format ng essay

How to Format a College Essay: Step-by-Step Guide

Mark Twain once said, “I like a good story well told. That’s the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”

At College Essay Guy, we too like good stories well told.

The problem is that sometimes students have really good stories … that just aren’t well told.

They have the seed of an idea and the makings of a great story, but the essay formatting or structure is all over the place.

Which can lead a college admissions reader to see you as disorganized. And your essay doesn’t make as much of an impact as it could.

So, if you’re here, you’re probably wondering:

Is there any kind of required format for a college essay? How do I structure my essay? 

And maybe what’s the difference?

Good news: That’s what this post answers.

First, let’s go over a few basic questions students often have when trying to figure out how to format their essay.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• College essay format guidelines
• How to brainstorm and structure a college essay topic
• Recommended brainstorming examples
• Example college essay: The “Burying Grandma” essay

College Essay Format Guidelines

Should I title my college essay?

You don’t need one. In the vast majority of cases, students we work with don’t use titles. The handful of times they have, they’ve done so because the title allows for a subtle play on words or reframing of the essay as a whole. So don’t feel any pressure to include one—they’re purely optional.

Should I indent or us paragraph breaks in my college essay?

Either. Just be consistent. The exception here is if you’re pasting into a box that screws up your formatting—for example, if, when you copy your essay into the box, your indentations are removed, go with paragraph breaks. (And when you get to college, be sure to check what style guide you should be following: Chicago, APA, MLA, etc., can all take different approaches to formatting, and different fields have different standards.)

How many paragraphs should a college essay be? 

Personal statements are not English essays. They don’t need to be 5 paragraphs with a clear, argumentative thesis in the beginning and a conclusion that sums everything up. So feel free to break from that. How many paragraphs are appropriate for a college essay? Within reason, it’s up to you. We’ve seen some great personal statements that use 4 paragraphs, and some that use 8 or more (especially if you have dialogue—yes, dialogue is OK too!).

How long should my college essay be? 

The good news is that colleges and the application systems they use will usually give you specific word count maximums. The most popular college application systems, like the Common Application and Coalition Application, will give you a maximum of 650 words for your main personal statement, and typically less than that for school-specific supplemental essays . Other systems will usually specify the maximum word count—the UC PIQs are 350 max, for example. If they don’t specify this clearly in the application systems or on their website (and be sure to do some research), you can email them to ask! They don’t bite.

So should you use all that space? We generally recommend it. You likely have lots to share about your life, so we think that not using all the space they offer to tell your story might be a missed opportunity. While you don’t have to use every last word, aim to use most of the words they give you. But don’t just fill the space if what you’re sharing doesn’t add to the overall story you’re telling.

There are also some applications or supplementals with recommended word counts or lengths. For example, Georgetown says things like “approx. 1 page,” and UChicago doesn’t have a limit, but recommends aiming for 650ish for the extended essay, and 250-500 for the “Why us?” 

You can generally apply UChicago’s recommendations to other schools that don’t give you a limit: If it’s a “Why Major” supplement, 650 is probably plenty, and for other supplements, 250-500 is a good target to shoot for. If you go over those, that can be fine, just be sure you’re earning that word count (as in, not rambling or being overly verbose). Your readers are humans. If you send them a tome, their attention could drift.

Regarding things like italics and bold

Keep in mind that if you’re pasting text into a box, it may wipe out your formatting. So if you were hoping to rely on italics or bold for some kind of emphasis, double check if you’ll be able to. (And in general, try to use sentence structure and phrasing to create that kind of emphasis anyway, rather than relying on bold or italics—doing so will make you a better writer.)

Regarding font type, size, and color

Keep it simple and standard. Regarding font type, things like Times New Roman or Georgia (what this is written in) won’t fail you. Just avoid things like Comic Sans or other informal/casual fonts.

Size? 11- or 12-point is fine.

Color? Black. 

Going with something else with the above could be a risk, possibly a big one, for fairly little gain. Things like a wacky font or text color could easily feel gimmicky to a reader.

To stand out with your writing, take some risks in what you write about and the connections and insights you make.

If you’re attaching a doc (rather than pasting)

If you are attaching a document rather than pasting into a text box, all the above still applies. Again,  we’d recommend sticking with standard fonts and sizes—Times New Roman, 12-point is a standard workhorse. You can probably go with 1.5 or double spacing. Standard margins.

Basically, show them you’re ready to write in college by using the formatting you’ll normally use in college.

Is there a college essay template I can use? 

Depends on what you’re asking for. If, by “template,” you’re referring to formatting … see above.

But if you mean a structural template ... not exactly. There is no one college essay template to follow. And that’s a good thing.

That said, we’ve found that there are two basic structural approaches to writing college essays that can work for every single prompt we’ve seen. (Except for lists. Because … they’re lists.)

Below we’ll cover those two essay structures we love, but you’ll see how flexible these are—they can lead to vastly different essays. You can also check out a few sample essays to get a sense of structure and format (though we’d recommend doing some brainstorming and outlining to think of possible topics before you look at too many samples, since they can poison the well for some people).

Let’s dig in.

STEP 1: HOW TO BRAINSTORM AN AMAZING ESSAY TOPIC

We’ll talk about structure and topic together. Why? Because one informs the other.

(And to clarify: When we say, “topic,” we mean the theme or focus of your essay that you use to show who you are and what you value. The “topic” of your college essay is always ultimately you.)

We think there are two basic structural approaches that can work for any college essay. Not that these are the only two options—rather, that these can work for any and every prompt you’ll have to write for. 

Which structural approach you use depends on your answer to this question (and its addendum): Do you feel like you’ve faced significant challenges in your life … or not so much? (And do you want to write about them?)

If yes (to both), you’ll most likely want to use Narrative Structure . If no (to either), you’ll probably want to try Montage Structure .

So … what are those structures? And how do they influence your topic?

Narrative Structure is classic storytelling structure. You’ve seen this thousands of times—assuming you read, and watch movies and TV, and tell stories with friends and family. If you don’t do any of these things, this might be new. Otherwise, you already know this. You may just not know you know it. Narrative revolves around a character or characters (for a college essay, that’s you) working to overcome certain challenges, learning and growing, and gaining insight. For a college essay using Narrative Structure, you’ll focus the word count roughly equally on a) Challenges You Faced, b) What You Did About Them, and c) What You Learned (caveat that those sections can be somewhat interwoven, especially b and c). Paragraphs and events are connected causally.

You’ve also seen montages before. But again, you may not know you know. So: A montage is a series of thematically connected things, frequently images. You’ve likely seen montages in dozens and dozens of films before—in romantic comedies, the “here’s the couple meeting and dating and falling in love” montage; in action movies, the classic “training” montage. A few images tell a larger story. In a college essay, you could build a montage by using a thematic thread to write about five different pairs of pants that connect to different sides of who you are and what you value. Or different but connected things that you love and know a lot about (like animals, or games). Or entries in your Happiness Spreadsheet .

How does structure play into a great topic?

We believe a montage essay (i.e., an essay NOT about challenges) is more likely to stand out if the topic or theme of the essay is:

X. Elastic (i.e., something you can connect to variety of examples, moments, or values) Y. Uncommon (i.e., something other students probably aren’t writing about)

We believe that a narrative essay is more likely to stand out if it contains: 

X. Difficult or compelling challenges Y. Insight

These aren’t binary—rather, each exists on a spectrum.

“Elastic” will vary from person to person. I might be able to connect mountain climbing to family, history, literature, science, social justice, environmentalism, growth, insight … and someone else might not connect it to much of anything. Maybe trees?

“Uncommon” —every year, thousands of students write about mission trips, sports, or music. It’s not that you can’t write about these things, but it’s a lot harder to stand out. 

“Difficult or compelling challenges” can be put on a spectrum, with things like getting a bad grade or not making a sports team on the weaker end, and things like escaping war or living homeless for three years on the stronger side. While you can possibly write a strong essay about a weaker challenge, it’s really hard to do so.

“Insight” is the answer to the question “so what?” A great insight is likely to surprise the reader a bit, while a so-so insight likely won’t. (Insight is something you’ll develop in an essay through the writing process, rather than something you’ll generally know ahead of time for a topic, but it’s useful to understand that some topics are probably easier to pull insights from than others.)

