how do u write time in an essay

Writing the Time: How to Write Time Correctly (Examples)

If you want to learn how to write time correctly, you've come to the right place. This article will teach you everything you know to use time correctly in your writing.

The time can be written in letters or numerals and follows various conventions. To learn more, read on.

This guide is part of our free online Grammar Book.

How to Write the Time in Numerals

Before you can learn how to write the time in your texts correctly, you need to know about the different ways of measuring time. There are two commonly used ones: the 12- hour and 24-hour formats. Let's review each one by one.

12-Hour System

The 12-hour system uses the numbers 1 to 12 to measure time and the abbreviations' am' and 'pm' to specify whether the time mentioned is in the morning or the afternoon. The hours from 1 to 12 before noon count as the morning, and the hours between 1 and 12 after noon count as... well, afternoon.

There are a few different ways to write the time using the 12-hour system. What they all have in common is that you begin by stating the number. You can then follow the number with the abbreviation 'am' or 'pm;' the phrase 'in the morning,' 'in the afternoon,' or 'at night,' or the word' o'clock.'

Here are some examples:

Let's have lunch at 11am. I need you in the office by 2 in the afternoon. In January it gets dark at 3pm.

In informal writing, it's okay to use just the number to mention the time ("Let's meet at 5.") as long as it's safe to assume the person will know whether you mean morning, afternoon, evening, or night .

• It's worth noting there are several different ways to write the abbreviations' am' and 'pm.' Some like to capitalize them; others keep them lowercase.
• Some use periods between the letters while others don't, and some leave a space after the number while others don't.

Here are some representations of the different ways this can look using the example time of 8 in the morning:

Some spellcheckers will even have you use a period after the first letter but not the second one. All these variations are correct, and which one you should use depends on the style guide you follow.

The main thing is to stay consistent.

24-Hour system

The 24- hour system uses—you guessed it—24 numbers to measure the time. The numbers 1 to 12 refer to the morning hours, while numbers 13 to 24 refer to the afternoon and evening hours. Due to the system's intricacy, you don't need to use phrases such as 'in the morning,' nor must you use 'am' or 'pm.'

They're expected to land at 13:45.  The screening begins at 20:00 but there'll be some trailers before that. I heard the meeting started at 8:00.

Notice I've used a colon between the hours and the minutes in the examples above. You can also use a period .

Top Tip! The military system also uses the 24-hour system but without the colon/period, followed by the word "hours." For example: Take off at 300 hours.

How to Write the Time in Letters

There are times you might want to write the time in letters. Like when? Well, like with all things, it's primarily up to you. Just make sure to remain consistent, whatever you choose to do.

Nonetheless, here are some guidelines you might decide to follow:

• Write the time in letters only when it won't burden the page. For instance, '7:25' is better than 'twenty-five past seven.' 'Eight' and '8:00' are equivalent.
• Never write 24-hour format time in letters.
• Use the words' noon' and 'midnight' over the numerals' 12 pm,' '12am,' '12:00,' or '24:00.' It's just more straightforward.
• With o'clock, you can use either numerals or words.
• When the time you're writing isn't on the hour, remember to use words such as 'past,' 'after,' 'til,' and 'to.'

Here are some examples to illustrate some of these guidelines:

My son's so lazy; he never gets up before noon. What do you think of meeting at five o'clock for cocktails? It's already half past one!

Concluding Thoughts

That concludes this article on how to write time correctly. I hope you found it helpful.

Let's summarize what we've learned:

• The time can be written in a 12-hour or 24-hour format.
• When writing the time in numerals, use words like 'am,' 'pm,' and the phrases 'in the morning,' 'in the afternoon,' or 'at night.' 
• 'O'clock' can be used with numerals or letters.
• You can choose to write the time in numerals or letters; just stay consistent.

If you found this article helpful, check out our Grammar Book . It's an online database of articles that break down complex grammar topics into easy-to-understand guides. You'll love it!

Learn More:

• How to Write Height Correctly - Writing Feet and Inches
• How to Write a List Correctly: Colons, Commas, and Semicolons
• Apostrophes: When to Use Apostrophes in Writing (Examples)
• Ellipses: When to Use Ellipses in Writing (Examples)
• Italics and Underlining: When to Use Italics and Underlining in Writing (Examples)
• ‘Restaurateur’ or ‘Restauranteur’: How to Spell It Correctly 
• ‘Goodmorning’ or ‘Good Morning’: How to Spell ‘Good Morning’ Correctly
• ‘Holliday’ or ‘Holiday’: How to Spell ‘Holiday’ Correctly
• ‘Colum’ or ‘Column’: How to Spell ‘Column’ Correctly
• ‘Absence’ or ‘Absense’: How to Spell ‘Absence’ Correctly
• ‘Eachother’ or ‘Each Other’: How to Spell ‘Each Other’ Correctly
• ‘Ninty’ or ‘Ninety’: How to Spell the Number ‘90’ Correctly
• ‘Nieve’ or ‘Naive’: How to Spell It Correctly
• ‘Wheelbarrel’ or ‘Wheelbarrow’: How to Spell It Correctly
• ‘Aswell’ or ‘As Well’: How to Spell it Correctly

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• Frequently Asked

How to Write Time – A.M., P.M., a.m., p.m.

Table of Contents

Let’s discuss the proper way to write time, whether standard, military time or the 24-hour clock. To start, let’s discuss standard 12-hour clock that uses a.m. and p.m. Two commonly seen formats are  4pm  and  4:00pm.  Which is correct?  The answer is: neither!

Both renderings are incorrect. You need to insert periods and a space before the abbreviation , like this:

4 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.

In email, many people seem to be dropping both the periods and the space, but don’t follow the crowd. The prominent style guides do not support that choice. Here is a sampling of recommendations:

The Associated Press Stylebook : 4 p.m.

Microsoft Manual of Style : 4 P.M. (However, Microsoft prefers 24-hour time notations, in which 4 P.M. is 16:00.)

The Chicago Manual of Style  4 p.m. (recommended) Also 4 PM or 4 P.M. (with PM in small capitals)

Garner’s Modern English Usage : 4 p.m. or 4 PM (with PM in small capitals)

The Gregg Reference Manual : 4 p.m. or 4 P.M. (with PM in small capitals)

Whatever style you choose, be consistent. The author’s preference is to always use lowercase letters: 4 p.m.

Omit zeros when the time is on the hour (unless you want to emphasize the time precisely), but include them in a list of varying times like this one:

• 7:00 a.m. Registration
• 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
• 8:00 a.m. Announcements
• 8:15 a.m. Speaker

To make sure you are never doubtful about how to write time, date or any other formatting question, we recommend investing in a style manual.

What do a.m. and p.m. stand for?

While we are on the topic, what do these abbreviations stand for? 

What is Military Time? How Does it Work?

Now let’s discuss how to write military time. Military time is a variation of the 24-hour clock and is a way to talk about time using 24 hours instead of 12 hours. When using the 24-hour clock time, the day begins at 0 hours and ends in 24 hours. 

24-hour clock is widely used across the globe, except in a few countries (notably the United States), which include:

• the Philippines

In the United States, and the countries listed above, we use a 12-hour clock, which splits into two blocks of time: 

• First block: midnight (12:00 a.m.) to noon (12:00 p.m.)
• Second block: noon (12:00 p.m.) to midnight (12:00 a.m.)

24-hour clock time is displayed in four digits, just like a 12-hour digital clock. The first two digits represent the hour, while the last two digits represent the minutes. 

00:00 is pronounced “zero-hundred” and represents midnight, while 1200 is pronounced “twelve-hundred” and represents noon. 

Anything between 00:01 and 11:59 is “a.m.” 

Anything between 12:01 and 23:59 is “p.m.” 

• For example, 0200 (pronounced” zero, two-hundred”) converts into 2 a.m., while 1600 (pronounced “sixteen-hundred”) converts into 4 p.m.

Military time vs. 24-hour clock

There is a slight difference between military time and the 24-hour clock: Military time does not use a separator between the hour (the first two digits) and the minutes (the last two digits).

• Military: 2200
• 24-hour clock: 22:00

Military time pronounces the leading zeros (e.g., 0300 is pronounced “zero three hundred.”)

In military time, the word “thousands” is not used. 1000 can not be pronounced “one thousand.” Instead, it is pronounced one of the following ways:

• “Ten hundred”
• “Ten zero zero”
• “One zero zero”

Who uses the 24-hour clock format?

In the United States, the 24-hour clock is used in various specialist areas, such as:

• Emergency services
• Meteorology

Military time to regular time chart

Military Time- Standard Time

• 0100 – 1:00 AM
• 0200 – 2:00 AM
• 0300 – 3:00 AM
• 0400 – 4:00 AM
• 0500 – 5:00 AM
• 0600 – 6:00 AM
• 0700 – 7:00 AM
• 0800 – 8:00 AM
• 0900 – 9:00 AM
• 1000 – 10:00 AM
• 1100 – 11:00 AM
• 1200 – 12:00 PM || NOON
• 1300 – 1:00 PM
• 1400 – 2:00 PM
• 1500 – 3:00 PM
• 1600 – 4:00 PM
• 1700 – 5:00 PM
• 1800 – 6:00 PM
• 1900 – 7:00 PM
• 2000 – 8:00 PM
• 2100 – 9:00 PM
• 2200 – 10:00 PM
• 2300 – 11:00 PM
• 2400 or 0000 – 12:00 AM || MIDNIGHT

Further reading: Commas in Dates: Writing a Date Correctly , It’s About Time: Clock Time

Great, never thought about it before. Thank you!

I prefer use the 24 hr clock for schedulling, it´s a good option and it´s easier avoid misunderstadings for the people whom just pass a eye in the schedule.

Why dou you think Lynn?

Kind Regards Conrado

I think the 24-hour clock is an excellent idea. I find, though, that many people in the United States prefer a.m. and p.m., particularly if their business does not run 24 hours a day.

My style manual is the American Medical Association’s Manual of Style, which avoids using punctuation in abbreviations (up to and including MD, eg, and ie). It’s one of the hardest things for people to get used to when they start writing at my company. The other hard thing for people to remember is not spelling out numbers unless they start a sentence — even numbers under 10! You can see a brief overview of AMA style here: http://www.docstyles.com/archive/amastat.pdf

Lisa, thanks so much for sharing the information and a resource. It is helpful to know about the differences.

I can understand how new employees struggle with the punctuation and number rules. I am glad you have a style sheet to support the new writers–and the rules.

What about a period of time? If a function runs from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Or is it 5 – 7 p.m.?

Actually, in a business context, it is best to ALWAYS use zeros (4:00). Though this rule can “bend” for native speakers, if you are working with internationals, it’s better to have a consistent rule that is applied at all times.

Also, when using the 24-hour clock (a norm for those outside North America), you should use a leading zero to avoid confusion (04:00 rather than 4:00).

Finally, it’s important to avoid being draconian when writing emails. A new register has actually been created for emails: neutral. So there is formal for letters and legal/offical matters, informal for person correspondence and neutral for business email correspondence.

What about if the 4 P.M. is at the end of the sentence? Do you need to put another period?

Sue, one mention of “p.m.” is sufficient when your meaning is obvious.

John, thank you for mentioning international audiences and their needs.

Dyhlon, you need only one period at the end of the sentence. Two periods would be incorrect.

I also write AM and PM without the periods or the spaces. I always thought that writing A.M. or a.m. or P.M. or p.m. was not the correct way of writing that. I guess I am an old stick in the mud, and since I hate change, or newer ways of doing things, I am going to stick with writing AM and PM. It might be wrong, or grammatically incorrect, but it is what I am used to.

Christine, you are not an old stick-in-the-mud. You are on the cutting edge! Only some style manuals have begun to leave out the periods in question. My “Handbook of Business English,” first published in 1914, includes them.

You didn’t know how modern you are.

Is it proper to write: At 4p.m. this afternoon we will be meeting. . . Is it improper to add the word ‘afternoon’ if you have stated that the time is 4 p.m.?

Hi, Ben. It is redundant to write “4 p.m. in the afternoon.” However, “4 p.m. this afternoon” does clarify which afternoon (for example, not tomorrow afternoon).

A better choice is “4 p.m. today.”

Any answer to: “What about a period of time? If a function runs from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. Or is it 5 – 7 p.m.?”

Hi, Mister Nice Guy. I belatedly answered Sue’s question on May 1, 2010:

One mention of “p.m.” is sufficient when your meaning is obvious.

What is the correct way to write 12 midnight or 12 noon

Is the 12 noon, 12:00p.m. or 12:00 a.m.?

Sally, many reference books recommmend simply “midnight” or “noon.” However, if you are entering that time with a list of other times, use “12 midnight” or “12 noon.” Using the number alone with a.m. or p.m. can be confusing in some contexts, so avoid that approach.

I’ve been searching online for the proper way to list an event day, date and time and came across this blog post. Perhaps you can help? Is the following the correct way:

XYZ panel takes place on Tuesday, September 13, at 11:00 a.m.

Thanks in advance for any clarification!

Hi, Mircalla. Your sentence looks fine. You would also be correct to write “11 a.m.” (without the zeros), especially if you have no other times to list.

Did you notice the time stamps here – capital letters, no punctuation. Now what?

Hi, John. Interesting question! It appears that TypePad, the host for this blog, follows the style of “The Chicago Manual of Style” and “Garner’s Modern American Usage” (see above), more or less.

Dear Lynn, How would I write a time when asking a question?

Example: Are you available at 4p.m.?

Would I have the periods between the “p” and the “m” and then put the question mark?

Your example is almost correct. You need a space between the 4 and the p, like this:

Are you available at 4 p.m.?

How would time zone abbreviations fit into this equation?

Hi, Todd. Search for my post “It’s About Time: Clock Time” in the search box at upper right.

May I say 12:30 noon

Hi, Nina. No, “12:30 noon” is never correct. Noon can only be 12 o’clock–not 12:30.

