The Critical Turkey

Essay Writing Hacks for the Social Sciences

The Critical Turkey

How many sources should I use in my essay?

Possibly the most frequently asked question when it comes to social science essay writing (certainly in first and second year courses) is how many sources should be used in an essay. This is a very legitimate question, especially if you don’t have much essay writing experience to start with. But the answer is not very straightforward. It depends. Rather than providing a fixed number, this blog post lays out what it depends on, and what kinds of parameters play a role in determining the number of readings.

The purpose of referencing

First, however, a short reflection on why you need to use references in the first place. Anchoring this discussion to its purpose will help you gain a deeper understanding of the issue, and the rest will make more sense. It is tempting to see this as a tick-box exercise of a specific number of readings you need to cover. But providing references goes deeper than that.

What distinguishes academic writing from other forms of writing is that indeed, it builds on what others have written before, and makes explicit reference to it. This is because social science is ever-evolving. When we write about social class today, we stand on the shoulders of giants , scholars like Marx, Weber, or more recently, Pierre Bourdieu. And those are only the big names. Hundreds of other authors have dedicated their scholarly lives to academic research, and added bits and pieces to an ever-evolving body of knowledge, be it on social class or any other topic we write about.

Providing references to their work pays tribute to this. It is a sign of respect for the work of others. But it also a way of showing your own awareness of the different debates and different perspectives in the field. And it is a way of showing where your position is. For example, if your analysis of class follows a Marxist tradition, this will show in the readings you use, as you will be drawing primarily on authors that have also followed this tradition (and probably some original Marx as well).

Rather than this being a tick-box exercise, then, referring to the work of others has a deeper meaning. It is about who you are, and where you see yourself, as a budding scholar. And you might not think of yourself as a budding scholar (yet?), but hey, we all have to start somewhere.

Parameter 1: Your ambition

And this brings us to the first parameter, your ambition. If all you want is write a reasonably well-informed essay that achieves a solid pass and a not unreasonable grade (a perfectly legitimate ambition. In our school this corresponds to a grade in the 50s range), fewer sources will do. You still need to demonstrate you have read, and are building on the literature, but there is less emphasis on integrating, for example, different perspectives. If, however, you want to demonstrate that you really know some stuff, and are aware of at least some of the different perspectives (in our school, a 60s essay), you will typically use a few more sources, integrate a few more perspectives, and a little more data and evidence. If you are aiming for those really high grade ranges (in our school, 70 and above), you want to show more of an ‘overview of the topic’, an awareness of a slightly bigger part of the body of knowledge that exists, which will result the use of additional sources, and an extended bibliography.

Okay, I know you want numbers. Here we go then. Let’s say this is a typical 1,500 to 2,000-word essay, first or second year, Social and Political Science at Edinburgh University (if you’re at another school or university this might be different. Even some individual courses might be different. Always check for local conditions): a typical 50s essay here will probably use four or five sources; in the 60s, it tends to be around five to ten, and typical 70s or above essays use probably somewhere between eight and 15 substantive sources. These are rough estimates, though. And importantly, these numbers are not deterministic. You could write a brilliant essay based on just five or six sources and still get that first. Or you could use 15 sources in your essay, but if your argument is off, or your writing is incomprehensible, or the sources aren’t very good, you might still only get a 50s grade.

Parameter 2: The kind of question

The second parameter to consider is the kind of question you are addressing. There are two main distinctions to make here: first, whether the question is mostly on a specific theory or on a topic. More theoretical questions tend to need fewer readings. For example, it could ask about a specific concept by a specific author, say Foucault’s concept of power/knowledge, or Mead’s idea of the Self. Rather than looking at several different viewpoints, this kind of essay question is asking you to engage in detail with only one author’s perspective. This means there is less importance on breadth of reading (expressed in a higher number of readings). However, this does not necessarily make things easier, as there is instead more emphasis on depth of reading. You need to engage thoroughly with that one text, more that you would otherwise. And even though the emphasis is on one author’s theory, depending on your ambition, you still want to consult additional literature, and see how other authors have interpreted and contextualised this particular theory.

If the essay question is on a specific topic, on the other hand, say globalisation, gender inequalities or social class, there is usually more of an emphasis on the breadth of reading, and of you demonstrating awareness of different perspectives and interpretations. This tends to result in a higher number of bibliography entries.

The second aspect of the ‘kind of question’ parameter you need to consider is how many dimensions the question has. In the above example, if the question is about one theorist, you will typically need fewer readings than if the question is asking you to compare theories, for example, compare Foucault’s notion of how power and knowledge are connected to what Marx and Engels wrote about the issue. Both might be 2,000 word essays, but the number of readings is likely to be twice as many if you add this comparison.

The same goes for topic questions. These, too, can involve several dimensions. A question that asks about the impact of globalisation on cultural practices in Japan is more likely to be focused on a selected number of core readings. If a similar question asks about the impact of globalisation on culture, the economy and politics in Japan, this multitude of dimensions will require additional readings for the additional dimensions.

Parameter 3: Quality of sources

Another parameter that determines the number of sources you need to use is the quality of your sources, and the kinds of sources you use. Once again, two distinctions are important here. First, there is a difference between core readings, and ones that are more peripheral. The core readings should indeed provide the core of your argument, and the basis for the essay to build on. They are usually provided in the course material, either as essay readings, or for the respective lectures or course units the essay builds on. The decisive point, however, and what defines these as core readings for the purpose of your essay, is that they touch on the core of what the essay is about. Peripheral readings are ones that provide examples, additional material, data and illustration. They help your essay branch out, and cover just that little bit more ground. The point, however, is that they are additional, and if push comes to shove, you could probably do without them. The core readings, in contrast, are indispensable.

This distinction is important for how you count your number of readings. Core readings count fully; peripheral readings, not quite so much. This can become a problem if your bibliography is overly weighted towards peripheral readings. If you have, say, ten readings in your bibliography, but only one or two are on the core of the topic, this will be insufficient, despite the relatively high number of readings. If we take the above example of the effects of globalisation on Japanese culture, if only one or two readings are on globalisation, and ten others on examples, this might leave the core a little hollow, and the discussion of globalisation in a more general sense might just not have sufficient substance. I have used the word ‘might’ here, because this does depend on the kinds of readings, and there is a chance that this bibliography actually does work. The important point is that this is something you need to pay attention to, and ultimately it is your judgment call.

The second distinction of the kinds of sources is between academic and non-academic sources. As a rule of thumb, you should be very careful about using non-academic sources in the first place. All of the above is written on the assumption that we are talking about academic (i.e. peer-reviewed) journal articles and books. Under certain circumstances, however, it is possible to use non-academic sources, such as news articles or blogposts, mostly to provide current examples and illustration of whatever you are writing about. If you do use such sources, however, they should never be seen as a replacement for academic sources. And when you count how many sources you have used, you should simply take these out of the equation. If you have used, say three academic sources and 15 non-academic sources, in the eyes of your marker (at least if I am that marker) you have only used three sources, plus some additional, peripheral, illustrative material. This is not to say that this additional material cannot also be very useful. But as discussed above, academic essay writing starts with an acknowledgment of what is already out there in terms of academic literature and research, and is based on the body of knowledge that has evolved over time on a specific topic, not on yesterday’s news.

Parameter 4: specific instructions

The last parameter to consider can throw the entire calculation over board. It is whether the essay question comes with specific instructions. Such instructions could be, for example, that an essay in social theory really only needs to engage with this one theory. This gives you permission to limit the number of readings. However, be careful here, as this can be a false friend. Reading additional secondary literature on the theory might actually help you understand it better.

Or you might be encouraged to use news articles to provide examples for your discussion. This can potentially lead to a much higher number of bibliography entries. But as discussed above, this should not replace academic literature, and the latter should always form the basis and core of your discussion.

These four parameters are what I think are the most relevant determinants for the number of readings you need to use in your essay. But maybe I missed something? What other considerations do you think are important? Or maybe you disagree with some claim made in this article? Do let me know in the comments below.

how many references for 2000 essay

3 thoughts on “How many sources should I use in my essay?”

These articles are so, so helpful. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much! This helps me a lot : )

This is so helpful and clear, thanks a lots

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Essay Referencing Guide

Writing an essay is never a walk in the park, especially if you are a freshman. Many students are surprised at first when they need to write an essay, because of all the demands that go with it. We are not just talking about doing research and writing at a very high level, but also about essay referencing. In the beginning, it’s difficult to wrap your head around a concept like that. Also, it can still seem pretty daunting if it’s been a while since you’ve done it.

Poor essay referencing is one of the main reasons why students lose points on their essays and receive lower grades, despite the strength of their arguments and their writing chops. Referencing your sources is a must in academic circles, because everything else is considered plagiarism. This means that every time you use a piece of data, images, graphics, or words from someone else’s paper or dissertation, you need to provide a citation and its matching reference. With that in mind, let’s take a look at our essay referencing guide that will help master the skill of referencing once and for all. Keep on reading to find out more.

What Is Referencing And Why Is It Important?

Essay referencing enables you to acknowledge the authors and their contributions, which have been used in your own work. Every essay ever written is underpinned by ideas, research, or finding of other writers, which is why it’s crucial that your essay contains proper citations. There are several reasons why referencing is so important. The most important ones are:

  • You avoid plagiarism - this is probably the most obvious reason why you should reference the original authors. It’s perfectly fine to use someone else’s work and findings to act as a basis for your own writing, but if you fail to cite your sources, it is considered a very serious academic offense. Not only is it considered unethical, but you are also violating a number of intellectual property rights every author is entitled to. Pretty much every academic institution has a clear, and usually very strict, policy on plagiarism.
  • It provides credibility to your work - regardless of what your essay topic is, there will be a whole raft of previous works available on it. Being able to do your research and pick the most relevant and compelling ones is a skill in itself, which is why essay referencing also gives additional credibility to your writing. It also allows you to bolster your own data with similar research already done by another author, which is something that essay writing service professionals adhere to at all times.
  • It shows that you acknowledge research that was done previously - not only is this respectful to other authors, but also shows that you haven’t picked your sources randomly, and that you are well familiar with the subject matter and capable of extracting data that is the most useful and relevant to your essay.

Essay Referencing Systems

Referencing is required for just about every single piece of academic writing, and that includes essays. Now, unfortunately for students, there is no universal referencing system. Instead, there are several different ones that are used in the academic community. Ideally, you get to choose which one to use, but in most cases, the choice is made for you by a specific publication or academic institution you are attending. The most common essay referencing systems are:

Lately, Harvard, which is also knowns as the Author Date system, has been the most prevalent system for essay referencing. It uses short citations inside the text itself, unlike most of the other systems which rely on footnotes at the end of the paper.

how many references for 2000 essay

When to Use References

Generally speaking, you always need to cite the original author of the work you are using, be it a book, industry publication, or even a website. Now, in order to avoid confusion as to what qualifies as using someone else’s work, we have put together a short list that lets you know when you should reference. You should reference in case you are:

  • Directly quoting someone else’s work, regardless of the publication type
  • Using a famous quotation
  • Paraphrasing someone else’s writing and findings
  • Summarizing data points and ideas from someone else’s paper, book, or article
  • Using charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, images, or statistical data published by another author
  • Using someone else’s idea

That pretty much covers all cases where essay referencing is required. Now, if you are writing from your own experience, using personal anecdotes, opinions, or experiments, you won’t need to reference anything. The same goes for stuff that is common knowledge or a generally accepted fact.

How to Reference

One of the most common mistakes students make when it comes to essay referencing is to write a list of references at the very end of the writing process. In that case, you will need to go through the entire paper and try and find the works which you have cited, which can take a lot of time, and can be very tedious. Instead, try writing down your references as you go along. That way, by the time you are done writing, you will have a complete list of references, and you won’t have to worry about missing any of them, and getting accused of plagiarism.

For every reference, you will need the following details:

  • Name of the original author
  • The edition, in case it’s not the first
  • The year the work was published, as well as the city
  • Publisher’s name
  • Name of the article if it’s an article, page numbers, or numbers
  • In case it’s an online resource, provide the address, as well as the date you accessed the source
  • Page number if you are quoting the source directly

Obviously, each referencing system has its own specifics, but for the most part, this is what you should expect to provide for each reference.

How Many References Do You Need?

