There isn’t a universal rule, but a common guideline for short academic pieces (≈600–1,000 words) is five paragraphs: one introduction, three focused body paragraphs, and one conclusion. Longer or research-driven essays expand the body as needed—each major claim gets its own paragraph (or section) with evidence and transitions. Prioritize clarity of argument over hitting a specific number: outline your thesis, map 2–4 key points, then let paragraph count follow the logic.

219 upvotes

Posted on: July 10, 2025

✅ ✓ Best Rated Answer

Think of an essay like a train: the intro is the engine, each body paragraph is a carriage with its own cargo (one idea, well-secured with evidence), and the conclusion is the brake that slows everything to a clear stop. For shorter trips, three carriages do fine. If your journey’s longer, add more carriages—just don’t couple two ideas into one wobbly paragraph.

101 upvotes

Posted on: July 7, 2025

Short answer: five for basics. Longer brief? Add paragraphs for each argument. One point per paragraph, no fluff, clear transitions. If a paragraph can’t be titled in five words, split it.

88 upvotes

Posted on: June 29, 2025