your points stronger and your text more useful. It helps people see the wider context and know why and how your primary arguments matter in that bigger vision.

Exploration of Related Concepts and Ideas

Adding linked ideas and concepts to a paragraph is a good way to make it longer. This approach involves expanding your discussion to include topics that are connected to your main subject. It also gives the reader a better knowledge of the subject as a whole.

For example, if your paragraph is about how meditation can help you, you can make it longer by talking about yoga or mindfulness, which are similar ideas. You might add, “ In addition to meditation, practices like mindfulness and yoga also contribute significantly to mental and physical well-being… ”

Looking into ideas and concepts that are connected to your main topic can help you make your story more compelling. It helps people see how ideas are linked and learn about the bigger effects of what you’re writing about. This method can work especially well when you’re talking about things that are part of a bigger system or have more than one side to them.

Emphasis on Key Points through Repetition and Restatement

One smart way to make a paragraph longer is to stress important points by repeating and restating them. With this method, you restate your key points in various ways to strengthen them and make your writing stronger. It’s not about repeating yourself over and over, but about rephrasing and stressing your points in a way that makes sense to the reader.

For instance, if your paragraph is about how important regular exercise is for health, you could restate this major point by saying, “ For good health, regular physical exercise is critical. Regular exercise not only keeps your body in shape, but it also helps your mental health. People can make a big difference in their general health by doing physical activities on a regular basis. ” This part restates the main idea of how influential it is to exercise regularly in different ways, which makes the point stronger and slightly makes the paragraph longer.

This way of stressing important points works especially well when you want your readers to understand and remember the most important parts of your topic. It can help people remember and agree with these points if you say them again and again.

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How to Make an Essay Appear Longer Than It Is

Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 7 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 1,774,197 times.

You are writing a paper and the deadline is approaching, but you are nowhere near the page limit. Many students find themselves in this position. Luckily for you, you can lengthen your paper by using a few tricks. Increasing the font size, adding a lengthy header, and manipulating the spacing between lines are just a few strategies you can use to make your essay appear longer. However, be aware that breaking your teacher’s guidelines may result in a lower grade.

Playing with the Font

Step 1 Choose a slightly larger font.

  • Don’t pick a very large font like Arial Black or Lucida Handwriting. Your teacher will notice that you are trying to make your essay longer by choosing a larger font.

Step 2 Adjust the font size.

Manipulating Spacing and Margins

Step 1 Increase the spacing between lines.

  • If the increase is too noticeable, then try 1.15 or 1.1 instead.
  • Because all documents are left justified, avoid increasing the left margin. Adjusting the left margin will produce a noticeable change that your teacher will detect.

Step 3 Increase the bottom margin by a quarter.

Adjusting the Header and Footer

Step 1 Lengthen your header.

Expanding the Content

Step 1 Spell out numbers less than ten.

  • Additionally, if you are quoting or paraphrasing research or literature, make sure to cite it properly. Citations can add extra length to a paper as well.

Step 5 Ensure that each paragraph has a topic and a concluding sentence.

  • Expand your introductory paragraph with an attention-getting statement to hook the reader in.

Step 6 Be as descriptive as possible.

  • However, try to avoid being descriptive when it is unnecessary since this may cause your paper to appear embellished or sound verbose.

Step 7 Draw out your conclusion.

Community Q&A

Community Answer

  • Copy and paste your paper into a new document. Make these changes to the new document. Then compare and contrast the document with the changes to the original document. Remove any adjustments that seem obvious. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Use a thesaurus to find longer synonyms to use in place of shorter ones. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Spell out abbreviations; for example, write out “United States" instead of using "US." Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

how to make a intro paragraph longer

  • Be aware that breaking your teacher’s guidelines may be considered cheating, which may result in a lower grade or even a zero. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 1
  • Don't be redundant. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

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  • ↑ https://www.paperhelp.org/blog/how-to-make-a-paper-longer.html
  • ↑ https://www.jakebinstein.com/blog/how-to-make-an-essay-look-longer/
  • ↑ https://studentshare.org/study-guides/how-to-make-your-essay-look-longer
  • ↑ http://www.seventeen.com/life/school/advice/a27491/tricks-you-try-to-make-your-school-paper-longer/
  • ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-paper-longer-793288

About This Article

Jake Adams

To make an essay appear longer than it is, pick a font that's slightly larger than Times New Roman, like Arial, Courier New, or Cambria. If you're required to use 12-point font, try increase the font to 12.1 or 12.2 to gain some extra length without the font looking noticeably larger. Then, press on Control and the F key at the same time to activate the find and replace function, and replace all of the commas and periods with 14-point font. If the essay still isn't long enough, increase the line spacing by 0.1 or 0.2 and make the right margin 0.1-0.2 inches larger. For tips on adjusting the header and footer or adding more content to your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Make a Research Paper Longer?

Leverage quotations.

  • Transitional Words and Phrases

Revisit the Introduction and Conclusion

  • Grasp the Prompt

Anticipate Counterarguments

Include examples, seek online assistance, read aloud for clarity, 8 ways to make a paper longer, use transitional words and phrases.

  • Utilize “to be” Verbs: Incorporate verbs that start with “to be.” Transform simplistic phrases like “I eat fast” into more descriptive ones like “I am a fast eater.”
  • Add Depth: Avoid brevity. Instead of stating, “We had a good time at the fair,” opt for a more detailed account like “This weekend, my friend and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Riding the Ferris wheel and savoring funnel cakes created wonderful memories.”