While there are no strict rules when it comes to the number of references in your essay, there are some general essay referencing guidelines that you’ll want to follow. For example, you might want to include one unique citation per every 150 words of your essay. Of course, you can cite one source more than once, but you should also aim to get data from multiple sources in order to make it more diverse and compelling. Also, you’ll want to include different opinions and view the topic from multiple angles when coming up with your own conclusion.

Depending on essay length, you’ll want to include the following number of references in the reference list:

  • 1500-word essay - 10 references or more
  • 2000-word essay - 13 references or more
  • 2500-word essay - 16 references or more
  • 3000-word essay - 20 references or more
  • 3500-word essay - 23 references or more
  • 4000-word essay - 26 references or more
  • 5000-word essay - 33 references or more

While putting together a list of references for your essay requires a lot of work and focus, once you learn all the ins and out of essay referencing, it becomes much easier. We hope that you have found our guide helpful, and that you will start implementing the tips we have shared when writing your next essay.

Written by Michael Writer

Publish Date: August 19, 2022

Michael Writer

Michael Writer

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How many references should I have?

Use as many references as you need You’ll need an appropriate amount for your academic level – this will vary

Reference everything you cite  If you use an idea, cite and reference it

Ask your tutor They may have guidance for you on how much reading they expect you to do

Students sometimes worry that there is an optimum number of references that they need to cite.

There’s no right or wrong answer  answer as to how many references you need – it depends on how many you’ve cited in your writing!

The most important thing is that you don’t plagiarise. Make sure you include references for everything that you’ve cited in the text, so that it’s clear where your information has come from.

Depending on what you’re writing, you might have only a few. As long as they are appropriate for your level of study, and you have enough evidence to back your arguments, you shouldn’t worry.  Lab reports, for example, might have relatively few references because you are writing up work that you have done in the labs.  

You can also look at the marking criteria for your assignment as that might indicate on what is or isn’t sufficient. If in doubt, check with whoever set you the work as they might be able to give you a clearer idea.

Remember, you are looking to provide proof that you have done the research. Citations and referencing point your readers to the sources you have used in your research process.  

Mr Greg's English Cloud

How Many References Do I Need?

When embarking on the journey of writing an article, research paper, or any academic assignment, one common question arises: How many references should be included for a given word count? While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the number of references required can vary greatly depending on the topic, depth of research, and type of document, there are general guidelines you can follow.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Role of References

Before diving into numbers, it’s essential to understand the role references play in your writing. References serve multiple purposes:

  • Supporting Arguments:  They provide evidence to support your claims and arguments.
  • Credibility:  They add credibility to your work by showing you’ve engaged with existing knowledge.
  • Acknowledging Sources:  They give proper credit to the original authors of ideas, theories, and research findings.
  • Guiding Readers:  They guide readers who wish to explore your sources further.

With these roles in mind, the number of references becomes a balancing act between thoroughness and over-saturation.

General Guidelines Based on Word Count

Short papers (500-1500 words).

For short papers, such as brief reports or reflective essays, you might only need a handful of references, perhaps 5-10. These papers don’t delve deeply into a subject but rather provide an overview or personal insight.

Mid-Length Papers (1500-3000 words)

As the word count increases, so does the expected depth of research. A mid-length paper, like an extended essay or a short research paper, might require anywhere from 10-20 references. This range ensures you have enough sources to provide a solid foundation for your arguments without overwhelming the reader.

Long Papers (3000-6000 words)

For more substantial papers, such as detailed research papers or literature reviews, a good rule of thumb is to have at least one reference for every 100-150 words. This means for a 3,000-word paper, you might have 20-30 references, and for a 6,000-word paper, 40-60 references could be appropriate.

Extended Projects (10,000+ words)

When it comes to dissertations or theses, which can exceed 10,000 words, the number of references can range widely, from 50 to several hundred. The key here is the depth of the study and the number of themes or variables you’re exploring.

Factors Influencing the Number of References

Field of study.

Different academic fields have different expectations for referencing. Humanities papers often rely on a broad range of sources to build arguments, while sciences and social sciences may focus more on recent, peer-reviewed studies.

The Scope of the Topic

A broad overview of a topic will require fewer references than a paper that aims to provide an in-depth analysis of a narrow subject.

Type of Writing

Literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses will have a higher reference density than empirical studies, which may rely more on original research data.

Assignment Requirements

Always check if there are specific guidelines or requirements for your assignment. Some instructors may stipulate a minimum or maximum number of references.

Quality Over Quantity

It’s not just about the number of references but their relevance and quality. It’s better to have a smaller number of high-quality, directly related sources than a large number of tangential ones.

The Availability of Sources

Sometimes the topic is so novel or niche that there simply aren’t many sources available. In such cases, it’s important to explain the scarcity of references to your readers.

Calculating the Right Number of References

While there’s no exact formula, you can follow a simple process to estimate the number of references you might need:

  • Outline Your Paper:  Break down your paper into sections and list the points you plan to make in each.
  • Assign References to Points:  Estimate how many references are needed to support each point adequately.
  • Consider the Introduction and Conclusion:  These sections generally require fewer references, if any.
  • Add for Breadth and Depth:  Add additional references if you need to provide background context or delve deeper into a topic.

Tips for Managing References

  • Start Early:  Begin collecting references early in your research process to ensure you have ample material to choose from.
  • Organize Your Sources:  Use reference management software to keep track of your sources and simplify the citation process.
  • Annotate Your Bibliography:  Write a brief summary of each source’s key points, which will help you remember why you chose it and how it fits into your paper.

Final Thoughts

The number of references needed for a specific word count is not set in stone. It depends on the purpose of the document, the depth of the discussion, the expectations of the field, and the richness of the topic. The best approach is to use references strategically to bolster your arguments, while also ensuring each reference is meaningful andcontributes to the overall quality of your work.

As you navigate the complex landscape of academic writing, remember that references are the foundation upon which scholarly work is built. They are the threads that weave together the tapestry of knowledge across time and disciplines. Use them wisely, and your writing will not only stand on the shoulders of giants but also invite others to climb up and see further because of your contribution.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

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how many references for 2000 essay

2000 Word Essay Examples & Topic Ideas

Writing a 2000-word essay may seem overwhelming at first, especially if you’ve dealt with smaller tasks before. However, writing such a paper is the next step in your educational process. Two thousand words length is typical for critical writing assignments, movie reports and reviews, book reviews, reports of all kinds, and research papers.

You may face the need to compose a 2000-word task at any moment and in any class. Here are the basics of writing a paper of this length with hot, relevant, and interesting topics you may cover. And if you’re looking for more inspiring samples, check the page with free essays online for students !

  • 🏆 Best Topics for 2024
  • 📝 Research Paper Examples
  • 💡 Report Topic Ideas
  • 👫 Peer Pressure Essay Examples

✏️ How to Write a 2000 Words Essay

  • 📃 Essay on Integrity: Examples
  • 📣 Persuasive Essay Prompts
  • ✅ Argumentative Essay Examples
  • 🌎 Globalization Essay Samples

🏆 Best 2000 Words Paper Topics for 2024

Here are a couple of 2000-word essay topics you may borrow or tweak a bit to present an interesting, well-researched, and thought-provoking paper.

  • The promise and failure of multicultural education.
  • Pros and cons of religious education at schools.
  • Misinformation and lack of access to data about climate change.
  • Can households play a role in air pollution decrease?
  • The contribution of social media to medical care quality.
  • Psychology and physiology of living with allergy.
  • Pros and cons of a vegetarian diet for a child.
  • The medication addiction epidemic in the USA.
  • Alternatives to animal testing.
  • Ethics behind placebo treatment.
  • Pros and cons of child vaccination.
  • The role of standardized testing in public education.
  • Ethical and legal concerns of metal detector setup at schools.
  • Social media and peer communication at schools.
  • Modern technologies for educating blind and deaf children.
  • Alternatives to paper usage for tree protection.
  • The real magnitude of deforestation.
  • The science behind GMO products’ impact on human health.
  • The ethical problem of beauty contests.
  • Long-term impact of violent games on children’s temperament.

📝 2000 Word Research Paper Examples

  • Flooding Problem in Philippines Flooding affects every region of the Philippines neighborhood, and several low-lying regions in the Manila City, such as Espino, Taft, Malabo, and Valenzuela, are usually among the worst hit in every series of flooding that […]
  • I Have a Dream Speech Analysis The speech has become a symbol of a new era of freedom and symbol of the American civil rights movement.”I Have a Dream” is a representation of the “America Dream” about a free and equal […]
  • Greek and Roman Theatre Differences The design was further involved in the seat arrangement that ensured that the actors were clearly heard by the people on the uppermost semicircular bench of the theater.
  • Tesla Globalization: A Strategic Marketing Plan + Expansion Strategy First, it is worth mentioning that, according to the company’s website, the mission of the business is to manufacture and promote a product that would allow for a more sustainable use of the natural environment.
  • Pros and Cons of Hosting the World Cup Considering that grants would be obtained from FIFA to partly support the preparation, the revenue body in the state would benefit from such grant and the developments that will be carried out with the support […]
  • PepsiCo Leadership Style: Indra Nooyi Leadership Style Indra Nooyi ensures the long-term sustainable performance of PepsiCo with her leadership approach that is focused on collaboration and is considered to be extremely significant for the whole company.
  • “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” Symbolism In the context of the “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”, the pentangle brings together the influence of “the five virtues, the five wounds of Christ, the five senses, the five joys of Mary the […]

💡 Topic Ideas for a 2000 Word Report

If you’re tasked to write a 2000 words essay, sample topics in the following list can help you out. They are suitable for lab report-type writing on a variety of subjects.

  • Straw panel manufacturing for eco-friendly housing.
  • Alternative energy source use in your location.
  • New statistical applications in medicine.
  • Exploring plant photosynthesis on the example of kale.
  • Preventing unauthorized access: lab report in cybersecurity.
  • Blood sugar regulation.
  • In-vitro antimicrobial activity of rosemary.
  • Hematological parameters of malaria patients.
  • Microbial analysis of expired bread.
  • Water quality analysis.
  • Impact of local spices and herbs on community health.
  • Correlates of yeast cell absorption speed.
  • Emotional regulation in children.
  • Environmental pollution: local parameters.
  • Dehydration of cyclohexanol .
  • Wind engine use: a case study of local practices.
  • Impact of noise level on the nervous system’s resilience.
  • Quality of detergents.
  • Computer modeling of gait.
  • Caffeine levels in tea and coffee.

👫 2000 Words Peer Pressure Essay Examples

  • The Influence of Peer Groups on Youth Crime The impact of youth crime on the community is profound, and so is the influence of criminal behavior on the lives of adolescents.
  • Friends’ Influence and Peer Pressure in Adolescents The list of physical and emotional transformations happening to the young people during adolescence is universal; the processes are the same for all teenagers.
  • Online Peer Support Groups for Depression and Anxiety Disorder The main objective of peer support groups is connecting people with the same life experiences and challenges to share and support each other in healing and recovery.
  • A Peer Intervention Program to Reduce Smoking Rates Among LGBTQ Therefore, the presumed results of the project are its introduction into the health care system, which will promote a healthy lifestyle and diminish the level of smoking among LGBTQ people in the SESLHD.
  • Bullying and Peer Abuse Especially at work, targets fear coming to work and this will have an adverse result in the efficiency of the staff in the hospital.
  • Peer Assessment and Productivity of Low Achieving Students To be more exact, the fact that low achieving students need graphic data in order to understand the mechanics of the learning process better and, thus, engage into the meta-cognition process was discovered with the […]

Overall, a 2000-word essay doesn’t differ from other essay types. It should also have an introductory part, a particular number of body paragraphs, and a concluding section with major insights you’ve derived from research. Since this essay type can be 7-8 pages long, it makes sense to divide the content into sections and cover each of them in several paragraphs.

The picture displays the elements of 2000-word essay structure.

2000-Word Essay Structure

The structure of your 2000-word essay will largely depend on the professor’s prompt. If the tutor requires a more structured paper, you can divide the content into several sections and dwell on every aspect in a couple of paragraphs each. It is not typical for 2000-word essays to have a separate literature review – you may have one in a report or research paper, but essays usually favor a more integrated presentation of literature in the body of the paper. Thus, overall, the essay should have an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion with main findings and inferences. As the intro and conclusion take 10% of the word count each, you should expect the body of the paper to have around 1500-1600 words, which translates into 10-15 body paragraphs.