To clarify, you can still write a great montage with a very common topic, or a narrative that offers so-so insights. But the degree of difficulty goes up. Probably way up.

With that in mind, how do you brainstorm possible topics that are on the easier-to-stand-out-with side of the spectrum?

Brainstorming exercises

Spend about 10 minutes (minimum) on each of these exercises.

Values Exercise

Essence Objects Exercise

21 Details Exercise

Everything I Want Colleges To Know About Me Exercise

Feelings and Needs Exercise

If you feel like you already have your topic, and you just want to know how to make it better…

Still do those exercises.

Maybe what you have is the best topic for you. And if you are incredibly super sure, you can skip ahead. But if you’re not sure this topic helps you communicate your deepest stories, spend a little time on the exercises above. As a bonus, even if you end up going with what you already had (though please be wary of the sunk cost fallacy ), all that brainstorming will be useful when you write your supplemental essays .

The Feelings and Needs Exercise in particular is great for brainstorming Narrative Structure, connecting story events in a causal way (X led to Y led to Z). The Essence Objects, 21 Details, Everything I Want Colleges to Know exercises can lead to interesting thematic threads for Montage Structure (P, Q, and R are all connected because, for example, they’re all qualities of a great endodontist). But all of them are useful for both structural approaches. Essence objects can help a narrative come to life. One paragraph in a montage could focus on a challenge and how you overcame it.

The Values Exercise is a cornerstone of both—regardless of whether you use narrative or montage, we should get a sense of some of your core values through your essays.

How (and why) to outline your college essay to use a good structure

While not every professional writer knows exactly how a story will end when they start writing, they also have months (or years) to craft it, and they may throw major chunks or whole drafts away. You probably don’t want to throw away major chunks or whole drafts. So you should outline.

Use the brainstorming exercises from earlier to decide on your most powerful topics and what structure (narrative or montage) will help you best tell your story.

Then, outline.

For a narrative, use the Feelings and Needs Exercise, and build clear bullet points for the Challenges + Effects, What I Did About It, and What I Learned. Those become your outline. 

Yeah, that simple.

For a montage, outline 4-7 ways your thread connects to different values through different experiences, and if you can think of them, different lessons and insights (though these you might have to develop later, during the writing process). For example, how auto repair connects to family, literature, curiosity, adventure, and personal growth (through different details and experiences).

Here are some good example outlines:

Narrative outline (developed from the Feelings and Needs Exercise)

Challenges:

Domestic abuse (physical and verbal)

Controlling father/lack of freedom

Sexism/bias

Prevented from pursuing opportunities

Cut off from world/family

Lack of sense of freedom/independence

Faced discrimination

What I Did About It:

Pursued my dreams

Traveled to Egypt, London, and Paris alone

Challenged stereotypes

Explored new places and cultures

Developed self-confidence, independence, and courage

Grew as a leader

Planned events

What I Learned:

Inspired to help others a lot more

Learned about oppression, and how to challenge oppressive norms

Became closer with mother, somewhat healed relationship with father

Need to feel free

And here’s the essay that became: “ Easter ”

Montage outline:

Thread: Home

Values: Family, tradition, literature

Ex: “Tailgate Special,” discussions w/family, reading Nancy Drew

Perception, connection to family

Chinese sword dance

Values: Culture/heritage, meticulousness, dedication, creativity

Ex: Notebook, formations/choreography

Nuances of culture, power of connection

Values: Science/chemistry, curiosity 

Synthesizing plat nanoparticles

Joy of discovery, redefining expectations

Governor’s School

Values: Exploration, personal growth

Knitting, physics, politics, etc.

Importance of exploring beyond what I know/am used to, taking risks

And here’s the essay that became: “ Home ”

When to scrap what you have and start over

Ultimately, you can’t know for sure if a topic will work until you try a draft or two. And maybe it’ll be great. But keep that sunk cost fallacy in mind, and be open to trying other things.

If you’re down the rabbit hole with a personal statement topic and just aren’t sure about it, the first step you should take is to ask for feedback. Find a partner who can help you examine it without the attachment to all the emotion (anxiety, worry, or fear) you might have built up around it. 

Have them help you walk through The Great College Essay Test to make sure your essay is doing its job. If it isn’t yet, does it seem like this topic has the potential to? Or would other topics allow you to more fully show a college who you are and what you bring to the table?

Because that’s your goal. Format and structure are just tools to get you there.

Down the Road

Before we analyze some sample essays, bookmark this page, so that once you’ve gone through several drafts of your own essay, come back and take The Great College Essay Test  to make sure your essay is doing its job. The job of the essay, simply put, is to demonstrate to a college that you’ll make valuable contributions in college and beyond. We believe these four qualities are essential to a great essay:

Core values (showing who you are through what you value)

Vulnerability (helps a reader feel connected to you)

Insight (aka “so what” moments)

Craft (clear structure, refined language, intentional choices)

To test what values are coming through, read your essay aloud to someone who knows you and ask:

Which values are clearly coming through the essay?

Which values are kind of there but could be coming through more clearly?

Which values could be coming through and were opportunities missed?

To know if you’re being vulnerable in your essay, ask:

Now that you’ve heard my story, do you feel closer to me?

What did you learn about me that you didn’t already know?

To search for “so what” moments of insight, review the claims you’re making in your essay. Are you reflecting on what these moments and experiences taught you? How have they changed you? Are you making common or (hopefully) uncommon connections? The uncommon connections are often made up of insights that are unusual or unexpected. (For more on how to test for this, click The Great College Essay Test link above.)

Craft comes through the sense that each paragraph, each sentence, each word is a carefully considered choice. That the author has spent time revising and refining. That the essay is interesting and succinct. How do you test this? For each paragraph, each sentence, each word, ask: Do I need this? (Huge caveat: Please avoid neurotic perfectionism here. We’re just asking you to be intentional with your language.)

Still feeling you haven’t found your topic? Here’s a list of 100 Brave and Interesting Questions . Read these and try freewriting on a few. See where they lead.

Finally, here’s an ...

Example College Essay Format Analysis: The “Burying Grandma” Essay

To see how the Narrative Essay structure works, check out the essay below, which was written for the Common App "Topic of your choice" prompt. You might try reading it here first before reading the paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown below.

They covered the precious mahogany coffin with a brown amalgam of rocks, decomposed organisms, and weeds. It was my turn to take the shovel, but I felt too ashamed to dutifully send her off when I had not properly said goodbye. I refused to throw dirt on her. I refused to let go of my grandmother, to accept a death I had not seen coming, to believe that an illness could not only interrupt, but steal a beloved life.

The author begins by setting up the Challenges + Effects (you’ve maybe heard of this referred to in narrative as the Inciting Incident). This moment also sets up some of her needs: growth and emotional closure, to deal with it and let go/move on. Notice the way objects like the shovel help bring an essay to life, and can be used for symbolic meaning. That object will also come back later.

When my parents finally revealed to me that my grandmother had been battling liver cancer, I was twelve and I was angry--mostly with myself. They had wanted to protect me--only six years old at the time--from the complex and morose concept of death. However, when the end inevitably arrived, I wasn’t trying to comprehend what dying was; I was trying to understand how I had been able to abandon my sick grandmother in favor of playing with friends and watching TV. Hurt that my parents had deceived me and resentful of my own oblivion, I committed myself to preventing such blindness from resurfacing.

In the second paragraph, she flashes back to give us some context of what things were like leading up to these challenges (i.e., the Status Quo), which helps us understand her world. It also helps us to better understand the impact of her grandmother’s death and raises a question: How will she prevent such blindness from resurfacing?

I became desperately devoted to my education because I saw knowledge as the key to freeing myself from the chains of ignorance. While learning about cancer in school I promised myself that I would memorize every fact and absorb every detail in textbooks and online medical journals. And as I began to consider my future, I realized that what I learned in school would allow me to silence that which had silenced my grandmother. However, I was focused not with learning itself, but with good grades and high test scores. I started to believe that academic perfection would be the only way to redeem myself in her eyes--to make up for what I had not done as a granddaughter.  

