How to Write a 1200 Word Essay: Length, Structure & Examples

How to Write a 1200 Word Essay: Length, Structure & Examples

The word counts for high school, college, and university essays vary. Some assignments are as little as 300 words, while others require students to write more than one page – and a 1200-word essay is one of them!

This article will discuss how to write, format, and structure your 1200-word essay. As a bonus, you will receive practical examples, valuable insights, and writing prompts!

đź“‹ What Does 1200 Word Essay Look Like?

Is a 1200-word essay long? Although it may seem quite lengthy, it is not very challenging to write if you are well-prepared. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the structure and format of such essays in detail to help you cope with this task.

1200 Word Essay Structure

A 1200-word essay, like other academic essays, has 3 core parts: an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion. Let’s dive in and learn more about each of them!

This image shows the 1200-word essay structure.

Introduction

A strong introduction should attract the readers’ attention and clarify the key idea of the essay. In general, it contains 150-250 words and includes the following elements:

  1. An intriguing hook to make the audience interested.
  2. Background information to explain the context.
  3. A thesis statement to summarize the central points.

Essay Body

The main body of a typical 1200-word essay consists of 4-5 paragraphs or 750-850 words. Each body paragraph should have 4 crucial components:

  1. Topic sentence to present the core idea of the paragraph.
  2. The main argument.
  3. Supporting evidence to back up your point of view.
  4. Link to the next paragraph.

Conclusion

The conclusion contains a thorough summary of the essay’s primary arguments. On average, it has 150-250 words. A solid concluding paragraph should restate the thesis and summarize the key ideas of the paper. Also, it should end with an effective concluding statement, leaving your audience thinking about your topic after they finish reading.

1200 Words in Pages: Format

College papers should adhere to a specific formatting style. There are two most commonly used formats: APA and MLA.

APA MLA
Font 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Arial or Calibri 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri
Margins 1-inch margins on all sides 1-inch margins on all sides
Spacing Double spacing Double spacing
Title Page Requires a separate title page, with an essay title typed in bold and centered. Below the title, include your name, university, course, professor’s name, and date. Doesn’t require a title page; all personal information (student name, professor name, course, and date) is typed in the top left corner of the first page.
Header Page number at the upper right-hand corner starting with the title page. Your last name followed by a space and a page number at the top right corner.
Essay Title Appears on the upper half of the title page and at the top of the essay’s first page; should be centered, bold, and typed in title case. Appears under the heading information on the first page; should be centered, not bold, and typed in title case.
Section headings Level 1: Bold, centered, title case. Level 2: Bold, left-aligned, title case Level 1: Bold, left-aligned, title case. Level 2: Italics, left-aligned, title case.
In-text citations For paraphrased information: (Author, year), e.g. (Smith, 2020) For quotes: (Author, year, p. #), e.g. (Smith, 2020, p. 20) For all types of in-text citations: (Author page #), e.g. (Smith 20).
The title of the reference list References Works Cited
Words in 1 page 250 words double-spaced (1200 words = 4.8 pages) 250 words double-spaced (1200 words = 4.8 pages)

🖊️ How to Write a 1200 Word Essay

Further, we will tell you how to make writing a 1000-word essay easier! Follow our step-by-step instructions, and the results will not keep you waiting!

đź“Ť Step 1 Choose a topic
🕵️ Step 2 Gather information
➡️ Step 3 Develop a thesis
đź“‹ Step 4 Create an outline
✍️ Step 5 Write a draft
🔎 Step 6 Proofread

Decide on a Topic

If your professor does not specify a topic, it is your chance to choose the one that interests you. You can do some research to find a topic that you can easily discuss in 1200 words. Avoid very general titles and pick more specific ones instead. Look at the examples below to see the difference.

General Topics Specific Topics
❌ Bullying in school ✅ The problem of bullying among teenagers and its consequences
❌ The causes of climate change ✅ What part do alternative energy sources play in climate change?