Consider using the outline generator if a 2000-word essay structure is challenging for you.

2000-Word Essay Introduction

The essay’s introduction usually takes 10% of the paper’s length, but short essays may have even 20% taken by the introductory section. When we’re talking about a 2000-word essay, 7-10% will be totally fine to cover the broad context, background, and thesis statement of the paper after introducing the essay’s main subject. This way, you should allocate 150-200 words to the introduction of this essay.

Try the thesis statement tool if you’re stuck making a thesis statement. And check our research introduction maker and hook sentence generator if you want to prepare your introduction in no time.

2000-Word Essay Conclusion

Similar to the introduction, a 2000-word essay’s conclusion may also take 150-200 words, which equals 7-10% of the essay’s length. It should summarize the key points you have discussed and derive the main takeaways from every argument or body section you’ve had in the essay.

Check our closing sentence generator to formulate a closing paragraph for your essay.

How Many References Should I Use in a 2000 Word Paper?

It depends on the specific task your supervisor has set and the academic level at which you’re studying. A rule of thumb is to have 8-12 references for every 1,000 words of text. Thus, your 2000-word essay should have around 20 unique sources to comply with the professor’s requirements and academic standards.

📃 Examples of 2000-word Essay on Integrity

  • Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty Some of the most significant issues he highlights include the following: The quality of information on the web varies significantly While internet search may help to narrow down on a topic, it may erode the […]
  • Media Law and Ethics: Integrity in Media Broadcasting The concept of integrity makes one earn the respect of the society, while the opposite draws insolence and ridicule from the members of the community.
  • Corruption and Integrity in Modern World The difference in the levels of corruption in these countries is a result of different parameters and at the same time, the effects are diverse.
  • Technology Impact on Students’ Academic Integrity The International Center for Academic Integrity has recently generated a toolkit to assist educators and institutions of higher learning in dealing with contract cheating.
  • Corruption and Corporate and Personal Integrity Bribery, embezzlement of funds and illegitimate procurement always impose extra and unjustified costs to the cost of acquiring public services and damages the credibility of those institutions that are involved in the vice.

📣 2000 Words Persuasive Essay Prompts

Here are a couple of prompts that can help you craft a 2000 words example essay for a high grade. Feel free to use them or tweak the prompts so that they match your individual task.

Time Management Essay 2000 Words

Discuss the concept of time management and analyze its significance for people’s education, employment, and attainment of life goals. Give examples of the positive impact of good time management on people’s quality of life across domains. Focus on one or several time management techniques, explain their basis and principles, and give instructions for adopting better time management habits.

Essay about Social Networking 2000 Words

Discuss the existing social networks and their history of emergence and mass adoption. Analyze research findings about the pros and cons of reliance on social media and evaluate the arguments of opponents and proponents. Talk about the negative impact of social media on academic achievement and the potential implications of blocking social media use at schools. Consider several cases of teachers’ social media image scandals, such as inappropriate behavior and dressing in social media posts.

2000 Word Essay on Accountability in the Army

Examine the concept of accountability as such and apply it to a narrower field – army service. Talk about the variety of officers’ accountability obligations during army service, covering their duty to treat army property, documents, and funds with due care. Examine various shades of meaning of army officers’ accountability – in civil service and on the battlefield (e.g., joint action and decision-making). Evaluate the importance of accountability in the army and discuss the organs and entities keeping those duties under control.

A Dangerous Experience Essay 2000 Words

Discuss the importance of challenging oneself and leaving the comfort zone for the sake of personal development and growth from the viewpoint of viewing these experiences as dangerous. Give a personal example of leaving the comfort zone and feeling fear and danger in the face of the unknown. Examine the psychological motivations of people agreeing to withstand danger for the sake of moving forward and the justifications of those who avoid danger and never move ahead.

✅ Argumentative Essay 2000 Words Examples

  • Music Effects on the Brain However, listening to music has the ability to inspire the hormones and raise the levels of these elements to equilibrium, making the brain to work optimally.
  • Educational Applications of Nursing Informatics The application of informatics implies the incorporation of information technology in the process of direct healthcare provision, establishment of efficient administrative systems, management and education delivery as well as supporting nursing research.
  • The Effects of Television on the Way People Understand Themselves This is because, despite the fact that the advocates of political correctness encourage citizens to believe that the specifics of one’s racial affiliation are not being reflective of his or her tendency to commit crimes, […]
  • Addressing the Income Inequality in the People’s Republic of China It is obvious that the mentioned issues are among the most relevant reasons for II; eliminating them should lead to the improvement of II situation in the world.
  • Efficiency and Effectiveness Pursuit of Management Relevance of efficiency and effectiveness to enhance the performance of organisations The assumption of maximising profits through focusing on mechanisms that enhance efficiency and effectiveness of organisations as the main goal of an organisation rather […]
  • The Primary Causes of Terrorist Political Violence In a clash between the religious beliefs and those of the state or a foreign power, the religious beliefs are likely to triumph and garner the support of the majority.
  • Sustainable Tourism and Market Economy According to Billington, Carter and Husain Whole Place Development refers to the dynamic process of creating public as well as private spaces by utilizing the input of the stakeholders who are the community to develop […]
  • Employment Relations in Modern Australian Workplaces Nevertheless, continued involvement of the state in employment relations led to changes in the employment relations that saw employers exploit their employees.
  • Counselling Theory of Freudian Psychoanalysis Even though that from a Christian point of view, there is indeed a number of discursive controversies to the theory of psychoanalysis, there can be little doubt as to the fact that it was specifically […]

🌎 Globalization Essay: 2000 Words Samples

  • Globalization: Concept, Advantages and Disadvantages The lecture provokes the interest to the evaluation of the consequences of globalization. The accumulation of the first experience has started with watching the different documentary and feature movies about the global and cultural integration […]
  • Anti-Globalization Movement’s Goals and Power The movement works with the destruction of the legal status of “legal entities,” the disappearance of commercial fundamentalism liberated, and the necessary actions of economic privatization by the World Bank, the Foundation International Monetary Fund, […]
  • Globalization as Growth Driver for Society and Economy From the start, Levitt argues that the globalization of markets is a phenomenon like never seen before, where the international market becomes one whole and there is a demand for modern, popular, standardized products which […]
  • The Economic Aspects of Globalization This trend is active in the most developed countries such as the United States of America and even in the developing countries in Africa and Asia.
  • Strategic Marketing Plan for Globalization Move The company’s strong position in the domestic market and the availability of resources to enter the Chinese market allow for the decisive transition of the company to international marketing.
  • Globalization and Inequity in Global Maternal Mortality Globalization has led to the transition of existing threats to collective and individual health to a new qualitative level and to the emergence of new threats.
  • Tendencies That Were Caused by Globalization Krishnamurthy’s article was published in 2004, and it contributed to drawing the public’s attention to the question of outsourcing in contexts of the information exchange and economic growth. In 2006, Michael Palm responded to the […]
  • Impact of Globalization and Neoliberalism on Crime and Criminal Justice Globalization entails the conception of principles, perpetuated by both governments and organizations that have altered the way nations perceive the obligation for a criminal justice system and the ability of the governments to control crime […]
  • The Era of Globalization in Canada: Employment Standards The purpose of the act was to set minimum standards legislation in order to create regulatory framework for wages, hours of work, overtime, and vacations with pay, for the majority of workers in the province.
  • Healthcare System: Future Prospects in the Era of Globalization Nevertheless, there is another concern that we should worry about; and that is the worsening of health services or hindering in the flourishing of health services in the future.

📌 2000 Word Essay: Answers to the Most Pressing Questions

📌 how many pages is 2000 words double spaced.

How many pages is 2000 words of academic text? According to the guidelines of all the key citation styles, one page should contain approximately 250 words (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced). If you follow these guidelines, your 2000-word essay will be 8 pages. If you make it single-spaced, it will take 4 pages.

📌 How Much Is 2000 Words in Paragraphs?

How much is 2000 words in paragraphs? A typical academic paragraph contains 100 to 150 words. So, a 2000-word essay will consist of 14-17 paragraphs.

📌 How Many Sentences Is 2000 Words?

How many sentences is a 2000-word essay? A typical sentence in academic writing consists of 15-20 words. So, 2000 words are not less than 100-103 sentences.

📌 How to Outline a 2000-Word Essay?

An academic paper of 2000 words is not always an essay. A text of this length is more likely to be a research paper, term paper, or extended essay. An outline for such an assignment is more complicated than that for a standard essay. In addition to the usual parts (introduction, body, and conclusion), you’ll probably need to include other elements like an abstract and methodology. The details will depend on the exact requirements.

📌 How Long Does It Take to Write 2000 Words?

How long does it take to write a 2000-word essay? It will take you 40-80 minutes to type 2000 words on your keyboard (the total time will depend on your typing speed). Writing an academic paper will take more time because you’ll have to research, make an outline, write, format, and edit your text. It would be best if you planned to spend a little over 6 and a half hours for a 2000-word paper.

📌 How Many Body Paragraphs Are in a 2000 Word Essay?

A typical 2000 words essay consists of 17 to 19 paragraphs. Each of the paragraphs should contain 75-150 words.

  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 13). 2000 Word Essay Examples & Topic Ideas. https://ivypanda.com/essays/words/2000-words-essay-examples/

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English and Related Literature

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Rules for referencing and citation

Why  reference essays.

Referencing your work properly is one of the most important ways that you can establish the authority of your ideas, and allows you to situate your own ideas and arguments in relation to those of other scholars.

Referencing is also an important way of acknowledging your debts to other scholars. Properly referencing your work is one of the best ways of avoiding plagiarism.

You can find out more about referencing by browsing the university's  academic integrity pages

How to reference essays

The English department requires that you reference your essays in accordance with either the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Style guide.

The university produces handy guides to these referencing systems, which you should consult:

For instructions how to reference a wide variety of different sources, consult the examples collected in the university's academic integrity site:

This article is available to download for free as a PDF for use as a personal learning tool or for use in the classroom as a teaching resource.

Department of English and Related Literature University of York , York , YO10 5DD , UK Tel: work +44 (0) 1904 323366 | [email protected]

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How Many References in a Research Paper?

how many references for 2000 essay

Junior researchers frequently wonder how many references should be included in their research papers. The common response? “As many as you need.” What exactly does that mean? While we admit there are very few hard-set rules regarding this issue, in this article, we will try to provide more concrete guidelines that will help you assess whether you have enough references in your paper.

Before we do so, let us briefly explain why references matter and whether the number of references you include can project certain perceptions about the quality of your work. There is such a thing as having too many or too few.

Why are research paper references and citations necessary?

References show that you have carefully reviewed the relevant literature and are now contributing something  novel  to the academic community. You establish authority and credibility when you can critically assess other literature and distinguish your findings from previous works (if any exist). We emphasize “critically assess” in the last sentence because references are only as good as you apply them to your research. Therefore, the famous adage “quality over quantity” is the key to deciding how many references are sufficient.

Likewise, citing your references within the research paper itself (in the form of academic citations ) is crucial in any academic work that makes assertations based on external studies. Failing to cite your sources can result in plagiarism, which even if accidental can still have some devastating consequences for academic researchers hoping to publish their work or finish graduate school.

Number of Sources Used Can Impact Perceptions of Quality

We would be remiss if we didn’t tell you that being at either extreme (having too few or too many references) can reflect poorly on your intellectual aptitude and your study’s validity. Here’s why:

  • If you don’t have enough references, particularly on a topic familiar to a wide audience, readers may think that you haven’t done enough research into existing literature. Surely someone else has thought about related topics or used similar techniques. If you’re sloppy in conducting your diligence, readers will wonder whether your paper is worth reading. What’s novel and valuable about your paper? Were you just as sloppy with conducting your study? The answers to these questions need to be evident.
  • Additionally, readers might be concerned that you may have plagiarized by failing to properly cite information. Unless you’re John Nash, who cited only two texts in his seminal  26-page PhD thesis  (one of which was to his prior work), ensure that you’ve properly researched the relevant papers and included appropriate citations! Especially, make sure that you have found, read, and included all the latest publications on your topic before finalizing and submitting your own paper—if the drafting process took some time, new literature might have come out in the meantime, and you don’t want to give the editor the impression that you are not on top of the newest developments.
  • If you have too many references, readers may wonder if you did any original research at all. Unless you’re writing a literature review, your paper’s primary focus should be on your investigation and findings. Don’t bury your hard work under strings of citations and discussion regarding other works. Show your readers what you’ve discovered and how the new information you present fits into or departs from the academic community’s current understanding of your topic.