How do you handle time zones? i.e. 4:00 p.m. CT

Hi, Steve. I prefer to spell out time zones so readers will recognize them. Read more here: http://businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2006/05/its_about_time_.html

I question the requirement of spaces before the am/pm, for modern practicality uses. Not everyone knows how to use non-breaking spaces, and if that isn’t used, then, particularly on websites and in Email where one cannot guarantee the same fonts, browser width (especially relevnt for fluid layouts, which are coming back into style due to smartphones), etc., the possibility exists of word-wrap causing the time to appear at the end of a line, and the am/pm at the beginning of the next line, like so:

“The fun starts at 7 p.m. and lasts until midnight!”

This cannot happen if you use, for instance, “7pm”.

Of course, the best solution is to just learn to use non-breaking spaces as needed.

Joel, you make an excellent point. I will be interested to see if the writing style guides catch up with your idea.

Thanks for taking the time to share your view.

a.m. and p.m. creates doubt in some contries. i suggest it will be better to use 24 hours clock time.so no doubt is there isn`t it?

Hello, Arvind. I agree that companies who write to people around the globe should consider using the 24-hour clock.

Thanks for commenting.

If you are writing the time range 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., do you have to include the a.m., or is it okay to write 11:00-1:00 p.m.?

Hello, Patty. It is not acceptable to use p.m. without a.m., as your example does. It would be too confusing for readers.

I can’t find much support for my way of thinking, but using lowercase letters and periods just looks “old school” to me. I’ve worked as a tech writer for more than 30 years (much of it in IT), and it just looks cleaner to omit the periods.

“The upgrade is scheduled for 7:00 am tomorrow.”

“The upgrade is scheduled for 7:00 pm tomorrow.”

I agree that when used in a sentence, the morning designation without periods COULD be read as the word “am,” and yet I don’t worry about this since the context is clear.

That’s my opinion, and I’m stickin’ to it! 🙂

Hi, Kathy. You are correct that reference manuals don’t agree with you, not even “Microsoft Manual of Style,” which was published this year.

I felt the same way about the word “gray.” I wanted to spell it “grey,” the British way, because it looked right to me. But living and working in the US, I decided to give up my preference and use “gray.”

Good luck with your choice.

You would think finding this information would be relatively simple, straight-forward and easy, given the amount of technology at our fingertips. However, I’ve been searching for nearly 15 minutes on this, which is really too much time, and I’m still frustrated. I have the St. Martin’s Guide to Library and Research Documenting, which lists AMA, APA, CBE, and Note-and-Bibliography styles for just about everything, but it also lists abbreviations for time, acronyms, geographical names, and a few other things that are shared amongst all styles. The proper format for time is lower case with periods. It also explains that a.m. is ante meridiem, “before noon” and p.m. is post meridiem, “after noon”. This makes sense as to why the periods are necessary, though I don’t know how consistent it is across all Latin translations like that. For example, “for example” (<--haha!) we use "e.g.", but for "and others" we use "et al." and not "et. al." Anyway, I'm going to go with lower case and periods even though it's a pain. And as for gray/grey- I realize that after I read that, I actually search it every time I write it because I'm never sure. I'm not even sure if I search grey or gray, but since both ways are correct, whichever one I search comes up so I use it and assume it's right. That is probably the reason I never know which is right because they are both right! (I have no idea if that last part made sense or not.) 🙂

Hello, AC. Life is full of complexity, isn’t it?

I am happy to tell you that the “et” in “et al.” has no period because it is not an abbreviation. The phrase when spelled out is “et alia.”

Regarding “grey” and “gray,” “gray” is preferred in the United States. I am not certain which is preferred in other countries.

Thank you for stopping by.

What is the correct order/style when you write a sentence which contains following parts: time, day, month, year, day of the week? What is the correct order of those parts? Thanks!

Zky, here is an example to answer your question:

I will see you on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at 11 a.m.

I will see you at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 28, 2012.

You do not need to include the year if it is obvious and you are not writing a legal document. In both examples above, you would simply delete the year.

Thank you for this great post! My only question is how do I use proper punctuation with the examples shown. If a sentence ends with the time, do I need to insert a period after the “p.m.”?

For example: I have to meet Cathy at 2 p.m.

I assume in this sentence, I would not insert a period after the time because that would look silly (2 p.m..).

However, if I write this same sentence as a question, I would obviously insert a question mark.

Do I have to meet Cathy at 2 p.m.?

Could you please clarify the rule on punctuation when the time is written at the end of a sentence?

Hi, Jared. Both of your examples are correct. The period is not doubled in a declarative sentence, but the period does appear before a question mark.

What is correct? 4:00 p.m. 4:00 PM 4:00p.m. 4:00PM

Marfaret, according to the reference guides I cited above, only 4:00 p.m. is correct.

The first comment to this post, posted on June 06, 2009 at 04:47 AM, and the most recent, December 30, 2012 at 09:46 AM.

Ironically, for over three years the time format for this blog has been: Month Day, Year at 00:00 AM or Month Day, Year at 00:00 PM.

It seems the only .s being used these days are at the end of sentences. My child, at times, avoids them there as well. 🙂 or 🙁

Hi, Randy. Woe is us! (Woe is WE?)

When I get frustrated over a lack of punctuation, I try to remember that I can control only my own behavior, not that of others.

Good luck with your child!

How do you explain 24 hour time?

Hi, Tom. Using a 24-hour clock makes A.M. and P.M. irrelevant.

When you said “explain 24-hour time,” did you have a specific question?

When I proofread printed material at my office, I always make the times conform to the format you have suggested (4:00 a.m.). Recent college graduates I work with accuse me of being from another planet for my preference. Since part of our operation is an AM radio station, I get some mileage out of the need to make 11:20 a.m. look different from 1120 AM. Now, don’t get me started on using periods, instead of hyphens and parenthesis, in phone numbers (like 800.555.1234).

Hi, David. Your reason for using small letters and periods makes perfect sense. I would hope the recent college graduates would understand it.

I take it you hate the periods in phone numbers. I myself prefer hyphens, but that’s another blog post, specifically “How to Format Phone Numbers.” You can find it here: http://businesswritingblog.com/business_writing/2007/01/how_to_format_p.html

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• Abbreviations

How to Use AM and PM

Follow these generally accepted guidelines to use a.m. and p.m. (or AM and PM ) correctly in formal writing:

• Use the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. to indicate exact time.
• Use a.m. to refer to a time of day before noon, and p.m. to speak of a time between noon and midnight.
• Use numerals or figures instead of words to denote time with a.m. and p.m. ( eleven / 8 a.m. ) in formal texts.
• Although both hours and minutes are often presented in formal or official documents, specifying the minutes is optional for whole hours ( 8 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. ).
• In running text, a.m. and p.m. are usually lowercased with periods after the letters of the abbreviations; however, they may also be capitalized ( 8:01 a.m. or 8:01 AM ).
• Avoid using expressions of time like “in the morning” and “at night” with a.m. and p.m. ( 8 a.m. in the morning ).
• Use the words noon and midnight instead of 12 p.m. or 12 a.m.

What do a.m. and p.m. mean?

The abbreviation a.m. , which comes from the Latin ante meridiem ( before midday ), designates the first 12-hour period of the day. The second half of the day takes the abbreviation p.m. , from post meridiem ( after midday ).

• Tumkin wakes up at 6 a.m. everyday. in the morning (before noon)
• The staff break for lunch at 1:15 p.m. in the afternoon (after midday)

When to use and how to write a.m. and p.m. is a matter of style rather than grammar . Discussed here are commonly accepted guidelines.

When to use

Use the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. to emphasize exact time . Specifying the exact time is preferred in formal contexts, such as in official communication.

• Please be present at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
• All goods must leave the warehouse by 2 p.m.
• The deadline to submit the application has been extended to 4:45 p.m.
• The doctor is available from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

When the exact time is not important, and in informal contexts, such as in everyday speech, the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. are often omitted. In particular, when it is clear which half of the day is being referred to, using these abbreviations may sound unnecessarily formal. Speakers then use phrases like o’clock , half past , and a quarter past , or simply the numbers for time.

• It’s eleven o’clock , and I still haven’t finished my report. Presumably, the listener knows whether the speaker is referring to eleven in the morning or the evening.
• I’ll be done by half past ten .
• We break for lunch at a quarter past one .
• I’ll be there by 2:30 .
• They work from nine to six every day.

Numerals or words?

With the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. , always use numerals or figures instead of words to denote time in formal writing.

• The bell rang at 1 p.m.
• The conference began at 11:30 a.m.
• We have a meeting at 4 p.m. today.
• Please submit your applications by 10 a.m. on Monday.

To show approximate rather than exact time, you may omit a.m. or p.m. , and use words instead of numerals.

• We worked from one to three thirty in the afternoon.

In informal and creative writing, words are often used instead of numerals to show the time.

• Informal: It was just three p.m. but dark outside. Formal: Submit your reports by 3 p.m.
• Informal: We left the coroner’s office at nine PM . Formal: The coroner’s report arrived at 9 PM .

Hours and minutes

In a time reference using a.m. or p.m. , always indicate the hour. Showing minutes is optional. Where exact time is important, such as in official, academic, and technical writing, prefer to show both hours and minutes.

• Class starts at 10 a.m. / 10:00 a.m.
• Class is from 10 to 11 a.m. / 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
• Anita works from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. / 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you show minutes for one time reference, show them for all references in that context.

• Poor: Class is from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Better: Class is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Poor: I’m busy from 2 to 4:00 p.m. today. Better: I’m busy from 2 to 4 p.m. today.

Use of periods and capitals

In general, use lowercase letters with periods after the letters of the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. , particularly in running text. These abbreviations are sometimes capitalized —for example, in signs and notices. The periods are then omitted.

• Our ship sails at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday.
• The local coffee shop is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
• Open: 7 AM to 9 PM sign outside a coffee shop

Most style manuals , like the Chicago Manual of Style , the AP Stylebook , and the APA Publication Manual , recommend using lowercase letters for a.m. and p.m. , with periods between the letters of these abbreviations.

If a.m. or p.m. appears at the end of a sentence, don’t use two consecutive periods . Use the same period to mark both the abbreviation and the end of the sentence.

• Incorrect: All the clocks stopped at 12:33 a.m.. Correct: All the clocks stopped at 12:33 a.m.

If you do capitalize these abbreviations in running text, prefer to use small capital letters (small caps).

• Our space shuttle leaves at 3:15 PM on Thursday.
• My phone is switched off from 6 PM Friday to 8 AM Monday.

In British usage , periods are sometimes omitted in lowercase abbreviations: Colin drinks tea at 4 pm every day.

Space before AM and PM

Always insert a space after the numerals used to denote the time, regardless of whether you lowercase or capitalize the abbreviations a.m. and p.m.

• From 2 to 3 a.m. every day, Poco practices playing the guitar.
• The Durandians landed in Farley’s garden at 8:33 a.m. last Monday.
• Let’s meet at 9:30 AM on Monday.
• Matinee: 12:30 PM

Noon and midnight

Noon is neither a.m. nor p.m. , since “a.m.” refers to times before noon and “p.m.” to those after. Simply use the words noon and midnight instead of 12 a.m. or 12 p.m. Not only is this correct, it is also less confusing.

• Incorrect: It started raining at 12 p.m. Correct: It started raining at noon .
• Incorrect: All the alarms went off together at 12 a.m. Correct: All the alarms went off together at midnight .

Placing the numeral 12 before noon or midnight is redundant (the time is always 12 on the clock at noon and midnight). Although such usage is common in speech, avoid it in writing.

• It was 12 midnight , but our work wasn’t over yet.
• Measure the length of the shadow at 12 noon .

Expressions of time

Since a.m. and p.m. clearly indicate which part of the day is being referred to, expressions of time like in the morning , this afternoon , and tonight are unnecessary with these time abbreviations. Although such expressions are common in speech, avoid using them with a.m. / p.m. in formal writing.

• Poor: Tumkin’s flight is at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon . Better: Tumkin’s flight is at 2 p.m. on Sunday .

Consistency in usage

While writing time of day, don’t mix styles within a single context. Stay consistent in usage with relation to a.m. / p.m. , numerals, and hours and minutes.

• Poor: The bus leaves Butterworth at 9:30 a.m. and reaches Melaka at 4 o’clock . Better: The bus leaves Butterworth at 9:30 a.m. and reaches Melaka at 4:00 p.m. Better: The bus leaves Butterworth at half past nine in the morning and reaches Melaka at four in the afternoon .
• Poor: Farley slept at 1:00 a.m. and woke up at six . Better: Farley slept at 1 a.m. and woke up at 6 a.m. Better: Farley slept at 1:00 a.m. and woke up at 6:00 a.m. Better: Farley slept at one and woke up at six .

Considerations of formality

In formal texts , prefer to use a.m. and p.m. with numerals for time. In informal usage, such as in speech and creative writing, using words can sound more natural.

• Formal: The first shift is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Informal: I work from nine to five on weekdays.
• Formal: Departure is at 11:25 a.m. Informal: We leave at eleven twenty-five .
• Formal: The meeting starts at 10:30 a.m. Informal: Is it half past ten already?

In scientific writing, the 24-hour system of time is often used instead of the 12-hour system. On the 24-hour clock, the day is represented by a single 24-hour period instead of two 12-hour periods: 6 a.m. is 06:00, and 6 p.m. is 18:00.

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Use a.m. and p.m. to express and emphasize exact time.

With a.m. and p.m. , use numerals instead of words in formal texts.

Place a period after the letters of the lowercase abbreviations a.m. and p.m.

Expressions of time like in the morning are redundant with a.m. and p.m.

Noon is neither a.m. nor p.m. Simply use the words noon or midnight to refer to 12 on the clock.

Use a consistent style, either words or numerals, to refer to time. In formal and official writing, numerals with a.m. and p.m. are preferred.

