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pm4553
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 08:18
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For a 600 word essay, how many para's would you recommend? Is there an ideal number or it's based on the university your applying?

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Pawan
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riverripper
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 08:31
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Paragraphs should just flow...there is no ideal number.
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sudden
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 08:34
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Probably 3-4. I wouldn't commit to that number until you have a draft, but if you have significantly more or less paragraphs you are probably doing something wrong. A one paragraph 600 word essay would be a nightmare to read, but they also do not want to see ten 60 word paragraphs.
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sam77sam7
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 09:16
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As River said, just so it flows. I tend to think once a paragraph gets over 6-8 sentences, it is getting a little cumbersome. That's just me though.

~Sam
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pm4553
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 09:19
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Yeah, I agree...shouldnt cram all the content in 1 para, 3-5 should be apt.

Thanks guys!
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Number of paragraph in essay 06 Aug 2008, 09:19
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I agree with the 6 - 8 sentences per paragraph. You only have 600 words to write your essay. If you're using more than 6-8 sentences, you're going into too much depth on one particular area and your essay may seem too heavily weighted on that paragraph's subject.

If you're not going into too much depth on one particular area of your essay and have more than 6-8 sentences, then you're probably talking about different subjects in the same paragraph and should separate them out for organizational and flow purposes.