Additionally, let us highlight the difference between the number of references versus citations. References are the source materials; therefore, each reference should be listed only once in your references section. Citations are meant to identify the source of the information you use in your paper. You can cite a reference multiple times. Therefore, the number of citations you have is typically larger than the number of references an average paper includes. The opposite situation should never happen!

Key Factors Influencing the Number of References You Use

The following are some of the many factors that may influence the number of references you use:

  • The number of references required for a paper will depend largely on your work’s purpose . For example, literature and systematic reviews are surveys of existing studies. Therefore, their reference lists will be more exhaustive than those of research papers whose primary focus is the current authors’ findings. Indeed, if you examine many journals’ author guidelines , you’ll note that journals have a higher maximum reference limit for review articles than original research papers.
  • The length of your reference list will also depend on your research paper’s subject matter . For example, if you are writing about a field that is less studied (such as a subfield of neuroparasitology) you may discover that there aren’t many papers to cite. Similarly, newer fields will have fewer published papers that can be referenced. If you find yourself in this situation, review the references used by relevant current literature and see if you can expand your research, and thus your reference list, with valuable content from there.
  • Another factor will be your  institution or journal’s requirements . If you are preparing a dissertation or thesis, double-check your department’s requirements. While rare, they may have specific limits. More commonly, journals restrict the number of references due to printing constraints.
  • It may happen that you don’t have  access to certain literature  that could have served as a reference. In such a situation, you may wish to look for an institution that may be able to provide you access to that literature for the purposes of reviewing the content or contact one of the authors directly and ask for a copy.
  • Given that more papers are being published than ever before in most fields, it is likely that reference lists will grow longer simply because there are more data and discussions of existing data available to cite . Keep track of changes to the size of reference lists in publications related to your field.
  • Finally, a paper’s length bears some correlation to the number of references.

So how many references should be included?

Below, we provide tips on how to decide if you have enough resources. We also provide some general reminders on how to effectively use references. After all, references are meant to enhance your paper while still maintaining your research as the focal point.

Use academic journals as a guide

  • One way to gauge how many references you should have is to survey academic journals for your article type in your field. Review their author guidelines for limits on the number of references for your article type, and make sure your reference list complies with those journal restrictions.
  • Read recent articles relevant to your topic; check how many references other authors have included in their papers for the same article type as yours, and how frequently those works were cited per page.
  • Keep in mind that the above methods will give you an estimate of how many references you should include overall but will not tell you how many citations you’ll need per page. The latter is impossible to state simply because certain sections may have no citations at all (the results section , for example).

Statistics regarding the number of references and citations

To give you a general idea, the following are some estimates from a couple of studies that examined the citation characteristics of articles published in various disciplines.

According to  Milojević’s study  encompassing research in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, robotics, ecology, and economics, the highest and average number of references per article page were as follows:

  • Ecology: highest, ~58; average reference per page, 6;
  • Math and robotics: highest, ~28; average reference per page, <1; and
  • Economics: highest, ~ 32; average reference per page, >1 but <2.

The above findings were based on data compiled from the first 20 years of the author’s research. Since then some fields have increased the number of references. Thus, make sure to examine your target journal’s most recent and relevant publications for a better idea of how many references to include based on the specific type of article you plan to write.

In another study by Falagas et al. (2013),  medical journals averaged  29 references for articles that were 7.88 pages long (as printed in journals).

Finally, although the sample size was small (63 journals), Gali Halevi observed the following citation trends of a broader range of disciplines.

  • The average number of references per article was the highest for the social sciences, physics, and astronomy, and arts & humanities (roughly 54 references per article).
  • On the other hand, health professions and earth and planetary sciences had the fewest references per article at an average of 8 and 17 references, respectively.
  • Math and engineering averaged at roughly 29 references per article.
  • Biochemistry, genetics and molecular and other biological sciences averaged at 51.
  • Hard and natural sciences more frequently cited recent literature while social sciences and math were likely to include older sources.

Note that the Halevi study is limited in size, fails to factor in article type and does little to account for variances across different fields and journals. For example, it is possible that more review articles could have been reviewed for certain fields than others. With that said, we provide the above information to provide a rough estimate.

At the end of the day, please keep in mind the requirements of your institution or target journal and the general trends for your specific article type (by examining the most recent relevant publications).

For additional information regarding journal restrictions on the number of references, read this article on ways to grow your publication list .

Some Dos and Don’ts for Reference Citation

  • Don’t repeat references within a reference list.
  • Don’t repeatedly cite yourself. Make sure to balance your discussion with external literature citations.
  • Be careful about citing old references. The rule of thumb is to go back at most five to six years. Exceptions to this rule should be reserved for “seminal” works relevant to explaining what prompted your research. Roughly 85% of all cited works should be less than five years old.
  • Be careful not to cite several references in one place  without  discussing the relevance of each work to your research. In other words, don’t say, “We referred to previous studies in this field (1-7)” unless you later explain how each of reference #s 1-7 apply to your discussion.
  • Confirm the quality of the work you cite. Are there any ethical issues regarding the paper that would disqualify it as a good source? Do your references come from reputable sources such as respected journals rather than random blogs and website links? Remember that your analysis is only as good as the verifiable information you use to conduct your research.
  • One of the main purposes of citing existing literature is to show the “knowledge gap” regarding your topic. Therefore, make sure the works you reference naturally lead readers to wonder about the research question you address in your paper. To explain further, think about your favorite fictional story. A successfully written story only reveals the background information needed for the reader to follow along in the story. You’ll rarely see an author waste time writing about how the main character stubbed his toe one day while going to work unless that event relates to an important aspect of the story. Similarly, the references you cite should support the story building you create in your research paper.
  • Don’t completely ignore the paper that could disprove your hypothesis. You want to show objectivity and that you took a balanced and unbiased approach to conducting your research. Mention the potentially conflicting evidence and explain why you believe it is flawed or inapplicable to your research.
  • In qualitative research papers, you may have fewer references.
  • Anything you cite in your paper should be listed in the references section (or reference list). Anything listed as a reference should have been quoted or paraphrased in the text. If either rule is violated, something is wrong.
  • Finally, remember that a paper will typically have more citations in the Introduction section and Discussion section than in other parts.

Wordvice Academic Resources

If you need help with paraphrasing text from the sources you cite to avoid plagiarism, with different citation styles , or with finding the perfect journal to submit your paper to, then have a look at our collection of articles on the Wordvice academic resources website . We also recommend our professional English editing and proofreading services , including paper editing and academic editing services to ensure that your writing is free of errors before submitting your manuscript to a journal.

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How to write a 2000-word Essay: What works Best?

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Writing a remarkable 2000-word essay is an overwhelming task for students. This type of essay requires an overwhelming amount of knowledge, time to write, and the ability to organize your thoughts concisely. This guide will explain everything you need to complete a 2000-word essay.

How long is a 2000-word essay?

In academic writing, a 2000-word essay is the same as four pages of a single-spaced document or eight pages double-spaced one . Double spacing means there should be blank lines between each line of text that prevent them from blurring together. Your instructor may ask you to double-space the essay to make it easier to read and to allow reviewers to make comments or suggestions about the assignment.

Each page of single-spaced content has 500-550 words, while a double-spaced page has 250-275. If you are using MLA or APA formatting style, the formatting standard for an essay should be (1) double-spaced, (2) Times New Roman font, and (3) one-inch margins all around. If you use Ariel font pages

How Many Paragraphs is a 2000 Words Essay

A 2000-word essay consists of between 7 and 9 paragraphs, each having between 3 and 5 or more full and coherent sentences. Please note that there are no proper rules on how many sentences your paragraph should have since each paragraph discusses different ideas relating to the main topic of your essay.

Some paragraphs could be shorter and others longer. Some paragraphs could be a sentence shorter, and others about half a page long. What matters more is how you structure and complete the paragraphs.

However, you should not concern yourself with the length of your paragraph that you forget what matters most: the content of the paragraphs. Communicate effectively the quality of the message to ensure you answer the topic.

Can I Write 2000 Words in Two Hours?

Writing a 2000-word article in two hours is challenging but not impossible. Typically, a good essay requires in-depth research, a clear structure for the paper, and an organization of your ideas, which requires adequate time.

However, quickly completing an essay depends on your familiarity with the topic and typing speed. Most adults have an average typing speed of 40 words per minute (WPM). However, for experienced typists, the average typing speed is about 76 words per minute. Many college students trying to finish their assignments on time usually type 60-70 words per minute.

If you are having an essay crisis and can’t seem to figure out how to write a 2000-word essay in two hours, use the following tips;

Plan your essay

Take 10 – 15 minutes to organize your thoughts by identifying your essay's main topics and ideas. Focus only on key ideas and avoid unnecessary details to save time. Then, decide how you will organize them in your paper. A great tip is to have a logical order, ensuring a link between all ideas.

Research Efficiently and effectively

All academic papers, especially long-form essays like a 2000-word essay, require in-depth research to gather supporting information for your topic. You need to dedicate a few minutes to gather sources before writing.

Write the Introduction

Use 5-10 minutes to write a compelling introduction, beginning with a hook to grab readers' attention. Then, provide some context about the topic and state your thesis statement.

Write the Body Paragraphs

Allocate 10- 15 minutes to discuss each idea supporting your main topic. If you have 5 ideas, it will take you about 50 minutes to finish writing the body of your essay.

Write Your Conclusion

Use 10-15 minutes to finalize your essay by restating your thesis statement, summarizing the main points, reminding the readers why they should care, and providing recommendations/ suggestions for the main topic.

Revise Your Essay

Use 20 minutes to review your draft to correct any mistakes you made while writing. The final draft should be free of any errors (punctuation, grammar, and spelling) and be plagiarism-free. You must also ensure that all ideas are clearly and concisely written.

Please note that writing a 2000-word essay under time constraints will likely affect the quality of your work; however, following the above tips ensures you finish a well-structured 2000-word essay quickly.

What is the Format for a 2000 Word Essay?

A 2000-word essay is an academic paper with the same format as others. This means it has an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. Your introduction and conclusion should comprise approximately 25% of the total word count of the essay, while the rest of 75% should be dedicated to the body.

Introductions

An introduction of a 2000-word essay is 5-10% of the total word count. It should be between 100 – 150 words of concisely written content. If you have no idea what to include in the introduction, the following tips will offer a starting point.

  • Set the scene
  • Introduce the topic or problem under discussion.
  • If needed, provide definitions of complex concepts.
  • An explanation of why the topic or problem matters. (provide the size or the scope of the matter).
  • The purpose of the essay.
  • Introduce the thesis statement, which is the central idea of the essay.
  • Briefly provide the outline you will use to explain the paper's logic.

Your introduction should be a paragraph or two long since a paragraph is made of 100 words.

The Main Body

A body of a 2000-word essay will make up about 75% of the total word count. It should be divided into 5-7 paragraphs, each discussing one central idea that identifies the main topic. These paragraphs should be 150- 250 words, each supported by 2 or more references. Note that the longer the assignments, the more important it is to provide links that refer to earlier points, thus connecting ideas.

When you begin writing the body, your ideas will likely flow randomly from the mind. Since you are writing for readers with different backgrounds and viewpoints, you must organize these ideas to make it easier for them to process and understand. Use the following format to organize the body of your essay;

  • Write a topic sentence that identifies the paragraph topic you will discuss.
  • Supporting information , such as examples, details, and evidence, contributes to the main topic. When you provide evidence, ensure you explain why it is relevant to the topic.
  • A concluding sentence also acts as a transition to the next paragraph. Provide a conclusion that reminds readers of what they have read and shows the topic's significance.

Use the above format to organize the rest of the body paragraphs. Consider writing this plan on paper and pinning it on your desk to remind yourself whenever you write an essay. 

Additionally, consider using the following writing techniques and tools to help finish your essay in under two hours.

Technique 1: The Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro Technique. This technique involves working continuously for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. The Pomodoro technique is effective because it allows you to focus while avoiding burnout. Research shows that taking regular breaks can increase well-being and performance.

