how long should an essay be for 4th grade

4th grade writing

by: Jessica Kelmon | Updated: August 4, 2022

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In fourth grade, study skills play an important role in your child’s writing. Kids do research using multiple sources. They also learn to take notes on what they research, read. and hear. And even stories are more advanced, with more developed characters who show their feelings and react to what happens. And perhaps most important, your child is expected to analyze a book’s structure, logic, details, and evidence in their writing. It’s all pretty impressive!

Building 4th grade study skills

This year taking notes is an important skill. Fourth graders are expected to use books, periodicals, websites, and other digital sources to conduct research projects — both on their own and as part of group work with peers. Your child should keep track of all the sources they check — noting what they learn, the name of the source and page number or url so they can find it again and create a source list or bibliography later.

Also, taking notes while reading fiction will help your child when it comes time to analyze what they’ve read or to give an in-depth description of a character, setting, or story event drawing on specific details.

Check out this related worksheet: •  Finding key points

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Last year’s prewriting step — planning — becomes more essential in your child’s writing process this year. Before your child sits down to write, they should use their organized notes to help create the structure of whatever they’re writing. While planning , your child may brainstorm ideas for a story or decide how to organize facts into a cohesive set of points. The more knowledge your child builds during the prewriting stage, the easier it will be to write. Encourage reading and rereading, taking notes, finding additional sources, discussing aloud how new knowledge fits in with what your child knew before, and visually organizing what they plan to write about. After the first draft is written, the teacher and possibly other students will offer feedback: asking questions to elicit new details or clarify an argument or suggest new sources of information. They should check that there’s a clear introduction and conclusion, and that the order of points or events makes sense. Your child will then do a revision (or two), adding, reordering, and refining their writing to show deep understanding.

After making revisions, your child does a final edit focusing on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and strengthening word choices. These steps — planning, writing a first draft, revising, and editing the final piece — help fourth graders understand that research, organizing, clarifying ideas, and improving grammar and presentation are all essential to strong writing.

See what your fourth grade writing looks like

Fourth grade writing: opinion pieces

Your child’s opinions always need to be supported by evidence. Persuasive writing should start by clearly introducing an opinion on a topic. To support their opinion, kids need to present their argument, which is a list of reasons why they hold that opinion. Each of their reasons needs to be supported by facts and details (a.k.a. evidence). After presenting all of their research-supported reasons, kids should close their arguments with a concluding statement or paragraph that sums up how their evidence supports their opinion.

Check out this example of good fourth grade opinion writing: • “ Zoos should close ”

Fourth grade writing: informative writing

This year, your child’s informative writing gets more organized, with headers, illustrations and even multimedia components to support specific points. To begin, your child should introduce the topic. Then they should use facts, definitions, details, quotes, examples, and other information to develop their topic into a few clear, well thought-out paragraphs. Your fourth grader should use advanced linking words (e.g. also, another, for example, because ) to form compound and complex sentences connecting their research and ideas to the point they’re making. Finally, to wrap it up, your child should have a conclusion — either a statement or, if necessary, a section labeled conclusion.

Check out these three examples of good fourth grade informational writing: • “ John Cabot and the Rediscovery of North America ” • “ Big Book of Evolution ” • “ Book report: A Tale of Despereaux ”

Can your fourth grader write an informational essay?

Fourth grade writing: narratives

A narrative means writing a story. This year your child will be expected to use storytelling techniques, descriptive details, and clear sequences to tell compelling tales. Whether inspired by a favorite book, real events, or your child’s imagination, your child’s story should use dialogue, descriptive words, and transitional language. Look for precise language and sensory details that bring characters to life. Finally, your child should keep pacing and sequence of events in mind. The events should unfold naturally, bringing the story to a natural conclusion. Are surprise endings okay? Sure… so long as the details and events plausibly lead there.

Check out this related worksheet: •  Putting sentences in order

Gettin’ good at grammar

You may want to review all those parts of speech your child learned last year because fourth grade grammar is expected to be quite accurate. Your child should know relative pronouns (e.g. who, whose, whom, which, that ), relative adverbs (e.g. where, when, why ), adjective ordering (e.g. short dark hair and small red bag ), descriptive prepositional phrases (e.g. in the air, down the block, on the grass ), progressive past, present, and future verbs (e.g. I was walking, I am walking, I will be walking ), and verbs used with other verbs to express mood or tense (aka modal auxiliaries, e.g. can, may, must, should, would ). Also, your child needs to master the distinctions between frequently confused words like to , too , and two and there , their , and they’re . Finally, your child should be able to recognize and correct run-on sentences.

Check out these related worksheets: •  Prepositions •  Compound sentences •  Punctuating a paragraph •  Its or it’s?

Learning to use language precisely

This means:

• Recognizing and explaining common idioms (e.g. bending over backwards )
• Distinguishing between similes and metaphors (e.g. quiet as a mouse and the sun is a yellow beach ball ).
• Identifying and using synonyms and antonyms
• Using increasingly specific words in writing (e.g. glamorous instead of pretty, pre-dawn instead of morning, quizzed instead of asked )

Your fourth grader should now be using relevant academic words in informational writing and research reports. Although accurate spelling should be the norm in fourth grade, when faced with spelling more academic words, your child should use a dictionary and thesaurus (print and digital versions).

Check out these related worksheets: • 4th grade weekly spelling lists • Making metaphors • Simile or cliché?

Sharing their work

Most classrooms will encourage (if not require) kids to use technology to produce and publish their writing. Your fourth grader should be able to type up to a full page in one sitting. While teachers should be there to help, your child should be doing the work. Students will also be expected to interact with peers about each other’s work. What might that look like? Your child might read a classmates’ published work online and comment on it, or cite a peer’s work when answering a question in class.

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How to Write A 4th Grade Level Essay

When your child gets to fourth grade, they should already be familiar with writing prompts and how to go about answering them, but they will still need to practice. According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative, there are four basic writing prompts for fourth grade students : opinion pieces, informative or explanatory texts, narratives, and short research projects.

Opinion Prompt

Opinion pieces require your child to think about how they feel about a certain idea or topic and back up their thoughts with facts and logical arguments. An example of an opinion prompt is something like this: Name one class, sport, or club you wish your school offered and explain why it should be available. To answer this, your child first has to come up with an activity and describe how it is beneficial to them or for students as a whole, then come up with a convincing argument on why it should be offered at their school.

For example, they may want to have a book club at their school. To be persuasive, they may explain that it would be helpful to students who love reading, but may not enjoy whatever books they are assigned in class. It would also allow for students to discuss their ideas and feelings about a book they are choosing, building their appreciation for reading in general. The essay would need to be well-organized, and although it may not be a convincing proposal, the ideas should be clearly stated and logical.

Informative Prompt

Informative essays are the most straightforward, where they have to introduce and detail something about a topic. An example of an informative essay would be something like this: Write about your favorite animal. Include interesting facts about this animal in your essay. To answer this, your child will have to pick an animal they like and write about it in detail. This would include things like their habitat, behavior, physical features, and any other facts about them.

For example, they may write about lions, describing their fur and manes, their habitat in the African savannah, how they hunt their prey, and how they raise their cubs. Organization is an important part of this essay; there shouldn’t just be a list of facts, but instead well-constructed paragraphs, like one for their description, one for their hunting behavior, and so on.

Narrative Prompt

A narrative essay will be a story, either real or imagined, they have to tell clearly and with detail. An example of a narrative essay would be like this: If you were the president of the United States for a day, what would you do? To answer this prompt, they would likely detail a full day from start to finish, including a variety of activities that are relevant to this position of power. The things they would do don’t have to be particularly life-changing or politically logical, but they should follow a logical order and make sense for the president.

For example, they may write about how they would spend the morning meeting with all the leaders of the world, have a very fancy lunch in the White House, spend the afternoon making homework illegal, and then sleep in the biggest bed the White House has to offer. Again, these things don’t have to be super impactful, but they should make sense and be an organized story. Their response should include dialogue, such as themselves as the president talking to other leaders or their staff.