Collect Information

The information you will use in your essay must come from reliable sources. Ensure the data you have found is:

  • Relevant. The information you gather must be pertinent to your topic.
  • Credible. The data you get must come from trustworthy sources.
  • Ethical. Ensure all people whose information you collect have permitted it to be used in your research.
  • Varied. Use diverse data to see the issue from different angles.

Develop a Strong Thesis

The thesis statement is a sentence that informs the reader of the point you intend to make in your essay, while the main body supports that point. An effective thesis statement should meet the following criteria:

  • Be specific. The thesis statement must concentrate on a particular area of a broader topic.
  • Take a stand. Your thesis must demonstrate your conclusions and opinion on the issue.
  • Answer “why” or “how” questions. Avoid vague words and add enough details to your thesis to ensure it answers a particular question about your topic.
  • Justify the discussion. The thesis should prove that your topic is controversial and worth discussing.
  • Express one idea. A thesis statement should precisely express what your work will be about. If you have more than one idea in your thesis, your readers may get confused about what point you are trying to make.

Create an Outline

An essay outline helps you visualize your finished essay before you start writing it. It reduces the paragraphs to critical points, allowing you to review your argument with a quick skim.

The outline should reflect the structure of the paper. Therefore, it should include a concise version of your introduction, thesis statement, the paper’s main points to support the thesis, and some concluding thoughts. Keep it brief and simple by avoiding unnecessary words and too many details.

Make a First Draft

The first draft is the writing stage that comes after creating an outline. A first draft can be rough and far from ideal, but it aids in putting your ideas on paper and creating a preliminary version of an essay. Use these tips to make the process of drafting smoother:

  1. Use formal academic language. School or college essays should be written according to academic standards. In particular, papers should be clear and concise and not include contractions, slang, or informal expressions.
  2. Choose a formatting style. Clean formatting demonstrates your attention to detail and understanding of the value of adhering to conventions.
  3. Make your story flow. Follow your outline and ensure that your thoughts are arranged logically. Use transitions to make the links between different ideas clear.
  4. Structure the paragraphs properly. Ensure that each paragraph includes all the essential components: topic sentence, supporting evidence, explanations, and concluding sentence.
  5. Cite your sources accurately. In academic writing, it is crucial to distinguish between your thoughts and the ideas borrowed from others’ works. Therefore, you should give credit to all sources that inspired your paper.

Improve and Proofread

After finishing an essay, you should proofread and edit it. We have some tips that can come in handy when checking your article:

  • Use a ruler. As you read, place a ruler underneath each line. This way, you will have a manageable amount of text for your eyes to read.
  • Take a break. Between writing and editing, try to take a rest. Even a 20-minute break will help you take a fresh look at your paper.
  • Ask someone else to read your essay. It will assist you in identifying unclear sentences, wordiness, and other shortcomings.
  • Read the essay backward. This technique will help you concentrate on the sentences rather than becoming distracted by the content of your work.
  • Keep in mind your typical mistakes. Check out old papers you have written before and list the errors you consistently commit.
This image shows how to write a 1200-word essay.

✍️ 1200 Word College Essay: Writing Prompts

Already tired of coming up with some fresh ideas for your 1200-word essay? Do not worry! We have some helpful writing prompts that will inspire you!

1200 Words Essay on Motivation

Motivation refers to the internal and external influences that encourage people to attain specific goals. In your 1200-word essay on motivation, you can focus on strategies often used in business to improve employee performance. You can also provide a real-life example or impressive statistics!

đź“ť Check this 1200-word essay example to learn how these prompts work in practice: Motivation Strategies and Approaches at the Workplace.

1200 Words Essay on Human Resource

Human resources deal with various processes, such as recruitment and selection, training and development, benefits and compensation, and employee performance management. In your essay on human resources, you can discuss the most pressing issues affecting HR departments: 

  • compliance with regulations and laws;
  • employee safety and health;
  • organizational change management;
  • the development of competitive compensation packages.

📝 Or you can find more inspirational ideas in this 1200-words example: GlaxoSmithKline Company’s Human Resource Strategy.