Technique 2: Write in Batches

Writing in batches is an effective method to finish a 2000-word essay in two hours. It involves dividing your essay into sections and working on them before taking a break.

Use tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway Editor to help edit your work and ensure no errors before submission.

This is the final paragraph of your essay. Like an introduction, a conclusion makes up about 5-10% of a 2000-word essay. This means that a conclusion for a 2000-word essay has approximately 100-150 words.

If you follow the above format, the total word count will 2050.

How Long Will It Take to Write a 2000 Words Essay?

Finishing a 2000-word essay will take 6-8 hours on average. However, if you are just typing the essay without doing any in-depth research, outlining the work, or adding citations and references, it will take about 50 minutes. For a handwritten essay, it takes about 1.7 hours to finish a 2000-word essay.

Please note that some students can finish a 2000-word essay in just under two hours, while others can take at least five days (2 for in-depth research, 2 for writing the essay, and one for revising and editing) to finish. All this will depend on the complexities of the topic. A complex topic will probably require more time for research, especially if getting the sources for the topic is challenging.

The assignment deadline will also influence whether someone can finish the essay quickly or not. Many students often find themselves swamped with assignments, wondering which to prioritize. If you have a 1000-word essay and another for 2200 words, prioritize the latter and focus on finishing the shorter one later.  

If you want to finish your essay quickly, avoid distractions such as social media, TV, friends, etc.

How Many References Are in a 2000 Words Essay

A 2000-word essay should have between 10 and 20 high-quality references. Please take note that these are just suggestions. Logically, there should be a source in every paragraph. Each argument supported by credible evidence must have a reference. Some factors that will determine how many references each of your paragraphs will have include:

The Type of Research

If you are conducting empirical research, you will need more references compared to doing research for a theoretical paper. This is because the latter focuses on synthesizing existing concepts.

Depth of the Research

If your 2000-word essay is about a complex topic, you must do more thorough research to locate all the evidence supporting or refuting your claims. This means your essay will have more references than one that does not need much research.

Assignment’s Requirements

Your instructors will specify the number of references to use in your essay; they might verbally communicate this in class or highlight it on the assignment prompt. Thus, it's essential to always read and understand your prompt before working on the assignment.

If there are no specifications about essay references, check with your instructor how many are appropriate for the type of essay you are writing.

Writing Time by Word Counts

The following table outlines how long it takes to complete an essay, depending on the number of words.

From the above table, it's clear that a person's typing speed will dictate whether they can finish an assignment quickly or not.

Writing Time by Page Counts

Wondering how long it takes to complete a page? The table below will let you know how long it will take to finish an essay based on page counts.

This rough estimate is based on slow, average, and fast writers.

Tips to Help You Finish a 2000 Words Essay

So, you left your 2000-word essay until the last minute and can't seem to figure out how to finish it on time? No worries. The following tips can help.

Eat a Good Breakfast

A study published in the National Library of Medicine has shown that eating a good breakfast is associated with positive outcomes for learners and professionals. Breakfast gives you energy after fasting overnight for more than 7 hours. Take some brain food fuel, such as yogurts topped with berries, to give you steady energy as you write your essay. This will prevent you from feeling hungry, which could be a distraction.

Pick Your Equipment and Workstation

When you sit down to write, everything must be within reach. So, pick a conducive environment away from distractions and collect all materials like your laptops, pens, notebooks, etc.

Set Time Management Goals

When you have an urgent assignment that is 2000 words long, time management is key to success. Good time management skills will help you finish the task quickly while avoiding distractions. You can break up your tasks into chunks and work on them individually.

Use Online Tools to Speed Up the Research Process

Research can take an awful amount of time, especially for a complex topic. So, speed up the process by using online tools like Google Scholar to find sources for your essay.

Also, check if your instructor has published a list of sources on your module's online platform. Most of them are kind enough to put them online.

Write Your Notes directly on Your Laptop.

Normally, when researching a topic, you will write ideas in a notebook and then use it later when typing on your laptop. However, since you are in a hurry, skip this step and directly type the ideas and their sources on our computer. Once you are done, you can drag and drop paragraphs in the correct order.

An essay that is 2000 words long is a common type of essay you will encounter in school. You must be well prepared by understanding what it takes to complete this type of essay. Whether you are a seasoned writer or a beginner, the above guide will be helpful when writing a 2000-word essay.

If you are struggling with writing a paper or essay that is 2000 or 2200 words long, we can help. EssayManiacs has a team of professional writers who can write such an essay in under a day or between 7 and 8 hours or less. Therefore, if you want help with your assignments , we are online and ready to help. Please place an order, and we will assign your paper to a writer within the next few minutes. In terms of cost, it should cost you around $18-25/page, depending on the urgency. Engage us for a discount.

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Home » University Of Virginia » How Many References Do I Need For A 2000 Word Essay Masters?

How Many References Do I Need For A 2000 Word Essay Masters?

Table of Contents

For example: In a 2000 word essay, you will have 1500 words to use. Each main point you make should typically use 1-3 paragraphs, which should average around 200-400 words in total. This will give you room for around 5 key points, each supported by 2 or 3 references .

How many references should a Masters essay have?

Always check for local conditions): a typical 50s essay here will probably use four or five sources; in the 60s, it tends to be around five to ten, and typical 70s or above essays use probably somewhere between eight and 15 substantive sources . These are rough estimates, though.

How many references do I need for a 2500 word report?

Given that all the references are likely to come in the body of your essay, and that takes about 75% of the word count, then you’re probably looking at one peer-reviewed reference for roughly every 200 words , based on a 2500 word essay.

Is 40 references too much?

If you’re multi-referencing the same point, it’d look better than if you had 40 single-references in my opinion, as this would require being very brief for only 3000 words. But essentially, 40 is not too many , it just really depends how you’ve structured your essay/used your references.

How many references should I have per 1000 words?

Number of words As a general rule, there should be between 8 – 12 references for every 1,000 words.

How long should a 2000 word essay take?

It takes about 6 hours and 40 minutes to write a 2,000 word essay. How long does it take to write a 2,500 word essay? It takes about 8 hours and 20 minutes to write a 2,500 word essay.

How many pages is 2000 words?

4 pages 2,000 words is 4 pages single spaced, 8 pages double spaced .

How many paragraphs should a 2000 word essay have?

A 2,000 word essay is 13 to 14 paragraphs . A 2,500 word essay is 16 to 17 paragraphs.

How many references do I need for 1500 words?

It depends on how many points/arguments you’re referencing. It could be anywhere from 3-15 depending on the question.

How do you break down a 2000 word essay?

Longer assignments, over 2,000 words, will often be easier to organise if you break them down into 3-4 main sections, and then into paragraphs . The longer the assignment, the more important linking becomes to refer back to points you made earlier and connect ideas in one section to ideas in the next.

How many references should you use in a 3000 word essay?

There is little opportunity for your unique point of view to shine by using too many references. Generally, each important argument you make should be supported with one to three . This naturally depends on the subject and the issue you talk about, but it is a good general guide.

How long should a conclusion be for a 2000 word essay?

Assign a word count to each of your paragraphs so you know how much you are going to write (e.g a 2000 word essay might have an introduction and conclusion of c250 words and four body paragraphs of c400 words).

How many sources should a 5000 word essay have?

33 sources 3000 word essay: 20 sources (or more) listed in the reference list. 5000 word essay: 33 sources (or more) listed in the reference list.

Can you reference too much in an essay?

As a general rule, it is better to use the references too often than not enough . This does not refer to the number of different authors/texts, but the frequency of citing those authors. It should be high-frequency overall. You may have been given some advice not to use too many references.

How many sources should you have for a 1000 word essay?

Personally, I’d try to use between 6 and 9 references in a 1000 word essay.

How many references should be in an essay?

Usually 3-4 reliable sources should be sufficient . This should be enough external information to complement your original thoughts/ideas. With too many sources, the essay becomes a compilation of opinions from other writers instead of your own.

How many footnotes should a 2000 word essay have?

25-50 footnotes Your instructor will be much happier to discuss the issue of too many footnotes or endnotes than failing to provide any. A first year research essay that is 8-10 double-spaced pages in length or roughly 1500-2000 words will likely have 25-50 footnotes or endnotes.

Can you do 2000 words in a day?

In sum, there is really no reason why anyone can’t write 2000 words a day . That said, it’s important to take care of your health during the process. Get up regularly, stretch, and don’t forget to those other rhythms: eating and sleeping. No point writing a book you’ll never read.

How much is a 2000 word essay?

2,000 words is 4 pages single-spaced or 8 pages double-spaced . Documents that typically contain 2,000 words include college essays, operating manuals, and longer form blog posts. It will take approximately 7 minutes to read 2,000 words.

How many pages is 2000 words double spaced 12 font?

8 pages How many pages does 2000 words equal? The answer is around 4 pages single spaced, and 8 pages double spaced. Your word processing software and settings may result in slightly different pages counts, but with conventional page margins and a 12 point Arial or Times New Roman font you can expect similar output.

How many pages is 2000 words with 15 spacing?

1,500 words is approximately 5.5 pages. How many pages is 2,000 words? 2,000 words is approximately 7.3 pages .

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Paul Arnold is an education expert with over 25 years of experience in the field. He has worked in both public and private schools, as well as colleges and universities. Paul is passionate about helping students learn and grow, and he has written extensively on the topic of education. He currently works as a professor at a local college.

When he's not teaching or writing, Paul enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also likes playing golf and watching sports. Paul is a big fan of the Boston Celtics and New England Patriots.

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How Long Is an Essay? The Ultimate Essay Length Guide

It’s safe to say that most students struggle with the word limit within an essay. Sometimes, it’s hard to find ideas for a text and meet the word requirement for every part of the paper. With so many factors influencing essay length, it’s easy to get confused.

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The picture enumerates the factors influencing essay length.

Luckily, our custom-writing team has your back. In this article, our custom-writing experts will answer all your questions regarding essay length. We will also help you write papers with an ideal number of words!

📜 Is Essay Length Important?

📏 essay parts: recommended length.

  • 🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer
  • 📑 Essay Length & Formatting
  • ❓ Different Academic Levels FAQ
  • 📚 Essay Length: Different Types
  • ⭐ Other Aspects
  • 📝 Essay Examples

🔍 References

Often, the phrase “word limit” causes panic among students. After all, if an essay is too long or too short, your grade will be lowered. However, in reality, there’s nothing to worry about. When it comes to words, limitations are beneficial for both the students and the professors.

Let’s see what exactly it means.

Many people believe that the longer an essay is, the better. However, according to Frontiers, research shows that it’s a bias that couldn’t be further from the truth. A perfect-length paper is one that allows students to express their ideas and showcase their knowledge fully while keeping it clean and simple.

What Influences Essay Length

Various factors determine the length of an essay. Here are the most important ones:

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Let’s start with the essentials. Usually, assignment length is given as a number of words rather than pages. Unless your supervisor or instructor mentions any specific limitations, it’s acceptable to be 10% below or above the word limit.

It’s also worth knowing the 80/20 rule . According to it, the body should constitute 80% of the text, while the intro and the conclusion take up the remaining 20%.

Keep reading to learn more about the recommended length of each essay part. The main numbers are shown in the table below:

How Long Should an Introduction Be?

An introduction is the first section and the face of your essay. For that reason, it needs to be compelling and well-thought-out. Usually, it consists of 3 to 5 sentences or 50 to 80 words .

An introduction must have a hook, some background information, and a thesis statement. While the attention grabber and the thesis are usually brief, you may need 2 to 3 sentences for the background. To avoid going overboard, try to stay on topic and don’t add any filler.

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How Long Is a Body Paragraph in an Essay?

The length of a body paragraph may vary. Sometimes, it can be limited to a single sentence. In other cases, it may take up a whole page. Usually, it’s recommended to have between 80 and 200 words (5-8 sentences) per body paragraph.

Since the paper’s body contains the most information, it’s necessary to explain and support your ideas properly. That’s why it’s no big deal if your body paragraphs go slightly over the word limit.

How Many Body Paragraphs Should Be in an Essay?

Like the word count, the number of paragraphs is determined by the type of paper and its topic. The minimum is 1. Generally, however, the body consists of 3-5 paragraphs , 1 for each argument.