Research Prompt

Research projects will require your child to consult sources like books, magazines, or online resources to find out about a topic and then report on it. An example of a research essay would be something like this: Choose a famous person from history or science and write about their lives and contributions. As the name suggests, this prompt requires your child to research a certain person and write about their life. The essay can be organized chronologically, like from this person’s birth, to their career and what they’re famous for, to their death or retirement.

Again, there should not just be a list of facts; your child should write about this person in full paragraphs. Something to keep in mind is that although it can be tempting for your child to Google their chosen person, they may not yet have the skills to know which online sources are legitimate or not. The best way for them to do research is through books or journals, with online sources there to help a bit.

The essential thing about all these prompts is they require a lot more detail and organization than your child has previously needed to give. If your child is having a hard time with their prompts, or with just one kind, a good idea is to enroll them in Reading Genie. At Reading Genie, the teachers provide a variety of engaging prompts for your child to practice writing and give helpful feedback. They will also have the opportunity to have peer reviews with their classmates, building their confidence while showing them where they need to improve.

These prompts can be a lot of fun for your child, even as they get more challenging. Feel free to discuss these topics with your child, or even write responses to the prompts with them. Practice is the best way for them to improve, and you can have fun with them!

Genie Academy offers a range of after-school educational activities for students, encompassing areas such as mathematics, reading, writing, and coding. Held at our New Jersey tutoring centers , our New Jersey writing tutoring program is specifically crafted for students from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade. Learn more about our writing tutoring classes in East Brunswick , writing tutoring classes in Hillsborough , writing tutoring classes in Marlboro , writing tutoring classes in South Brunswick , writing tutoring classes in Plainsboro , and writing tutoring classes in South Plainfield . 

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-prompts-fourth-grade-4172492

Topics: Essay , Writing Skills , Fourth Grader , paragraph writing , Writing Prompt

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The Guide to 4th Grade: Reading and Writing

Review reading and writing curricula for 4th grade, including what to expect and resources to support learning..

Congratulations: Your child is officially a member of the “upper” grades! As fourth graders, students deepen their skills to prepare for middle school. That being said, they still learn like elementary school students do. Most fourth graders are developmentally very much still children — they enjoy and learn from play, and they thrive in nurturing and warm environments. However, the content of most 4th grade curricula pushes students to think, analyze, and learn in more sophisticated and structured ways than they did in the “lower” grades.

In 4th grade, students learn how to deeply think about and make connections in new material, and grasp more complex concepts across all subjects. They also write with clarity, flow, and structure similar to that of traditional essays. Fourth graders are encouraged to be more independent in how they learn, and depend less on their teacher's guidance. They research, plan, and revise their work more by themselves — setting the foundation to be lifelong, self-starting learners.

Read on for what to expect this year, and shop all books and resources for 4th grade at The Scholastic Store . 

For more book and reading ideas,  sign up  for our Scholastic Parents newsletter!

Reading in 4th Grade

Much of the 4th grade reading curriculum teaches students how to analyze the books they read. Rather than just understand the plot and information given in a text, students are encouraged to think about the messages and how they relate to their own lives. They also compare texts to each other and make connections both within one text and across multiple texts.

In short, 4th graders begin to learn how to think and talk about a text to find deeper meanings and messages. This is done both with texts students read independently and those read by the whole class or smaller groups of students. Teachers may often use a class read-aloud to show students strategies for thinking about and analyzing what they read, encouraging them to do this in their own reading. Students also do this as they write in more detail about the texts they read. 

To build reading skills, your 4th grader :

• Uses specific examples from the text to explain characters’ motivations, main events, central themes, or ideas about a text.
• Uses the context of a text to determine the meaning of a word.
• Understands and can explain the differences between narrative prose, drama, and poetry.
• Identifies and refers to the different parts of poems and plays, such as verses, settings, and characters.
• Interprets and connects information from illustrations, graphs, charts, or other sources related to the text.
• Identifies, compares, and contrasts different perspectives from which texts are written (for example, first and third person).
• Compares and contrasts the way different texts address the same issue, theme, or topic.
• Makes connections between people, events, or important ideas in a text.
• Uses previous knowledge to read unfamiliar multi-syllable words.
• Reads grade-level texts with accurate comprehension, pacing, and expression.

Fourth Grade Reading Activities

Read and Research Together : Read the same book as your child independently, together, or a combination of both. Talk about the book as you read it, reviewing main ideas and plots and expressing your opinions. Then read an additional book or books on the same subject and compare and contrast how they dealt with the same issue. 

Compare Perspectives : Read two texts — one written in first person and one in third person — about the same event. Talk with your child about the differences and why they thinks these differences exist. Or, try it yourself! After sharing an experience with your child, each of you can write about it from your own perspective. Talk about the differences between what you wrote to gain a better understanding of perspective.

Read magazine and newspaper articles. Focus on the illustrations, graphs, or charts. Point out to your child what they show, ask them to help you interpret them, and discuss how they help explain or elaborate on the text. 

Writing in 4th Grade

Much of the 4th grade writing curriculum focuses on developing writing that has clarity and structure, and that uses reasons, facts, and details to support and strengthen arguments. Fourth graders are taught to organize their writing, ensure that it flows well, and group together related components. As students learn to think more deeply about concepts they are taught, they are encouraged to write in deeper ways as well. They do this by going beyond simply stating the facts — they express ideas, make connections, and provide details and emotions when appropriate.

To build writing skills, your 4th grader :

• Writes opinion pieces that express a point of view; have an introduction, a conclusion, reasons, and facts to support the opinion; and group together related ideas.
• Writes informative/explanatory pieces that present information on a topic, use facts and details, and group together related topics; provides introductions and conclusions in these pieces.
• Writes narrative pieces that use specific details, descriptions, and dialogue to convey a real event; includes an introduction and conclusion in each piece.
• Plans, revises, and edits their writing.
• Uses technology to publish, research, and communicate with others under the proper guidance of an adult or teacher.
• Types with a beginner’s accuracy and ability (for example, types one page of text within one sitting).
• Completes research projects by taking notes, organizing them, and presenting them; lists the texts and resources used.
• Writes for both long (over weeks) and shorter (one sitting or a couple of days) periods of time.

Fourth Grade Writing Activities

Ask Why : When your child expresses their opinion about something, ask them why they think that or how they know it is true. This will help them learn to support their opinion with reasons and/or facts. Do the same when you express your opinion or ideas about something.

Email with your Child : Set up an email account for your child and write emails describing your days to each other. Include details, conversations, thoughts, and emotions you had. This can be done in addition to generally encouraging (and supervising) your child’s use of technology — helping them use it for research, writing, and communicating with others. As always, be cautious of your child’s technology use by monitoring and supervising how much it is used and with whom they communicate.

Practice Note Taking : When you and your child go somewhere like a museum or a new city, pretend to be reporters and take notes (give them a journal they'll love to take notes in, like the Klutz: Decorate This Journal ). Later on, use those notes to describe what you learned. You can even relay your “reports” like a newscaster would.

Shop the best resources for fourth grade below! You can find all books and activities at  The Scholastic Store . 

Explore other grade guides: 

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• First Grade
• Second Grade
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How to Improve Writing in Fourth Grade

Written by Dan

Last updated January 31, 2024

Improving fourth-grade writing skills is a crucial step in a student’s academic journey. Fourth-grade writing lays the foundation for more advanced writing skills that students need in higher grades and beyond.

However, many students may struggle with writing, and it’s up to teachers and parents to provide support and guidance to help them improve.

Related : For more, check out our article on How To Improve Writing In Second Grade  here.

Understanding the basics of writing in fourth grade is the first step towards improving writing skills. Fourth-grade writing typically involves writing paragraphs with a clear topic sentence , supporting details, and a concluding sentence.

Students are also expected to use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Additionally, students may be asked to write different types of texts , such as narratives, persuasive essays, and informative/explanatory texts. By understanding these basics, students can begin to develop their writing skills.