In the third paragraph, she starts shifting into the What I Did About It aspect, and takes off at a hundred miles an hour … but not quite in the right direction yet. What does that mean? She pursues things that, while useful and important in their own right, won’t actually help her resolve her conflict. This is important in narrative—while it can be difficult, or maybe even scary, to share ways we did things wrong, that generally makes for a stronger story. Think of it this way: You aren’t really interested in watching a movie in which a character faces a challenge, knows what to do the whole time, so does it, the end. We want to see how people learn and change and grow.

Here, the author “Raises the Stakes” because we as readers sense intuitively (and she is giving us hints) that this is not the way to get over her grandmother’s death.

However, a simple walk on a hiking trail behind my house made me open my own eyes to the truth. Over the years, everything--even honoring my grandmother--had become second to school and grades. As my shoes humbly tapped against the Earth, the towering trees blackened by the forest fire a few years ago, the faintly colorful pebbles embedded in the sidewalk, and the wispy white clouds hanging in the sky reminded me of my small though nonetheless significant part in a larger whole that is humankind and this Earth. Before I could resolve my guilt, I had to broaden my perspective of the world as well as my responsibilities to my fellow humans.   

There’s some nice evocative detail in here that helps draw us into her world and experience.

Structurally, there are elements of What I Did About It and What I Learned in here (again, they will often be somewhat interwoven). This paragraph gives us the Turning Point/Moment of Truth. She begins to understand how she was wrong. She realizes she needs perspective. But how? See next paragraph ...

Volunteering at a cancer treatment center has helped me discover my path. When I see patients trapped in not only the hospital but also a moment in time by their diseases, I talk to them. For six hours a day, three times a week, Ivana is surrounded by IV stands, empty walls, and busy nurses that quietly yet constantly remind her of her breast cancer. Her face is pale and tired, yet kind--not unlike my grandmother’s. I need only to smile and say hello to see her brighten up as life returns to her face. Upon our first meeting, she opened up about her two sons, her hometown, and her knitting group--no mention of her disease. Without even standing up, the three of us—Ivana, me, and my grandmother--had taken a walk together.

In the second-to-last paragraph, we see how she takes further action, and some of what she learns from her experiences: Volunteering at the local hospital helps her see her larger place in the world.

Cancer, as powerful and invincible as it may seem, is a mere fraction of a person’s life. It’s easy to forget when one’s mind and body are so weak and vulnerable. I want to be there as an oncologist to remind them to take a walk once in a while, to remember that there’s so much more to life than a disease. While I physically treat their cancer, I want to lend patients emotional support and mental strength to escape the interruption and continue living. Through my work, I can accept the shovel without burying my grandmother’s memory.

The final paragraph uses what we call the “bookend” technique by bringing us back to the beginning, but with a change—she’s a different, slightly wiser person than she was. This helps us put a frame around her growth. 

… A good story well told . That’s your goal.

Hopefully, you now have a better sense of how to make that happen.

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Writing Guides  /  Complete Guide to Essay Format: MLA, APA, and Chicago Explained

Complete Guide to Essay Format: MLA, APA, and Chicago Explained

Introduction

Content is king, but mastering the mechanics of academic writing is equally important. That’s why formatting your essay matters. Proper formatting allows you to present your essays and term papers clearly, logically, and academically so that it is easy for readers to follow your argument and for instructors to assess your work. Poor formatting, on the other hand, can lead to point deductions, even if the content of your essay is strong.

What is Proper Essay Format?

The format of an essay refers to its basic structure, layout, and appearance on the page. It includes elements such as margins, font size, line spacing, and citation style, among others. Although it may seem daunting at first, mastering the different essay formats is not as difficult as it might appear. The more essays you write, the more familiar you will become with these formats. (Check out this article for more info on how to write an essay ).

Importance of Following Proper Format

Understanding and applying the correct essay format is essential for several reasons. First, it demonstrates your attention to detail and your ability to follow academic conventions. Proper formatting also improves the readability of your essay, allowing your ideas to be presented in a clear and organized manner. Proper formatting is what lets you meet the academic standards expected in your field of study.

Overview of Main Formats

There are several widely recognized essay formats, each commonly used in different academic disciplines. The Modern Language Association ( MLA ) format is often used in the humanities, particularly in literature and language studies. The American Psychological Association ( APA ) format is typically used in the social sciences, such as psychology and education. The Chicago Manual of Style, or Chicago format , is frequently used in history and some social science fields. Each format has its own set of rules for citations, references, and overall layout.

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Standard College Essay Format

There is no universally “right” college essay format, be we do have some commonly accepted guidelines. Professors may have specific preferences, so understanding the standard structure and formatting rules will help you adapt to any requirements.

Basic Components of Any Essay

• Title Page : This usually includes the title of your essay, your name, the course name, the instructor’s name, and the date of submission. The title should be centered and written in a standard font, without italics or underlining.
• Introduction : The introduction is the opening paragraph of your essay, where you present the topic and your thesis statement . It should contain a hook, a brief overview of the main points that will be discussed in the body of the essay, and your main point.
• Body : The body of the essay is where you develop your arguments or analysis in detail. Each paragraph of the body should focus on a specific point or piece of evidence that supports your thesis.
• Conclusion : The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay, where you summarize the main points and restate your thesis in light of the evidence presented. It should contain no new info, but should leave lasting impression on the reader so as to reinforce the significance of your essay.
• Bibliography : Also known as the Works Cited or References page, the bibliography lists all the sources you cited in your essay. The format of the bibliography varies depending on the citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), but it typically includes the author’s name, title of the work, publication information, and date.

General Formatting Rules

• Fonts : Standard college essays typically use a uniform font for consistency and readability. Times New Roman is the most widely accepted font, though Arial is sometimes permitted. The font size is usually set to 12 points. Font should be consistent across the entire document.
• Line Spacing : Most college essays require double spacing. Occasionally, you may be asked to use single spacing or 1.5 spacing, depending on the instructor’s preference or the specific assignment guidelines.
• Margins : The standard margin size for college essays is one inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right). This margin size is typically the default setting in Word.
• Page Numbers : Including page numbers in your essay is generally expected, especially for longer assignments. Page numbers are usually placed in the upper right corner of each page, sometimes accompanied by your last name or the title of the essay.
• Title Page : Short essays often do not require a title page, but for longer essays or research papers, a title page will probably be mandatory. If required, the title page should follow the specific format outlined by your instructor (APA, MLA, etc.), typically including the title of the essay, your name, course details, and submission date.

MLA Essay Format

Mla structure and layout.

MLA format is known for its simplicity. The following are the basic components of an essay written in MLA format:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman) : Times New Roman in 12-point font is the standard typeface used in MLA format.
• First Line Indent : Each paragraph in an MLA-formatted essay begins with an indentation of the first line, typically set at half an inch from the left margin. This indentation visually separates paragraphs, which makes the essay easy to read.
• Double-Spacing : The entire essay should be double-spaced, including the text, block quotes, and the Works Cited page. Double spacing should be consistent throughout. It is especially helpful as it allows space for instructors to make annotations.
• 1-Inch Margins : MLA format requires uniform 1-inch margins on all sides of the page (top, bottom, left, and right), which keeps the page balanced in appearance.
• Header : Unlike APA format, MLA does not usually require a title page. Instead, your name, your professor’s name, the course name, and the date should be listed in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. Below this information, the title of the essay should be centered and written in standard title case (capitalizing the first and main words of the title). A header with your last name and page number should appear in the upper right corner of each page, beginning with the first page.

MLA In-Text Citations and Works Cited

MLA format has specific guidelines for citing sources both within the text and in the Works Cited page. These citations are crucial for giving credit to the original authors and for allowing readers to trace the sources of your information.

• In-Text Citations : In MLA format, in-text citations are brief and are usually placed at the end of the sentence before the period. They include the author’s last name and the page number where the information was found, all within parentheses. For example: (Smith 123). If the author’s name is mentioned in the sentence, only the page number is required in the citation: (123). Even when paraphrasing or summarizing, the page number must be included, which can be a challenge but is essential to meet MLA standards.
• Works Cited Page : The Works Cited page appears at the end of the essay and lists all the sources referenced in your paper. Each entry should be formatted with a hanging indent, where the first line of the citation is flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented. Entries are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name or by the title if no author is provided. The general format for a book citation in MLA is: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book . Publisher, Year of Publication.

