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How to Finish an Essay Last Minute and Do it without Losing Quality

Adela B.

Table of contents

It’s the start of the week; you head to college and realize everybody is talking about the research paper submission. “Isn’t that due next week?” you ask, only to be told it was due the previous day. You hurriedly check your calendar and are in for a rude shock – you missed the deadline.

Just then, your alarm rings, and you wake up sweating. Thankfully, it was a dream!

However, the fact remains that you have a submission in four days, and you are nowhere close to starting it.

Given the busy college schedules, academic pressures, tight deadlines, and in many cases, even juggling a part-time job, it’s no surprise that college students are struggling with stress and anxiety.

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According to a 2018 American College Health Association report , over 60% of college students said they had experienced “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year. Looming essay deadlines have a significant role in contributing to this stress.

Smart Last-Minute Essay Writing Tips You Can Use

Doing an essay last minute is enough to give you the chills. Regardless of how much you plan to start early, you constantly find yourself racing against time.

However, doing an essay last minute does not mean you compromise on the quality. Here are 14 smart ways to write your last-minute essay and still do a good job.

#1. Stop panicking

At this point, you are filled with anger, self-loathe, and guilt. You keep telling yourself that you should have started earlier and hate yourself for putting off the college essay till the very end. While you are bound to have such negative thoughts, you must do away with them because they are futile and will only obstruct your concentration.

The first step to approaching a last-minute essay is to stop panicking and actively start working toward your essay. It would be best if you created a positive mindset and workspace to do full justice to it.

#2. Stay away from distractions

When you begin work on your essay, you receive a notification on your phone, and the next thing you know, you have spent the next few hours doing everything else but working on your college essay.

It’s easy to get distracted and away with time, but you must remind yourself that you cannot afford to do so. Doing an essay last minute requires your undivided attention, considering you have limited time.

So, whether it’s Instagram, Netflix, or even your friends, stay away from distractions and focus on completing the essay.

Here’s an interesting TEDx Talk by Chris Bailey on focusing better.

#3. Commit to a topic

Writing a last-minute essay makes you more likely to doubt yourself and be in two minds. After reading the instructions carefully and researching, choose an essay topic and stick to it. By second-guessing yourself at every point, you will only be wasting time.

#4. Work on the outline

You may wonder if you can afford to work on an essay outline when you run out of time. The answer is yes; structuring your essay is always worth it.

Having an effective essay outline saves you time, ensures you have covered the key points, and maintains a logical flow throughout. For instance, if you are writing a research paper, the outline needs to include the following sections:

  • Title – the shortest page; this needs to mention what your paper is about succinctly;
  • Abstract – a summary of your paper in 150 – 200 words;
  • Introduction – include the essay hook, explanation of the topic, and the thesis statement;
  • Methodology – describe the methods used to conduct the research;
  • Results – state the outcome and substantiate it with statistical data, tables, and graphs;
  • Conclusion – reinstate the thesis statement while summarizing the findings of the research;
  • References and Citations – cite all the references in this section.

Once you have established these, note down the points you plan to include under each section before you begin writing.

#5. Set mini-deadlines

In an ideal world, one would finish the essay in a single sitting, but we all know that’s a little too difficult to achieve. There does come the point when we reach a stage of exhaustion, and pushing ourselves to work beyond that means doom.

To avoid burnout, break your writing into parts and give yourself mini-deadlines. For example, aim to finish writing three sections in four hours and then allow yourself to relax. Tackling the paper in parts keeps your mind fresh, and you can think more clearly in the process.

#6. Set a timer

Since you already created an outline, set a timer for writing every essay section and try to finish before the timer goes off.

For instance, you can set the time at 15 minutes for writing the introduction and try to complete it before the end of the 15 minutes. Once you finish the introduction section, take five minutes to review it and see if it makes sense without bothering to correct the grammar.

Set the timer again for the first body paragraph, then the second, until you have covered all the sections on your outline.

#7. Increase your typing speed

It won't be easy to finish your essay fast if you’re a slow writer. To finish writing within the shortest time possible, you need to increase your typing speed.

How do you increase your typing speed? Sit upright and maintain a good posture while typing (ensure you are not looking at your screen at an angle). Let your elbows rest on the table and slightly elevate your wrists.

As you type, focus on the screen instead of your hands. This will help you start typing faster.