Writing Style Guide

A variety of different styles may be acceptable for formal invitations. The following style should be used in text for print and electronic communications. Use numbers for times, except for noon and midnight, use a colon to separate hours and minutes and do not use ciphers (double zeros) with whole hours.

• The meeting will be held from 8 to 11:45 a.m.
• Sessions begin at noon, 2:30 and 4 p.m.
• The workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lowercase a.m. and p.m. and always use periods.
• Lowercase noon and midnight.
• Do not use 12 noon or 12 midnight (redundant). Use noon or midnight.
• Do not use 12 p.m. or 12 a.m. Use noon or midnight.
• Do not use 8 a.m. in the morning (redundant) Use 8 a.m.
• Do not use o’clock with a.m. or p.m.

Do not use dashes

Do not use dashes in place of "to" or "through" or "and" or "until" with times of day or days of the week.

• Use : The meetings are 8 to 11 a.m., Monday through Thursday.
• Not : The meetings are 8-11 a.m., Monday-Thursday.

An n-dash may be used with dates (e.g., July 18–21), and should always be used with dates when both days of the week and dates are included .

• Example : The play runs Monday through Thursday, July 18–21.

When listing a beginning and ending time separated only by the word "to," or when listing a series of times when all times listed are a.m. or p.m., use a.m. or p.m. only once, following the final time listed.

Use : The meeting will be held from 8 to 11 a.m. Not : The meeting will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Use : Sessions begin at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Not : Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

References to midnight can cause confusion. Is midnight Friday at the beginning or at the end of Friday? That’s why insurance policies usually take effect at 12:01 a.m. and why airline schedules list flights at 11:59 p.m. or 12:01 a.m. and not midnight.

In many references, midnight is perfectly acceptable. In the sentence, "The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday," the meaning is clear.

9 Tips to Ace That Timed Essay

Exams are almost upon us, and a familiar sense of foreboding has settled over the campus. One exam element that can be particularly intimidating for some students is the timed essay: an exam question which demands a full essay on a topic that is typically revealed for the first time during the test. While these kinds of questions may seem scary, there are plenty of ways to make them easy for yourself. Read on for tips about how to prepare in advance of the exam and how to approach timed essays before, during, and after the writing process.

While Preparing for the Exam: Become familiar with the course content. If the professor hasn’t told you in advance what a timed essay prompt will be, it can be intimidating to think that you will have to write about a subject you’ve never seen before. However, this thinking process does not reflect the reality of the situation. In fact, even if your teacher hasn’t given you any hints about the essay question, you do know what it will be about: the concepts and ideas you’ve discussed in the course. Therefore, if you take the time to review your notes and ensure you understand everything that was discussed, it should be difficult for the essay question to catch you off guard. As soon as you read the question, relevant course concepts will start popping into your head, and you’ll just have to organize them into a coherent essay. Start planning if you can. Although the situation described above sometimes occurs, it’s also very common for professors to give their students a fairly detailed idea of what an essay question will involve in advance of the test day. (After all, professors want to mark high-quality essays written by well-prepared students!) This heads-up gives you a great chance to prepare for the exam. If you have the time, consider mapping out a possible essay in point form before the day of the exam arrives. Consider practicing writing under time pressure. You’ve probably written dozens of essays before--the only thing that sets a timed essay apart is that it’s timed. Students often struggle to complete the full essay within the time constraints, particularly if they have to write longhand when they’re accustomed to working on the computer. For this reason, it can be helpful to simulate the conditions of a timed exam before the actual day: pick a practice question, find some lined paper, set a stopwatch, and see how you do! Before You Start Writing: Read the question carefully. The most critical part of the essay-writing process actually happens before you write your first word. When you flip to the essay question, make sure you read it as carefully as you can, noting the difference between words such as ‘contrast’ and ‘analyze’ and highlighting any details which the professor specifically instructs you to include. It’s not uncommon for excellent essays to receive low marks because the student answered a question other than the one that was asked. Make a clear and specific plan. Some students react to the time pressure of essay exams by scribbling down their introduction as soon as they’ve read the question and figuring out their points as they go. While it might seem counter-intuitive, taking five or ten minutes before you start writing in order to draw up a plan will be an enormous time saver. Decide on your thesis, the topic of each paragraph, and the arguments which you intend to cover, then jot down some quick point-form notes. This process won’t take long, and, once you complete it, all that’s left will be to expand those notes into a well-organized essay. Without a clear plan, you run the risk of realizing partway through that you’ve drifted off topic or written yourself into a corner, and fixing these mistakes will consume a ton of extra time. Schedule a set time for each paragraph. On the topic of planning, it’s important to sketch out an idea of how long you want to spend on each section of your essay. (If you know the number of paragraphs you’ll need to write ahead of time, you can do this before the exam even starts!) Take note of the amount of time allotted for the exam and split it into reasonably-sized segments, leaving some time at the end for revision if possible. Without a schedule to follow, it’s easy to become too focused on a single paragraph and run out of time to finish the essay. While You’re Writing: Write clearly and double-space. This tip may seem basic, but it’s easy to forget and it can make a big difference. Both these measures won’t just make it easier for the marker to read your paper; they'll also help you write it. If you have time left at the end of the exam for review, having the ability to skim quickly through your work and write revisions in blank spaces will be incredibly helpful.

Keep yourself on schedule.  Remember the paragraph-based schedule we discussed above? It’ll be useless if you don’t do regular check-ins during the exam. Keep an eye on the clock to ensure you’re always on track. If you realize that you’re falling dangerously behind schedule, it might be necessary to cut some arguments or examples you planned to include. Although making these omissions can be painful, it’s better to leave out a few points from one section than to leave out an entire paragraph because you ran out of time. Don’t worry too much about editing and revision before you finish. When composing essays, many students stop and read over each paragraph once they finish it, making sure that it’s well-written and free of errors before advancing to the next one. This approach is entirely logical when there’s no time pressure involved, but it can actually work against you during an exam. Perfecting paragraphs is a time-consuming process, and, if you spend too much time editing before the essay is finished, you might have to rush through the last few sections or leave them out entirely. For this reason, it’s best to focus on producing a complete first draft before you worry about edits and revisions.

After You’ve Finished Writing: Re-read the question and ensure you’ve addressed all parts. The most important part of writing an essay exam is ensuring that you’re answering the question was posed. Even if you made sure you were interpreting everything correctly before you began, you may have forgotten to address a subquestion or integrate an example as you were writing. Before you submit, read the prompt again and make sure your completed essay matches up! Edit if you have time. If you have enough time left over, read your essay again and make corrections. When you’re working under time pressure, it’s easy to make grammar mistakes or produce hard-to-follow sentences; the final few minutes are your chance to clean up those errors. Unless if you finished way ahead of schedule, don’t worry about major revisions like reorganizing the structure of the essay--it’s better to hand in an essay with an imperfect structure than a paper that’s impossible to follow because you had to stop halfway through the revision process.

Remember to have the right perspective. Once you hand your exam to the professor, relax! It’s easy to work yourself up after an essay exam when you didn’t get the chance to read your work over or you feel like your arguments were weak. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your professor understands the circumstances under which the essay was written. They’re fully aware of the time pressure you were dealing with, and they will judge your work far differently than they would judge a typical essay with a deadline set weeks after the assignment date. If you did your best to write a complete, clear, and insightful essay within the time allotted, you should have nothing to worry about. Best of luck during the upcoming exam season!

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How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks

Updated: July 11, 2022

Published: June 22, 2021

Many students dread writing essays, but essay writing is an important skill to develop in high school, university, and even into your future career. By learning how to write an essay properly, the process can become more enjoyable and you’ll find you’re better able to organize and articulate your thoughts.

When writing an essay, it’s common to follow a specific pattern, no matter what the topic is. Once you’ve used the pattern a few times and you know how to structure an essay, it will become a lot more simple to apply your knowledge to every essay. 

No matter which major you choose, you should know how to craft a good essay. Here, we’ll cover the basics of essay writing, along with some helpful tips to make the writing process go smoothly.

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Types of Essays

Think of an essay as a discussion. There are many types of discussions you can have with someone else. You can be describing a story that happened to you, you might explain to them how to do something, or you might even argue about a certain topic. 

When it comes to different types of essays, it follows a similar pattern. Like a friendly discussion, each type of essay will come with its own set of expectations or goals. 

For example, when arguing with a friend, your goal is to convince them that you’re right. The same goes for an argumentative essay. 

Here are a few of the main essay types you can expect to come across during your time in school:

Narrative Essay

This type of essay is almost like telling a story, not in the traditional sense with dialogue and characters, but as if you’re writing out an event or series of events to relay information to the reader.

Persuasive Essay

Here, your goal is to persuade the reader about your views on a specific topic.

Descriptive Essay

This is the kind of essay where you go into a lot more specific details describing a topic such as a place or an event. 

Argumentative Essay

In this essay, you’re choosing a stance on a topic, usually controversial, and your goal is to present evidence that proves your point is correct.

Expository Essay

Your purpose with this type of essay is to tell the reader how to complete a specific process, often including a step-by-step guide or something similar.

Compare and Contrast Essay

You might have done this in school with two different books or characters, but the ultimate goal is to draw similarities and differences between any two given subjects.

The Main Stages of Essay Writing

When it comes to writing an essay, many students think the only stage is getting all your ideas down on paper and submitting your work. However, that’s not quite the case. 

There are three main stages of writing an essay, each one with its own purpose. Of course, writing the essay itself is the most substantial part, but the other two stages are equally as important.

So, what are these three stages of essay writing? They are:

Preparation

Before you even write one word, it’s important to prepare the content and structure of your essay. If a topic wasn’t assigned to you, then the first thing you should do is settle on a topic. Next, you want to conduct your research on that topic and create a detailed outline based on your research. The preparation stage will make writing your essay that much easier since, with your outline and research, you should already have the skeleton of your essay.

Writing is the most time-consuming stage. In this stage, you will write out all your thoughts and ideas and craft your essay based on your outline. You’ll work on developing your ideas and fleshing them out throughout the introduction, body, and conclusion (more on these soon).

In the final stage, you’ll go over your essay and check for a few things. First, you’ll check if your essay is cohesive, if all the points make sense and are related to your topic, and that your facts are cited and backed up. You can also check for typos, grammar and punctuation mistakes, and formatting errors.  

The Five-Paragraph Essay

We mentioned earlier that essay writing follows a specific structure, and for the most part in academic or college essays , the five-paragraph essay is the generally accepted structure you’ll be expected to use. 

The five-paragraph essay is broken down into one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. However, that doesn’t always mean that an essay is written strictly in five paragraphs, but rather that this structure can be used loosely and the three body paragraphs might become three sections instead.

Let’s take a closer look at each section and what it entails.

Introduction

As the name implies, the purpose of your introduction paragraph is to introduce your idea. A good introduction begins with a “hook,” something that grabs your reader’s attention and makes them excited to read more. 

Another key tenant of an introduction is a thesis statement, which usually comes towards the end of the introduction itself. Your thesis statement should be a phrase that explains your argument, position, or central idea that you plan on developing throughout the essay. 

You can also include a short outline of what to expect in your introduction, including bringing up brief points that you plan on explaining more later on in the body paragraphs.

Here is where most of your essay happens. The body paragraphs are where you develop your ideas and bring up all the points related to your main topic. 

In general, you’re meant to have three body paragraphs, or sections, and each one should bring up a different point. Think of it as bringing up evidence. Each paragraph is a different piece of evidence, and when the three pieces are taken together, it backs up your main point — your thesis statement — really well.

That being said, you still want each body paragraph to be tied together in some way so that the essay flows. The points should be distinct enough, but they should relate to each other, and definitely to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph works to advance your point, so when crafting your essay, it’s important to keep this in mind so that you avoid going off-track or writing things that are off-topic.

Many students aren’t sure how to write a conclusion for an essay and tend to see their conclusion as an afterthought, but this section is just as important as the rest of your work. 

You shouldn’t be presenting any new ideas in your conclusion, but you should summarize your main points and show how they back up your thesis statement. 

Essentially, the conclusion is similar in structure and content to the introduction, but instead of introducing your essay, it should be wrapping up the main thoughts and presenting them to the reader as a singular closed argument. 

Photo by AMIT RANJAN on Unsplash

Steps to Writing an Essay

Now that you have a better idea of an essay’s structure and all the elements that go into it, you might be wondering what the different steps are to actually write your essay. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Instead of going in blind, follow these steps on how to write your essay from start to finish.

Understand Your Assignment

When writing an essay for an assignment, the first critical step is to make sure you’ve read through your assignment carefully and understand it thoroughly. You want to check what type of essay is required, that you understand the topic, and that you pay attention to any formatting or structural requirements. You don’t want to lose marks just because you didn’t read the assignment carefully.

Research Your Topic

Once you understand your assignment, it’s time to do some research. In this step, you should start looking at different sources to get ideas for what points you want to bring up throughout your essay. 

Search online or head to the library and get as many resources as possible. You don’t need to use them all, but it’s good to start with a lot and then narrow down your sources as you become more certain of your essay’s direction.

Start Brainstorming

After research comes the brainstorming. There are a lot of different ways to start the brainstorming process . Here are a few you might find helpful:

• Think about what you found during your research that interested you the most
• Jot down all your ideas, even if they’re not yet fully formed
• Create word clouds or maps for similar terms or ideas that come up so you can group them together based on their similarities
• Try freewriting to get all your ideas out before arranging them

Create a Thesis

This is often the most tricky part of the whole process since you want to create a thesis that’s strong and that you’re about to develop throughout the entire essay. Therefore, you want to choose a thesis statement that’s broad enough that you’ll have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you can’t be precise. 

Write Your Outline

Armed with your research, brainstorming sessions, and your thesis statement, the next step is to write an outline. 