Developing writing skills requires practice and feedback. Teachers and parents can provide opportunities for students to write regularly, such as journaling or writing prompts.

They can also provide feedback on students’ writing, highlighting areas for improvement and suggestions for improving.

Technology can also be a helpful tool for supporting writing, such as using word processing software with spell and grammar-check features.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the basics of fourth-grade writing is essential for improving writing skills.
• Developing writing skills requires practice and feedback from teachers and parents.
• Using technology can be a helpful tool for supporting writing.

Related : For more, check out our article on How To Improve Writing In Fifth Grade  here.

Understanding the Basics of Writing in Fourth Grade

The Structure of Writing

In fourth grade , students are expected to write in a structured manner. This means that they should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion in their writing.

The introduction should grab the reader’s attention and provide background information. The body should include supporting details and evidence to support the main idea. The conclusion should summarize the main points and leave the reader with a lasting impression.

The Components of Writing

Several components make up good writing in fourth grade . These include sentence structure, paragraph structure, and the main idea. Students should be able to write clear and concise sentences that convey their ideas effectively.

They should also be able to organize their writing into paragraphs that flow logically and support the main idea. The main idea should be clear and well-supported by evidence.

Understanding the Writing Process

The writing process is an important part of fourth grade writing curriculum . Students should be familiar with the steps involved in planning, drafting, revising, and editing their writing.

Planning involves brainstorming ideas and creating an outline. Drafting involves putting those ideas into sentences and paragraphs.

Revising involves making changes to improve the writing, such as adding more details or rearranging sentences. Editing involves checking for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Overall, understanding the basics of writing in fourth grade is essential for success. Students can become confident and knowledgeable writers by mastering the structure of writing, the components of writing, and the writing process.

Related : For more, check out our article on How To Improve Writing In Sixth Grade  here.

Developing Writing Skills

Writing is an essential life skill that students need to develop in fourth grade. It is a fundamental way of communicating ideas, thoughts, and feelings. Developing writing skills can be challenging, but students can improve their writing abilities with consistent practice.

Improving Spelling and Punctuation

Spelling and punctuation are critical components of writing. Students must learn to spell words correctly and use proper punctuation to effectively convey their ideas.

Teachers can help students improve their spelling and punctuation skills by providing spelling and grammar exercises focusing on common errors. They can also encourage students to proofread their work before submitting it.

Enhancing Language and Word Choice

Language and word choice are essential when it comes to writing. Students need to learn how to use language effectively to convey their ideas.

Teachers can help students enhance their language and word choice skills by providing vocabulary exercises and encouraging them to read widely. Reading helps students to understand how language works and how to use it effectively.

Building Narrative and Informative Writing Skills

Narrative and informative writing skills are crucial for students in fourth grade. Students need to learn how to write narratives that engage the reader and informative pieces that provide relevant information.

Teachers can help students build their narrative and informative writing skills by providing them with writing prompts and encouraging them to write regularly. Additionally, teachers can provide feedback on the student’s writing to help them improve their skills.

Developing writing skills is essential for students in fourth grade.

Teachers can help students improve their writing skills by focusing on spelling and punctuation, enhancing language and word choice, and building narrative and informative writing skills.

With practice and guidance, students can become confident writers who can communicate their ideas effectively.

Using Technology to Support Writing

Integrating Technology in the Writing Process

Fourth-grade students can use technology to support their writing by integrating it into their writing process. For example, they can draft and revise their writing using word processing software.

This can help them to edit their work more efficiently and make changes without having to rewrite the entire piece.

Additionally, students can use technology to brainstorm ideas, organize their thoughts, and create outlines. Mind mapping tools, such as MindMeister or Coggle, can help students to visually organize their ideas and create a clear structure for their writing.

Another way to integrate technology into the writing process is by using speech-to-text software. This can be particularly helpful for students who struggle with writing or have difficulty expressing their ideas in writing.

By using speech-to-text software, students can dictate their ideas and thoughts, which can then be transcribed into written text.

Online Resources for Writing

The internet provides a wealth of resources that can help students to improve their writing skills. For example, online writing prompts can be a great way to inspire students to write and to develop their creativity.

Websites such as Writing Prompts can provide a variety of prompts on different topics, which can help students to develop their writing skills and explore different genres.

Another online resource for writing is online writing communities. These communities provide a platform for students to share their writing and receive feedback from other writers.

This can be a great way for students to improve their writing skills and to connect with other writers who share their interests.

Finally, online writing tools can be a great way to improve writing skills. Grammarly, for example, is a popular tool that can help students to improve their grammar and spelling.

Hemingway Editor is another popular tool that can help students to improve their writing by highlighting areas that need improvement, such as sentence structure or word choice.

Overall, technology can be a powerful tool for improving writing skills in fourth-grade students. By integrating technology into the writing process and using online resources, students can develop their writing skills and become more confident writers.

The Role of Teachers and Parents in Supporting Writing

Writing is a crucial skill that students must develop from an early age. Students are expected to write more complex sentences and paragraphs as they enter fourth grade. Teachers and parents play a vital role in supporting students’ writing skills by providing feedback, encouragement, and resources.

Providing Support and Feedback

Teachers and parents can provide support and feedback to students to help them improve their writing skills. Teachers can provide students with writing prompts, graphic organizers, and sentence starters to help them get started.

They can also model the writing process by sharing their own writing and revising and editing it in front of the class.

Parents can also support their children’s writing by providing a quiet space for them to write and offering to read and provide feedback on their writing. Parents can also encourage their children to share their writing with family members and friends to build their confidence and receive additional feedback.

Encouraging Reading to Improve Writing

Reading is an essential component of improving writing skills. Teachers and parents can encourage students to read by providing them with various books and other reading materials.

Students who read regularly are exposed to a variety of writing styles, which can help them develop their own writing skills.

Parents can also read with their children and discuss the books they are reading. This can help students develop their comprehension skills and expose them to new vocabulary and writing styles.

Teachers can also incorporate reading into their writing instruction by having students analyze and respond to texts.

In conclusion, teachers and parents are critical in supporting students’ writing skills. Teachers and parents can help students develop the skills they need to become confident and proficient writers by providing support and feedback and encouraging reading.

Advanced Writing Techniques

Developing Research and Note Taking Skills

In fourth grade, students are expected to conduct research and use specific details to support their writing. To improve their research and note-taking skills, students can use tables and lists to organize their information.

Encourage students to take notes on essential facts and details, including the source of the information.

It’s important to teach students how to evaluate sources and determine which ones are reliable. Encourage students to use various sources, including books, articles, and websites. Teach them how to cite their sources properly using MLA or APA format.

Practicing Opinion Writing and Argumentation

Opinion writing and argumentation are essential skills for fourth graders to develop. Students should be encouraged to express their opinions clearly and provide reasons to support their arguments. They should also be taught how to anticipate and address counterarguments.

To practice opinion writing and argumentation, students can participate in class debates or write opinion pieces on current events. Please encourage them to use specific examples and facts to support their arguments.

Overall, by practicing these advanced writing techniques, fourth graders can improve their writing skills and become more confident and knowledgeable writers.

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About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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Informative Writing Practice for Grade 4

Clear purpose

Clearly define the purpose of your writing. Know what information you want to convey and what you want your audience to learn or understand.

Audience awareness

Understand your target audience. Consider their background, interests, and level of familiarity with the topic. Tailor your writing to meet their needs and expectations.

Clearly state the main idea early in your writing. This provides readers with a roadmap for what to expect and helps maintain focus.

Logical organization

Organize your information in a logical and coherent manner. Use a structure that makes sense for the content, such as chronological order, cause and effect, or problem-solution.

Introduction

Grab the reader's attention with a compelling introduction. Introduce the main topic and provide context for the information you're about to present.

Body paragraphs

Each paragraph should focus on a specific subtopic or idea. Start with a topic sentence, provide supporting details, and use transitions to guide the reader smoothly from one point to the next.

Evidence and examples

Support your points with relevant and credible evidence. This could include statistics, studies, examples, anecdotes, or quotes from experts.