#8. Use writing and editing tools to save time

Want to save time? Several writing and editing tools can automate some processes to save time and help you finish your work faster. Some of the best online tools you can use when writing last-minute college essays include:

a) Grammarly

Grammarly is one of the best editing tools for editing your essay. The software uses artificial intelligence to identify errors related to spelling, punctuation, sentence structures, and even plagiarism.

After you finish writing, pass your essay through Grammarly to help you identify and correct grammatical errors. It will save you the time you’d spend revising your essay to identify and correct such mistakes manually.

b) Evernote

To finish your essay faster, you’ll need to organize your notes to promote the flow of thought and help you write more quickly.

Evernote is one online writing tool that will help you organize your notes effectively, so you don’t need to keep everything in your head when researching. You can take clips, and screenshots of relevant web pages, reference documents, images, and graphics for later use when writing.

This way, you won’t need to surf the internet all over again when you start writing. You can use the software anywhere, at any time, without any charges.

c) Hemingway Editor

Another editing tool to help you edit faster when writing last-minute college essays is the Hemingway Editor. You can decide to type on the app or copy-paste your essay onto the app after you finish writing.

Instead of spending time reading your essay and trying to identify errors alone, Hemingway will help you highlight lengthy and complex sentences and suggest ways to improve them.

It will also identify adverbs and weakening phrases to eliminate from your essay to make it more meaningful. This online editor will improve readability and make your essay easy to read and understand.

d) Dynalist

Nothing makes writing easier and faster than outlining. They help you organize your ideas ahead of time so that when you start writing, you won’t get stuck in the middle. An essay outline will also help you stay on topic and answer all the essay prompts effectively.

The good news is that you can use online tools to write outlines fast to save time, and one of them is Dynalist. You can use the free version of this online tool to capture your points into flawless outlines and flesh them out later when you start writing.

These tools will help you finish writing fast since you won’t spend much time editing manually after writing.

#9. Turn off spelling and grammar checks

While writing tools help you edit your work, the best way to write faster is to turn off the spelling and grammar checkers until you finish writing your first draft.

Since you want to write fast to finish your last-minute essay, underlining errors as you write may be more of a distraction. The checkers sometimes underline correct words, and you may spend time thinking about how to replace the word or correct sentences instead of focusing on writing.

Therefore, consider turning them off until your first draft is ready; you can turn them on and start editing your essay.

#10. Write the introduction and conclusion at the end

Introductions and conclusions tend to require more time when writing an essay. This is because they are supposed to be compelling, thoughtful, and engaging. You, therefore, need a little brainstorming to write these parts.

To save yourself some time, skip the introduction and go straight to explaining your points in the body paragraph.

You’ll spend less time on this section since you have already researched and identified your sources. After completing the essay body, you’ll have a clearer picture of your essay, and the introduction will take you less time to write.

The conclusion will also take less time to write since it will summarize the points you already discussed in the essay.

#11. Cite references alongside

Citing references is an integral part of essay writing. Citing sources and providing evidence to support your claims shows you pay attention to detail and adds to the credibility of your essay.

However, given a situation where you are writing a last-minute essay, there are chances of making more errors or skipping this step altogether. To avoid this mistake, citing references and to write the essay is a good idea.

What does this mean? Every time you include a quote, fact, or piece of information that needs referencing, ensure you make a note of it immediately, so you don’t waste any time hunting for it later.

Alternatively, you can also use a citation generator.

Citing all your reference articles can be time-consuming and deter you from completing your essay fast .

You can use several citation generators to cite articles accurately to have your essay references right. You must copy and paste the generated citation to your list of references at the end of the essay.

Some of the best citation generators you can use include MyBib, CiteThisForMe, CiteFast, and Bibme. The tools help you format your references in APA, MLA, or Chicago style, depending on your essay instructions, all for free.

#12. Proofread

Proofreading the college essay must not be overlooked regardless of how much time you have in hand. This is even more crucial while writing an article in a hurry because you are more likely to make mistakes.

After all the effort put in, the last thing you would want is to submit an essay with grammatical mistakes and formatting errors.

So, put aside quality time to proofread your essay and edit it accordingly. It is also a good idea to share a copy with your parents or friends and get a second set of eyes on your work.

#13. Take short breaks

Even though it’s the last minute and you want to finish writing your college essay fast, short breaks can still come in handy.

Sitting on the table for too long can tire your mind and body, making you a less effective writer. When your mind is clogged up, it hinders the flow of ideas, and you may be unable to knit your ideas into meaningful paragraphs.