In the outline, you’ll want to put your thesis statement at the beginning and start creating the basic skeleton of how you want your essay to look. 

A good way to tackle an essay is to use topic sentences . A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement that is usually the first sentence of a new paragraph. This sentence introduces the main idea that will be detailed throughout the paragraph. 

If you create an outline with the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and then a few points of what you want to discuss, you’ll already have a strong starting point when it comes time to sit down and write. This brings us to our next step… 

Write a First Draft

The first time you write your entire essay doesn’t need to be perfect, but you do need to get everything on the page so that you’re able to then write a second draft or review it afterward. 

Everyone’s writing process is different. Some students like to write their essay in the standard order of intro, body, and conclusion, while others prefer to start with the “meat” of the essay and tackle the body, and then fill in the other sections afterward. 

Make sure your essay follows your outline and that everything relates to your thesis statement and your points are backed up by the research you did. 

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

The revision process is one of the three main stages of writing an essay, yet many people skip this step thinking their work is done after the first draft is complete. 

However, proofreading, reviewing, and making edits on your essay can spell the difference between a B paper and an A.

After writing the first draft, try and set your essay aside for a few hours or even a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes to review it. You might find mistakes or inconsistencies you missed or better ways to formulate your arguments.

Add the Finishing Touches

Finally, you’ll want to make sure everything that’s required is in your essay. Review your assignment again and see if all the requirements are there, such as formatting rules, citations, quotes, etc. 

Go over the order of your paragraphs and make sure everything makes sense, flows well, and uses the same writing style . 

Once everything is checked and all the last touches are added, give your essay a final read through just to ensure it’s as you want it before handing it in. 

A good way to do this is to read your essay out loud since you’ll be able to hear if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies.

Essay Writing Tips

With the steps outlined above, you should be able to craft a great essay. Still, there are some other handy tips we’d recommend just to ensure that the essay writing process goes as smoothly as possible.

• Start your essay early. This is the first tip for a reason. It’s one of the most important things you can do to write a good essay. If you start it the night before, then you won’t have enough time to research, brainstorm, and outline — and you surely won’t have enough time to review.
• Don’t try and write it in one sitting. It’s ok if you need to take breaks or write it over a few days. It’s better to write it in multiple sittings so that you have a fresh mind each time and you’re able to focus.
• Always keep the essay question in mind. If you’re given an assigned question, then you should always keep it handy when writing your essay to make sure you’re always working to answer the question.
• Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesn’t seem random.
• Integrate your research thoughtfully. Add in citations or quotes from your research materials to back up your thesis and main points. This will show that you did the research and that your thesis is backed up by it.

Wrapping Up

Writing an essay doesn’t need to be daunting if you know how to approach it. Using our essay writing steps and tips, you’ll have better knowledge on how to write an essay and you’ll be able to apply it to your next assignment. Once you do this a few times, it will become more natural to you and the essay writing process will become quicker and easier.

If you still need assistance with your essay, check with a student advisor to see if they offer help with writing. At University of the People(UoPeople), we always want our students to succeed, so our student advisors are ready to help with writing skills when necessary. 

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7 Top Tips on Writing the Time

• 7-minute read
• 25th July 2019

As anyone who has turned up for a midday meeting at midnight will tell you, clarity is vital when writing the time of day. But there are many ways to write the time, and the best approach isn’t always obvious. So to help out, we’ve prepared this guide to putting the time down on paper.

1. Words or Numerals?

When writing the time of day, you can use either words or numerals. If you are using numerals, you would usually include both hours and minutes, although you can omit the minutes in less formal writing .

For instance, all the following would be acceptable:

She gets up at six in the morning every day.

She gets up at 6:00 in the morning every day.

She gets up at 6 o’clock in the morning every day.

As a rule, though, you would only write out the time as words when:

• It is part of a full sentence, particularly in descriptive or literary writing.
• Using a 12-hour clock (never with a 24-hour clock ).
• You are referring to an approximate or round time (e.g. saying ‘ten thirty’ is fine, but it would be unusual to write out ‘twenty-four minutes past eight’).

In most other cases, numerals are the clearer option for writing the time, especially in scientific and technical writing, where precision is vital.

2. AM and PM

The abbreviations AM and PM can be used when writing the time as numerals. Each applies to a different time of day:

• AM is short for ante meridiem , meaning ‘before noon’.
• PM is short for post meridiem , meaning ‘after noon’.

As such, we use AM and PM to indicate the time of day when we are using a 12-hour clock. We can see how this works more clearly if we write out various times of day in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats:

You can see here that we need AM and PM with the twelve-hour clock for clarity. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between, e.g., midday and midnight. Likewise, though, you do not need to include AM or PM with a 24-hour time because it is already clear.

There are also several ways to write AM and PM, including:

• ALL CAPS, small caps , or lower case (e.g. 12 AM or 12 am)
• With or without full stops between the letters (e.g. 8 PM or 8 P.M.)
• With or without a space after the number (e.g. 1 AM or 1AM)

Consistency is key here, so make sure to apply one style throughout your document. You may also want to check your style guide if you have one, as some organisations will have their own rules for how to write AM and PM.

3. When to Use O’clock

You’ll have noticed we use ‘o’clock’ in one of the examples above. This term means ‘of the clock’, so we can use it to show that a number refers to a time.

However, you should only use ‘o’clock’ with exact hours:

It is precisely 5 o’clock . ✔

I’m leaving at seven o’clock . ✔

It arrived at 7:34 o’clock . ✘

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The gig starts at half seven o’clock . ✘

We’ll save a discussion of when wine o’clock is for another blog post.

4. Past and To

When writing the time as words, use ‘past’ and ‘to’ for intervals between hours. You can combine these terms with either numbers or the words ‘half’ and ‘quarter’ depending on the time in question:

• Use past for any interval up to and including half an hour past the hour.
• Use to for any interval after the half hour up to the hour.
• Use half past to indicate 30 minutes past the hour.
• Use quarter past and quarter to for 15-minutes either side of the hour.

For instance, we would use ‘past’ and ‘to’ accordingly in the following times:

7:05 → Five past seven

7:15 → Quarter past seven

7:30 → Half past seven

7:45 → Quarter to eight

7:55 → Five to eight

In less formal writing, you can even omit the ‘past’ in ‘half past’. So, for example, we could refer to the time 7:30 as ‘half seven’.

5. Punctuating the Time

When writing the time as numerals, you can use either a colon or a full stop between the hour and the minutes. In some cases, such as in the military , you can even write out a 24-hour time without any punctuation.

For instance, the following are all acceptable ways of punctuating a time:

We need to leave by 6 : 45 pm at the latest. ✔

We need to leave by 6 . 45 pm at the latest. ✔

We need to leave by 1845 at the latest. ✔

The colon is the most common option here, but it is a matter of preference. Unless you’re in the military, in which case we suggest sticking to protocol.

6. Time Zones

In the UK, we use the same time across the entire country. Depending on the time of year , this will be either GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) or BST (British Summer Time). As such, if you’re only writing for people in the UK, you will not need to worry about the time zone.

If you are writing for an international audience, though, you may need to include a set of time zone initials when you write out a time. This will let your reader calculate the equivalent time wherever they are. For example, if we were writing a time for an international audience, we might say:

The live broadcast will begin at 9:00 pm UTC .

The initials UTC here stand for Coordinated Universal Time . Someone in Bolivia could then see this and look up the difference between UTC and BOT (Bolivia Time). And since BOT is four hours behind UTC, they would know the broadcast begins at 5:00 pm where they are.

7. Avoiding Redundancy when Writing the Time

In writing, redundancy means using a word unnecessarily. We mentioned above, for example, that you do not need to use AM or PM with 24-hour times because we already know whether a time is the morning or afternoon/evening when using a 24-hour clock.

Other cases of temporal redundancy you may want to avoid include:

• Using ‘in the morning’, ‘in the afternoon’, etc., alongside AM/PM.
• Combining ‘in the morning’, ‘in the afternoon’, etc., with a 24-hour time.
• Using ‘midday’, ‘noon’, or ‘midnight’ alongside a time in numbers.

We’ll end this post with a few examples of redundancies so you know what to watch out for. Check out the table below, good luck writing the time, and let us know if you need any help proofreading your work.

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7 Top Tips on Writing the Time

• 7-minute read
• 25th July 2019

As anyone who has turned up for a midday meeting at midnight will tell you, clarity is vital when writing the time of day. But there are many ways to write the time, and the best approach isn’t always obvious. So to help out, we’ve prepared this guide to putting the time down on paper.

1. Words or Numerals?

You can write the time of day using either words or numerals. If you are using numerals, you would usually include both hours and minutes, although you can omit the minutes in less formal writing .

For instance, all the following would be acceptable:

She gets up at six in the morning every day.

She gets up at 6:00 in the morning every day.

She gets up at 6 o’clock in the morning every day.

As a rule, though, you would only write out the time as words when:

• It is part of a full sentence, particularly in descriptive or literary writing.
• Using a 12-hour clock (never with a 24-hour clock ).
• You are referring to an approximate or round time (e.g. saying ‘ten thirty’ is fine, but it would be unusual to write out ‘twenty-four minutes past eight’).

In most other cases, numerals are the clearer option for writing the time, especially in scientific and technical writing, where precision is vital.

2. AM and PM

The abbreviations AM and PM can be used when writing the time as numerals. Each applies to a different time of day:

• AM is short for ante meridiem , meaning ‘before noon’.
• PM is short for post meridiem , meaning ‘after noon’.

As such, we use AM and PM to indicate the time of day when we are using a 12-hour clock. We can see how this works more clearly if we write out various times of day in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats:

You can see here that we need AM and PM with the twelve-hour clock for clarity. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between, e.g., midday and midnight. Likewise, though, you do not need to include AM or PM with a 24-hour time because it is already clear.

There are also several ways to write AM and PM, including:

• ALL CAPS, small caps , or lower case (e.g. 12 AM, 12 AM or 12 am)
• With or without full stops between the letters (e.g. 8 PM or 8 P.M.)
• With or without a space after the number (e.g. 1 AM or 1AM)

Consistency is key here, so make sure to apply one style throughout your document. You may also want to check your style guide if you have one, as some organisations will have their own rules for how to write AM and PM.

3. When to Use O’clock

You’ll have noticed we use ‘o’clock’ in one of the examples above. This term means ‘of the clock’, so we can use it to show that a number refers to a time.

However, you should only use ‘o’clock’ with exact hours:

It is precisely 5 o’clock . ✔

I’m leaving at seven o’clock . ✔

It arrived at 7:34 o’clock . ✘

The gig starts at half seven o’clock . ✘

We’ll save a discussion of when wine o’clock is for another blog post.

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4. Past and To

When writing the time as words, use ‘past’ and ‘to’ for intervals between hours. You can combine these terms with either numbers or the words ‘half’ and ‘quarter’ depending on the time in question:

• Use past for any interval up to and including half an hour past the hour.
• Use to for any interval after the half hour up to the hour.
• Use half past to indicate 30 minutes past the hour.
• Use quarter past and quarter to for 15-minutes either side of the hour.

For example, we would use ‘past’ and ‘to’ accordingly in the following times:

7:05 → Five past seven

7:15 → Quarter past seven

7:30 → Half past seven

7:45 → Quarter to eight

7:55 → Five to eight

In less formal writing, you can even omit the ‘past’ with ‘half past’. So, for example, we could refer to the time 7:30 as ‘half seven’.

5. Punctuating the Time

When writing the time as numerals, you can use either a colon or a full stop between the hour and the minutes. In some cases, such as in the military , you can even write out a 24-hour time without any punctuation.

For instance, the following are all acceptable ways of punctuating a time:

We need to leave by 6 : 45 pm at the latest. ✔

We need to leave by 6 . 45 pm at the latest. ✔

We need to leave by 1845 at the latest. ✔

The colon is the most common option here, but it is a matter of preference. Unless you’re in the military, in which case we suggest sticking to protocol.

6. Time Zones

In Australia, we have three main time zones for different parts of the country:

• Australian Western Standard Time (AWST) [UTC+8:00]
• Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) [UTC+8:45]
• Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) [UTC+10:00]

We also have regional time zones for a few places, plus daylight saving time in some places during the warmer months of the year. And people in other countries use different time zones entirely! Basically, we’re saying that geography can make time complicated.

This is why we sometimes include a time zone when writing the time. The initials UTC above, for instance, stand for Coordinated Universal Time . We use this ‘standard’ time zone to compare times in different places. So, ‘UTC+8:00’ means that AWST is 8 hours ahead of UTC. And since we know that AWST is 8 hours ahead of UTC and AEST is 10 hours ahead of UTC, we can work out that AWST is 2 hours behind AEST.

In other words, by including a time zone when we write a time, we can help people in other places ‘translate’ it into their own time zone.

This is especially important if you are writing for an international audience, since not everyone will be in the same time zone. You therefore need to include a set of time zone initials so your reader can calculate the equivalent time wherever they are. For example, if we were making an announcement for an international audience, we might say:

The live broadcast will begin at 9:00 pm UTC .

Someone in Bolivia could then look up the difference between UTC and BOT (Bolivia Time) and know the broadcast begins at 5:00 pm where they are.

7. Avoiding Redundancy when Writing the Time

In writing, redundancy means using a word unnecessarily. We mentioned above, for example, that you do not need to use AM or PM with 24-hour times because we already know whether a time is the morning or afternoon/evening when using a 24-hour clock.

Other cases of temporal redundancy you may want to avoid include:

• Using ‘in the morning’, ‘in the afternoon’, etc., alongside AM/PM.
• Combining ‘in the morning,’ ‘in the afternoon’, etc., with a 24-hour time.
• Using ‘midday’, ‘noon’, or ‘midnight’ alongside a time in numbers.

We’ll end this post with a few examples of redundancies so you know what to watch out for. Check out the table below, good luck writing the time, and let us know if you need any help proofreading your work.