Clarity and simplicity

Use clear and concise language. Avoid unnecessary jargon or complex sentences that might confuse your readers. Aim for simplicity without sacrificing accuracy.

Variety in sentence structure

Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader interest. Mix short and long sentences, use different sentence beginnings, and employ transitions for smooth flow.

Summarize the main points and restate the importance of the information presented. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.

Revision and proofreading

Review and revise your writing for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and ensure that your writing is polished.

Grade 4 informative writing worksheets

We’ve created an entirely new section of informative writing worksheets for grade 4 students.

Practice writing introductions

In this first set of worksheets, students practice writing introductory paragraphs on given topics.

Work on supporting details

In these worksheets, students are given a main idea and asked to write supporting details to support that main idea.

Writing informative paragraphs

Using a graphic organizer, students plan out an informative piece .

Writing informative essays

These worksheets outline the structure for writing informative essays on various topics.

Compare and contrast worksheets

Students write essays by comparing and contrasting two things in these worksheets.

Research writing

Next, students learn to write notes and record sources for their research.

Biography writing

Students research and write about a famous person with an emphasis on note taking and the recording of sources.

Prompts for informative writing

The last page of worksheets contain writing prompts on a wide range of topics for students to practice writing informative essays.

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Sharing creative ideas and lessons to help children learn.

Top Writing Tips for Grades 4–6

September 3, 2021 by Evan-Moor | 0 comments

Help students enjoy writing with clear lessons and activities that simplify the writing process. As a writing tutor for university students, I see a lot of common mistakes that originate in early writing instruction. Grades 4–6 is an important time for students’ writing development, specifically in developing their own writing voices.

Correcting common mistakes in early writing instruction will benefit children as their writing progresses. Learning how to break down the writing process into simple steps will prevent students from getting overwhelmed by longer writing assignments as they get older .

Here are some things to focus on for writing in grades 4–6:

Organization

Organization is one of the most important pieces in writing longer paragraphs or essays. Well thought out planning and organization can make an essay really stand out.

• Write your body paragraphs first – While it may seem counterintuitive to start in the middle, the body paragraphs of an essay are the most important parts! The intro and the conclusion should reflect your whole essay and are often easier once an essay is written.
• Narrative Writing asks children to write a true story about a real event that happened to them.
• Informational Writing is written to inform the reader about a specific person or topic.
• Persuasive Writing is written to persuade others to agree with the writer and take action.

Grammar and Punctuation

Simple grammar mistakes, especially homophones and similarly spelled words, can be the deciding factor between a good essay and a great essay. Teaching these grammatical concepts early on will save students from making these mistakes in their writing.

• I put on sunscreen, then jumped in the pool.
• I like mint chip better than vanilla ice cream.
• You’re the fastest runner in the class.
• You dropped your lunchbox.
• The blue backpack is their backpack.
• That backpack over there is blue.
• They’re excited about their backpack.
• I have two brothers.
• I am going to the store.
• Do you want to come to the store, too ?
• The weather will affect our plans tomorrow.
• The weather had an effect on our plans.
• I went to the store earlier.
• John got me ice cream at the store.
• It’s the first day of school tomorrow.
• The cat hurt its paw.
• I need to go to the store today ; I also need to go to the dentist.
• I need to get three things from the store : milk, ice cream, and bread.
• I need milk , ice cream , and bread from the store. (list)
• I have a friend name Robert , who goes to a different school. (dependent clause)
• I went to the store , but they were closed today. (conjoining comma)
• It’s the first day of school tomorrow ; I need a new backpack.
• It’s the first day of school tomorrow , I need a new backpack.
• It’s the first day of school tomorrow , and I need a new backpack.
• It’s the first day of school tomorrow . I need a new backpack.

Other Tips and Recommendations

• First drafts are just a draft – Students often stress about their first drafts not being good enough, without realizing that a first draft is just that—a draft! It’s much easier to revise and edit a draft than to start from scratch, so embrace first drafts! Whether the draft is fully written, half prose/half outline, or just a detailed prewrite, it’s better than nothing!
• Substitute for more academic words – In first drafts, don’t stress about word choice and diction. As students revise and edit, encourage them to substitute for words like “really” or “very” and find synonyms that sound more academic or are more concise or descriptive. Provide students with a child-friendly thesaurus and challenge them to replace three words in their essay!
• Let students write about their interests – You can’t fake enthusiasm in writing! When students write about things they care about, it shows in their writing and makes essays or longer writing assignments more interesting for everyone.
• Write Often!  – This can’t be stressed enough! The best way to encourage strong writing is to write often and in a variety of ways. From journaling to essay writing to poetry to freewriting—any type of writing will encourage students and improve skills. Check out these seasonal daily writing prompts!

Teaching the writing process is a long marathon throughout elementary school, beginning with simple sentences in first grade and ending with multi-paragraph essays by sixth grade. Guide students through this process with step-by-step lessons and practice. Encouraging correct grammar and punctuation, clear organization, and a love of writing will propel students forward in their writing as they continue through middle school and beyond.

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Writing Essays in 4th Grade

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If you've been given an assignment to write an essay, and you're not sure where to begin, don't worry. Just follow the steps outlined below, and you'll come to realize that writing an essay can be much easier than you expected.

How to Write a 4th Grade Essay

Pick an interesting topic.

If you're able to choose the topic for your essay, try to find a subject that interests you or that you would like to learn more about. If you're not excited about your topic, your writing could suffer.

Create an Outline

With any type of assignment, it helps to be organized, so creating an outline for your essay is important. When you create an outline, you decide what you're going to include in your essay and in what order you're going to present that information. Having an outline can make the writing process easier and quicker.

Introduce Your Topic

The first part of your essay that your teacher will read is the introduction. It should grab his or her attention and let your teacher know why he or she should continue reading. Therefore, it can be beneficial to come up with a unique or creative way to open your essay and to share with your reader why you found the topic interesting.

Write the Body of the Essay

After you have your reader hooked, it's time to present what you've discovered about your topic. This section of the essay is known as the body, and it should contain most of the facts and details about your topic. This will be the most substantial section of your essay.

Conclude Your Writing

In general, your conclusion should be no longer than a paragraph, and it should serve as a summary of your essay. In this closing section, you can review the points you've made, give your final opinion on the topic of your essay or both. In other words, let your reader know one more time why you decided to write about the topic and what he or she should have learned by reading your essay.

Proofread and Edit

Following the steps above will give you a complete essay, but you aren't finished just yet. Before you turn in your essay to your teacher, you should read over it for mistakes. You might read it aloud to yourself, and have others read it as well. Make note of all the errors you find, and correct them before you submit your final paper.

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How to write a perfect essay

Need to write an essay? Does the assignment feel as big as climbing Mount Everest? Fear not. You’re up to the challenge! The following step-by step tips from the Nat Geo Kids Almanac will help you with this monumental task. 

Sometimes the subject matter of your essay is assigned to you, sometimes it’s not. Either way, you have to decide what you want to say. Start by brainstorming some ideas, writing down any thoughts you have about the subject. Then read over everything you’ve come up with and consider which idea you think is the strongest. Ask yourself what you want to write about the most. Keep in mind the goal of your essay. Can you achieve the goal of the assignment with this topic? If so, you’re good to go.

WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE

This is the main idea of your essay, a statement of your thoughts on the subject. Again, consider the goal of your essay. Think of the topic sentence as an introduction that tells your reader what the rest of your essay will be about.

OUTLINE YOUR IDEAS

Once you have a good topic sentence, you then need to support that main idea with more detailed information, facts, thoughts, and examples. These supporting points answer one question about your topic sentence—“Why?” This is where research and perhaps more brainstorming come in. Then organize these points in the way you think makes the most sense, probably in order of importance. Now you have an outline for your essay.

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, WRITE!

Follow your outline, using each of your supporting points as the topic sentence of its own paragraph. Use descriptive words to get your ideas across to the reader. Go into detail, using specific information to tell your story or make your point. Stay on track, making sure that everything you include is somehow related to the main idea of your essay. Use transitions to make your writing flow.