Therefore, consider taking short breaks of 5 to 10 minutes, after which you can return to your table and write with a fresh mind.

#14. Get professional help

Doing a last-minute essay can be overwhelming. Sometimes you don’t know where to begin, and your anxiety gets the better of you.

However, college essays affect your grades, and you should not submit substandard work. So, if you find yourself stuck, reach out to a last-minute essay writing service. Writers Per Hour is one such essay writing service that can save you from all the stress and anxiety that comes with last-minute essay writing.

Our instant essay writers are trained to meet deadlines and tackle all sorts of specialized essays ranging from math, law, and chemistry to nursing, biology, and accounting.

Be it 24 hours or 1 hour, when you turn to our urgent essay writing service for last-minute essay writing help , you are sure to receive nothing but high-quality, original essays right on time to meet your deadlines.

Are you stuck on writing an essay?

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about writing last-minute college essays.

How long should it take to write a college essay?

The longer the essay and the more complex the topic, the longer it will take to write. A typical 5-page essay would take around 14 hours to write:

  • Brainstorming, researching, and outlining: 8 hours;
  • Writing: 4 hours;
  • Proofreading, editing, and formatting: 2 hours.

Is it possible to write an essay in one day?

Absolutely! It’s possible to write an essay in one day. All you need to do is prepare and do the research in advance. When you start writing, focus on your essay, and turn off distractions like social media notifications and chatting with friends.

Can I pay someone to write my last-minute college essay?

Yes, however, the person you hire needs to be a subject matter expert and a skilled writer who can deliver quality work quickly.

For instance, Writers Per Hour has urgent essay writers trained to deliver essays within the stipulated deadline. One page paper in 5 hours will cost you $33.99 if you are in high school. If you are a college student, the price will be $41.99 - $47.99, depending on your course.

We recommend you check our prices and discounts before making any decision, as we regularly conduct promotional campaigns for new and regular customers. So, check out our offers and essay promo codes which start from 15% to 25% off any order.

How do you write an essay 10 times faster?

To write an essay ten times faster, plan your writing and research. Create an outline and bookmark the relevant sources you’ll be using. Increase your typing speed, and use online writing tools to help you edit faster.

Irrespective of how much time you have, don’t make the mistake of plagiarizing someone else’s work, as it can lead to severe consequences such as expulsion or ruin your chances of getting selected. Hence, always ensure you submit original work and if you cannot do it yourself, seek help from last-minute essay writing services.

Last-minute essay writing is not ideal, but, in many instances, it cannot be helped either. So, the next time you find yourself in a similar situation, instead of hitting the panic button and haphazardly approaching the essay, follow these smart tips and don’t let the lack of time affect the quality of your essay.

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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 900,097 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

Step 1 Develop a plan.

  • 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

Step 2 Consider the essay question.

  • 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.

Step 3 Develop your argument or thesis statement.

  • 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.

Step 4 Research your essay topic.

  • 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.

Step 5 Write an outline of your essay.

  • 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

Step 1 Set a fixed amount of time to write.

  • 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.

Step 2 Write a catchy...

  • 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

Step 3 Write the body of the essay.

  • 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

Step 4 Write as clearly as possible.

  • 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.

Step 5 Allow yourself to “free-write” to optimize your time.

  • 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.

Step 6 Write the essay conclusion.

  • 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

Step 7 Revise and proofread your essay.

  • 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

Step 1 Plan your work.

  • 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.

Step 2 Time your writing strategically.

  • 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.

Step 3 Cut the fluff.

  • 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.

Step 4 Explain connections between evidence and claims.

  • 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.

Step 5 Leave time to revise.

  • 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

Community Answer

  • 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
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About This Article

Megan Morgan, PhD

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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how to write an essay in 8 hours

How to Write an Essay Fast: Tips and Examples

how to write an essay in 8 hours

Almost every student has experienced a circumstance where they had just a few hours before the essay deadline. So, what is the best course of action in this case? We suggest that you should either begin writing right away or seek professional assistance. Hiring a pro to write your essay is an easy way out. You can just order essay from our research paper writing services , and in a blink of an eye, your piece is ready to be sent out on time. But, if you want to write it yourself, then you need to know how to write an essay quickly.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write an Essay Fast

The essay writing process isn't simple. Especially when you want to do it quickly under the pressure of upcoming deadlines, but don't panic! Whether you’re wondering how to write an essay in a day or just an hour, you can still write an engaging and good essay fast. Here are some tips to help you write a paper faster:

  • Make a plan for your writing process - The first and most important thing to do is to understand a thesis statement, spend 10-15 minutes planning your essay, and brainstorm some ideas about your main point.
  • Start essay writing - Start with a hook in the introduction; add three body paragraphs and explain your major point. Make a clear image of your ideas in the conclusion.
  • Edit your paper - Always keep the last 5 minutes for proofreading your essay; slowly read complex sentences to avoid any grammar mistakes; after editing, give the appropriate title to your work.