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How to Write a Timed Essay

Last Updated: August 10, 2021

This article was co-authored by Arash Fayz . Arash Fayz is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of LA Tutors 123, an academic consulting and private tutoring company based in Los Angeles, California. Arash has over 10 years of educational consulting experience, managing the tutoring of students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to score higher on standardized tests and gain admission to their target schools. He has a BA in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 21,683 times.

Whether it be in a class or for a standardized test, students are often required to write a timed essay. Writing a timed essay is as much about organization and time management as it is about the quality of writing. Visit Step 1 to get started.

Divide Up Your Time

• Make sure the prompts wants you to write an essay and not just a simple short answer that could consist of a few sentences to one full paragraph.
• Pick a position/argument to organize your essay. Think in terms of the pros and cons of the arguments and what supporting details lead you to the facts you'd like to present in the essay.
• Jot down an outline on some scrap paper
• Write the essay based on the outline! Don't ever write without some notes and knowledge of the subject at hand.
• Proofread your essay. No reader ever wants grammatical and spelling errors to be present.
• Submit on time.

• Read and understand the prompt = 1.5 minutes
• Pick a position = 1.5 minutes
• Jot down an outline = 2 minutes
• Write = 21 minutes
• Revise = 3 minutes
• Submit = 1 minute

• Introduction: 3 minutes
• Paragraph 1: 6 minutes
• Paragraph 2: 5 minutes
• Paragraph 3: 5 minutes
• Conclusion: 2 minutes

During the Essay

Proofreading the Essay

Submitting the Essay

Expert Q&A

• Wear a wristwatch during your timed essay. Not every testing room will have a clock on the wall or a proctor who announces the time remaining at regular intervals. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't panic if you go over time on a particular section. You can make it up by going a little faster on the next section. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Pay special attention to the outlining at the beginning. If you have a solid structure and direction, the argument will seem focused and organized even if it has been written faster than you would do without a time limit. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ Arash Fayz. Test Prep Tutor. Expert Interview. 1 November 2019.

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Time Skips in Writing: 27 Answers You Need To Know

Over the last 20 years, I’ve developed a clear and easy system for showing time skips in writing. In this article, I’ll answer everything you need to know about time skips.

Starting with a simple definition, the types of time skips in writing, how they differ from flashbacks, and how to signify them in all your stories.

What Are Time Skips in Writing?

Table of Contents

Time skips in writing are when the author jumps ahead or backward in time. Time skips are also called “time jumps” or “time progression/regression.” As an author, you can use time skips in short stories, fanfiction, novels, comics, anime, memoirs, and screenplays.

Therefore, you can apply time skips as literary vehicles to manage the pace and progression (or regression) of your story.

You can literally speed up or slow down the reader experience.

With that kind of power, it’s critical to know how to handle the movement of fictional time.

Time Skips vs. Flashbacks: Are They the Same?

Time skips are different from flashbacks.

A time skip is when the story moves forward or backward in time. A flashback is when the author goes back to an earlier point in time— but only in their memory.

As an example of a flashback, let’s say we’re in a character’s point of view.

Let’s call the character Eric.

As Eric uncovers a dead body buried in a shallow grave, the glassy eyeball of the corpse sends him reeling back to a past life memory of murdering someone.

Types of Time Skips in Writing

There are several different types of time skips in writing. To use time jumps appropriately, it’s helpful to understand each type.

Types of time skips:

• Short time skips —Short time skips can be a few minutes, days, weeks, or months.
• Long time skips —Long time skips can be years, decades, or centuries.
• Time skips within time skips —Sometimes an author uses one or more time jumps inside of other time jumps to skip any amount of time.
• Multiple time skips —Some authors use multiple time skips in the same scene, chapter, segment, or story.

Are Time Skips Bad in Writing?

Time skips are not usually bad in writing.

In fact, time skips offer many benefits to writers and readers. The biggest benefit is that time skips make it easier to write a novel.

In contrast, writers who want to show everything that happens during a time span of years would need to write hundreds—or even thousands—of pages describing every minute detail of a character’s daily life.

Most of the detail would bore readers to tears.

Time skips allow the author to quickly move the character into a different set of circumstances, location, and time period.

The bottom line: Time skips are only bad if overused, used without reason, or unclear for the reader.

Are Time Skips Lazy Writing?

Some writers, readers, and reviewers consider time skips lazy writing. Couldn’t the writer think of a creative workaround?

Personally, I don’t think most time skips can fairly be labeled as lazy writing.

The vast majority of time jumps serve a positive purpose in the story. Either to move past boring activities or facilitate a faster pace in the narrative.

Of course, that doesn’t mean time skips never come across as lazy.

When I read a story that blurs past plot holes, plot complications, or plot action, I worry that the time skip is a convenient device to avoid difficult writing.

Why Do People Hate Time Skips So Much?

If time skips are not bad or lazy, then why do some people vehemently hate them?

It’s probably because time skips are easy to abuse.

When a writer is not careful, time jumps can:

• Jar readers out of the story
• Confuse readers
• Frustrate readers

Those three outcomes are the opposite of what most authors want.

When writers don’t handle time skips well, readers might quit the current story and not feel motivated to read any future story the author writes, either.

Some readers also consider time skips amateurish.

They think time skips mark writers as beginners who use literary shortcuts.

I don’t agree with these assessments at all, but this belief does help explain the vitriol that a subset of readers feels toward the topic.

How Do Time Skips Impact Writing?

Time skips impact writing by either accelerating or decelerating pacing, which is the speed at which events unfold within your story.

As a result, time skips either give the reader more information than they would have had otherwise, or they obscure crucial elements of the plot.

For example, most fantasy book series engage multiple long time skips.

In each book, the author jumps through decades at a time—sometimes in single chapters.

This is done to showcase the changes that take place while some characters are away from their hometowns and families. It also gives the story a larger, more epic scope.

What Is the Purpose of Time Skips in Writing?

The best way to apply narrative devices is intentionally (never by default).

That means you must deeply understand the purpose of the device. Time skips serve important purposes in your story.

Let’s go over the purpose of short and long time skips in writing.

Short Skips

As a writer, you have more freedom with time skips that are hours or days apart. Use these to change the mood of the story, introduce new settings, develop character relationships, give more details on actions, or expand on a single short period in time.

Longer Skips

Time skips that are weeks or months apart can be used for dramatic purposes, such as revealing the results of a major event. Or they might introduce a new character to the story or pick up where you left off with an ongoing conflict.

As long as your time skips are purposeful and help move your story along, you’re golden.

Time Skips: How Much Is Too Much?

As a writer, I’m always conscious of how many times I use any specific literary device.

Too much of any device is detrimental to the story.

That brings up the question, how many time skips are too much in a story?

As a general rule of thumb, limit time skips as much as possible. Most stories narrate the most exciting or important slice of a character’s life (at least up to that point).

If you find yourself constantly skipping time, it could mean:

• You’ve chosen the wrong segment of a character’s life (usually, a less engaging segment)
• You’ve selected the wrong point of view (POV) character (one with less motivation, takes, and conflict)

For these reasons, I’d shoot for fewer time skips in writing, rather than more.

Then, again, it depends on your story.

If your story covers a decade or more, you’ll use more time skips than if your story covers only 24 hours.

If your story involves time travel, then time skips will be built integrally into the plot.

I do think it’s possible for a story to use multiple time skips within the same scene or chapter, but I rarely see it done well.

To some extent, all stories use time skips to avoid boring stuff.

That means your characters eating food, using the toilet, sleeping, going from point A to point B, etc. Sure, a talented author can make each of these “boring activities” very interesting to readers.

But, even bestselling authors regularly skip these boring scenes.

“My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.”—Elmore Leonard

Anything flat, normal, bland, or boring should be skipped. Anything not related to the plot or subplots should be skipped.

Boring your readers is a fast-track to failure.

How To Write Short Time Skips

Small or short time jumps occur over minutes, hours, days, weeks, and sometimes months.

You write small time skips by showing a character’s activity between one major event and the next.

For example: “When we finally reached our castle, I let go of my mother and turned to face her.” This one sentence might cover multiple hours, days, weeks, or months of travel.

The key to any time of time skip is transitional words, phrases, and sentences.

Example transitions for short time skips:

• Thirty minutes later…
• When it was time…
• A few weeks passed…
• The next morning….
• As soon as…
• By the time…
• Before she knew it…
• The train pulled into the station…
• One month later…
• For several days…
• After…
• Finally….
• Earlier…
• Later…
• The next few months went by quickly…

This is simply an assortment of transitional words and phrases—there are many more options.

Some phrases and transitional words can be used interchangeably. For example, you could say: “The next morning, we left,” or “The morning we left, we packed our belongings and headed out.”

I’d use whichever transitional phrase you prefer.

Also, consider what transitional words you inserted in other parts of your story. Try to vary the phrasing and type.

Along with a transitional word or phrase, most authors summarize any important action between the time skip.

Here’s an example:

“We journeyed through the mountains for months. The grueling weight of my backpack was the worst of it. Several times, the load forced me to stop overnight, exposed to the elements and hungry bugs. By the time we reached our new homeland, I was exhausted.”

Here’s a good video about how and why to time jump:

How To Write Long Time Skips

Long-time jumps happen over months, years, and decades.

They can even involve past lives and generational time travel.

You write long time skips with transitions paired with summary paragraphs or pages. The more time that has passed, the more explanation is typically necessary.

Most of the time, I would keep summarizing to 1-3 succinct paragraphs.

Transitional words and phrases for long time skips:

• Ten years later…
• Fifty years earlier….
• Two hundred years after…
• Back then…
• In those days….
• Eventually….
• Up ahead lay a great…
• After a long time….
• During that era…
• Now….
• Present day….
• Time passed slowly for everyone involved…
• At age…

Again, this is an example list. Many more transitional words exist to help you with time skips in writing.

I highly suggest that you keep a journal of the way your favorite authors signify time changes.

How Long Should Time Jumps Be?

Time jumps should be as long as necessary, and as short as possible.

When fast-forwarding through a story, jump from one exciting or story-related scene to another. Skip as much time as you need to get past boring or irrelevant periods.

In some stories, that might be a few hours. In other stories, it might be a few centuries.

There is no hard-and-fast rule for the perfect length of a time jump.

The best way to determine the length is to read your story and if it flows well, keep it. If you experience any trouble with pacing, or if your story drags, expand or shorten the jump.

And don’t skip anything plot-related a reader would want to read—escapes, chases, arguments, twists, revelations, fights, deaths, etc.

How To Write Time Skips in Your Story

When writing time jumps, consider how it affects each of the characters in your story.

This will help you understand their awareness and sensitivity to time progression or regression.

Consider how the time skip impacts character growth, character relationships, the conflict of the story, and the consequences of the story.

Follow these steps to write time skips:

• Understand the purpose of your time skip
• Choose the length of your time skip (short or long)
• Select when to use your time skip
• Pick a transitional word or phrase
• Quickly orient the reader
• Summarize important details during the time skip
• Re-read your time skip (and possibly read it out loud)

How To Handle Multiple Time Skips?

In some stories, you’ll want to include several time skips in a scene or chapter.

Depending on the length of each time skip, consider breaking them into their own scenes or chapters.

If your time skips are only a few hours apart, you might want to combine them into one scene and add transitional words and phrases between them (like “weeks later” or “months later”).

This way, you don’t risk confusing or losing the reader’s attention with too many time jumps.

If your time skips are years apart, consider breaking each one into a separate chapter.

I’ve written several stories with multiple time skips in a single chapter.

For example, my story, The Four Things She Carried , includes time skips between four different scenes in the same chapter.

When Should You Time Skip in a Story?

Time skips are usually used at the beginning or end of a section, scene, or chapter. Rarely do professional authors time jump in the middle of a scene.

This is usually because it interrupts the flow of the scene or disrupts suspense.

Time jumps are common at chapter breaks, but occasionally authors will time jump at the beginning of a new section in the same chapter.

Examples of time skips at the end of a chapter:

• She wouldn’t see him again for ten years.
• He closed his eyes and hoped for the best as the anesthetic put him under.
• I disappeared from view as I ducked behind a large rock. I stayed hidden until nightfall.
• He ran as fast as he could toward home, praying that no one would see him. That’s the last anyone heard from him for three years.

Examples of time jumps at the beginning of a chapter:

• He woke to find himself two hundred years in the future.
• Later that night, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before climbing the stairs to face him.
• That fall, he spotted her across the coutyard.

How Many Time Skips Can Be in a Chapter?

You can have as many time skips as you want in a chapter.

There are no rules. No time jump police will knock down your door. As long as you’re not confusing the reader or losing momentum, go for it.

I’ve read stories with multiple time skips separated by only a few minutes or hours that worked well together.

On the other hand, I’ve read stories where each time skip was years apart and it got very confusing.

The key is to make sure your story is making sense and moving forward (even if you are going back in time).

How Do You Write Time Skips Without Confusing the Reader?

A good way to keep your reader from getting confused is to always include a transition sentence when you start a new time skip.

Another best practice is to orient the reader as soon as possible.

You can orient readers with:

• Summary narration
• Description
• Inner monolouge (thoughts/feelings)

You could have one character say, “Wow, you’re a sight for sore eyes.” Another could reply, “Ten years does that to an old man.”

How To Describe Time Passing Fast in Writing (Good Example)

When you want to speed up time in your writing, use word choice, sentence length, and punctuation to affect pacing.

Combine these methods with time skips.

Here is what I mean: Use shorter, punchier words instead of long, five-dollar words. In the same vein, use shorter sentence length and lots of periods.

A series of short sentences will read faster and more action-oriented.

You can also use longer sentences packed with commas and short phrases that lead the reader down the page. This also reads fast.

Take this sentence: The mailman walked up to the door and handed my mother the stack of letters.