To improve your paper’s structure, ensure that there are as many paragraphs as there are points in your thesis statement. Each one should have a purpose and support your arguments. If there’s any fluff, it’s better to get rid of it.

How Long Should a Conclusion Be?

Like the introduction, the conclusion consists of 50-80 words . It’s essential to keep it simple and only mention the central ideas. A weak concluding sentence may affect the reader’s understanding of the topic and spoil the overall impression of your paper.

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🤔 How to Make Essays Shorter or Longer: Best Tips

Undoubtedly the essay’s content is more important than the number of words you use. But there are times when students go more than 10-15% below or over the limit. Is there a solution to this problem?

Yes, there is! In this section, we will share the most useful tips to help you stay on point with your paper’s word count.

How to Make Essays Longer

Since having enough words is essential for a good grade, we’ve collected the best tips that can help you lengthen your essay without teachers noticing:

  • Use relevant quotations.  You don’t need to litter your essay with citations, but using them whenever appropriate is a great idea. For instance, if you’re working on a book analysis, referencing a couple of direct quotes from the source text will make your essay more credible and increase the word count.
  • Give examples.  Go through the claims in your paper and provide additional evidence where possible. It will make your essay longer and more informative.
  • Use transitional expressions.  Adding transition words and phrases is a natural way of increasing the number of words. It will also improve your essay’s readability. 
  • Add more references.  Providing references is always a good idea when writing a formal essay. That way, you will increase the number of words and make your paper more credible.
  • Work on your descriptions.  If you struggle to develop new ideas, go over what you’ve already written and consider adding some descriptive words. It’s a great idea for creative essays to include more imagery. 

How to Shorten an Essay

Another struggle of academic writing is cutting down the number of words in your essay to meet a set limit. We are here to tell you that it’s not that hard. Writing straightforwardly and keeping your sentences short is a key to concise content. Here are several strategies you may use to tighten a lengthy essay:

  • Choose the active voice.  It takes up less space than passive voice. Using it also makes your writing more professional and compelling.
  • Remove needless transitions.  Transitions can indeed maintain the flow of the paper. But some transitional phrases can be easily removed.
  • Get rid of unnecessary adverbs and adjectives.  Some students tend to overuse adjectives and adverbs. It adds wordiness to their writing.
  • Avoid running starts.  Some students like to start their sentences with long phrases like: “there are,” “it is believed,” or “the fact that.” Getting rid of them makes texts much more concise.
  • Delete “that.”  In most cases, the word “that” can often be easily removed from texts.

Another cool trick is to use our summarizing tool as essay shortener. Try it out!

📑 How Long Is an Essay Depending on Formatting?

As we mentioned earlier, the essay’s length is usually limited by the number of words. But sometimes, a teacher may ask you to write a specific number of pages. This is trickier because the amount of text you can place on the page depends on the formatting. By using the font size and spacing properly, it’s possible to make the paper visually longer or shorter. Let’s discuss it in more detail.

The picture describes how formatting affects essay length.

Essay Spacing: How Does It Affect the Length?

  • Adjusting the spacing between lines.  Try to make the changes as slight as possible. For instance, if you were asked to double-space the paper, use 2.1 or 2.2 spacing instead. Another option is to slightly extend spaces between paragraphs.
  • Extending the margin size.  You can increase the right and bottom margins by a quarter to make very subtle changes in length. For example, if the margins are 1 inch , you can set them at 1.25 inches instead. 
  • Increasing the spacing between characters.  It is less noticeable than the line spacing. Still, try not to overdo it and keep the numbers between 1.2 and 1.5 . 
  • Adjusting the footer.  Add a footer with page numbers to stretch the bottom margin even further.
  • Lengthening the header.  You can extend your header by adding your name, e-mail address, or other relevant information. Another option is double-spacing it.

Length of an Essay: Font and Size

  • Using the right type of font.  If your instructor didn’t specify which font you should use, go for the bigger ones. We suggest Arial, Bangla Sangam MN, Cambria, or Quicksand. They will make your text look longer without being too on the nose.  
  • Using a bigger font size.  This is another technique that can come in handy. However, be careful and don’t increase your font by more than 0.1-0.5 pt.  
  • Increasing the size of periods and commas.   This is one of the less noticeable tricks you can use. For instance, if your paper’s font is 12 pt. , increase it to 14 pt. only for punctuation marks. Italicizing periods and commas will also add several lines of length to your essay. 

What to Do if There Are No Length Guidelines

Sometimes a teacher sets no word limit for a written work. What to do in that case? Well, first, you can ask your professor to confirm if they have simply forgotten to mention it. But if that’s not the case, here are a couple of helpful solutions:

  • Think of the paragraph number.  Sometimes, you may be given the number of paragraphs instead of words. In that case, you can decide on the number of words depending on how many paragraphs you have. 
  • Think about the topic’s complexity.  The length of your paper is also directly dependent on the theme. If the topic is simple, 4-5 paragraphs will be enough. A more complex issue may require an in-depth explanation, so your essay can be 6-8 paragraphs long.

❓ Essay Length for Different Academic Levels FAQ

The length of the elementary school essay is usually short. Usually, a paper needs to have around 3-5 paragraphs, with 4-5 sentences per paragraph. Primary school essays can be 1-2 paragraphs long.

The word limit for a middle school essay is usually between 300 to 1000 words. The most common essay length is 500 words, which is about 5 paragraphs. However, it may differ from school to school.

The length of the high school essay may differ depending on the school and the complexity of the task itself. Usually, however, a paper can be between 300 to 1000 words long.

The length of the undergraduate college essay often falls within the range of 1500 to 2100 words. It translates into roughly 5-7 pages. 5 pages is the most common essay length at this level.

When it comes to the graduate school admission essay, the word limit is usually between 500 and 1000 words. It’s possible to go slightly over or below the set limit; however, it’s best to stick to the requirements as close as possible.

📚 How Long Should an Essay Be: Different Types

Now, let’s talk about different types of essays. How long should they be? Keep reading to learn about the length of college essays, short and extended ones, scholarship essays, and research papers.

How Long Is a College Essay?

When it comes to a college essay, it’s more important to stick to the word limit than with any other paper. Some teachers may refuse to read it unless it meets all the requirements.

The shortest limit for a college essay is about 250 words which is the shortest length of a Common App personal statement. It’s also rare to see a good college essay with over 650 words . So, an average piece usually has between 150 and 650 words ; you can go over or below the limit by 50.

How Long Is a Paragraph in College Essays?

A college essay usually consists of 4-5 paragraphs . One paragraph takes about 1/3 of the page, which is roughly 5 sentences . Each sentence corresponds with one of the following components:

  • Topic sentence.
  • Explanation.
  • Transitions.

College Essay Length Requirements: Top 5 Schools

To understand the requirements for a college application essay even better, take a look at the table below. It showcases the top 5 schools and their length criteria for personal statements. Keep it in mind when writing your college essay:

How Long Is a Short Essay?

A short essay is usually 500 words long. Using 12pt Times New Roman font with standard margins and double spacing should result in about 2 pages of text.

Extended Essay Length

An extended essay is different from a short or a standard one. It requires extensive research and thorough explanation. That’s why the upper limit for this kind of essay is 4000 words . In this case, a typical essay length is 3500 words or 18 paragraphs .

Scholarship Essay Length

Generally, scholarship papers have a limit of 500 words , which is 1 page in length. Most scholarship programs provide additional requirements that indicate the minimum number of words or pages. If there are no set limitations, you can stick to the limit.

How Long Is a Research Paper?

Typically, a research paper is between 4000 and 6000 words long. Sometimes, there are shorter papers, which have around 2000 words, or in-depth ones with over 10000 words.

⭐ Other Aspects of Essay Length

When it comes to essay length, many different aspects come into play. Here, we’ve gathered all the essential information regarding an essay’s number of pages, paragraphs, words, and references.

How Many Paragraphs Are in an Essay?

Sometimes, it is more convenient to count paragraphs rather than words. Let’s now figure out how many paragraphs are in essays of different lengths. You may also check out the examples to see what such an essay looks like:

How to Count Paragraphs in an Essay Based on Word Count

You can also count the number of body paragraphs for your essay using the formula below:

Number of body paragraphs (average) = (TWC – TWC*0.16)/100

  • TWC – total word count
  • 0.16 – an average percentage of total word count for introduction and conclusion
  • 100 – an average number of words per paragraph

How Many Pages Are in an Essay?

The number of pages in your essay may vary from subject to subject. But it’s still possible to determine the number of pages based on word count. Check out the numbers below to see the conversions with bonus examples:

You can also use a specialized calculator such as Word Counter to determine a number of pages in your essay.

What Does an Essay Look Like when Typed?

You might be wondering: what do essays of different lengths look like when typed? Well, here’s the table where you can find out the metrics for single- and double-spaced papers.

How Many Pages Are in a Handwritten Essay?

In case you need to turn in a handwritten paper, you should check out the table below.

Counting Words in a Handwritten Essay

If you don’t have enough time to count the words in your handwritten essay one by one, here’s what you can do:

  • Count how many words there are in one line. Take the first and last lines and a line in the middle of a page. Let’s say there are 15, 14, and 15 words in them. Then, the average number of words per line is 15.
  • Next, count how many lines there are on one page. Let’s say there are 17 lines on a page.
  • Take the number of words per line and multiply it by the number of lines per page. In our case, we multiply 15 by 17. So, there are 255 words per page on average.
  • Finally, multiply the number of words per page by the number of pages. If your essay has 3 pages, it is approximately 765 words long.

How Long Does it Take to Write an Essay?

It is crucial to know how long writing will take you, especially if you are working on an exam essay or just short on time. Note that you need to consider the time for typing and researching necessary to complete a piece. Research time may vary. Usually, it’s 1-2 hours for 200-250 words .

The picture shows the fact about the average speed of writing.

Below, we’ve gathered the average writing time for average and slower writing speed:

And here are the results in pages:

How Many References Does an Essay Need?

Another essential part of any composition is the reference list. Different academic levels require different references. You’ll find out how many of them should be in your paper in the table below!

📝 Essay Examples: Different Length

Finally, we’ve gathered some excellent sample essays of different lengths. Make sure to check them out!

We also recommend you check out our free essay samples sorted by pages:

  • 1-Page Essay Examples
  • 2-Page Essay Examples
  • 3-Page Essay Examples
  • 4-Page Essay Examples
  • 5-Page Essay Examples
  • 10-Page Essay Examples
  • 20-Page Essay Examples
  • 30-Page Essay Examples
  • 40-Page Essay Examples
  • 50-Page Essay Examples

Now you know all about essay length, word limits, and ways to lengthen or shorten your text. If you know other interesting tricks, make sure to share them in a comment! Good luck with your writing assignments!

You may also like:

  • How to Write a Process Analysis Essay: Examples & Outline
  • How to Write a Precis: Definition, Guide, & Examples 
  • How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay: Examples & Guide
  • How to Write a Narrative Essay Outline: Template & Examples
  • How to Write a Formal Essay: Format, Rules, & Example
  • Word Limits and Assignment Length: Massey University
  • The Paragraph in the College Essay: California State University, Long Beach
  • Introductions & Conclusions: The University of Arizona Global Campus
  • How Long Should a Paragraph Be?: Daily Writing Tips
  • Paragraphing (Length Consistency): Purdue University
  • Hitting the Target Word Count in Your College Admission Essay: Dummies.com
  • How Long Should Your College Essay Be? What is the Ideal Length?: College Vine
  • Writing Personal Statements Online: Issues of Length and Form: Penn State University
  • Pen Admissions: Essays: University of Pennsylvania
  • Essay Questions: University of Michigan
  • Essay Structure: Harvard University
  • Components of a Good Essay: University of Evansville
  • Write Your Essay: UNSW Sydney
  • College Writing: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • 21 Helpful and Easy Tips to Make an Essay Longer: Seventeen
  • How to Make a College Paper Longer: ThoughtCo
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How to Write a 2000-Word Essay and How Many Pages Is It?

How to Write a 2000-Word Essay and How Many Pages Is It?

You can easily compose a 2000-word essay with the help of ChatGPT or any other AI text generator. It will be well-written and resemble human writing; your professor might even believe you wrote it. However, using your academic writing skills is a better option if you want to create an essay that stands out.

Our expert team wants to demonstrate that essay writing can be enjoyable and exciting; just take the correct steps and use our tips! In this article, we’ll explain how to write an outstanding 2000-word essay in one day.