MLA Common Mistakes to Avoid

While MLA format is straightforward, there are common mistakes that students often make:

• Incorrect In-Text Citations : Failing to include the page number, using the wrong format for the author’s name, or placing the period outside the parentheses are frequent errors. Always double-check your in-text citations for accuracy.
• Improper Works Cited Formatting : Not following the correct order, incorrect use of italics or quotation marks, and missing publication details are common pitfalls. Ensure each entry adheres to MLA guidelines.
• Missing or Incorrect Header : Forgetting to include the header with your last name and page number on each page can lead to a lower grade. Also, ensure that the header is properly aligned with the right margin.

Example of MLA Format

Here’s a simplified example of how the first page of an MLA-formatted essay might look:

First Page of an MLA Paper :

APA Essay Format

Apa structure and layout.

APA format follows a set structure that includes a title page, abstract, body, and references.

• Title Page : The title page in APA format is crucial as it sets the tone for your paper. It includes the title of your essay, your name, and your institutional affiliation, all centered on the page. The title should be concise and informative, reflecting the content of your paper. Below the title, your name appears, followed by your institution (e.g., university name). Some instructors may ask for additional information like the course title, instructor’s name, and the date.
• Abstract : The abstract is a brief summary of your paper, usually between 150-250 words. It gives a summary of your research, including the research question, methods, results, and conclusions. The abstract appears on its own page, right after the title page, and is typically a single paragraph without indentation. Abstracts are used in longer research papers and dissertations to give readers a quick snapshot of the study’s content and findings.
• Body : The body of an APA paper is where you present your argument or findings. It starts on a new page after the abstract and is divided into sections such as the introduction, method, results, discussion, and conclusion, depending on the type of paper you are writing. Each section may include subheadings to improve organization and readability.
• References : The reference page, which comes at the end of your paper, lists all the sources cited in the text. This page follows specific APA formatting rules, including the use of a hanging indent and alphabetical order by the authors’ last names. The reference entries must include detailed information about each source, such as the author’s name, publication year, title of the work, and source.

APA In-Text Citations and References

APA style uses the author-date citation method, which includes the author’s last name and the publication year in the text. This method allows readers to locate the full citation in the reference list easily.

• In-Text Citations : In-text citations in APA format are concise. For example, if you’re citing a book by John Doe published in 2020, the citation would appear as (Marve, 2024). If you directly quote a source, you must also include the page number: (Smith & Wesson, 2023, p. 15). These citations are usually placed at the end of a sentence before the period.
• References : Every in-text citation must correspond to an entry in the reference list. The reference list provides full details about the source, formatted in a specific way. For a book, the format is: Author’s Last Name, First Initial(s). (Year). Title of the book . Publisher.

APA Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings are essential in APA format as they help organize the content and guide readers through the paper. APA uses a specific hierarchy of headings:

• Level 1 Heading : Centered, Bold, Title Case (e.g., Introduction)
• Level 2 Heading : Flush Left, Bold, Title Case (e.g., Review of Literature)
• Level 3 Heading : Indented, Bold, Sentence case, ending with a period. (e.g., Methods)

Subheadings break down sections into more detailed parts, making your essay easier to follow.

Example of APA Format

Chicago Essay Format

Overview of chicago style.

Chicago style follows a standard set of formatting guidelines, which include:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman) : Chicago style typically uses Times New Roman in 12-point font, which is considered a classic and highly readable typeface.
• First Line Indent : Each paragraph should begin with a half-inch indent, creating a clear separation between sections of text.
• Double-Spacing : The entire document, including block quotes, notes, and bibliography, should be double-spaced, providing ample room for comments or corrections.
• 1-Inch Margins : Chicago style requires 1-inch margins on all sides of the page, which is standard for most academic papers.

Chicago style is known for its flexibility, especially in the way it handles citations. Unlike MLA or APA formats, which rely on in-text parenthetical citations, Chicago style allows for the use of either footnotes or endnotes, which are a less obtrusive way to cite sources.

Chicago Footnotes vs. Endnotes

• Footnotes : Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page on which the reference is made. They are numbered consecutively throughout the essay. Footnotes are preferred when you want the reader to have immediate access to the source or explanation while reading the text. For example, after quoting a source, a small superscript number is placed at the end of the sentence, corresponding to a footnote at the bottom of the page, where full citation details are provided.
• Endnotes : Endnotes, like footnotes, are numbered consecutively but are placed at the end of the essay, just before the bibliography. Endnotes are often used in longer works where multiple citations might overwhelm the page layout. While they serve the same purpose as footnotes, they require the reader to flip to the end of the document to see the citation, which some writers prefer to keep the main text uncluttered.

Both footnotes and endnotes in Chicago style include detailed citation information, such as the author’s name, title of the work, publication details, and page numbers. The choice between footnotes and endnotes often depends on the nature of the paper and the instructor’s preference.

Chicago Bibliography Format

The bibliography in Chicago style lists all sources referenced in the paper. The bibliography page appears at the end of the essay and should follow these guidelines:

• Alphabetical Order : Entries in the bibliography are listed alphabetically by the author’s last name. If no author is provided, the title of the work is used.
• Hanging Indent : Each entry begins flush with the left margin, and subsequent lines are indented by half an inch. This format is known as a hanging indent.
• Detailed Citations : Each entry should include the author’s name, the title of the work (italicized), the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication. For example: Smith, John. The History of Modern Europe . New York: Random House, 2020.

Example of Chicago Format

Here’s an example of how a Chicago-style essay might look:

Title Page Example :

Key Differences Between MLA, APA, and Chicago

Citation styles.

• MLA (Modern Language Association) : MLA style is typically used in the humanities, particularly in literature, philosophy, and the arts. Citations are made using brief parenthetical references within the text, including the author’s last name and page number (e.g., Mason 413). The full citation details are provided in a Works Cited page at the end of the document.
• APA (American Psychological Association) : APA format is prevalent in the social sciences, including psychology, sociology, and education. It uses the author-date method for in-text citations, where the author’s last name and the year of publication are included (e.g., Como, 2020). A References page at the end lists all sources in full detail.
• Chicago Style : Chicago style, often used in history, political science, and the arts, offers two citation methods: the Notes and Bibliography system, which uses footnotes or endnotes along with a bibliography, and the Author-Date system, similar to APA but less commonly used. Footnotes or endnotes provide detailed source information at the bottom of the page or at the end of the paper, making this style flexible for detailed commentary.

Paper Structure

The structure of a paper also varies among these formats:

• MLA : MLA format is straightforward, typically consisting of a title page (optional), an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. It does not require a separate title page; instead, the student’s name, instructor’s name, course, and date are placed at the top of the first page.
• APA : APA format is more structured and includes a title page, abstract, main body, and references. The title page presents the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation, while the abstract provides a brief summary of the paper. APA also often uses headings and subheadings to organize content clearly.
• Chicago : Chicago format is flexible and can vary based on the type of paper. A typical Chicago-style paper includes a title page, the main body of text, and a bibliography. When using the Notes and Bibliography system, Chicago style also incorporates footnotes or endnotes, which can make the structure appear more complex.

Where and When to Use Each Format

Each format is suited to specific academic disciplines:

• MLA : Best used in humanities subjects, especially in writing-intensive courses where the focus is on literary analysis, criticism, or cultural studies.
• APA : Ideal for the social sciences, where research often involves data analysis, experiments, and empirical studies. APA’s structured format helps present research findings clearly.
• Chicago : Often required in history, art history, and some social sciences. It is particularly useful when extensive citation or commentary is needed, thanks to its footnote and endnote options.

Special Essay Formats

When you’re applying for a scholarship, submitting a college application, or crafting a research or persuasive essay, know that each format has unique elements that guide how you should present your work.