These are some useful short tips to do a paper fast. But if you don’t feel like doing any writing, you can use the help of qualified writing service to get yourself a solid essay.

How Can You Write an Essay as Fast as Possible

We discussed a few tips to write an essay fast, but they may still not be enough for everyone to do their essay quickly. There are many reasons why it can get difficult: you struggle to understand the essay topic and the main idea of it, you lack motivation, you overthink an essay prompt, you get constantly distracted, etc. Sometimes we all feel that way, and it's normal, but to make writing your last-minute essay easier, we should overcome those feelings.

So, let's dive deeper into how to write an essay fast to help you with the paper you completely overlooked.

How to Write an Essay Fast

Step 1. Get Rid of Distractions and Plan Your Time

One of the reasons why you can't focus on writing is a constant distraction. Our digital gadgets distract us not only from the essay writing process but from many important things in life. So when you need to focus, set your mind on it and keep the electronic devices away from the working space.

The next step is to manage time. If you want to learn how to write essays quickly, you need to know how to divide the time left correctly. If you have only 2 hours before your deadline, it's crucial to distribute it accordingly. You have to do it in three main parts: outline, body paragraphs, and conclusion paragraphs. Besides that, keep extra 10 minutes for proofreading and revising your essay. Spend 25 minutes on essay structure and half of your 2 hours on shaping the paper's body. Usually, body paragraphs are needed most of the time, but distribution is on you. Spend more of it on the part you struggle to write.

Step 2. Write First Ideas Which Spring up in Your Mind

While reading an essay question carefully, start making a note of the very first ideas that pop up in your mind. This way, you'll have a view of what to write about. Then start analyzing the thesis statement, highlight the major points of the key sentences you want to discuss and then choose which ideas fit best to them.

Don't overthink the statement. To write essays faster, you need to have a concise view of what you are writing about from the very beginning. You don't have much time, so do not spend any of it on overthinking.

Step 3. Elaborate a Plan to Write an Essay Fast

If you have ever had only an hour left to write your essay or are now in that situation, you're lucky to be here reading this. It's entirely possible to do your paper in an hour, and we'll show you an essential step-by-step plan on how to write an essay fast.

But before planning the whole essay, you have to choose your topic. This is a no-brainer, but people are often stuck at this point. If you have the freedom to choose your own topic, determine the kind of theme you are familiar with and can discuss without having to spend much time on research. But if you have several topics, choose the one on which you can deliver a more in-depth analysis.

Now let's move to the next steps on how to plan the process to write an essay fast.

Step 4. Conduct a Research

Conducting research may seem difficult when you have an hour for the whole essay, but don't worry. You can manage that too! You already have the topic and the thoughts around it, and now you need a little research. So be brief and concise, look for the specific information that you're definitely using in your paper, and don't waste time on general concepts. To write an essay fast, you have to conduct research faster.

While searching on the internet, save bookmarks of your needed pages. This will serve not to start looking for the information all over.

Do these tips to write an essay fast make enough sense for you yet?! Anyways, don't pressure yourself! If it's manageable for others to write essay fast, then it is for you too. So read through carefully, act according to this plan, and you'll make it.

Step 5. Make an Outline

Before you start writing:

  • Create an outline of your ideas, and organize your thoughts around the theme.
  • Write down your words on paper and determine how they are logically connected.
  • List your ideas and relate them to the larger concepts.

This way, you can have a general structure for your paper and step forward to write an essay fast. Regardless of how much effort and time you put into the work, it's useless if you can't organize your thoughts.

Now that you have an essay topic and the main idea around it, you can think of creating the thesis statement. Refer to the outlines you noted and try to express the major points of your essay with them. The statement will have two parts - outlining the topic and outlining the objective of your essay.