  • 📝 2000 Word Essay
  • ✅ 2000 Word Essay – Step by Step
  • 📚 Essay Example
  • ✍️ Writing Prompts
  • 🔎 More Essay Topics
  • 🔗 References

📝 What Does a 2000 Word Essay Look Like?

If you’re familiar with the structure and formatting requirements, writing a 2000-word essay should be easy. In the following section, we’ll outline the different parts of a 2000-word academic paper and explain how to approach each section.

The picture shows the structure of a 2000-word essay.

2000 Word Essay Structure

A 2000-word essay is an extended form of an academic paper with no significant differences in structure and formatting. It consists of 3 main parts:

Let’s look at each section of a 2000-word essay separately.

Introduction

An introduction is the first paragraph or two of a 2000-word essay. It aims to grab the reader’s attention and introduce the topic. A good introduction includes the following elements:

  • A hook . Usually, a hook is the first sentence of a paragraph that grabs readers’ attention by telling a story, discussing an interesting quote, or providing statistics or facts.
  • Background information . Here, you must provide context and necessary information so readers know what to expect from the essay. For example, include key definitions, a summary of relevant theories, or a brief description of a debate you’re addressing.
  • A thesis statement . A thesis statement is the most essential part of an introduction. It narrows down the topic and sums up the main arguments.

An essay longer than 1000 words is recommended to have headings and subheadings. Headings help readers to navigate the essay easily, and writers to structure the paper. They should be as simple and contain the main idea expressed in the section.

Subheadings are essential in the body section, as it consists of multiple paragraphs with different key ideas. The body paragraphs prove the thesis and connect the introduction to the conclusion. Each body paragraph needs to include the following elements:

  • The topic sentence . The topic sentence is the statement that contains the main idea of the body paragraph.
  • The evidence . Evidence supports your topic sentence. Examples of evidence include quotations, facts, statistics, or personal experiences.
  • The analysis . This part of the paragraph explains the evidence. You need to ensure that the evidence is connected back to the paragraph’s main idea or topic sentence.
  • The transition . Transition is the final sentence of a paragraph that helps you connect the ideas and move smoothly to the other part.

A conclusion is the last section of your paper; for a 2000-word essay, you might need two or three paragraphs. A conclusion usually does one of the two—or both at the same time:

  • Paraphrases the thesis statement and summarize the arguments . Since the conclusion is the last part of your paper, it’s important to remind readers of the point you’ve made before. Even though you repeat what has already been said, try using different words and sentence structures not to repeat the thesis exactly but, instead, to restate it.
  • Explains the significance of the arguments . Sometimes, after restating the thesis, you may need to emphasize the importance of your studies or, in other words, answer the “so what” question and show the readers why your arguments matter .

2000 Word Essay Length

The picture shows the 2000 word essay length.

Writing a 2000-word essay might feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. Let’s start with the basics and see how many pages and paragraphs the paper takes.

2000 Words to Pages

  • A double-spaced 2000-word essay is 7+ pages (275 words on each page).
  • A single-spaced 2000-words essay is of 3,5 pages (550 words per page).
  • A handwritten paper with 2000 words is around eight pages long.

In general, the number of pages depends on the font, font size, line spacing, paragraph spacing, margins, and the number of headings.

2000 Words: Paragraph Count

  • A regular 2000-word essay consists of around 10-20 paragraphs, with one paragraph being 100-200 words long.
  • The introduction and conclusion take 5-10% of the paper or 1-2 paragraphs each.
  • The main body constitutes 80-90% of the paper or around 1600-1800 words.

To structure your essay, consider how many words you need for each part separately.

✅ How to Write a 2000-Word Essay

Writing an essay may seem challenging if you’re unsure how to start. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a 2000-words essay on any task.

Step 1: Pick a Topic

Sometimes, you may have your topic assigned by a professor. If you’re given a topic, make sure it’s specific enough. Often a given topic needs to be narrowed down so you can focus on a particular aspect and present thorough research in your paper.

If you haven’t been assigned a specific topic , choose one that interests or is relevant to you. Picking a subject that sparks your curiosity is essential because it will motivate you throughout the writing process.

Step 2: Prepare an Outline

To write a well-structured essay, you should organize your ideas first. Consider what you already know and what areas of the topic you need to research more. Don’t try to keep everything in your head. Instead, write your thoughts and ideas down, or create a mind map. It’ll help you see connections between ideas and arguments more clearly.

Step 3: Develop Your Thesis Statement

The next step is to create a thesis statement. A thesis statement should summarize the main point of your essay. Remember that a good thesis statement should contain your stance on the topic. Later, in the main body of your essay, you’ll need to support your thesis with relevant arguments.

Step 4: Write the Body

The essay’s body explains, argues, or describes the topic and supports the thesis statement. Each body paragraph follows a similar structure. It starts with a topic sentence that expresses the main idea and is followed by evidence and examples to support your position .

Step 5: Complete the Introduction

You can complete your introduction when your essay’s thesis statement and body are ready. Remember that the introduction needs to grab readers’ attention. You can use a thought-provoking question, shocking fact, statistics, or quotation for a hook. It’s also essential to provide readers with the context or background information on the topic so that they know what to expect from your paper.

Step 6: Write the Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main ideas and paraphrases the thesis statement. Don’t add any new information to the final part of your essay. You may mention the significance of your studies and explain why your arguments matter. However, the primary purpose of a conclusion is, to sum up the paper and remind readers of the main points.

The picture shows how to write a 2000-words essay.

📚 2000 Word Essay Example

Let’s have a look at one of our 2000-word essay samples. It’s called “The United Kingdom Employment Rights Act” and perfectly illustrates the abovementioned essay structure.   

✍️ 2000 Words Essay: Writing Prompts

Need help coming up with fresh ideas for a 2000-word essay? Check out our essay samples on the most burning topics for inspiration!

  • 2000 Words Essay on Global Warming Climate change is a commonly chosen topic for essays as it discusses various issues, such as wildfires, floods, hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and other weather-related events. You can discuss how climate change and global warming affect people’s life and the natural environment in different parts of the words.
  • Artificial Intelligence Essay: 2000 Words There’s an ongoing debate regarding Artificial Intelligence and its future. In the essay, you can talk about how new technological developments affect people’s everyday life and professional environment, considering both positive and negative changes. You can also mention the rising concern surrounding AI’s ethical impact and contribute to the discussion.
  • 2000 Words Essay about Globalization An essay on globalization can cover various topics related to the increasing interconnectedness of the world’s economies, cultures, and societies. It may explore the causes and effects of globalization. The essay can also discuss the role of multinational corporations, governments, and international organizations in shaping the global economy and the challenges posed by globalization, such as political instability, inequality, and cultural homogenization.
  • 2000 Words Essay on Organizational Behavior An essay on organizational behavior can explore topics like individual and group dynamics, leadership styles, communication patterns, and workplace culture. It can discuss how these factors influence employee behavior, motivation, and performance and how they affect the organization’s overall effectiveness and success. The paper may also delve into the various theories and models of organizational behavior and their practical applications in the business world.
  • 2000 Word Essay on Accountability in the Army One more interesting topic to explore in your essay is military leadership and accountability. In the army, people learn to be accountable to their superiors and fellow officers for their actions. In your paper, you can explore how accountability in the military can be achieved and how it can help you become a good leader.
  • Time Management Essay: 2000 Words In your essay about time management, you can explore factors that negatively impact effective time utilization, including procrastination, lack of sleep, and stress. You can also give some tips on how to use time more wisely or describe popular time-management techniques. By addressing these topics, the essay can offer valuable insights into the importance of effective time management for personal and professional success.

🔎 Topics for a 2000 Word Essay

  • Modernism in literature.
  • Describe your experience as a foreign exchange student.
  • Your idea of a high-value individual.
  • What are your life goals?
  • The relationship between health and mental well-being.
  • Describe how music affects your mood.
  • How do you cultivate teamwork and cooperation?
  • High school vs. college.
  • Should smoking in public be banned?
  • Tattoos and their perception in various cultures.
  • Why is abortion a problem in modern society?
  • How does domestic violence affect the behavior of a kid?
  • The changing attitude towards gender roles in society. Does it solve most problems or cause them?
  • Does your diet affect your productivity?
  • Should vaccines be mandatory?
  • Music Artists and Advertising Deals.
  • Human Resource Management: Benefits and Key Issues.
  • Touch of Hitchcock: Psycho and Vertigo.
  • Americanization Is Not a Synonym for Globalization.
  • Organizational Culture – Types and Importance.
  • Human Factors and Risk Management in Aviation.
  • The Theme of Transitioning into Adulthood in “Spirited Away” by Hayao Miyazaki and “Spring Awakening” by Frank Wedekind.
  • The Main Themes in the Novel “Passing” by Nella Larsen.
  • Organizational Behaviour in Teams and Groups.
  • Diversity in the Workplace: Bridging the Gap.
  • Virtue Ethics – The Environmental Documentary.
  • Fad Diet, Their Threats, and Public Education Plan.
  • Airport Security and the Reduction of Skills in Security Staff.
  • Biotechnology: Methodology in Basic Genetics.
  • Psychological Criticism in Allende’s “The House of Spirits.”
  • Self-Care in Elderly as a Nursing Concern.
  • The Evidence Forms of Law.
  • Nursing History: Today and Beyond.
  • Mayan Civilization: Political Collapse Theories.
  • The Role of Disney Propaganda During the Cold War.
  • Globalization’s Impact on Banks in Canada.
  • Effects of Music Therapy on the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia.
  • Path-Goal Approach to Leadership.
  • Depressed Women and Art Therapy.
  • Modern Technology and Engineering: The Prospects for the Development.
  • Health Psychology and Stress: Correlations.
  • Managing Organizational Changes.
  • Hospitality Environmental Management Plan.
  • The American Civil Liberties Union and the Legislative Branch.
  • Sugar Processing: Term Definition.
  • How Reality Television Influences Teenagers.
  • Adidas Corporation’s Organizational Justice.
  • Islamic Architecture in Its Historical Context.
  • Wind Energy as an Alternative Source.
  • Innovation as a Contemporary Issue in Business.

❓ 2000 Words Essay Example: FAQ

How long is a 2000-word essay.

A 2000-word essay consists of 10-20 paragraphs, depending on the font, font size, and margins. The introduction and conclusion each take around 1-2 paragraphs, while the body paragraphs should include 80-90% of the total word count.

How Many Pages Is a 2000 Word Essay?

The number of pages depends on the font, font size, the number of headings, and other parameters:

  • Double-spaced : slightly more than 7 pages (275 words each).
  • Single-spaced : take around 3,5 pages (550 words each).

How Many Sources for a 2000 Word Essay?

According to the general rule, you need one source for each page of an essay. That means that for a 2000 words essay, you need to use at least eight sources. However, the number of articles also depends on the topic’s complexity. It’s also important to check your assignment’s requirements because the exact number of sources might be stated there.

How Long Does It Take to Write a 2000-Word Essay?

Many factors influence how long it’ll take you to finish the paper. Mostly it depends on your writing skills. If you’re used to academic writing, you may complete an essay within 2 hours. However, if the topic is complex, you may need at least 7 hours to do the research, create an outline, and write and proofread your essay.

How Much Is a 2000-Word Essay?

Most academic essays allow 10% deviation. That means a 2000-words paper can be 1800-2200 words in total. However, it’s better to make your essay as close to 2000 words as possible. You can also reference the assignment guidelines or consult your professor regarding the word limit.

🖇️ References

  • Paragraphs-The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill  
  • Developing A Thesis | Harvard University  
  • How to Write a Topic Sentence (With Examples and Tips) | Indeed.com  
  • Make Your Essay Flow Using Transitions | ThoughtCo  
  • How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, & Body Paragraph? | U-M LSA Sweetland Center for Writing  
  • Writing The Main Body of Your Essay | Surrey-Content  
  • How to Write an Analytical Essay in 6 Steps | Grammarly  
  • MLA Formatting and Style Guide – Purdue OWL – Purdue University  
  • Basic Essay Structure | University of Portsmouth  
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How Many References are Enough for a 1500 Words Essay?