Finish your essay with a conclusion that summarizes your entire essay and 5 restates your main idea.

PROOFREAD AND REVISE

Check for errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Look for ways to make your writing clear, understandable, and interesting. Use descriptive verbs, adjectives, or adverbs when possible. It also helps to have someone else read your work to point out things you might have missed. Then make the necessary corrections and changes in a second draft. Repeat this revision process once more to make your final draft as good as you can.

Download the pdf .

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How-To Writing: Motivating Students to Write for a Real Purpose

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What do students need to know to succeed in fourth grade (or third or fifth)? What supplies are needed? What rules and steps should be followed? These and many other questions provide the framework for students to write how-to essays for a specific audience—future fourth graders. Although this lesson focuses specifically on fourth grade, it can be easily adapted for third or fifth graders. Students first learn about the how-to writing genre by reading an assortment of instruction manuals. This also demonstrates how how-to writing relates to their everyday lives. The teacher then models each step of the writing process as the students write about how to be successful fourth graders. After students publish their writing, the final drafts are saved for the following year's fourth graders to read at the beginning of the next school year.

Featured Resources

• Power Proofreading : Students can use this interactive site to complete activities to build their proofreading skills.  
• Essay Map : Using this interactive site, students can organize the information they will include in their essay.

From Theory to Practice

• Students need to understand that there are purposes for writing other than for the teacher to read and grade it. Writing how-to essays has been found to be a successful alternative to the traditional research paper or teacher-based essay.  
• How-to writing is a genre that appeals to most students because it is applicable in the world. This genre involves exploring interests and needs to identify a topic, conducting several research methods, and working through the writing process.  
• When students' writing has an authentic audience beyond the classroom teacher, they can see a direct connection between their lives and their literacy development.

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 1. Students read a wide range of print and nonprint texts to build an understanding of texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.
• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Materials and Technology

• Computer with Internet access and LCD projector  
• Assortment of instruction manuals as examples of how-to writing  
• Chart paper  
• Overhead projector and transparencies
• How to Succeed in the Fourth Grade: Graphic Organizer  
• How to Succeed in the Fourth Grade: Writing Rubric  
• Correcting and Proofreading Checklist

Preparation

Student objectives.

Students will

• Recognize that how-to writing is a genre they encounter in their everyday lives  
• Identify the characteristics of the how-to writing genre and incorporate them into a how-to essay about succeeding in the fourth grade  
• Identify the audience for their how-to essay (i.e., future fourth graders) and shape the essay to appeal to this audience  
• Apply the steps of the writing process to complete the how-to essay

Note: This prewriting activity allows students to work together to brainstorm ideas for their writing, but it also allows for each essay to be different, as students may choose different materials, rules, or steps for success in the fourth grade.

Students may choose a topic of interest to write another how-to essay. For example, students may choose to write instructions for how to play a board game or a sport that they enjoy.

Student Assessment / Reflections

Use the How-To Succeed in the Fourth Grade: Writing Rubric to assess students' writing.

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This strategy guide explains the writing process and offers practical methods for applying it in your classroom to help students become proficient writers.

The Essay Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to organize and outline their ideas for an informational, definitional, or descriptive essay.

Students examine the different ways that they write and think about the role writing plays in life.

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Guide for 4th Graders on How to Write a Research Paper

Related articles, a step-by-step on how to do a background study for a thesis, tools to help you organize thoughts & write a research paper, how to write an explanation essay.

• Lesson Plan to Teach Attention Grabbers in Writing
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Writing a research paper is a very grown up and exciting project for many 4th graders. Students can look at a research paper as an opportunity to teach someone else about a topic they have studied. Most 4th grade research papers will focus on non-fiction content from the school's curriculum. In order to write a research paper, 4th grade students should think carefully about the topic they choose and follow the steps of the writing process.

Prewriting Phase of Research

Before you can write a research paper, you need to choose a topic, do some research and brainstorm ideas. Research papers are non-fiction writing, so you will most likely be writing about a real person, place, event or thing -- perhaps an animal or an invention. Choose the topic you are going to write about from the subject or list your teacher gave you, from a seed idea in your notebook or by thinking about subjects that interest you. Gather information about the topic by doing research on the Internet, in books, or by interviewing experts. Take notes as you gather information so you can remember what you learned.

Drafting Phase of Research

Once you have completed your research, you are ready to write the first draft of your research paper. The most important part of this draft is your topic sentence. In your first paragraph -- your introduction -- you want to make sure you tell readers the main idea of your research paper. Everything you write in your paper is going to be related to that sentence. Reread the notes that you took during prewriting, organize your thoughts, and use your own words and ideas to explain what you learned. Most 4th grade research papers are five paragraphs long with one introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs and a conclusion paragraph.

Edit and Revise

After you finish writing your first draft, take a short break from your research paper. Don't look at it for at least a day. When you go back to it, read it over very carefully, looking for places where you can make your writing better by adding, deleting or rearranging information. Make these changes on the computer or by hand. Then reread it very carefully, sentence by sentence, looking for mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Fix or mark the mistakes that you find. Finally, ask at least three other people to read your research paper and give you opinions and suggestions. Once you have revised and edited your own writing and asked for feedback from others, rewrite your first draft.

Publish Your Research Paper

By this point in the writing process, your research paper is sounding pretty good. Your topic is explained clearly, your writing is all related to your topic, your paper is broken up into an introduction, a body and a conclusion and you are ready to turn in your work. The final step in the writing process is publishing. This is the step where you make sure that your writing looks neat and professional and ready to share with others. You might share, or publish, your work by turning it in to your teacher, showing it to your classmates or displaying it in the classroom or hallway.

• Great Schools: Your Fourth Grader and Writing

A lifetime resident of New York, Christi O'Donnell has been writing about education since 2003. O'Donnell is a dual-certified educator with experience writing curriculum and teaching grades preK through 12. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Sarah Lawrence College and a Masters Degree in education from Mercy College.

A Simple Way to Teach Third Graders How to Write a Simple Paragraph

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• Ryan Murphy
• Feb 13, 2020

STAAR Writing: 4th and 7th Grade Essay Practice Strategies

Within the next few months, students across the state of Texas will be taking the STAAR test. Teachers usually review relevant information in class and conduct practice sessions, but because kids typically don’t have as much experience writing essays, the essay portion of the 4th and 7th grade STAAR tests can present unique challenges. Today, I’ll discuss how to practice writing for the STAAR test and also how to generally practice writing with younger students.

The STAAR test for 4th grade and 7th grade requires that students compose an expository essay within 26 lines. To clarify, essay “genres” fall into a two main categories:

Expository = informative (you are describing facts)

​Ex: Textbook article, newspaper report, description of a person, how-to guide

Argumentative = persuasive (you are trying to convince someone to think or act a certain way)

Ex: Book review, newspaper opinion piece

The STAAR test is somewhat strange in that you often are presenting your opinion but you are not necessarily trying to persuade the reader to agree with you. You often are describing “the best invention” or “what makes a good friend.”

At any rate, the best method for studying the STAAR essay outside of school involves three steps:

1. Gather sample materials from the STAAR website from past exams.

The STAAR website offers great resources for understanding the basics of the test. You can see last year’s exam and several before that. These exams include the prompt as well as scored responses and grader feedback. So you can see what kind of essay generally scores a 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Before getting too far with practicing the writing itself, I like to have younger students see samples of good writing. First, we will read a past year’s official prompt and brainstorm how we would respond. Then, we keep in mind our brainstorming and review the 4-scoring essays. With those samples, I will explain the different parts of the essay, such as the thesis statement, topic sentences, the examples, and the commentary. The goal here is to provide a “model” of good writing.

During the modeling stage, you don’t necessarily need to go through each and every test. Reviewing the most recently released test should work well since there are multiple examples for each score.