And change it to this: The mailman delivered envelopes to my mother. She rifled through them, ripped one open, scanned it, and groaned before tossing it into the trash can. I frowned and made a mental note to check the trash later when she wasn’t looking. An hour later, when she turned in for the night, I got my chance.

The second version gives the reader more action, which reads faster than the first version.

How To Describe Slow Motion in Writing (Helpful Advice)

To describe slow motion in writing, use long sentences with few periods and a fixation on a single object.

By fixation, I mean give the reader a lot of details about it.

Don’t be afraid to repeat the sentence or phrase in which you describe what’s happening. When used with intention, repetition can emphasize a point while slowing time skips.

Use this: The baby crawled across the old wooden floor. Each tiny tug of muscles propelled her closer. Her diaper crinkled like old plastic. Once there, the baby pulled herself up and, wobbling, found the large wooden door. With some effort, she tugged and tugged on it, wailing when it wouldn’t open.

Instead of this: The baby crawled over to the door. She pushed herself up and tried to open it, but she wasn’t quite tall enough yet. So she wailed for fifteen minutes before finally crawling away.

How Do You Transition Between Days in Writing?

It’s easy to transition between days in writing. You just have to mention the day change in the story.

You can simply say, “the next day,” or “in the morning.”

A simple phrase marking time is enough. But you can also show a subtle change through description.

Saturday morning dawned bright and early. I woke up stiff from an awkward sleep position, but a smile spread across my face anyway. It was my birthday, after all. We had plans to go out with some friends for dinner and drinks tonight.

How To Do Time Skips in Comics

When writing comics, you show time skips by having your characters enter or exit the panel.

It’s simple, but it works.

If you’re writing a longer comic, consider dividing time changes into two or three panels.

This makes it easier for the reader to follow along.

Time skips in comics are also shown with images like the sun setting and coming up, seasons changing, or switching locations.

How To Write Time Skips in a Memoir

You can write time skips in a memoir by labeling them and then describing the events.

For example, you could say: Two weeks passed and I was still in the hospital (time skip) when my doctor told me we were ready to take out the breathing tube (description of event).

You can also include the date or year at the beginning of each chapter.

How To Put Time Jumps in an Essay

You can also do time skips in an essay.

For example, you could say: “After my first date with Becky, I decided to ask her out.”

Then, “A year later…” or, “When we graduated high school, we said goodbye and went our separate ways.”

Other methods of transitioning in essays include using a specific person, place, or event to lead into the next part of your essay.

For example, you could say: “The future President met someone who changed his life forever.” Then in the next sentence, mention this person’s name or describe them without saying their name.

How To Handle Time Jumps in First Person Present Tense?

You might be curious about using time skips in special circumstances.

Such as when writing in the first person present tense. The way you show the progress of time is by mentioning your present-tense experience of a date, time, location, or event.

For example, “Today is my eighteenth birthday party! I’m finally an adult.”

Then later in the narrative, “I can’t believe it’s already been two years since that day.”

How To Write a Personal Narrative With Time Jumps

When writing a personal narrative, you apply the same time jump techniques mentioned elsewhere in this article.

Use transitional words and phrases, punctuation, sentence structure, and naming times and dates. With personal narratives, you probably want to include your personal thoughts and feelings about the time changes.

You could write: “It’s been six months since I’ve fallen in love with Paris. The cobblestone streets, the flower stands, and even the trash cans make it a beautiful paradise.

Then later: “Now that we’re finally back in the city of love, my heart aches for those romantic streets.”

How To Avoid Time Jumps in a Story

Is it possible to write a story without any time jumps? The short answer is, “yes.”

The difficulty is describing every passing moment in real-time. I would only choose this approach when my story captured a single experience, like a wedding or battle.

You’ll want to shrink the timeframe of the story to a fraction.

In other words, only cover the most engaging day or few hours.

Time Skip Symbol

The most common time skip symbol is a series of three periods, centered on the page.

It looks like this:

Typically, you use this time skip symbol in the middle of chapters in a novel or book. You can also use it in the middle of a short story or piece of fanfiction.

In screenplays, the easiest method to jump time is to utilize a new scene heading or a secondary slug.

A typical slug might be “LATER.” You may still need to visually show how the different time periods will be represented on the screen since your scene heading and slug is only visible to the script reader.

Final Thoughts: How To Show Time Skips in Writing

The biggest mistake I see with time skips in writing is not properly orienting the reader after the time change.

Always ground the reader in the POV, time, and location.

Do this in the first one or two sentences of a new section, scene, or chapter.

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
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Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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The Parents Who Regret Having Children

N o one regrets having a child, or so it’s said. I’ve heard this logic often, usually after I’m asked if I have children, then, when I say I don’t, if I plan to. I tend to evade the question, as I find that the truth—I have no plans to be a parent—is likely to invite swift dissent. I’ll be told I’ll change my mind, that I’m wrong, and that while I’ll regret not having a child, people don’t regret the obverse. Close family, acquaintances, and total strangers have said this for years; I let it slide, knowing that, at the very least, the last part is a fiction.

It is, unsurprisingly, a challenge to get solid data on the number of parents who regret having children. In 1975, the popular advice columnist Ann Landers asked her readers if, given the chance to do it all over again, they’d have children. Seventy percent said they wouldn’t; this result, though, came from a group of self-selecting respondents. “The hurt, angry and disenchanted” are more inclined to write back than contented people, as Landers observed in a follow-up 1976 column . But in 2013, a Gallup poll asked Americans 45 and older how many kids they’d have if they could go back in time. Seven percent of the respondents with children said zero. And in 2023, a study estimated that up to 5% to 14% of parents in so-called developed countries, including the United States, regret their decision to have children.

These studies align with what I've found in my personal life: While most parents don’t regret having kids, some do. Perhaps in part because I’ve written publicly about choosing not to have children , I’ve had people, especially mothers, confide in me about parental regret, and frequently enough I’ve lost count.

Read More: Why So Many Women Are Waiting Longer to Have Kids

Most of the time—whether I hear it in passing, quickly, from a stranger at a literary event, or late at night from a beloved friend—this kind of revelation arises from a place of anguish. Some of these parents talk about feeling utterly alone, like villains past all imagining. Several have noted that, afraid of being judged, they decline to be candid with their own therapists. If asked what I think, I reply that, from what I’m hearing, they’re not alone. Not at all. I hope it helps; I’m told, at times, it does. It’s a physic to which I’ve devoted my life: asked why I write, I often respond that books, words have provided vital fellowship during spells of harsh isolation, when I thought that solitude and its attendant, life-torquing evils—shame, guilt, the pain of exile—might kill me.

Meanwhile, I’m so often advised that I’ll be a parent that, though I’m sure I won’t, I still prod at this ghost self, trying on its shape, asking what I’d do if I felt obliged to adopt this spectral, alternate life as mine. For here’s the next question people tend to broach if I indicate I don’t plan on having kids: what does my husband think? I find this odd, a little prying—do people think I didn’t discuss this topic with him, at length, long before we pledged to share a life?—but the question also rings the alarm bell of one of my own great fears. If I respond with the truth, that he feels exactly as I do, here’s the usual follow-up: but what if he changes his mind?

Read More: Why I Have Zero Regrets About My Childless Life

I have friends who long for kids, and I know the need to be potent, inarguable, as primal as my desire to go without. I’ve seen parent friends’ faces open with love as they watch their small children sing to living-room karaoke, the adults radiating joy as laughing tots carol and bop. Should my husband’s mind change, I can picture the rift that would open wide, dividing us. Either I’d deprive him of what he needs, or I’d give in, birthing a child I don’t want. Or, and this prospect is painful enough that it hurts to type the words, our lives would have to diverge. No bridge of compromise can quite traverse the rift: as King Solomon knew, there are no half-children.

This fear is so salient that I turned it into a pivotal tension in my upcoming novel, Exhibit : a celebrated photographer and her husband agreed they both don’t want children, but he wakes up one day realizing he does, and powerfully so. She’s certain she ought not be a parent; he’s pining for a child; they love each other very much. Short on joint paths forward, they have no idea what to do next.

Parental regret springs from a range of origins, not all having to do with privation of choice or means. In and before a post- Dobbs U.S., people have given birth against their will. The cost of raising a child runs high; for parents lacking funds and support, dire hardship can result. It’s a lack far too typical in the U.S., where there’s no federally mandated paid parental leave, and families are often priced out of childcare . But this regret isn’t a phenomenon limited to people in grave financial straits, nor to those forced into parenting. Other parents, all through the world, also wish they’d elected otherwise.

In recent months, as I waited for the publication of the novel I worked on for nine years, I kept returning to the plight I’d explored: I hadn’t yet finished wondering what I might do, how I’d live, if. And though I’d heard a range of chronicles of parental regret, as have other friends without kids, the stories were related one-on-one, in private. It’s a taboo subject, one made all the more difficult, punitive, by the ubiquitous belief that people who feel as they do either can’t or ought not exist.

Read More: Does Marriage Really Make People Happier? A Discussion

I’ve also thought about the isolating effect of silence, and what it can cost to live in hiding. I wanted to talk with parents who, if they could go back in time, might make different choices—and who’d also agree to be quoted. It was, again unsurprisingly, hard to find people willing to speak with me on the record about parental regret. I promised to alter the names of each parent I interviewed for this piece. Even so, people were skittish.

“I don't think that everyone is made for children,” says Helen, a high school teacher in her 40s. And telling people that their purpose is to reproduce is destructive, she adds. It’s what she heard growing up: though Helen wanted to take Latin in high school, her mother forced her to enroll in home economics instead. “I don't think I ever decided to have kids. I was pretty much just told that that's what you do. That's what girls are for,” Helen says.

As a result, Helen makes sure to tell her students that having children is an option, one that might not be right for them. She says the same thing to her kids, both girls. “I think that people need to know that just being themselves is enough,” she says.

Read More: Why You Should Think Before Telling Mothers 'They're Only Little Once'

At this point, half an hour into a phone call, Helen has cried, briefly, a couple of times. Now, I’m the one tearing up. I tell Helen I grew up in a predominantly Christian Korean American community. The primacy of having kids is built into the Korean language: I knew most Korean adults only as “the mother of x” or “the father of y.” I might have felt less strange if I’d had a Helen at my high school. While I didn’t quite, at any point, decide against being a parent—I didn’t have to, since I had no inkling of the urge in the first place—I also never heard it said that there might be an alternative.

“And if you thought there was any other way to live, there's something wrong with you,” Helen says.

I ask what she’d do if she had more time to herself. “I would write. I would take walks,” she replies. “I enjoyed writing academic papers. I enjoyed writing them for my master's.” It used to upset her when classes were too easy. Given the chance, she would think for hours without interruption. She’d take up further studies.

And if she could inhabit the person she was before she became a parent? “I would have stopped that pregnancy before it happened.” But that’s the part Helen’s never said to her daughters, who, after all, didn’t ask to be born. She’s hell-bent on raising them well, not taking out any regrets on the girls. “I love them. I just don't love the choice I made.”

Each parent I talk to points out this dividing line: it’s possible to have strong, lasting regrets about a life choice while ferociously loving—and caring for—the fruit of that decision. Paul, a Canadian father of young boys, notes that though he could write a book on everything he resents having lost as a result of becoming a parent, he also would do anything for his kids. Paul’s boys are the loves of his life. Still, overall, fathering has been detrimental to his well-being.

“My body is constantly on standby, waiting for the next disaster,” Paul says. “As an introvert, I also deeply resent having no private time.” He’s fatigued and never at ease, finding all aspects of child-rearing to be stressful. It’s not a problem that would be resolved if he had more caretaking support. “I do have help with the kids from family, and I know if I asked for more help, I'd get it,” he tells me, but he often refuses help because he believes that, as a father, it's his job to take on the brunt of tasks that attend parenting.

Instead, what Paul lacks, in terms of support, is people with whom he can be honest. “I don't have anyone to talk to about parental regret,” he says. He wishes he had more spaces where parents aren't publicly shamed for feeling trapped or stifled. And though he’d felt ambivalent about becoming a father, and it was his husband who first decided he wanted a child, he hasn’t let this initial split in longing drive them apart. With his husband, as with the other people in his life, he's quiet about his regret: “As much as I might feel his desire to be a parent has led me to my decision, that decision was also my own.”

People have asked how I learned that not having kids might be an option. I live in San Francisco, where I’m hardly the only person with no kids—out of the major U.S. cities, San Francisco has the smallest percentage of children —but even so, for some people, having kids can feel so fated that they talk about not having imagined otherwise.

One friend who’s asked this question has told me she felt regret during the first years of her child’s life, but that, as her child got older, the rue left. For other parents, though, the regret proves lasting. Robin, who has adult offspring in their 40s, says that, to this day, if she could reverse time, she would “certainly not have a baby ever, not under any circumstances.” She notes that she’d had no notion of what being a parent can entail. Having grown up in an affluent, cheerful family, she was glad to have children with her husband, figuring that “it all just looked like a romantic, happy road.”

Instead, after electing to be a stay-at-home mother, Robin found herself in what she calls “the domestic gulag,” a life that consisted of being “a chauffeur and an arranger and an appointment setter and a social secretary and a party planner and a chef and a meal planner and a budgeter” and “an emergency nurse and a night nurse and a psychologist and a confidant.”

Robin also, like the other parents I spoke to, felt responsible for raising her children well, teaching them how to lead “good, honorable, happy” lives, striving to instill and model integrity and kindness. It was a daily, 20-year effort all the more crushing since, each morning, waking up, she’d recall the day’s to-do list and know that she didn’t want to do any of it.

Replying to my questions, Robin keeps having to pause to take phone calls from a nurse caring for her ill, elderly aunt. There’s no one else in Robin’s family who’ll fill the role, she says, so it’s up to her to look after her aunt’s well-being. I’m conscious that I’m telling you this because I’m alive to what at least some readers will think about Helen, Paul, and Robin: that the act of admitting to regret ipso facto convicts them as bad, unfit parents. As, that is, evil people. They know it, too, and are as afraid of being recognized as they are intent on telling people what they’re living through—hoping, with a fervor I recognize from my bygone life as an evangelical Christian, to prevent others’ misery.