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  • Writing Metier

You know one of those things that take a drastic turn when you are done with schooling and enter university academics’ domains? Referencing your essays is one of these changes. Till the school level, we are to write essays without worrying about referencing. At the university level, things get serious because you must cite the information you are claiming in the article.

Having this said, referencing your essays can turn out to be a real headache. This is one of the many reasons why students opt for essay writing services such as  the Writing Metier . Your concerns regarding how many references you need, how many footnotes you need and many more can be addressed once you hire such services to do your essays.

How many citations is good? How many references is bad? How many references should I have for such a length? Familiar questions? Of course they are, this should be the main reason you are here, reading this article.

In case you are wondering how do you reference multiple sources in a 1500-word essay and why is referencing even important, to begin with, we will be explaining everything to you in this article.

So let’s start with the first very common questions we keep hearing from students.

How many pages in 1500 words?

If you wonder how many paragraphs are 1500 words or how many pages in 1500 words essay, keep in mind that it will be around 4 to 5 pages. This further means that together with  the right amount of transition words , you would need sufficient references in the essay, and we will explain how that works.

Why is it important to reference your essays?

Academic reasons aside, when you reference your essay, it shows the marker that you have engaged in the subject at hand. Additionally, it is also crucial that you show that you have acquired and cited key sources to support the narrative you are sharing in the essay. When referencing your essay, it also shows that you have given a lot of time and attention to the essay through the materials and sources you cite. The more relevant and appropriate references, the better your essay seems.

Then again, it is not about quantity but quality. When it comes to referencing your essays, you need to go for sources that are accurate and suit the subject. With respect to  academic writing  integrity, one needs to acknowledge the writers’ work from who you took the inspiration and information.

Also, do not forget to check the citation style needed for your paper. One of the most popular styles is  APA citation style , the second place goes to  MLA , which is also popular in most universities, and then comes  Oxford , then Turabian,  Harvard , and others. Now, let’s come back to the right number of references.

Is there anything such as too many references?

The short answer: yes. If you are wondering how many references are enough, just be sure that you do not crowd your bibliography section. If you are citing the references in your essay just for the sake of showing off your knowledge or filling texts, it becomes obvious that you are in this for all the wrong reasons. Essays need to have a personal touch as well. If you keep filling them with references, you lose that personal touch.

When choosing sources, keep in mind that they contribute to the angle of the essay. The relevant questions, main points you are posing, the arguments you are contesting or supporting – these need to support them with sources to make the essay case strong.

Your teacher or the marker would like to assess you on your creativity, your thoughts and your own writing process. When you fill the essay with too many references, there is no room for one to share their own thoughts.

Generally, you need to use one to two references for the point you are trying to make. Roughly, for a 1500-word essay, this makes a minimum of 10 references. This, however, also depends on the topic or the subject you are covering in the essay.

To make things easier for you to understand, let’s break down the main contents for your 1500-word essay so you may know how and where to use references:

Introduction

The introduction makes up for 10% of the essay you are writing. In this section, you can use one to two references to set the angle of the essay.

Now, this is where the real game is played. In the body paragraph, you make the real claims and all the arguments, which makes this part 75% of the essay. For instance, in the case of your 1500 word count essay, you need to write at least 850 to 900 words in this heading. For every main point, you need to write at least 2-3 paragraphs. Using primary or quality sources and direct or even secondary references (depending on the nature of the subject), you can support each point with 2-3 references.

Now here comes the remainder 15% of the essay. You may conclude the essay by supporting your finishing lines with 2-3 more references, for the entire paragraph. Just enough references that support the claims you are making.

What are the main type of sources in academic writing?

Citing sources in an academic essay is crucial for acknowledging the work of other scholars, avoiding plagiarism, and allowing readers to verify your information.

According to a general rule, below you will find a rough guide to the main types of different sources that you can cite in an academic essay:

  • Books. These can be scholarly books or textbooks that contain comprehensive information about a particular subject.
  • Journal Articles. Academic or scholarly articles, also known as scholarly journals, that have been peer-reviewed (reviewed by experts in the same field for validity and quality) are often considered the most reliable and credible sources of information.
  • Conference Proceedings. Papers and reports presented at academic conferences can also be cited in your essay. They are useful for accessing the latest research in a field before it gets published in journals.
  • Theses and Dissertations. Graduate students often conduct original research, and their findings can be useful sources for your essay.
  • Government Publications. These can be reports, statistics, laws, or guidelines published by a government department or agency.
  • Newspapers and Magazines. These sources can provide current events, opinions, and sometimes expert commentary.
  • Websites. Reliable websites, especially those affiliated with reputable institutions, government agencies, or respected organizations can be good sources. But, it’s necessary to evaluate their credibility thoroughly.
  • Interviews. Interviews with experts in the field can provide primary data for your research.
  • Reports. This can include annual reports, technical reports, market research reports, etc. They are particularly important in business, engineering, and science disciplines.
  • Data and Statistics. Sources that provide raw data, statistical analysis, survey results, etc., can be very valuable in many fields of study.
  • Patents. In scientific and technical essays, patents can be cited to show developments in a specific field.
  • Case Law and Legislation. In legal essays, cases and statutes are often cited as sources.

Remember that it’s important to use a mix of primary and secondary sources, and to evaluate the reliability and credibility of your sources. Also, you need to follow the citation style (like APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) that’s prescribed by your professor or academic institution.

Now you know how many sources in 1500 words essay

If you are still in need of assistance, doubting how long is 1500 words, please contact our team, they will consult you on essay writing  and will help you with referencing academic sources for your essay at affordable rates.

This article serves as a complete guideline on the importance of referencing and how it needs to be done. If you are also wondering how many references you should put for a 2000 words essay, feel free to share your questions or ideas in the comments section.

We would appreciate your ideas and feedback, as it will help us to provide you with more tips in the upcoming articles.

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Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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  4. How to Properly Cite Sources in a Written Assignment

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  6. How many references do I need for 3000 word essay?

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  1. References in a 2000-word essay: A Guide to Finding the Right ...

    How Many References for a 2000-Word Essay: Insights from Native Assignment Help Experts. When determining the appropriate number of references for a 2000-word essay, it's imperative to ...

  2. How often should you reference?

    For example: In a 2000 word essay, you will have 1500 words to use. Each main point you make should typically use 1-3 paragraphs, which should average around 200-400 words in total. ... Of course, it is really hard to suggest exactly how many references your essay should include. This depends totally on the subject matter and word count. A ...

  3. How many references do I need for a 2000 word essay?

    Finding the Right Balance: References for a 2000 Word Essay • Balancing References • Discover the ideal number of references for a 2000-word essay to ensure ...

  4. How many sources should I use in my essay?

    Providing references to their work pays tribute to this. It is a sign of respect for the work of others. But it also a way of showing your own awareness of the different debates and different perspectives in the field. ... Both might be 2,000 word essays, but the number of readings is likely to be twice as many if you add this comparison. The ...

  5. How Many References Should You Have in Your Research Paper?

    As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for one source for your paper's reference list per 150 words. Here's a breakdown by essay size: 1500-word essay: Aim for at least 10 sources in the reference list. 2000-word essay: Aim for at least 13 sources in the reference list. 3000-word essay: Aim for at least 20 sources in the reference list.

  6. Essay Referencing Guide: Everything You Need to Know on Writing a

    Depending on essay length, you'll want to include the following number of references in the reference list: 1500-word essay - 10 references or more. 2000-word essay - 13 references or more. 2500-word essay - 16 references or more. 3000-word essay - 20 references or more. 3500-word essay - 23 references or more.

  7. How many references for a 2000-word essay?

    How many references are too many for a 2000-word essay? Balancing references is key; generally, 10-20 quality references suffice for a 2000-word essay. 2. Can I use online sources in academic ...

  8. How many references should a 2000 word essay have?

    The Perfect Number of References for a 2000-Word Essay • Ideal References for 2000-Word Essay • Discover the optimal number of references for a 2000-word ess...

  9. How many references should I have?

    Use as many references as you need. You'll need an appropriate amount for your academic level - this will vary. Reference everything you cite. If you use an idea, cite and reference it. Ask your tutor. They may have guidance for you on how much reading they expect you to do. Students sometimes worry that there is an optimum number of ...

  10. How Many References Do I Need?

    Mid-Length Papers (1500-3000 words) As the word count increases, so does the expected depth of research. A mid-length paper, like an extended essay or a short research paper, might require anywhere from 10-20 references. This range ensures you have enough sources to provide a solid foundation for your arguments without overwhelming the reader.

  11. 2000 Word Essay Examples + Topics for 2000 Words Papers

    2000-Word Essay Conclusion. Similar to the introduction, a 2000-word essay's conclusion may also take 150-200 words, which equals 7-10% of the essay's length. It should summarize the key points you have discussed and derive the main takeaways from every argument or body section you've had in the essay.

  12. How to Reference your Essays

    The English department requires that you reference your essays in accordance with either the Chicago Manual of Style or the MLA Style guide. The university produces handy guides to these referencing systems, which you should consult: For instructions how to reference a wide variety of different sources, consult the examples collected in the ...

  13. How Many References in a Research Paper?

    According to Milojević's study encompassing research in the fields of astronomy, mathematics, robotics, ecology, and economics, the highest and average number of references per article page were as follows: Ecology: highest, ~58; average reference per page, 6; Math and robotics: highest, ~28; average reference per page, <1; and.

  14. Writing a 2000-word Essay: Length, Time-to-Write, and Tips

    How Many Paragraphs is a 2000 Words Essay. A 2000-word essay consists of between 7 and 9 paragraphs, each having between 3 and 5 or more full and coherent sentences. Please note that there are no proper rules on how many sentences your paragraph should have since each paragraph discusses different ideas relating to the main topic of your essay.

  15. How many references for a 2,000 word essay university?

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  16. 15 sources, not enough for a 2000 word essay?

    I recently did a 2,000 word essay with 8 references and got marked down for over-referencing, as I was 'too reliant on existing literature and not showing enough independent thought. On the other hand, I did a 1,500 word essay with 3 references, and got a first for it and a small comment saying 'references are a little thin'. It also depends on ...

  17. How Many References Do I Need For A 2000 Word Essay Masters?

    Table of Contents. For example: In a 2000 word essay, you will have 1500 words to use. Each main point you make should typically use 1-3 paragraphs, which should average around 200-400 words in total. This will give you room for around 5 key points, each supported by 2 or 3 references.

  18. How Long Is an Essay? The Ultimate Essay Length Guide

    How many references for a 2000-word essay : 16 : 24 : 32 : 40 : 48 : How many references for a 4000-word essay : 32 : 48 : 64 : 80 : 96 : How many references for a 5000-word essay : 40 : 60 : 80 : 100 : 120 : 📝 Essay Examples: Different Length . Finally, we've gathered some excellent sample essays of different lengths. Make sure to check ...

  19. How to Write a 2000-Word Essay and How Many Pages Is It?

    2000 Words: Paragraph Count. A regular 2000-word essay consists of around 10-20 paragraphs, with one paragraph being 100-200 words long. The introduction and conclusion take 5-10% of the paper or 1-2 paragraphs each. The main body constitutes 80-90% of the paper or around 1600-1800 words.

  20. How to write a 3,000 word essay in a day

    1.45pm - 6pm: Write the body of the essay. 6pm - 6.45pm: Dinner break. 6.45pm - 10.30pm: Edit, improve and meet the word count. 10.30pm - 11pm: Print (if needed) and get everything ready for the morning. Remember to schedule a few short 10-minute breaks (one every 45-60 minutes should do the trick).

  21. 17 references enough for a 2000 word essay?

    I used to get 30+ refs in 2500 word third year essays. Given that you're supposed to be referencing pretty much everything you say other than the conclusions you''ve drawn from your sources, I'd be surprised if 17 sources were enough in 2000 words. But as I said, depends on your course.

  22. How Many References are Enough for a 1500 Words Essay?

    When you fill the essay with too many references, there is no room for one to share their own thoughts. Generally, you need to use one to two references for the point you are trying to make. Roughly, for a 1500-word essay, this makes a minimum of 10 references. This, however, also depends on the topic or the subject you are covering in the essay.

  23. how many references for a 2000 word essay is acceptable I was ...

    I normally would do about 25 for 2,000 words yeah. I aim for no more than 2 per 100 words on average (depending on length and relevance of course). Reply reply ... is there a rule of thumb as to how many references I should have in an essay per 100 words?