Now you are one step closer to mastering how to write essays quickly. Several steps to go, and you're all done!

Step 6. Write a Draft with Key Sentences for Each Paragraph

You should develop your arguments in the body and turn every idea you outlined before into separate paragraphs. Remember that each of the sections should have the same format. Start to incorporate your primary ideas into the opening sentence. After that, add your secondary supporting ideas to it. Also, do not forget to use proper sentence format.

You should clearly explain your topic in key sentences to strengthen the arguments. Every paragraph should contain supporting evidence, main points, and summarizing sentences.

Does it seem easier now to write an essay fast? Then, let us make it completely manageable for you with further steps.

Want to research how Steve Jobs revolutionized the world?

Discussing how Steve Jobs shaped modern technology makes a perfect research paper. Our writers are ready to make it even more perfect!

Step 7. Intro: Start with a Hook

After finishing the previous steps, then it is time to write an introduction. But how will you introduce something that hasn't been created yet? It may be unusual to write the beginning after you've already got the middle part, but it makes sense. Now that you have your thesis and arguments on paper, you can take the interesting elements and turn them into an attention-grabbing intro. Write a hook preceding it - it can be statistical information, a dialogue, a relevant anecdote, a quote, or just some fact, but it has to tie in with your thesis.

Also, if it's more comfortable to think of the hook first and then about the other parts, you're free to do so. Starting with the hook can help your creative process, but don't think too much about it. This way is more adjustable when you don't need to search for ‘how to write an essay quickly’ and have enough time to spend on it.

Step 8. Make a Strong Conclusion

Writing the conclusion paragraph is an important part of making a clear expression of everything you wrote above that. It is your opportunity to reinforce the thesis. Restate the arguments to leave the reader with something interesting to think about. It should be 3-5 strong conclusive sentences that place the whole information into a broader context. Don't forget to avoid introducing new points or ideas in your conclusion,

The introduction and conclusion is often the hardest part to write. So, you should save both for last, especially when you want to write an essay fast. It will take all of your time if you start thinking about them in the beginning when you haven't discussed any arguments yet. When you have the body paragraphs of your essay, it should be much easier to write a summarized conclusion and introduction.

Step 9. Check Everything

If you just typed ‘how to write an essay quickly’ and now reading this, then you already know you have to review your paper besides how much time you have before the deadline. So you always have to keep extra minutes to revise your work.

Check if there are any grammatical errors, if the paragraphs are in order - the main argument should be the first and last paragraph in your body, or if your work makes sense at all. These little elements affect the quality of your essay, especially the one you're writing in an hour.

This is the ultimate guide and your last step in learning to write an essay fast. Just don't panic and set your mind on doing it properly.

How to Write 500 Word Essay Fast

The essay writing process isn't so easy, especially when you want it done quickly. But it doesn't mean it's impossible. For example, have you ever wondered how to write a 500 word essay fast? If you are reading this article, you already have the answer. The previous examples we examined about writing papers faster are also adjustable to 500-word essays.

Let's do a small recap! First, decide on an interesting topic you want to write about, but don't overthink it. Instead, choose the one you know more about. Secondly, make a quick, basic outline of your thoughts and thesis statements. Then start working on your body paragraph, and lastly, do your introduction and conclusion. You can read above how to do each of these steps very easily.

In addition, you might be writing an SAT paper. In this case, you can apply these tips to the writing process with specific needs.

How to Write a Research Essay Fast

If you ever looked up 'how to write a research essay fast' and couldn't manage to find the solution through research, then we're here to help you out.

While writing a research paper requires a lot of effort—from developing a compelling thesis to locating relevant literature—doing so may be more fun if you select a topic you are passionate about. In addition, you have an opportunity to consider other people's discoveries and draw your own conclusions about what they signify.

Most essays have specifics that should be considered to be worth a good grade. If you don't know these needs, it can be difficult for you to complete the task properly. So then, what's your answer to it? Are you just sitting there wondering, 'how can I get research paper writing help ?' If you still haven't found the way, click on it, and there is your solution.

Pros and Cons of Writing an Essay Fast

As with everything else, writing your paper fast has its positive and negative sides too.

Let's start with the cons:

  • When writing fast, you may not leave yourself the time for proofreading and editing the work, which will lead to not a very good essay and a satisfactory grade.
  • Knowing that the deadline is coming closer can pressure you while preventing the creative process which can be destructive for your essay.
  • Time spent on each part of the paper may not be enough or correctly distributed, which can mess with essay structure.