2. Practice writing paragraphs and short essays that include all the essential parts.

Younger students are going to struggle a lot with writing the basic structure of paragraphs and essays. To keep things simple, I like to break down a paragraph as follows:

TOPIC SENTENCE - a broad statement of the key idea of the paragraph

TRANSITION/CLAIM - a more specific statement that introduces evidence

EVIDENCE - a specific example that supports the claim/topic

COMMENTARY/ANALYSIS - an explanation of how the evidence supports the claim/topic

CONCLUSION - a statement that reiterates the main point of the paragraph

Not every paragraph needs to include all of these elements, but for the sake of practicing strong paragraphs, it is best to get students in the habit of including all of these parts. Often, younger students will write about 3 out of 5 pieces, usually forgetting to include a topic sentence and a conclusion.

For basic practice, I have students practice writing simple paragraphs, responding to prompts like “What is the best way to serve a tennis ball?” or “Describe your favorite class at school.” I recommend that they write at least once a day for 30 minutes to an hour. At this point, the information itself does not need to be perfect (and there will most likely be spelling and grammar errors); again, writing the structure correctly is the goal.

3. Once the structure is consistently correct, then focus on refining the content.

With practice, the student should be able to more consistently produce the structure of a paragraph and also a multiple-paragraph essay. Then you can start focusing on improving the content within the paragraph. (Of course, you can still guide the student on content before this stage.)

Usually students struggle with clarity in expressing their ideas and including examples that support their topic sentences and claims. Often, younger students rely too much on vague pronouns or phrasing that doesn’t precisely explain an idea or situation. Sometimes this lack of clarity happens because what they are describing is too abstract or the example is too complicated to explain. So you may need to help them brainstorm, too, if the content proves too tricky to write about.

When reviewing the essays during this stage, try to pinpoint areas in the student’s writing that leave you wondering what exactly they meant. Ask the student if they can clarify. Also, demonstrate and work together to come up with an improvement so they can see the process firsthand. I like to type up what the student has written and then break the essay down into parts, revealing what the student needs to improve.

Final Thoughts

Through this three-step process you should be able to more systematically help younger students with writing paragraphs and essays. Once you have done practice for a few weeks, you can then “benchmark” the progress by handing out another official STAAR essay prompt and having the student write a response. After reviewing, you can once again look at sample essays and compare, determining the student’s score and what to focus on for future practice.

Preparing for the STAAR test? Need help on the writing section -- or maybe just need writing help in general? Our tutors can assess your student’s weaknesses and help them build their skills for the test and beyond!

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Introductions & Conclusions in the 4th Grade

Read Time 2 mins | January 14, 2021 | Written by: Kylene Reed

Now that the fourth graders have learned how to take notes, they began their research in the social studies classroom. Each student picked an animal found in one of the regions of Texas and completed their research to fill in their pillars.

 Students then wrote their own introductions using the resources from Empowering Writers that are found in their writing journals and the modeled example as needed. 

Next, we modeled writing the conclusion using: a hypothetical anecdote, informative verbs and main ideas, and a definitive word or phrase. 

Here are a couple of students that I conferenced with today! I am extremely proud of their samples!

I cracked up almost the entire time I was working with this kiddo! His personality and humor came out in his writing. I loved the "razzle dazzle on over" that he used to get readers to want to read on!

This sample is from a student that is new to the district and Empowering Writers. While many of our students have had EW for the last couple of years, she just began instruction in the fall. While I conferenced with her, she new exactly what to do and what was needed each time I asked her a question! 

Kylene Reed

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101 Exciting 4th Grade Writing Prompts for 2023 (Free Printable!)

Use them for journal writing, essay topics, and more!

Fourth grade is a time for students to continue to hone their writing chops as they put to use the skills they’ve learned and gain confidence in their abilities. We’ve collected this list of fourth grade writing prompts—including opinion, persuasive, informational, and narrative—to spur your students’ imaginations and get them writing!

You can get 50 of these fourth grade writing prompts in a free PowerPoint slideshow bundle! They make it easy to share these writing ideas with your students.  Grab your free PowerPoint bundle by submitting your email here .

• Persuasive and Opinion Writing Prompts
• Descriptive and Expository Writing Prompts
• Narrative and Personal Writing Prompts
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Persuasive and Opinion 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Would you rather be good at sports or good in school? Why?

Would you rather have lots of money or lots of friends? Why?

What is your favorite subject in school? Why?

Are fourth graders ready to stay home alone? Why or why not?

Name two characters from different books that you think might be good friends. Why?

Which is more important for success, skill or luck?

Should kids be paid an allowance to do chores around the house? Why or why not?

Why are classroom rules important?

If you had a time machine, what era of history would you visit?

Why is math important?

Why is science important?

Should fourth graders have cell phones? Why or why not?

If you could open a store, what type of store would it be and why?

Which would you rather read: a scary story that gives you goosebumps or a funny story that cracks you up? Why?

What is the hardest thing about being a fourth grader?

If I were the ruler of the world, the first law I would pass would be … because …

If you found a backpack filled with dollar bills, what would you do?

Is it ever OK to tell secrets? Why or why not?

What animal makes the best pet? Why?

Is it better to spend an hour a day reading or an hour a day exercising? Why?

Descriptive and Expository 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you had a YouTube channel, what would you talk about?

What’s the best book you’ve read recently? What was it all about?

If you won a million dollars, how would you spend the money?

Describe what you think of as perfect weather.

Describe how to build a birdhouse step by step.

Write five rules for staying organized.

What is the worst book you ever read?

Describe the physical appearance of someone in your family in detail.

Imagine you are in a hot-air balloon above your house. Describe everything you can see.

Describe how to play your favorite board game.

There’s an old saying: “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” What do you think this saying means?

Describe your perfect day.

One of your little cousins is very nervous about starting kindergarten. What would you tell them to make them feel better?

Imagine you are an adult and describe your dream job.

Explain your morning routine in detail, from waking up to arriving at school.

Describe the perfect meal, including what you’d eat and where you’d dine.

Share what you do on a typical non-school day.

Explain the right way to do one of your household chores, like making your bed or cleaning your room.

Describe your favorite room at home in detail.

How do you prepare for a big test? Describe the ways you study or practice.

Narrative and Personal 4th Grade Writing Prompts

Share one of the stories your family has told you about when you were a baby.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about an adult you look up to.

What’s the nicest thing anybody has ever done for you?

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Write about a time you felt like quitting but didn’t. How did you keep yourself going?

Do you like nonfiction books or fiction books better? Why?

What makes your family unique?

What would you say is your greatest strength? Greatest weakness?

Are you a patient person? Why or why not?

What is something you’ve never done that you would like to try?

What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you?

Write about a time you tried something new and how you felt before, during, and after.

What is your earliest memory?

What’s your favorite holiday? What makes it so special?

Write about a time when you felt proud of yourself.

Tell the story of your favorite field trip of all time.

If you could relive any day in your life, what would it be? Would you want it to be the same or different?

What holiday is important to your family? Describe how you celebrate it together.

What’s the best gift you’ve ever gotten? How did it make you feel?

Creative 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you met an alien, what three questions would you ask them?

Pretend you drank a magic potion that made you as tiny as an ant. Where would you go and what would you do?

Pretend you ate a magic pill that made you as tall as a redwood tree. Where would you go and what would you do?

Write a story that includes these five words: keys, spaghetti, uncle, jellyfish, spaceship.

What would the world be like if dinosaurs still existed?

If you could invent something new the world really needs, what would it be? How would it work?

Retell a classic story, making the villain the hero instead.

Imagine that one day you woke up and found everyone in the world could no longer talk. What would happen next?

Write a new chapter of your favorite book, with yourself as a new character.

Imagine you woke up one morning with a superpower, like invisibility or the ability to fly. Describe your experiences learning how to use that power.

Use these words to start a story: “When I opened the box that came in the mail, I never expected to find …”

Describe a world where it rains fruit juice and snows M&Ms.

Come up with the most ridiculous excuse possible for why you are unable to turn in your homework today.

Describe a world where all the adults are robots, but kids are still human kids.