Scholarship Essay Format

Scholarship essays are critical for students aiming to secure financial aid for their education. Unlike standard academic essays, a scholarship essay is deeply personal and written in the first person. It focuses on your achievements, goals, and reasons for deserving the scholarship. Here are some key aspects of the scholarship essay format:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman or Arial) : This is the standard for readability.
• First Line Indent : Each paragraph should begin with an indentation, creating a clear structure.
• Double-Spacing : Double-spacing improves readability and allows room for comments.
• 1-Inch Margins : Standard margins provide a clean, professional look.

Unlike academic essays that are typically written in the third person, scholarship essays are personal narratives. The essay should show your determination, goals, and the unique qualities that make you a worthy candidate. Discuss your academic achievements, community involvement, and future aspirations, while avoiding generic statements. Tailor each essay to the specific scholarship, addressing the organization’s values and how they align with your goals.

College Application Essay Format

College application essays are crucial in the admissions process. They offer a glimpse into your personality, values, and potential contributions to the college community. These essays are also written in the first person and vary in length, from short responses to longer personal statements. Key formatting elements include:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman or Arial) : Consistency in font choice helps maintain a formal tone.
• First Line Indent : Indenting paragraphs helps organize your thoughts.
• Double-Spacing : This spacing standard enhances readability and presentation.
• 1-Inch Margins : Uniform margins contribute to a polished appearance.

A strong college application essay often begins with a thoughtful introduction, perhaps a personal anecdote or a significant experience that shaped your character. The body of the essay should go into your interests, goals, and why you are drawn to the specific college or program. Be authentic and reflective. This essay is your chance to stand out among many applicants, so it’s important to convey your own unique story.

Research Essays (Extended Essays, IB Essays)

Research essays, such as those required for International Baccalaureate (IB) programs or extended essays, are more formal and structured than personal essays. These essays require rigorous research and a thorough analysis of the topic. The format for research essays generally includes:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman or Arial) : A professional and readable font choice.
• First Line Indent : Each paragraph should be clearly indented.
• Double-Spacing : Allows for clear presentation and space for feedback.
• 1-Inch Margins : Standard for most academic papers.
• Title Page and Abstract : Depending on the requirements, these elements may be necessary, particularly in extended essays or formal research papers.

Research essays are structured around a thesis statement, with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. The body should be divided into sections, each addressing different aspects of the research question, supported by evidence from credible sources. Use proper citation to avoid plagiarism charges and to give credit to original ideas.

Reflective and Persuasive Essays

Reflective and persuasive essays require different approaches but share some formatting similarities with standard essays.

Reflective Essay : Reflective essays explore personal experiences and the insights gained from them. The format may include:

• 12-Point Font (Times New Roman or Arial) .
• First Line Indent .
• Double-Spacing .
• 1-Inch Margins .

In a reflective essay, you may be asked to consider a personal experience or react to a text, event, or artwork. The essay should include a description of the experience or object of reflection, followed by an analysis of its impact on you. The tone can be informal, but the structure should remain coherent and well-organized.

Persuasive Essay : Persuasive essays aim to convince the reader of a particular point of view. They follow a more traditional academic structure:

Persuasive essays require a strong thesis statement, clear arguments supported by evidence, and a conclusion that reinforces your position. Use rhetorical strategies like ethos, pathos, and logos to strengthen your argument and persuade the reader effectively. Acknowledge opposing views and refute them to build a more compelling case.

Additional Formatting Tips

Creating an outline.

An outline helps you organize your thoughts and structure your essay logically. It serves as a roadmap, guiding you through each section of your paper and ensuring that your arguments flow coherently. An effective outline typically includes:

• Introduction : Start with your thesis statement, followed by a brief overview of the main points you will discuss.
• Body Paragraphs : List the key points or arguments you plan to make, organized into sections. For each section, include supporting evidence or examples.
• Conclusion : Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in a new light, reflecting the arguments made in the body.

Using bullet points or numbering in your outline can help you maintain a clear hierarchy of ideas. While the outline itself is not part of the final essay, creating one can save time during the writing process and improve the overall structure of your paper.

Formatting Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings are essential for breaking up the text and guiding readers through your essay. They provide a clear structure, making it easier for readers to follow your argument. Different formatting styles have specific rules for headings and subheadings:

• MLA : Generally does not require headings, but when used, they should be formatted consistently without a boldface or italics.
• APA : APA uses a five-level heading system. Level 1 is centered and bold, Level 2 is flush left and bold, and so on, down to Level 5, which is indented, bold, and italicized.
• Chicago : Offers flexibility, but generally, headings are bolded or italicized, and subheadings are formatted similarly but in a smaller font size or with less emphasis.

Using clear and consistent formatting for your headings and subheadings helps organize the content and makes your essay more reader-friendly.

Formatting Tables, Charts, and Appendices

Including tables, charts, and appendices in your essay can be an effective way to present data, summarize information, or provide additional context without overcrowding the main text. Proper formatting of these elements is crucial to maintain the professionalism of your document.

• Labeling : Each table and chart should be labeled with a number (e.g., Table 1, Figure 2) and a descriptive title.
• Placement : Tables and charts can be placed within the text close to where they are referenced or included at the end of the document in an appendix.
• Formatting : Ensure that tables are clear, with consistent font and spacing, and that charts are accurately labeled with legends if needed.
• Purpose : Appendices are used to include supplementary material that is relevant but not essential to the main text, such as raw data, questionnaires, or detailed explanations.
• Labeling : Appendices should be labeled (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) and referenced in the main text.
• Content : Each appendix should start on a new page, with the title clearly labeled at the top.

Formatting is a big aspect of academic writing that goes beyond mere aesthetics. Proper formatting gives clarity, readability, and professionalism. Whether you’re using MLA, APA, Chicago, or another style, adhering to the specific guidelines of each format will show your attention to detail and your commitment to academic standards.

A well-formatted essay not only makes your work more accessible to readers but it also improves the credibility of your arguments. Be careful about organizing your content with appropriate headings, citations, and supplementary materials like tables or appendices, so that you can turn in a well-structured and persuasive piece of writing.

Final tips: always double-check the specific requirements of your assignment and seek clarification from your instructor if needed. Utilize tools like outlines to plan your essay structure, and pay attention to the nuances of each style, such as citation formats and the use of footnotes or endnotes. Master these elements, and you’ll be able to effectively communicate your ideas and enjoy academic success.

Take the first step to becoming a better academic writer.

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How to Format an Essay

Last Updated: July 29, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Carrie Adkins, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano . Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 98,061 times.

You’re opening your laptop to write an essay, knowing exactly what you want to write, but then it hits you: you don’t know how to format it! Using the correct format when writing an essay can help your paper look polished and professional while earning you full credit. In this article, we'll teach you the basics of formatting an essay according to three common styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago Style.

Setting Up Your Document

• If you can’t find information on the style guide you should be following, talk to your instructor after class to discuss the assignment or send them a quick email with your questions.
• If your instructor lets you pick the format of your essay, opt for the style that matches your course or degree best: MLA is best for English and humanities; APA is typically for education, psychology, and sciences; Chicago Style is common for business, history, and fine arts.

• Most word processors default to 1 inch (2.5 cm) margins.

• Do not change the font size, style, or color throughout your essay.

• Change the spacing on Google Docs by clicking on Format , and then selecting “Line spacing.”
• Click on Layout in Microsoft Word, and then click the arrow at the bottom left of the “paragraph” section.

• Using the page number function will create consecutive numbering.
• When using Chicago Style, don’t include a page number on your title page. The first page after the title page should be numbered starting at 2. [5] X Research source
• In APA format, a running heading may be required in the left-hand header. This is a maximum of 50 characters that’s the full or abbreviated version of your essay’s title. [6] X Research source

• For APA formatting, place the title in bold at the center of the page 3 to 4 lines down from the top. Insert one double-spaced line under the title and type your name. Under your name, in separate centered lines, type out the name of your school, course, instructor, and assignment due date. [8] X Research source
• For Chicago Style, set your cursor ⅓ of the way down the page, then type your title. In the very center of your page, put your name. Move your cursor ⅔ down the page, then write your course number, followed by your instructor’s name and paper due date on separate, double-spaced lines. [9] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

• Double-space the heading like the rest of your paper.