Meticulously Grasp the Prompt

  • Have you addressed all the questions posed in the prompt?
  • Have you backed up your claims with solid supporting evidence?
  • Are any crucial details missing that could enhance your argument’s clarity?
  • Have you met all the requirements outlined in the prompt besides the length?
  • Have you deleted extra spacing and used the correct margin and font?

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    How to Use the Paragraph Expander to Lengthen Your Original Text. The paragraph expander is really user-friendly—but just in case you want a helping hand, here's a breakdown of what to do, step by step. Step 1. Copy and Paste Your Original Sentence or Paragraph. First, you'll need to choose a sentence (or short paragraph) to expand upon.

  2. How to Write an Essay Introduction

    Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

  3. How to make an Essay Longer

    How to Make an Essay Longer. 1. Make sure you Included Everything. I can't tell you how many of my students submit assignments and forget to include important points! Go back to your writing prompt. That's the thing that you're going to be graded on. Go and check out exactly what your teacher asked you to write about.

  4. How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)

    Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.

  5. How to Write an Introduction Paragraph in 3 Steps

    The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph. In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement. Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay. Below, we'll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an ...

  6. Introductions

    In general, your introductions should contain the following elements: Orienting Information. When you're writing an essay, it's helpful to think about what your reader needs to know in order to follow your argument. Your introduction should include enough information so that readers can understand the context for your thesis.

  7. Can an Introduction be Multiple Paragraphs: How to Write it

    Here, an introduction can be long or moderate as long as the author wants to express the main idea in the introduction paragraphs. There exist no rule for a paragraph. Some can extend to 150 words. However, for readability reasons, you can opt to divide it into smaller ones and make it more than one. 4.

  8. How to Make an Essay Longer the Smart Way

    Tip #2: Go Back Through Your Introduction and Conclusion. Often times, ideas evolve while writing a paper. If the first thing you wrote was the introduction, go back and reread the first paragraph. You might decide that you left out key information that aids the reader in understanding your argument. When looking back on the conclusion, make ...

  9. How to Make an Essay Longer

    So with time running out, you can do the following: Submit the essay and hope the professor doesn't notice. Add some gibberish sentences to get close enough to the required word count. We don't recommend these options. Making an essay longer seems daunting, but it doesn't have to be.

  10. The Introductory Paragraph

    Tasks: The introductory paragraph to a short essay usually attempts to do three things: Introduce the topic with some indication of its inherent interest or importance, and a clear definition of the boundaries of the subject area. Indicate the structure and/or methodology of the essay, often with the major sections of the essay or its ...

  11. How to Write a Page-Long Introduction

    Upper-year college or graduate students face the challenge of filling 10 or more pages for an essay assignment. A 10-page paper requires a long introduction, roughly a page or more. Writing a one-page introduction may seem daunting, but you have several options as to what you can include. The structure and content of ...

  12. Essay Extender

    To extend an essay, use transitional phrases, provide detailed explanations and relevant examples, and include expert quotes. You can also try to add a separate passage, for instance, in the main body of your paper. However, avoid adding filler words or repeating information. Try to add depth to your essay and not simply make sentences longer.

  13. Paragraph Extender

    Our Paragraph Extender AI algorithm seamlessly adds to your existing paragraphs, making them longer and more comprehensive while maintaining their original tone and message. Simply input your paragraph, click the "Extend Paragraph" button, and witness the automatic transformation. Whether you're polishing a blog post, a report, or academic text ...

  14. How To Make Your introductory Paragraph Stand Out

    Intro paragraph length does change as you create longer articles. For example, when your article is 25+ pages, you're introduction will likely be much longer than five sentences. Make sure that your intro paragraph is concise as it relates to the larger goal of your paper. Longer page lengths require more setup and a longer intro.

  15. Ways to Expand (& Improve) an Essay

    Look for paragraphs that contain more than one idea. If you have a paragraph with three different ideas, then these ideas are usually underdeveloped. Break each idea into its own paragraph and use the tools above to expand them into fully formed paragraphs. Write a paragraph addressing opposing views. Try to think of one or two objections that ...

  16. How to Write a Research Paper Introduction (with Examples)

    Define your specific research problem and problem statement. Highlight the novelty and contributions of the study. Give an overview of the paper's structure. The research paper introduction can vary in size and structure depending on whether your paper presents the results of original empirical research or is a review paper.

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  19. How to Make a Paragraph Longer the Right Way

    Introduction of Counterarguments and Rebuttals. By giving counterarguments and then rebuttals, you can make a paragraph longer in a more advanced way. This method not only makes your paragraph longer, but it also shows that you have a deep knowledge of the subject and can consider different points of view.

  20. 4 Ways to Make an Essay Appear Longer Than It Is

    2. Adjust the font size. Your teacher will most likely require that you use 12 pt. font. To make your essay appear longer, try increasing the font size to 12.1, 12.3, or 12.5. See which adjustment makes the biggest difference without being too noticeable. [2] 3. Increase the size of periods and commas.

  21. PDF Introductions

    paragraph (or longer) introduction for your papers in some courses, instructors in other disciplines, such as those in some Government courses, may expect a shorter introduction that includes a preview of the argument that will follow. • In some disciplines (Government, Economics, and others), it's common to offer

  22. How to Make a Research Paper Longer

    Revisit the Introduction and Conclusion. Consider starting with the body rather than wrestling with the introduction when commencing your research paper. Allocate about 10% for the introduction, 80% for the discussion, and 10% for the conclusion. If you're uncertain about how to write a long paper, your introduction, proceed with the body first.