Hoping to ease others’ solitude, too. Online forums aside, there are almost no spaces where a parent can discuss regret. Some of this is for good reason—no child should have to hear that they’re regretted—but what other human experience is there about which one will probably be judged a monster for having any regret at all?

One problem is that our culture wants just one kind of story about parenting, and it’s a story of “pure joy,” says Yael Goldstein-Love, a writer and psychotherapist in California whose clinical practice focuses on people who are adapting to parenthood. But, Goldstein-Love says, people often experience grief in the transition to being a parent, grief for the life they might have inhabited otherwise. “Part of what makes the grief unspeakable is that there's always a strand of this regret,” she adds.

While Goldstein-Love hasn’t had patients bring it up, she also has friends who confide in her about parental regret. I mention the alacrity with which people can lunge to say that no parent feels regret, that it’s impossible. I ask if, perhaps, this type of remorse poses an existential threat, belying an ideal picture of what we might be to our own parents. Is this an aspect of why people can be so quick to refute the notion that regret can, and does, happen?

Absolutely, she replies: Most people want to believe that our parents felt nothing but delight about raising us. “They never regretted a moment. They never hated us. And that's bullsh-t.” I ask Goldstein-Love what she’d tell parents who wish they had made another choice.

“To the extent that you can, and this is much easier said than done, try not to feel ashamed of this.” It’s tempting, she explains, to judge how we feel about life experiences, asking ourselves, “Does this make me a good person? Does this make me a bad person? Am I doing this right? Am I doing this wrong?”

But feelings aren’t inherently “truly ugly,” Goldstein-Love says. “They just are.” It’s what people make of their feelings that might be “ugly or not.” Some people don’t find joy in parenting, let alone pure joy, “and that’s also fine.” Regret is not itself a threat to a parent’s love for a child, and it can help to admit, even to oneself, that which might feel unspeakable. “I really would encourage people to realize that you are not alone in this feeling,” she says.

I think of the halting conversations I’ve been having with parents, and the difficulty with which people talk about regret. Few choices are less irreversible than deciding to be a parent: once the child is born, a person is here who didn’t previously exist. But I also wonder who’s being served well by a monolithic idea that no one regrets being a parent. Not these parents; not, as some of the people I’ve spoken with have pointed out, any kids who pick up on parental regret and think it can’t happen, except to them. If more people had the support to make reproductive choices based on their own desires and life situations, and if the monolith were spalled in favor of plural narratives that better reflect the complexities of human experience, what then?

I think of the people who have spoken to me about regret and isolation, including those I haven’t yet mentioned—a mother finishing nursing school in Mississippi, a mother of five in Nebraska, and all the privately confiding parents. One parent asks at the end of our conversation, “What have other parents said? Was it the same thing? Was it the same thing as me?”

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How to Write a Good Essay in a Short Amount of Time

Last Updated: March 7, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 900,016 times.

Sometimes, you need to be able to write a good essay in a short amount of time for a timed exam, such as the Advanced Placement exams in high school. At other times, you might find yourself in the uncomfortable situation of having to write an essay fast because you procrastinated or let it sneak up on you. Although an essay written at the last minute will almost never be as good as an essay you spent more time on, putting together a decent essay quickly is still feasible. With a little planning and a lot of hard work, you can write an essay that’s good (or good enough!) in just a short time.

Doing the Prep Work for Your Essay

• Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses when devising your plan. [1] X Research source For example, if you are a good researcher but not great at editing, spend less time on the research section in favor of spending more time on the revising section.
• Make sure to schedule breaks for yourself to refresh your brain and recharge yourself.
• An example of a plan for a one-day essay writing project might look like this:
• 8:00 – 9:30 – Consider an essay question and argument for the topic.
• 9:30 – 9:45 – Take a short break.
• 10:00 – 12:00 – Conduct research.
• 12:00 – 13:00 – Outline the essay.
• 13:00 – 14:00 – Take a lunch break.
• 14:00 – 19:00 – Write your essay.
• 19:00 – 20:00 – Take a dinner break.
• 20:00 – 22:30 – Revise and copy edit your essay.
• 22:30 – 23:00 – Print and prepare your essay submission. [2] X Research source

• Make sure you understand what the question is asking for! If you provide a summary when the essay prompt asked you to “analyze,” you’re unlikely to do very well.
• If you don’t have an essay topic, choose a subject that interests you and consider the essay question afterward. You are more likely to write a good essay on a topic that you’re interested in.

• If you don’t have much experience with your topic, it might be difficult to develop an argument. You can still consider your argument and then use your research to support or refute the claims you want to make.
• A good exercise to help you quickly figure out your essay question and argument is to write “I am studying (choose a topic) because I want to know (what do you want to know) in order to show (this is where your argument goes).”
• For example, “I am studying the medieval witch trials because I want to know how lawyers employed evidence in their cases in order to show that the trial process influenced modern medical techniques and legal practices.”
• Consider counter-arguments in order to strengthen your essay.

• Since you don’t have a lot of time to write, focus on one or two places where you can do research. For example, the library and internet offer many different options for sources. [5] X Research source
• Just make sure that you use reliable sources, such as peer-reviewed journals, government and university websites, and newspapers and magazines written by professionals. Don’t use personal blogs, obviously biased sources, or sources that don’t have professional credentials.
• You can draw upon information you know to speed up the research process. Simply find a (reliable!) source to support it and include it in your sources. [6] X Research source
• Doing preliminary research online can point you to sources in a library such as books and journal articles. It can also point you in the direction of web sources including newspaper article archives or other research on your topic.
• If you're reading books, "gut" the book to get through it quickly and move on to other sources. To "gut" a book, skim the introduction and conclusion to find the main arguments, and then pick a few details from the body of the book to use as evidence. [7] X Research source
• Take notes on your research sources. These will show that you’ve legitimately researched the topic while giving credit to the person who forwarded the idea. [8] X Research source This is especially important if you plan to use direct quotes and will also help you add footnotes and bibliographic information to your essay without having to look them up in the sources.

• Structure your outline as you will your essay, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
• The more detail you put into your outline, the easier and more quickly you can write the essay. For example, instead of just writing a basic paragraph about the body, flesh it out into bullet points or sentences that presents argument and supporting evidence. [10] X Research source

Writing an Untimed Essay

• Nothing will keep you from finishing an essay on time like goofing off online or ending up watching eight straight hours of Cartoon Network. Turn the TV off, switch your phone to silent, and exit out of Facebook and other social media/chat sites.
• Make sure you have all your material nearby when you start to write. Getting up to fetch a book or a piece of paper or a snack will eat into your precious time.

• The most important part of your introduction is your argument or thesis statement. This tells the reader the point your trying to make in the essay. [13] X Research source
• Write a “hook” that will grab the reader’s attention to start, then introduce the argument with a few relevant facts woven into the narrative. End by stating how you will demonstrate your points. [14] X Research source
• An example of a hook could be, “People say Napoleon had a complex because of his size, but he was actually an average height for the time in which he lived.”
• It's sometimes helpful to write the introduction after you have written the body so you know how to introduce the topic and your arguments best. [15] X Research source
• A good rule of thumb is to not have the introduction be more the 10% of your essay. Thus, for a five page essay, you shouldn’t write more than one paragraph. [16] X Research source

• Pick two to three main points to help make your argument or thesis statement. Any fewer and you won’t have enough evidence for your argument and any more may make you not explore each point thoroughly enough. [18] X Research source
• Keep your evidence to support the main points concise. Going off on explanatory tangents will cost you precious time.
• Support your main points with the evidence compiled during your research. Make sure to explain how the evidence supports your claims! [19] X Research source
• If haven’t reached your word limit, pick a main point and conduct more research on it to expand on your point. [20] X Research source

• Avoid "fat" language when you write. Text that includes long prepositional phrases, passive verbs, and paragraphs that don't further your argument waste time that you could spend writing or revising your essay.

• Free-writing can also help you overcome writer’s block that results from not knowing how to say something. If you’re struggling with getting the wording of an idea just right, write it as well as you can and come back to it later.

• The essay conclusion should also be relatively short. Aim for the conclusion to be 5-10% of your essay’s total length.
• Aim to do more in your conclusion than just restate your thesis and the evidence you used. You could acknowledge the limitations of your argument, suggest a direction for future research, or expand the relevance of your topic to a wider field.
• Just as you drew in reader with good introduction, end your conclusion with a sentence that make a lasting impression on your reader. [24] X Research source

• Re-read the entire essay. Make sure that you are still arguing the same thing at the end of the essay that you are at the beginning. If not, go back and adjust your thesis.
• Make sure that your paragraphs build on one another and don’t feel haphazard. You can use transitions and strong topic sentences to help you draw connections between your paragraphs.
• Spelling and grammar are the easiest mistakes to revise, but they cost you a lot of reader goodwill if you don’t fix them. [25] X Research source

Writing a Timed Essay

• Read the prompt carefully! If the question asks you to take a position, take one. If it asks you to evaluate the events that led to the downfall of Rome, don’t just give a summary of Roman history. [26] X Research source
• Jot down an idea map. You probably won’t have time to make a formal outline. However, having an idea of the main points that you want to touch on and how they relate will help you structure the essay. If you can’t figure out how to connect your main points, that’s a sign you need to think a little bit more before you start writing.
• Figure out your argument. Once you’ve noted down some main points, figure out what you want to say about them. Even timed essays need a unified argument or thesis.

• For example, you wouldn’t want to spend the same amount of time and effort on a 3-paragraph essay question worth 20% as you would a 2-page essay question worth 60%.
• If you see a question that you feel will be more difficult for you, it could be a good idea to tackle it first. This will get the hard stuff out of the way while you’re still fresh.

• If you notice that your introductory paragraph starts with something broad or hugely general, such as “Throughout the history of time, humans have been fascinated by science,” cut it.
• Don’t put anything in a timed essay that doesn’t support your point. If you are talking about the importance of religious belief in modern society, don’t dilute your point by also referencing socialism, Hollywood, and banana farming.

• Claim. This is the main argument of the paragraph. It is probably located in your topic sentence.
• Evidence. This is the supporting detail that proves your claim.
• Explanation. This connects the evidence back to your claim and explains why the evidence proves what you say it does.
• If anything in your paragraph doesn’t fit one of these three elements, it’s a good sign you don’t need it in the paragraph.

• Does the essay actually demonstrate and support what your thesis says is the main argument? It’s not uncommon for ideas to evolve as you write. If this has happened, tweak your thesis accordingly.
• Do the paragraphs flow smoothly from one to the next? Timed essays don’t have the same standards that regular essays do, but your reader should still be able to follow your argument in a logical progression without feeling yanked around or lost.
• Do you offer a conclusion that sums up your argument? Don’t leave the essay hanging without a conclusion. Even if it’s very brief, a conclusion will help your essay feel complete.

Community Q&A

• Transition words such as "furthermore", "indeed", and "in fact" can make your flow better. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Don't fluff up your essay too much. A reader will want you to get to the point as quickly as possible. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• When starting a new paragraph, don't forget to indent. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.savethestudent.org/extra-guides/how-to-write-a-3000-word-essay-in-a-day.html
• ↑ https://www.writingsimplified.com/2011/06/how-to-write-essay-fast.html
• ↑ https://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/2011/08/slowpoke.2.html
• ↑ https://amst522.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/how-to-gut-a-book-or-the-best-advise-my-grad-school-advisor-ever-gave-me/
• ↑ https://classroom.synonym.com/write-effective-essay-fast-4252.html
• ↑ https://www.slate.com/articles/technology/the_browser/2011/08/slowpoke.html
• ↑ https://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/academic1/timed-essays-top-5-tips-for-writing-academic-essays-under-pressure/

About This Article

If you need to write a good essay in a short amount of time, try to plan your argument and avoid distractions while you're writing. Before you start your essay, decide your thesis statement or the main argument you want to make. This will help you narrow down your research and write the essay quicker. Find a quiet place to work, turn your phone off, and avoid any other distractions. Make sure you schedule short breaks to avoid burn out. If you get stuck, write whatever you can, even if you think it’s really bad or doesn’t make sense. It will be much easier to edit once you’ve gotten the words on the page. Make sure you leave a few hours to revise and spellcheck your essay. For more tips from our Teaching co-author, including how to write a timed essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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What Do Admission Committees Look For in College Applicants?

When it comes time for your college or graduate school search, the application process can be the most daunting part. From asking for recommendation letters to writing a stellar essay, applying to college is no walk in the park, especially when you're juggling multiple applications at once. After finally submitting your application, you may be ready to take a deep breath and relax. But even still, you may find yourself asking questions such as, what will the admissions committee think of my application? Was my application good enough? Understanding what admissions looks for in applicants can help you craft a stellar application.

What Do Admissions Committees Look For in College Applicants?

College applications ask for a variety of information and materials, which may initially feel overwhelming. However, it's essential to view this process as your opportunity to personalize your application and showcase your unique strengths, interests, and experiences. College admissions officers typically look for a combination of academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualities, and unique experiences, taking a holistic approach to evaluating college applicants. In this blog, we'll go over each criteria the admissions committee considers when reviewing college applications so that you can feel confident in your submission.

1. Academic performance

As you probably already know, a key component to a college application is academic performance . Whether you're applying to college from high school or looking to earn your master’s degree, there are several grade criteria that admissions take into consideration. Not only is your GPA considered, but the types of courses you took plays an important role. Taking rigorous courses such as AP courses in high school or upper-level courses in college will strengthen your academic profile. The admissions committee wants to see evidence of strong academic performance and the ability to handle college-level coursework.