Writing the Essay Body

• Use standard capitalization rules for your title.
• Do not underline, italicize, or put quotation marks around your title, unless you include other titles of referred texts.

• A good hook might include a quote, statistic, or rhetorical question.
• For example, you might write, “Every day in the United States, accidents caused by distracted drivers kill 9 people and injure more than 1,000 others.”

• "Action must be taken to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving, including enacting laws against texting while driving, educating the public about the risks, and giving strong punishments to offenders."
• "Although passing and enforcing new laws can be challenging, the best way to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving is to enact a law against texting, educate the public about the new law, and levy strong penalties."

• Use transitions between paragraphs so your paper flows well. For example, say, “In addition to,” “Similarly,” or “On the other hand.” [16] X Research source

• A statement of impact might be, "Every day that distracted driving goes unaddressed, another 9 families must plan a funeral."
• A call to action might read, “Fewer distracted driving accidents are possible, but only if every driver keeps their focus on the road.”

Using References

• In MLA format, citations should include the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information. If the author's name appears in the sentence, use just the page number. [18] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• For APA format, include the author’s last name and the publication year. If the author’s name appears in the sentence, use just the year. [19] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• If you don’t use parenthetical or internal citations, your instructor may accuse you of plagiarizing.

• At the bottom of the page, include the source’s information from your bibliography page next to the footnote number. [20] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source
• Each footnote should be numbered consecutively.

• If you’re using MLA format, this page will be titled “Works Cited.”
• In APA and Chicago Style, title the page “References.”

• If you have more than one work from the same author, list alphabetically following the title name for MLA and by earliest to latest publication year for APA and Chicago Style.
• Double-space the references page like the rest of your paper.
• Use a hanging indent of 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) if your citations are longer than one line. Press Tab to indent any lines after the first. [23] X Research source
• Citations should include (when applicable) the author(s)’s name(s), title of the work, publication date and/or year, and page numbers.
• Sites like Grammarly , EasyBib , and MyBib can help generate citations if you get stuck.

Formatting Resources

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-mla-document-formatting/
• ↑ https://www.une.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/392149/WE_Formatting-your-essay.pdf
• ↑ https://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalEnglish/unit10/Foundations/formatting-a-college-essay-mla-style.html
• ↑ https://camosun.libguides.com/Chicago-17thEd/titlePage
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/page-header
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/paper-format/title-page
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/chicago_manual_17th_edition/cmos_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
• ↑ https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/writing-speaking-resources/mla-8-style-format
• ↑ https://cflibguides.lonestar.edu/chicago/paperformat
• ↑ https://www.uvu.edu/writingcenter/docs/basicessayformat.pdf
• ↑ https://www.deanza.edu/faculty/cruzmayra/basicessayformat.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/in_text_citations_the_basics.html
• ↑ https://monroecollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=589208&p=4073046
• ↑ https://library.menloschool.org/chicago

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Essay Writing Guide

Essay Format

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Are you having trouble making your essay look just right? Lots of students find formatting tricky, so you're not alone. 

This guide is here to help you figure out how to format your essay. We've got examples of essays in APA, MLA, Chicago, and other styles to make it easier for you to learn.

So, keep reading!

• 1. What is an Essay Format?
• 2. How To Format Essay in MLA Style
• 3. How to Format Essay in APA
• 4. How to Format Essay in Chicago Style
• 5. Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles
• 6. Essay Format PDF Examples
• 7. How to Determine What Format to Follow

What is an Essay Format?

An essay format refers to a set of guidelines that decides how the elements of your paper should be arranged. No matter what type of essay you’re writing, formatting is an essential step in the essay writing process.

The format guidelines cover the essay structure, essay title , citations, and the basic essay outline . 

When formatting a paper, there are certain things that you need to pay attention to. These include the structure of an essay, title page, works cited page, and citation styles . 

Note: Essay formats for university, college, and high school students differ mainly in the depth of research and analysis required, with higher academic levels demanding more detailed work. While the structure of most essays follows the basic 5-paragraph essay format. 

How To Format Essay in MLA Style

Formatting an essay in MLA style is a common requirement in many academic settings, particularly in the humanities.

MLA provides guidelines for various aspects of your essay, from font and margins to citations and bibliography. Here’s an essay format MLA you can use as a reference:

MLA Essay Format Template

• Title Page: MLA does not typically require a separate title page. Instead, place your title at the top of the first page, centered, and do not use bold, italics, or underline for the title. Below the title, include your name, the instructor's name, the course name and number, and the due date, each on a separate line, left-aligned.
• Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with your last name and page number in the upper right corner of every page, half an inch from the top, and flush with the right margin. For example: Smith 1.
• Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch, and use double-spacing throughout the essay.
• Font and Size: Use a legible font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
• Indentation: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches, which can be done automatically using the "Tab" key.
• Paragraphs: Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks within sentences.
• Title: Place the title of your essay (centered) at the top of the first page. Do not use bold, italics, or underlining for the title. Capitalize major words.
• Citations: MLA uses in-text citations to acknowledge sources. When quoting or paraphrasing, include the author's last name and the page number (e.g., Smith 45).
• Works Cited Page: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Works Cited." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific MLA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample MLA Essay

Take a look at the essay format example in MLA style:

How to Format Essay in APA

Formatting an essay in APA style is commonly used in the social sciences and psychology. 

APA provides a set of guidelines for various elements of your essay, including formatting, citations, and references. Here’s how to format essay in apa:

APA Essay Format Template

• Title of the Essay (centered, bold, and in title case)
• Your Name (centered)
• Institutional Affiliation (centered)
• Running head [Shortened Title] (flush left, in uppercase)
• Page Number (flush right)
• Header and Page Numbers: Create a header with the title of your essay in all capital letters, followed by a colon and a shortened version of the title (up to 50 characters), in the upper left corner of every page. The page number should be in the upper right corner.
• Font and Size: Use a clear and readable font like Times New Roman or Arial, size 12.
• Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a hanging indent for references on the reference page.
• Citations: Use in-text citations to acknowledge sources. Include the author's last name and the publication year (e.g., Smith, 2023) when quoting or paraphrasing.
• Title: Use bold and title case for the title of your essay on the title page. On subsequent pages, use a shortened version of the title (in uppercase) as the header.
• References Page: At the end of your essay, create a separate page titled "References." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific APA citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample APA Essay

Here is an essay format sample in APA style:

How to Format Essay in Chicago Style

Formatting an essay in Chicago style, often used in history and some other humanities disciplines, requires specific guidelines for citations and formatting. Here are the guidelines to format your essay in Chicago style:

Chicago Essay Format Template

• Title Page: The title page in Chicago style includes: Title of the Essay (centered, in headline-style capitalization) Your Name (centered) Course Name and Number (centered) Instructor's Name (centered) Date (centered)
• Margins and Spacing: Set all margins to 1 inch. Use double-spacing throughout the essay.
• Page Numbers: Number pages in the upper right corner of each page, beginning with the first page of the main text (usually page 1). Page numbers should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Paragraphs: Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches. Use a block paragraph style with no extra space between paragraphs.
• Citations: In Chicago style, you have two citation options: footnotes and endnotes. In your text, place a superscript number (e.g., ^1) at the end of the sentence containing the cited information. Corresponding footnotes or endnotes should provide full citation details.
• Title: Use headline-style capitalization for the title of your essay (e.g., "The History of Ancient Civilizations").
• Bibliography: At the end of your essay, include a separate page titled "Bibliography." List all sources alphabetically by the author's last name. Follow the specific Chicago citation style for different types of sources (books, articles, websites, etc.).

Sample Chicago Essay

Let’s check out a short essay format word sample in chicago style:

Formatting In-Text Citations: APA, MLA, and Chicago Styles

An in-text citation is a brief reference within the body of your essay or research paper that indicates the source of information you have incorporated into your writing.

Each of the formatting style have a unique way for adding in-text citations. Here's a table summarizing the in-text citation formats for the common styles:

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Essay Format PDF Examples

Here are some essay format sample pdf for students to download and get a better understanding.