1200 Word Essay on Group Therapy

Group therapy is the treatment of several patients at the same time by one or more healthcare experts. In your article on group therapy, you can raise the following questions:

  • What is the goal of group therapy?
  • What are the benefits of group therapy?
  • How many stages does group therapy involve?
  • What is an excellent example of group therapy?

đź“ť Look at our example of a 1200-word essay on group therapy: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Group Therapy.

1200 Word Essay on Business Strategy

A business strategy gives the entire firm a vision and a course to follow. In your 1200-word essay on business strategy, you can focus on a real-life example of a large and successful corporation. Describe how its vision, mission, and core values direct its operations.

📝 Check this 1200-words essay example for more valuable insights: Picosam Technologies: Business’s Vision, Mission, and Values in Assessing the Strategic Direction.

1200 Word Essay on Globalization

Globalization alters the way nations, corporations, and individuals interact. In your essay, you can focus on the following issues of the globalization process:

  • cheap international sweatshop labor;
  • confusing local systems;
  • increasing populations of immigrants;
  • decline in job opportunities;
  • lack of regulation in multinational business enterprises.

đź“ť This 1000 to 1200-words example is already waiting for you: Globalization Impact on Trade and Employment.

1200 Words Essay on Cyber Crime

Cybercrime is any illegal activity involving a computer, networked device, or network. In your essay, you can describe types of cybercrimes and their examples. Also, you can add information about safety measures that can protect users and social networks from cybercrimes.

đź“ť Look at the example of a 1200-word essay on cybercrime that we have prepared for you: The Lehman Bank: Irregularities and Cybercrimes.

✅ 1200 Word Essay — Useful Tips

Here are 7 tips that can come in handy when you need to write a compelling 1200-word essay.

✔️ Pick an interesting topic. If you are not given a topic in advance, choose an issue that interests you.
✔️ Use appropriate vocabulary. Your writing will be more captivating and persuasive if you use words that suit the tone and aim of your essay.
✔️ Avoid passive voice. Sentences written in passive voice are usually longer and harder to read and understand than those composed in active voice.
✔️ Use transitions. Transitions provide logical ties between paragraphs, enhancing the readers’ enjoyment and making it easier for them to follow your narrative.
✔️ Vary your sentence structure. Combining simple, complex, and 1compound sentences can make your work more engaging.
✔️ Reread your piece of writing. Check your essay for spelling, grammar, and punctuation issues before submitting it.
✔️ Keep practicing. We all know that practice makes perfect. So, the more you write on various topics, the more professional you become.

đź“š 1200 Words Essay Topics

  1. Has America lost its global dominance?
  2. The role of misuse of antibiotics in the development of antimicrobial resistance.
  3. How does AI contribute to workplace safety?
  4. Strategies for managing behavioral disorders in the classroom.
  5. Are biofuels more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels?
  6. Why should we care about cat overpopulation in America?
  7. The risks of using cloud computing in business.
  8. Factors motivating people to undergo cosmetic surgery.
  9. Can culture wars ever end in America?
  10. The effectiveness of laws targeting distracted driving.

âť“ 1200 Word Essay: FAQ

How Many Pages Is 1200 Words?

The page number of your 1200-word essay depends on your formatting style. For example, if you apply Times New Roman or Arial font and a 12-point font size, 1,200 words will take 2.4 pages single-spaced or 4.8 pages double-spaced.

How Long Does It Take to Write a 1200 Word Essay?

The time required to write 1200 words depends on your typing speed, planning skills, ability to search for information, etc. Generally, it takes approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours to write an essay in 1200 words.

How Long Is a 1200 Word Essay?

Essays in 1,200 words equate to around 6–12 paragraphs: an introduction, 4-10 main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each paragraph has 100–200 words and 5–6 sentences. An essay written by hand will take 5-7 pages, depending on your handwriting.

How Many Pages Is 1200 Words Double Spaced?

Professors usually ask you to use double spacing for your essays because, this way, the paper is easier to read and has enough space for comments. On average, 250 words make up a typical double-spaced page. As a result, 1,200 word-essay double-spaced takes 4.8 pages.

đź”— References

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