Imagine a conversation between yourself and a talking animal.

Describe the kind of creature you’d create if you were a mad scientist. Would it be scary and mean? Nice and friendly?

Invent a new kind of candy. Give it a name, and write a commercial jingle for it.

Write about a day where kids are in charge instead of grown-ups.

Imagine you’re lost in a haunted wood, and tell the story of your escape.

Tell a story that ends with these words: “… and that’s how we all learned to fly.”

Describe a night in the life of the tooth fairy.

Current Events 4th Grade Writing Prompts

If you made a time capsule for this year, what would you put in it?

Describe something that you saw in the news recently and how it made you feel.

Tell about an event that happened recently at your school or in your town.

What do you think is one of the world’s biggest problems right now, and how would you solve it?

Read a news story about something happening in another country and summarize it.

Write a news article about something important that happened to you this week.

Create a poem about something in the local news right now.

Write a letter to the editor about a current issue, explaining your opinion.

Find a “good news” story, and share why it makes you happy.

What living famous person do you most admire and why?

What do you think kids today can do about climate change and global warming?

Learn about an endangered animal, and describe what we can do to help it.

What does the word “racism” mean to you?

What is one thing you would do to make your school or town a better place?

Choose an upcoming sports event, and explain who you think will win.

Describe a current fashion trend or something that’s very popular in your school right now, and how you feel about it.

What can we do to help people with different opinions get along with one another better?

Interview a grown-up you know, and write a news article about them.

What do you think is the best new song right now? The worst? Why?

Describe an event that’s happening in the world right now that you don’t understand. What questions would you ask a grown-up about it?

How do you use writing prompts with your students? Come share your ideas and ask for advice in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Also check out 57 awesome 4th grade books you’ll want to share with students ..

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Taking the leap from the primary level to the intermediate grades. Continue Reading

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When I look back to my first experience teaching five paragraph essays to fifth graders, I can remember how terribly unprepared I felt.

I knew that the five paragraph essay format was what my students needed to help them pass our state’s writing assessment but I had no idea where to start.

I researched the few grade-appropriate essays I could find online (these were the days before Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers) and determined that there was a structure to follow.

Every essay followed the same basic structure. I taught the structure to my students and they did well.

I have been teaching five paragraph essay structure and everything that goes with it for several years now. I hope that after you read this blog post, you will have a good understanding of how to teach and grade five paragraph essays.

Once you’ve learned all about teaching basic essay structure, you’ll be ready to grow your writers from “blah” to brilliant! 

Teaching five paragraph essays is just one part of teaching 5th grade writing. Click here to find out exactly how I teach writing to my 5th graders! 

Start with Simple Paragraphs

We always start with simple paragraphs.

Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me!

We spend a while cementing paragraph structure:

Topic Sentence

Closing Sentence

I give students topics, they come up with their own topics, we write together, they write with a partner or independently, the more variety, the better.

We have fun with simple paragraphs. Then, it’s time to move on to body paragraphs.

Organize and Write Body Paragraphs

Please refer to my five paragraph essay organizer below.

The three body paragraphs are absolutely crucial to the success of the five paragraph essay.

Some teachers have trouble teaching the structure of five paragraph essays because they start with the introduction paragraph.

Always teach the body paragraphs first!

I had a teacher say to me once, “What’s the point of just writing parts of the essay? They need to write the entire five paragraphs to get all of the practice they need.”

I understand that point. However, think of it as building a house. Should you test out the foundation and make sure it’s sound and sturdy before building on top of it? Absolutely! That’s what we’re doing here.

The three body paragraphs are the foundation of the essay.

Ask students to write out their three body paragraphs just like they have practiced…Topic sentence…Detail 1…Detail 2…Detail 3…Closing Sentence.

I “ooooh and aaaah” over their three paragraphs. Students are on their way to five paragraph essays, so be sure to build their confidence.

Teach the Introduction Paragraph

I have to say, this is my favorite paragraph to teach. The introduction paragraph is what draws readers into the essay and makes them want to read more.

We start with what I call a “hook.” The hook captures the readers’ attention and can come in many forms: asking a question, making a bold statement, sharing a memory, etc.

After the hook, I ask students to add a sentence or two of applicable commentary about the hook or about the prompt in general.

Finally, we add the thesis sentence. The thesis sentence always follows the same formula: Restate the prompt, topic 1, topic 2, and topic 3.

That’s all you need to write an excellent introduction paragraph!

I do suggest having students write the introduction paragraph plus body paragraphs a couple of times before teaching the closing paragraph.

Teach the Closing Paragraph

In the conclusion paragraph, we mainly focus on restating the thesis and including an engaging closing thought.

With my students, I use the analogy of a gift.

The introduction paragraph and body paragraphs are the gift and the conclusion paragraph is the ribbon that ties everything together and finishes the package.

When you talk about restating the thesis sentence, tell students that they need to make it sound different enough from their original thesis sentence to save their readers from boredom.

Who wants to read the same thing twice? No one!

Students can change up the format and wording a bit to make it fresh.

I enjoy teaching the closing thought because it’s so open to however students want to create it.

Ways to write the closing thought: ask a question, personal statement, call to action, or even a quote. 

I especially like reading the essays in which a quote is used as a closing thought or a powerful statement is used.

Example of a full five paragraph essay

Let’s Talk About Color-Coding!

Who doesn’t like to color? This is coloring with a purpose!

Training your students to color-code their paragraphs and essays will make grading so much easier and will provide reminders and reinforcements for students.

When students color-code their writing, they must think about the parts of their paragraphs, like topic sentences, details, and the closing sentence.

They will be able to see if they are missing something or if they’ve written something out of order.

Color-coding is a wonderful help for the teacher because you can skim to ensure that all parts of your students’ paragraphs and essays are present.

Also, when you are grading, you can quickly scan the paragraphs and essays. Trust me, you will develop a quick essay-grading ability.

I start color-coding with my students at the very beginning when they are working on simple paragraphs. I add the additional elements of the color-code as we progress through our five paragraph essays.

This is the code that I use:

Let’s Talk About Grading Five Paragraph Essays!

Imagine a lonely, stressed teacher grading five paragraph essays on the couch while her husband is working the night shift.

That was me!

Seriously, guys, I would spend about ten minutes per essay. I marked every little error, I made notes for improvement and notes of encouragement. I reworked their incorrect structure.

Those papers were full of marks.

On Monday, I proudly brought back the essays and asked students to look over them and learn what they needed to fix for next time.

You can guess what happened… there were lots of graded essays in the trashcan at the end of the day.

I decided that my grading practices had to change. I needed my weekends back and my students needed to find their own errors!

This is my best advice:

STOP correcting every error!

Your students are not benefiting from marks all over their writing. They need to find those errors themselves so that they will remember their mistakes and change their writing habits.

Do a quick scan of each student’s writing as soon as it’s turned in to you.

If there are major problems with a student’s writing, call him/her over individually and show him/her what needs to be fixed or put the student with a competent peer editor who will help them fix mistakes.

If you have several students who are struggling with a skill, like closing sentences, do a mini-lesson on this topic.

You can do a mini-lesson with a small group. However, I prefer doing mini-lessons with the entire class. The kids who need help will get it and the rest of your class will receive a refresher.

It’s OK if there are some small spelling/grammar mistakes!

If the errors are few and they don’t take away from the meaning/flow of the essay, I don’t worry about them.

Our students are still learning.

Even your brightest star writer will have a few spelling/grammar mistakes from time to time.

Don’t discourage students from writing because of small errors.

Students who receive papers back with markings all over them don’t think, “Oh boy, my teacher has made it so easy for me to make all of these corrections.” They are thinking, “What’s the point in writing? I must be a terrible writer. Look at all of these mistakes.”

If your students are taking a standardized writing assessment, the structure and flow of their essays will be worth much more than perfect spelling.

Need more help?

I created this five paragraph essay instructional unit for teachers who are new to teaching five paragraph essays OR just need all of the materials in one place.