Essay Format For IELTS

Essay Format For CSS

How to Determine What Format to Follow

Selecting the appropriate citation format for your academic writing is essential to ensure that your work meets the expected standards. To make an informed decision, consider the following factors:

Factor 1- Subject and Discipline

• APA Style: Primarily used in the social sciences, such as psychology, sociology, and education. It is also common in business and nursing disciplines.
• MLA Style: Commonly employed in humanities disciplines, including literature, languages, and cultural studies. It's widely used for papers related to literature and the arts.
• Chicago Style: Used in history, some social sciences, and certain humanities disciplines. Chicago offers both author-date and notes and bibliography styles, making it versatile for various subjects.

Factor 2- Professor's Instructions

Always adhere to your professor's specific instructions regarding citation style and writing convention . Professors may have preferences or requirements based on the nature of the course or assignment.

For instance, an English professor might prefer MLA for literary analysis essay , while a psychology professor may opt for APA to encourage familiarity with research norms. However, when formatting styles are not specified by the instructor, you can follow whatever is appropriate for your subject.

Factor 3- Institutional Guidelines

Your educational institution may have established guidelines or standards for citation formats. 

Check your institution's style guide or consult with academic advisors to ensure compliance with their specific requirements.

By considering the subject matter, your professor's preferences, and your institution's guidelines, you can confidently choose the appropriate citation style to enhance the clarity and professionalism of your academic writing.

To Sum it Up, Now that you've gained a solid understanding of the basics of three major formatting styles, you're well-prepared to tackle your essay formatting with confidence.

Whether you're crafting an essay, a research paper, or any academic document, these formatting principles will help you present your ideas professionally.

If you're ever in a time crunch or feeling overwhelmed, you can always reach out and say, ' do my essay for me .' Our expert writers are here to help you tackle your academic challenges in no time.

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Essay writing: Formatting

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Essays are formal documents and should look professional Advice from the Skills Team

Whilst there are no hard rules about how you format essays, there are some conventions and common practices that are best to follow. If you use the settings on this page, you will produce an acceptably formatted essay.

Document layout

Margins - between 2 cm and 2.54 cm (1 inch) all around.

Line spacing - either 1.5 or double-line spacing.

Paragraph spacing - either 1 clear line between or at least 8 pt space after each paragraph (more if double-line spaced)

Alignment - left aligned (fully justified with a straight right-edge is not recommended as this reduces readability and accessibility). Some longer essays may require subheadings which should also be left-aligned.

Indents - no indents on first lines of paragraphs are needed.

It is also good practice to put your student number and module number in the header of the document and a page number at the bottom of the page.

Text formatting

Font - the default font that comes with MS Word (currently Calibri) is fine for academic work. You may see persistent advice in handbooks that suggests you should use Times New Roman or Arial. If you prefer these, you can change it - but this is no longer a requirement.

Font size - fonts should be 11 or 12 point.

Font style - headings and subheadings, if they are required (most essays will not use them), are usually formatted in bold and should be at least 2 point sizes larger than the standard text. Underlining should be avoided as this is seen as rather dated. Some text can be formatted in italics - see our page  Italics, when to use them , for guidance.

Shorter quotations in the text do not need to be italicised and should have double-quotations marks "like this" to indicate they are direct quotations. Longer quotations (what counts as this differs depending on your referencing style) should be created in their own paragraph, single spaced and indented by 1cm from both left and right margins:

For example:

Graduate attributes for employability are described as:

a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy. (Yorke, 2006)

The main change in this definition compared to the earlier definition of graduate attributes from Bowden (2000) is that that the attributes are no longer ...

UoH Harvard/APA

Your reference list should be in alphabetical order (by author surname) and single line spaced. There should be a clear line space (or at least 6 pt space) between each reference. All references should be left-aligned with no indentation. For information about how to format individual references, see the Harvard Hull Referencing Guide.

UoH Footnotes

Your reference list should be in alphabetical order (by first author surname) and single line spaced.  All references should be left-aligned and have a hanging indent (all but the first line are indented by approx. 1cm). For information about how to format individual references, see the  Footnotes Hull Referencing Guide.

Other referencing styles

Please see your individual departmental guidance.

We provide here a Microsoft Word template that can be used for your essays. It has the correct layout and formatting, including useful styles.

• Essay template

Download this template to somewhere you can access easily. When you click to open it, it will open a new document based on the template , leaving the original intact.

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How To Write An Essay

Essay Format

Essay Format - An Easy Guide & Examples

11 min read

Published on: Nov 14, 2020

Last updated on: Nov 30, 2024

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Drafting a perfect college essay is very important for students' academics. And to write a perfect essay, its formatting is important.

An essay is a formal piece of writing. Any formal writing requires proper structure and formatting. You can not just jumble up information and expect your essay to be effective. Its clarity depends on the format you choose. 

This blog is written to give a better understanding of an essay format and the general guidelines of each type of format to present the gathered information in a disciplined way. 

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What is an Essay Format? 

An essay format is a way in which the information is organized for your essay. The format of an essay has a lot to do with the presentation of the text. If your essay is poorly structured or lacks a format, your readers will have difficulty understanding the main argument and the idea. 

Readers will never continue reading something that is confusing or gives the impression that a writer is sloppy. 

A standard format to write your essay or paper is the linear approach. In this, each idea is presented to make it easier for the readers to understand. If you know how to structure an essay, you are halfway through. 

Need help organizing your essay? Let us format it!

Types of Essay Formats 

There are 3 basic formatting styles or types in which all essays and papers are formatted. They are:

Whether you are writing a research paper or a general essay , you have to choose a format to draft it. Students are often assigned a format by their instructors, so they should read the guidelines carefully. 

How to Write an Essay in MLA Format? 

MLA format style is quite common in the humanities world. Papers and essays that are to be written in this format should fulfill the following requirements. 

• The font you are using should be Times New Roman in 12pt.
• Double spacing. 
• No extra space between the new paragraphs
• One inch margin on both sides of the paper
• Page number in the header.
• Essay title in the center of the page.
• Sources mentioned in “work cited” 

MLA vs. APA

Before we move to another common essay format APA, you should know that MLA and APA are different from each other.  

Look at the table below and know their differences and similarities. 

How to Write an Essay in APA Format? 

Unlike MLA format, the APA format is used for scientific papers and essays. Essays are written for behavioral or social sciences follow this format. Following are the guidelines for the American Psychological Association format:

• Font or Text in Times New Roman 12pt
• One inch margin (both sides)
• Double spacing in the text
• A short title on the upper left-hand corner in the header
• The page number on the right in the header
• A title page with the information, including the writer’s name, institution, instructor, and date.
• Reference page (for the citation)

APA Format Essay Example

Chicago Essay Format 

Chicago style essay format is a bit similar to the other format style guides. This format includes;

• Double spacing
• Margins (one inch both left margin and right margin)
• Times New Roman 12pt font size
• Page number in the header
• Footnotes on quoted and paraphrased passages 
• An alphabetical arrangement of citations on the bibliography page. 

Chicago Format Essay Example

Basic Parts of an Essay Format 

A typical and general format that an essay uses is simple. Every type of essay can be written in that format. Following are the parts that an essay format is based on:

In order to make sure that your academic essay is effective, each of the parts should be drafted professionally. 

Here is an essay structure! 

Continue reading to understand each part in detail. 

1. Cover Or Title Page   

The cover or title page is the first page on which the topic or title of the essay is presented. Along with this, the title page includes other information such as the name of the writer, instructor, institution, course, and the submission date.   2. An Abstract 

An abstract is a brief summary of your essay or research paper. It is usually a 300-word long paragraph and precisely presents the purpose of the essay, the main thesis statement, and the study’s design. 

3. Table Of Contents

When you are drafting a long essay or paper, a table of content is developed. In this table, headings and subheadings are presented along with their page numbers. The reader navigates your work using this table of content. 

4. Introduction 

An introduction is the first section of your essay. When writing a short essay of about 300 - 1000 words, a writer directly starts with an introduction after stating the essay topic. 

An introduction of an essay is as important as the body of it. The essay introduction discloses the main idea of the essay and attempts to motivate readers to read the essay. Apart from the presentation of the main idea, it also contains background information about the topic.