2. Essays and personal statements

Essay prompts and personal statements are a common aspect of a college application. Personal statements and essays allow you as an applicant to showcase your personality, passions, interests, and writing abilities. These writing assignments are an excellent opportunity for you to show why you’d be a great fit for the college program you’re applying to. Admissions officers look for essays that are authentic, well-written, and demonstrate self-reflection. They also look to determine how the program will help you meet your goals. Be creative and most importantly, be yourself so that your essay can be compelling, memorable, and an accurate reflection of who you are.

3. Letters of recommendation

A letter of recommendation is your chance to further support your application from a different perspective. Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, coaches, supervisors, or mentors provide insights into an applicants' character, work ethic, and potential for success in college. A recommendation letter can offer anecdotes, examples, and observations that test scores and essays can’t. When requesting recommendation letters , ask academic or professional sources that you have developed a meaningful connection with and who can provide positive insights about your character and abilities. Strong letters of recommendation can help applicants stand out.

4. Extracurricular activities

Being involved in extracurricular activities can help demonstrate your well-roundedness and passions, which will further strengthen your application. Admissions committees will get a greater sense of who you are and what you are interested in, which can help them determine whether you’d be a good fit for the program. They also look to see how you are able to balance activity involvement with academics. If you’re involved in a few extracurriculars, be sure to highlight them in your application, whether it's a sports team, student club, volunteer work, or an internship.

5. Demonstrated interest

Another important factor that admission committee’s take into consideration when evaluating college applications is the students interest in the school and program they’re applying to. The committee wants to see a student’s demonstrated interest as it can help them determine that the student will fit with the campus culture and community, and that they are more likely to enroll in the school. Applying early, expressing your eagerness in your essays, showing off your knowledge of the school or program you're applying to, and attending college events such as open houses or information sessions are all ways you can demonstrate your interest to the committee.

Tips for Crafting a Standout College Application

Now that you have a better understanding of what goes on in the admissions process, here are a few tips to help you craft a standout college application.

1. Make your application strong where you can

Overall, the review of college applications by admissions is typically a holistic process and no single factor determines admission. If you feel that your application might be lacking in an area or two, you can likely compensate for it by showcasing strength elsewhere. If you have great writing skills, be sure to write a stellar essay. Or, if you participated in different extracurricular activities, highlight your accomplishments in your application. Be sure to make your application as strong as possible where you can.

2. Proofread

It may seem simple, but proofreading not just your essay, but all of your application material is a crucial part of your college application. Be sure to read over your personal statement, resume, essays, and any forms you fill out for any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Having a second pair of eyes can be helpful to catch any mistakes you may have missed, so don’t hesitate to ask a friend, family member, or teacher for help.

3. Stay organized

Chances are you aren’t applying to just one college. You may have a few top choices for universities you’d like to attend on your radar, and a few backup options for extra measure. Having several applications you're working on is even more reason to stay organized. Keep track of application deadlines, requirements, and submission materials for each college you're applying to. You can create a checklist or use a planner to stay organized throughout the process.

Create an outstanding college application

Crafting a great college application can be challenging, but understanding key components and guidelines can make the process easier and less stressful. When completing your application, try to do your best for each component and emphasize your strengths. All in all, the admissions committee simply wants to see if you’d be a good fit for the school, and having a strong application that aligns with your goals and the program will help you stand out. If you’re ready to begin the next step in your academic journey, apply to one of NJIT’s top-STEM programs today .

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Do Not Make Survival Even More Difficult for People on the Streets

By Laura Riley

Ms. Riley is the director of the clinical program at the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of “Homeless Advocacy.”

In 2013, Grants Pass, Ore., came up with a strategy to deal with a growing homeless population in the city of roughly 40,000, one that might best be described as kicking the can down the road.

Through a series of ordinances, the city essentially made it illegal to sleep outside in public. In particular, anyone sleeping anywhere in public with bedding, a blanket or a sleeping bag would be breaking the law.

“The point,” the City Council president explained at the time, “is to make it uncomfortable enough for them in our city so they will want to move on down the road.”

Unhoused individuals wouldn’t have much choice. There are no homeless shelters in Grants Pass. At least 600 people in the city were unhoused in 2018 and 2019, according to counts by a local nonprofit that serves the unhoused.

Now the United States Supreme Court is being asked whether the enforcement of the city’s camping regulations, which apply to all of the city’s residents but affect them in vastly different ways, violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Oral arguments are scheduled for Monday.

Of course, weighing the legality of camping obscures the real issue, which is how, in a nation with roughly 650,000 unhoused people, the federal, state and local governments can make sure there are enough beds for people to sleep in. Forcing unhoused people to the next town does not create housing that is affordable or available.

The case is an appeal to a ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that prohibited Grants Pass from using citations to enforce its public camping ordinance. The Ninth Circuit had earlier prohibited cities from enforcing criminal restrictions on public camping unless there was access to adequate temporary shelter.

In the decision being challenged by Grants Pass, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the city “cannot, consistent with the Eighth Amendment, enforce its anti-camping ordinances against homeless persons for the mere act of sleeping outside with rudimentary protection from the elements, or for sleeping in their car at night, when there is no other place in the city for them to go.”

Which there rarely is, in Grants Pass or elsewhere, and which is why people often have no choice but to sleep outside.

In a friend of the court brief, the National Homelessness Law Center argued that Grants Pass had “rejected” its obligation to care for unhoused residents and that vulnerable groups would continue to be marginalized unless the court decides once and for all that those ordinances are cruel. In its brief to the court, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund noted that the laws disproportionately affect people with disabilities and don’t serve any rehabilitative or deterrent interest.

If nothing else, one thing this case has done is unite many officials on the left and the right of the political spectrum, from San Francisco to Arizona. They have complained in briefs to the court that the Ninth Circuit has hamstrung their communities in dealing with homeless encampments.

But homelessness arises from policy decisions, not from a ruling by an appellate court. The Supreme Court should uphold the Ninth Circuit’s ruling. Otherwise it will open the door for communities to pass local laws that effectively punish unhoused people for existing within their borders, making what is clearly cruel permissible.

It would not be unexpected for the Supreme Court’s conservative majority to give the green light for the kind of camping bans at issue. Unhoused people would be pushed further to the margins, increasingly out of sight and mind. They will still be out there, parked in cars in rural areas or subsisting on urban streets, perhaps after being fined or jailed for the crime of trying to survive without a roof over their heads.

This case shines a light on the abdication of responsibility by governments at all levels to their unhoused residents. Instead of arguing about the legality of bans on sleeping in public, we should be asking: Why move people down the road to another community, one that is likely also short on shelter beds?

There is no doubt that the path to creating permanent housing (and more temporary shelter) is politically challenging and expensive. But there are many solutions along this path that go beyond what lawyers and the courts, even our highest one, can accomplish, and that the public should be demanding.

Governments at all levels should invest in homelessness prevention programs and strategies. Those include providing housing subsidies to people who otherwise could lose their housing and supportive transitional services for those leaving mental health treatment and correctional centers.

People on the brink of homelessness should have a right to counsel in eviction proceedings and should be offered the possibility of mediation in housing courts to give them a chance to remain in their houses or apartments.

Businesses should be increasing employment opportunities by not requiring a permanent address in job applications. Lawmakers should create more pathways for people to clear their criminal records, some that arise from targeted enforcement of low-level, nonviolent offenses, because those records can make it much more difficult to get a job.

For populations with unique needs, such as young people and veterans, social service agencies should pursue particularized interventions that address the underlying reasons that pushed individuals into homelessness.

And, of course, we should be building more housing, plain and simple, and we should be providing affordable housing incentives in areas with grocery stores and medical care nearby.

The Supreme Court should not further criminalize homelessness. But whether it does or not, this case should put governments at all levels on notice that humane policies can help to reduce homelessness. We don’t have to let this crisis continue.

Laura Riley is the director of the clinical program at the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of “Homeless Advocacy.”

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How Pew Research Center will report on generations moving forward

Journalists, researchers and the public often look at society through the lens of generation, using terms like Millennial or Gen Z to describe groups of similarly aged people. This approach can help readers see themselves in the data and assess where we are and where we’re headed as a country.

Pew Research Center has been at the forefront of generational research over the years, telling the story of Millennials as they came of age politically and as they moved more firmly into adult life . In recent years, we’ve also been eager to learn about Gen Z as the leading edge of this generation moves into adulthood.

But generational research has become a crowded arena. The field has been flooded with content that’s often sold as research but is more like clickbait or marketing mythology. There’s also been a growing chorus of criticism about generational research and generational labels in particular.

Recently, as we were preparing to embark on a major research project related to Gen Z, we decided to take a step back and consider how we can study generations in a way that aligns with our values of accuracy, rigor and providing a foundation of facts that enriches the public dialogue.

A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations.

We set out on a yearlong process of assessing the landscape of generational research. We spoke with experts from outside Pew Research Center, including those who have been publicly critical of our generational analysis, to get their take on the pros and cons of this type of work. We invested in methodological testing to determine whether we could compare findings from our earlier telephone surveys to the online ones we’re conducting now. And we experimented with higher-level statistical analyses that would allow us to isolate the effect of generation.

What emerged from this process was a set of clear guidelines that will help frame our approach going forward. Many of these are principles we’ve always adhered to , but others will require us to change the way we’ve been doing things in recent years.

Here’s a short overview of how we’ll approach generational research in the future:

We’ll only do generational analysis when we have historical data that allows us to compare generations at similar stages of life. When comparing generations, it’s crucial to control for age. In other words, researchers need to look at each generation or age cohort at a similar point in the life cycle. (“Age cohort” is a fancy way of referring to a group of people who were born around the same time.)

When doing this kind of research, the question isn’t whether young adults today are different from middle-aged or older adults today. The question is whether young adults today are different from young adults at some specific point in the past.

To answer this question, it’s necessary to have data that’s been collected over a considerable amount of time – think decades. Standard surveys don’t allow for this type of analysis. We can look at differences across age groups, but we can’t compare age groups over time.

Another complication is that the surveys we conducted 20 or 30 years ago aren’t usually comparable enough to the surveys we’re doing today. Our earlier surveys were done over the phone, and we’ve since transitioned to our nationally representative online survey panel , the American Trends Panel . Our internal testing showed that on many topics, respondents answer questions differently depending on the way they’re being interviewed. So we can’t use most of our surveys from the late 1980s and early 2000s to compare Gen Z with Millennials and Gen Xers at a similar stage of life.

This means that most generational analysis we do will use datasets that have employed similar methodologies over a long period of time, such as surveys from the U.S. Census Bureau. A good example is our 2020 report on Millennial families , which used census data going back to the late 1960s. The report showed that Millennials are marrying and forming families at a much different pace than the generations that came before them.

Even when we have historical data, we will attempt to control for other factors beyond age in making generational comparisons. If we accept that there are real differences across generations, we’re basically saying that people who were born around the same time share certain attitudes or beliefs – and that their views have been influenced by external forces that uniquely shaped them during their formative years. Those forces may have been social changes, economic circumstances, technological advances or political movements.

When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

The tricky part is isolating those forces from events or circumstances that have affected all age groups, not just one generation. These are often called “period effects.” An example of a period effect is the Watergate scandal, which drove down trust in government among all age groups. Differences in trust across age groups in the wake of Watergate shouldn’t be attributed to the outsize impact that event had on one age group or another, because the change occurred across the board.

Changing demographics also may play a role in patterns that might at first seem like generational differences. We know that the United States has become more racially and ethnically diverse in recent decades, and that race and ethnicity are linked with certain key social and political views. When we see that younger adults have different views than their older counterparts, it may be driven by their demographic traits rather than the fact that they belong to a particular generation.

Controlling for these factors can involve complicated statistical analysis that helps determine whether the differences we see across age groups are indeed due to generation or not. This additional step adds rigor to the process. Unfortunately, it’s often absent from current discussions about Gen Z, Millennials and other generations.

When we can’t do generational analysis, we still see value in looking at differences by age and will do so where it makes sense. Age is one of the most common predictors of differences in attitudes and behaviors. And even if age gaps aren’t rooted in generational differences, they can still be illuminating. They help us understand how people across the age spectrum are responding to key trends, technological breakthroughs and historical events.

Each stage of life comes with a unique set of experiences. Young adults are often at the leading edge of changing attitudes on emerging social trends. Take views on same-sex marriage , for example, or attitudes about gender identity .

Many middle-aged adults, in turn, face the challenge of raising children while also providing care and support to their aging parents. And older adults have their own obstacles and opportunities. All of these stories – rooted in the life cycle, not in generations – are important and compelling, and we can tell them by analyzing our surveys at any given point in time.

When we do have the data to study groups of similarly aged people over time, we won’t always default to using the standard generational definitions and labels. While generational labels are simple and catchy, there are other ways to analyze age cohorts. For example, some observers have suggested grouping people by the decade in which they were born. This would create narrower cohorts in which the members may share more in common. People could also be grouped relative to their age during key historical events (such as the Great Recession or the COVID-19 pandemic) or technological innovations (like the invention of the iPhone).

By choosing not to use the standard generational labels when they’re not appropriate, we can avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or oversimplifying people’s complex lived experiences.

Existing generational definitions also may be too broad and arbitrary to capture differences that exist among narrower cohorts. A typical generation spans 15 to 18 years. As many critics of generational research point out, there is great diversity of thought, experience and behavior within generations. The key is to pick a lens that’s most appropriate for the research question that’s being studied. If we’re looking at political views and how they’ve shifted over time, for example, we might group people together according to the first presidential election in which they were eligible to vote.

With these considerations in mind, our audiences should not expect to see a lot of new research coming out of Pew Research Center that uses the generational lens. We’ll only talk about generations when it adds value, advances important national debates and highlights meaningful societal trends.

• Age & Generations
• Demographic Research
• Generation X
• Generation Z
• Generations
• Greatest Generation
• Methodological Research
• Millennials
• Silent Generation

Kim Parker is director of social trends research at Pew Research Center

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