“Teacher Talk” pages will guide you through the unit and this unit contains all materials needed to help students plan, organize, and write amazing five paragraph essays! Click here to check it out:

I have a freebie for you! Enter your first name and email address below. You’ll receive three original prompts with five paragraph essay organizers AND two lined final draft pages!

Once your students are good essay writers…

These task cards will help your students stay sharp on their five paragraph essay knowledge. Students will review hooks (attention-getters), thesis sentences, body paragraphs, topic sentences, closings, and more. Each card contains a unique writing example!

I suggest using these task cards as a quiz/test, scoot game, individual review, or cooperative group activity.

Click on the image to view these task cards:

To save this post for later, simply pin this image to your teacher Pinterest board!

21 comments.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always stressed over the thought of teaching writing, but your blog makes me think I can do it successfully. Putting your writing packet on my TPT wish list!

Thank you, Shannon! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I am so glad that my blog post was helpful to you!

Thanks for the tips! When I taught 6th grade I taught this same subject matter, but struggled to get started. I wish I had this then!

I appreciate your comment! Teaching was much different before Pinterest, wasn’t it?!?

This helped me so much!🙂 thanks a lot, I imagined being one student of yours. I’d be so smart and good at essays! Would’ve been so much easier in person❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much, Aizlyn!

Thank you so much for this! May I ask where I can see the rubric for scoring the compositions?

You are so welcome! Click on the resource link. Then, you will see the rubric in the preview!

Thank you so much,I am a parent and this really helped me be clear how to guide my son. God bless you always.,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

you are welcome!!!

This looks great! Looking forward to using your tips and freebies with my 6th graders. 🙂 THANK YOU.

You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

Can’t wait to use this with my class tomorrow! Thanks a bunch for sharing!!

You are so welcome, Amy!

Thank you for making it easy to teach an essay with clarity.

You are very welcome, Yamuna! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂

I am so happy I discovered your blog. I just started teaching grade 5 in September I have been searching for a simple method to hel me in guiding them in writing. I will be putting your method into practice in the coming week.

That’s wonderful, Cherry! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Welcome to fifth grade 🙂

Beautiful lesson well explained! Thank you so very much .

Thank you so much, Cheryl!

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

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. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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How Long Should My Academic Essay Be?

When you're given an academic essay assignment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed—especially if English is your second language or you have limited experience with academic writing. Academic essays can range from a few paragraphs to book-length dissertations, so the scope of expectations varies widely based on the school you're attending, the class you're taking, the departmental expectations, and (most especially) the professor giving you the assignment.

However, if you're new to academic essay writing and are stressing over the length it should be, keep in mind that in most situations, your questions will be answered by your professor or the admissions committee assigning you the essay in the first place. When an assignment is given, some professors are very specific on their expectations, including what they expect the word count to be.

For most assignments, you'll likely be given guidelines based on word count (for example, 1,000 to 1,200 words) or page count (3 to 5 pages, double-spaced). You might also be given guidelines on the citation format to use, how many sources you should have, and even the publication date range of those sources. Some professors like to be extremely specific on their expectations for each academic essay assignment, while others might be more lenient and less structured in their guidelines. And of course, these guidelines will vary based on the type of academic essay and its purpose.

General guidelines for essay length

Middle school.

Academic essay assignments typically start in middle school in the American education system and fall within the range of 300 to 800 words. In these grades, you'll be learning the basic 5-paragraph essay structure, which includes an introduction, a thesis statement, the body, and a conclusion. In the typical 5-paragraph essay format, the first paragraph should be the introduction, the second through fourth paragraphs should be the body of the essay, and the fifth paragraph should be the conclusion. In very rare instances would your introduction or conclusion take up more than one paragraph for these types of essays.

High school

In high school, you'll still likely need to write a 5-paragraph essay, although some teachers (especially English and Language Arts) will start to require longer essays (3 to 5 pages). This is to prepare you for the rigor of academic writing that you'll be fine-tuning in college. In these essays, you will still have the basic format of introduction, body and conclusion; however, you'll expand the body to more thoroughly explore or explain a topic. The conclusion of your 3 to 5-page essay will likely still fall within one paragraph, although the introduction might be more than one, depending on the topic.

University (Undergraduate level)

Once you get admitted into an undergraduate program, the length of your academic essay assignments will vary significantly, depending on the classes you take and the departments you take them in. You'll also encounter classes that require academic essays of varying length as the semester progresses, with a longer essay due as the final assignment for a greater percentage of the class grade. In most cases, these longer academic writing assignments will be structured in such a way in that parts of the essay assignment must be turned in at different times, with all sections being put together as a final paper.

For example, in an advanced-level English class, your professor might assign multiple shorter essays of 5 to 7 pages (or 1,500 to 2,100 words) and one final essay that explores a topic in more depth at 8 to 10 pages (or 2,400 to 3,000 words). Another class, such as a core curriculum survey course, might require fewer essays or more journal prompt-type writing assignments.

University (Graduate level)

Much the same as the undergraduate level of college, graduate-level academic writing assignments will vary based on several factors, such as the professor, the course, the department, and the program of study. One university program might require extensive writing while another might be more lab-based or hands-on experience.

Graduate level is also where you're likely to first encounter "thesis" and "dissertation" academic writing assignments, which can go up to 100,000 words or more. These types of assignments obviously require extensive planning, research, and writing time, but you'll likely be given very specific word count and citation requirements when being assigned the paper to write.

Graduate level writing is significantly more involved than the 5-paragraph essay format and contains elements such as sections related to a review of literature, background of the topic/theoretical framework, methodology of research, and your specific findings. These separate sections might have their own word count limits and requirements, with some requiring significantly more time and writing than others. As with some undergraduate assignments, you might be asked to submit these academic writing assignments in stages or sections, including a proposal, a list of your sources, etc.

Beyond word and page count

Even if you stay within a certain word or page count that is required for an academic writing assignment, you could still receive a poor grade for not using that count wisely. For example, it's possible to write a 3 to 5-paragraph paper that is disorganized and illogical, in the same sense that an 8-page essay might have the same faults.

Here are some important guidelines to follow when writing an academic essay, regardless of the word count required:

• Always carefully outline before you begin writing. An outline will help you cover everything that should be covered and ensure that you've included all of the required parts of the essay (introduction, thesis statement, etc.)
• Never allow your academic essay writing style to appear rambling, off-topic, or full of "filler" words. While the topic you're writing about might be new to you, your professor will likely know it extensively and will be able to tell if you're writing just to fill space.
• Do your best to avoid hedging. Hedging is when you essentially dance around a topic with vague statements but never have an actual stance on it. In most forms of academic writing, you're expected to make a clear assumption or thesis statement and then back up your claim with solid research and/or data.

So, can I go over or under word count?

Ultimately, it will always be in your best interest to stay within word count requirements given to you on assignments. Word count or page count limits are given to you for a reason—your professor knows exactly how in-depth you can explore a topic or topics given that word count restriction. If you find that you are significantly under word count when you've completed your writing assignment, it's likely that you haven't explored the topic to the depth expected of you by your instructor. A poor or failing grade might be the result, as it will be clear to your professor that you either didn't understand the topic or didn't take the time needed to research it correctly.

Some professors will allow word count that is over suggested limits a lot more readily than word count that is under them. However, keep in mind that if you have gone significantly over word count in your academic essay assignment, it's always a good idea to ask your teacher if this is acceptable. He or she might have such a heavy student and research load that they are simply unable to read hundreds of essays that are over the suggested word count limit, and might be forced to stop reading once you've reached it. This means that important parts of your writing will not be read and could affect your teacher's grade choice for the assignments.

This is also true for college admissions essay assignments. Admissions committees might be reading the essays of thousands of applicants and need those writers to stay within word count restrictions for the sake of time and logistics. Allowing one applicant to write extensively more could also put that applicant at an unfair advantage, so word count restrictions should always be followed. For a more in-depth look at what you should and shouldn't do on your college admissions essay, check out this article on writing a college admissions essay that stands out from the crowd .

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