A writer then forms a thesis statement which is the main argument of an essay. A thesis statement is the essence of the essay, and all other information provided in the body of an essay justifies it and proves it.

5. Main Body 

The main body is the soul of an essay. Without it, the thesis statement will just be meaningless. The information you gather on the topic is presented in the body, which acts as evidence to prove the argument right or wrong depending on the writer. 

An essay format helps the body give a logical flow that walks the reader towards the end. The point to prove your argument is to persuade the reader that your thesis statement is right. Make sure you give a topic sentence to all your body paragraphs. 

6. Conclusion 

Then comes the conclusion part of the essay. This is the final verdict of an essay writer. In this, a writer avoids giving new ideas to the readers and tries to sum up the whole conversation. This is done by restating the thesis statement in different words and summarizing the key ideas. 

7. Appendix 

An appendix is formulated when a writer uses unusual terms, phrases, and words in the document. This is a list prepared to describe those unordinary words for the readers. 

8. Bibliography 

When gathering information for your essay or paper, a writer has to consult different sources. Therefore, when using such sources and information in your content, a bibliography is created to provide their references.

A bibliography is a reference list presented at the end of the essay where all the cited sources are given along with the details. 

Struggling with essay organization? Let us fix it!

Formatting an Essay 

Formatting an essay means working on the essay structure. When writing an academic essay, make sure that every part is drafted according to format. Your title page, in-text citation, essay outline, and reference list should be following the chosen format. 

To understand the formatting of the different parts better, continue reading. 

• Title Page Format 

According to the MLA style, the title page of an essay should be written in the following way:

• Writing the name of the writer, course, instructor, and date. 
• Double spacing between paragraphs
• Institute’s name in the top center of a page
• Title of your essay or paper
• Font Times New Roman (12pt)

If you are using an APA style formatting for your essay, make sure to format your title page in the following way: 

• Title written in all caps
• The margin on both sides (1 inch)
• 12pt font Times New Roman
• Name of writer and institute

A title page is the first thing that an instructor sees in your assignment. Therefore, it is very important to form it in a neat format. 

• First Page of an Essay 

Before you start writing your essay, format your first page. To do this, add a header in which you give your last name and the page number. Place the header on the right-hand corner of your page. 

Follow this for every page of your essay except the last page; the “work cited” page. 

On the left upper corner, write your name, instructor’s, course’s, and the date. Put the title in the center and use double-spacing throughout the essay. 

• Cite According to Essay Format 

When you are conducting research for your essay, you will come across a lot of text which will complement your essay topic. Without knowing the consequences, people take the text from the internet and add it to the essay. 

Citing the source properly is essential. If you do not cite the sources properly, you will be accused of plagiarism, a crime in the writing world. Therefore, even if you are using other’s words in the form of quotation marks or rephrasing it, it needs to be cited to avoid plagiarism.

Get to know which style of the in-text citations is recommended by your instructor and follow that. In APA format, the citation is done in the following way:

• Give the author’s name (last name), followed by the publication date and the paragraph number of the original work. 

The other way is to cite in MLA style:

• Give the author’s last name and the page number of the publication you are taking words from. 

Therefore, cite your sources according to the essay format and make your essay writing phase easy.   

• Format The Bibliography

The last page of your essay is the “works cited” page. This page is written in the way presented below:

• Sources are alphabetically arranged
• Double spacing is used on the entire page
• Hanging indention is also used. 

Essay Format Examples

There are several types of academic essays that students get assigned. No matter which type of essay you're writing, it must be properly formatted. Carefully examine the formats provided below for the different essay types:

Argumentative Essay Format

College Essay Format

Narrative Essay Format

Descriptive Essay Format

Scholarship Essay Format

Persuasive Essay Format

Essay Format for University

Expository Essay Format

Essay Format Template

Essay Format Outline

Writing a good essay includes the proper representation of the text. For this purpose, formatting is done. Unfortunately, when students rush to finish their assignments, they often end up with poorly formatted content. 

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Essay Format Made Simple: Academic Style Explained (With Examples)

Introduction

Writing a well-structured essay can be daunting, especially if you’re unsure about formatting requirements. Academic essay formats provide a standardized structure that ensures clarity, readability, and professionalism. From margins and spacing to citations and references, each element plays a role in enhancing the reader’s experience.

In this guide, we’ll simplify essay formatting, covering essential elements such as font size, headings, citations, and references. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to format your essays with ease.

Why Essay Format Matters

Proper essay formatting isn’t just about appearance. Here’s why it matters:

• Readability : Clear structure makes it easier for readers to follow your argument.
• Professionalism : Proper formatting demonstrates attention to detail.
• Compliance : Academic institutions have specific format guidelines that must be followed.
• Grading : Many professors assess formatting as part of the overall grade.

Key Elements of Academic Essay Formatting

1. margins and spacing.

• Margins : Use 1-inch margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).
• Line Spacing : Double-space the entire essay, including the reference page.
• Paragraph Indentation : Indent the first line of each paragraph by 0.5 inches.

  This is an example paragraph. Notice how the first line is indented, while the following lines are aligned to the left margin. Double-spacing is used throughout the entire document.

External Resource: Learn how to adjust margins and spacing in Microsoft Word’s guide or Google Docs’ formatting instructions .

2. Font and Font Size

• Font : Use clear, legible fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri.
• Font Size : Use 12-point font for body text. Titles and headings can be slightly larger (14 or 16 points).

Example: Your entire essay’s text should be in 12-point Times New Roman, with any subheadings in bold.

External Resource: Explore font best practices on Google Fonts .

3. Title Page

Some essays, especially those in APA format , require a title page. Here’s what to include:

• Title of the Essay : Centered and bolded, about one-third down the page.
• Your Name : Below the title.
• Course Name and Number : Listed under your name.
• Date : Submission date.

Example Title Page (APA Style):

                   The Impact of Climate Change on Urban Areas                    [Your Name]                    Environmental Studies 101                    [Date of Submission]

External Resource: Check Purdue OWL’s guide for detailed information on title pages.

4. Headings and Subheadings

Headings and subheadings help organize your essay, making it easier to read and understand.

• APA Style : Uses five levels of headings, with specific formatting for each.
• MLA Style : Usually does not use section headings, but subheadings are allowed in longer essays.

Example (APA Headings):

Level 1 Heading : Bold, Centered (e.g., "Introduction") Level 2 Heading : Bold, Left-aligned (e.g., "Methods") Level 3 Heading : Bold, Indented, Ends with a period (e.g., "Research Design.")

External Resource: Review detailed heading guidelines on APA’s official page .

5. In-text Citations and References

• APA Style : Uses (Author, Year) for in-text citations.
• MLA Style : Uses (Author Page) for in-text citations.
• Chicago Style : Uses footnotes or endnotes for citations.

Example (APA Style In-text Citation):

Research indicates that early childhood education improves cognitive outcomes (Smith, 2020).

• Reference List : List all sources alphabetically on a new page at the end of the essay.

External Resource: Use free tools like EasyBib or Cite This For Me to generate properly formatted citations.

6. Page Numbers and Running Headers

• Page Numbers : Placed in the upper-right corner on every page.
• Running Header : Required for APA format. It’s a short title placed in the upper-left corner of each page.

Example of a Running Header (APA Style):

Running head: CLIMATE CHANGE AND URBAN AREAS

External Resource: Check out Purdue OWL’s APA formatting guide for more on headers.

Common Essay Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Margins : Stick to the 1-inch margin rule.
• Inconsistent Font Sizes : Use 12-point font throughout.
• Incorrect Citation Style : Follow the citation style required by your institution.
• Missing Page Numbers : Ensure page numbers are present on every page.
• Lack of Indentation : Always indent the first line of every paragraph.

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PaperGen bridges the gap between traditional academic composition and modern technology, empowering learners to achieve academic excellence with less stress. By integrating this tool into your workflow, you can focus more on developing ideas and less on the mechanics of writing.

Mastering essay formatting is essential for creating polished, professional work. From margins and spacing to citations and headers , each element contributes to a well-organized, clear essay. Use this guide as a reference whenever you need help with formatting.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create essays that are not only visually appealing but also professional and academically sound. Happy writing!

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