Pros of writing essay fast:

  • The positive side of writing an argumentative essay fast is that now you know how to do it and don't need much time to waste.
  • You are always on time for deadlines when you know how to write a good essay fast.
  • Improves your time management skills.

So, It's entirely possible to write a good essay fast. For example, if you need to know how to write a process analysis essay, consider what we have already discussed above, and just like that, you are left with a great piece in a very short period!

There are many reasons why you can't finish your paper before the deadline. But it's not the end of the world, right? That's why essay writing services provide support for students. When you are in a position where you need to get your paper done fast by a professional, you can turn to EssayPro's cheap essay writing service. It's not a problem you have to worry about.

It doesn't matter if you need, for example, descriptive or expository essays, EssayPro's experts can provide both for you. You're just one click away from your perfect paper!

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How to Write an Essay in an Hour: Time Management Secrets for Busy Students

Learn the secrets of writing an essay in just an hour with our comprehensive guide. Uncover time management techniques tailored for busy students, helping you to maximize productivity and conquer tight deadlines. Discover the strategies that will empower you to succeed under pressure.

  • By: Emily Smith

how to write an essay in 8 hours

Introduction:

The need for time management in essay writing

You may often need more time to complete essays and other writing assignments as a student. Time management is an essential skill, especially in essay writing. When you manage your time effectively, you can focus on the task and produce higher-quality work. In today's fast-paced world, learning to write an essay in just an hour can be a valuable skill that helps you stay on top of your academic responsibilities and reduces stress (APA, 2013).

Benefits of completing an essay in an hour:

Completing an essay in an hour offers several benefits for busy students:

  • It allows you to maximize your limited time and balance your academic workload with other responsibilities, such as part-time jobs, extracurricular activities, or family obligations.
  • Writing efficiently can help you develop better writing habits and overall writing skills.
  • Completing an essay quickly can boost your confidence and self-esteem, making you feel more capable and in control of your academic success. 

Understanding the Assignment:

What is the prompt asking you to do?

To write an essay in an hour, it is crucial to understand the prompt and what it asks you to do. Please take a few minutes to read the instructions carefully and break them down into smaller tasks. Identify the main goal of the essay, such as explaining a concept, arguing a point, or comparing two ideas. Knowing the purpose will help you stay focused and organized, which is essential for completing the essay quickly.

Key factors to consider before starting

Before starting your essay, consider key factors that can help you write more efficiently:

  • Determine the essay's structure, which may be dictated by the prompt or your preference. A clear structure will make organizing your thoughts and writing easier.
  • Consider any citation requirements or specific formatting, as these can affect the time it takes to complete the essay.
  • Consider your essay's target audience and the appropriate tone, language, and style.
  • These factors will help you write an effective essay in just an hour.

Efficient Brainstorming Techniques:

How can you brainstorm ideas quickly?

To brainstorm ideas quickly, try the following strategies: First, set a timer for 5-10 minutes to encourage fast thinking (Gardner, 2014). Then, jot down any ideas that come to mind without worrying about their quality or relevance. This process, called "free-writing," helps you access your creativity and bypass the tendency to overthink (Graham & Perin, 2007). Additionally, asking yourself open-ended questions about the essay topic can stimulate new ideas and perspectives.

Mind mapping: A visual approach to brainstorming

Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming technique that can help you generate and organize ideas quickly. To create a mind map:

  • Write your essay topic in the center of a page.
  • Draw lines radiating outward from the central topic, and write down related ideas, keywords, or questions along these lines.
  • Connect these ideas using additional lines and subtopics.
  • This process allows you to see the relationships between ideas and develop a clear structure for your essay.

Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement:

What is a thesis statement, and why is it important?

A thesis statement is a single sentence presenting your essay's main argument or point (University of North Carolina Writing Center, n.d.). It serves as a roadmap, guiding the reader through your argument and informing them of what to expect. A strong thesis statement is clear, concise, and specific, enabling you to effectively convey your ideas and keep your essay focused and well-organized (Purdue University Online Writing Lab, n.d.).

Creating a strong thesis statement in minutes

To create a strong thesis statement in minutes, start by identifying the main idea of your essay and the supporting points or arguments you will make. Then, combine these elements into a single, clear sentence. For example, suppose your essay is about the benefits of exercise. In that case, your thesis statement might be: "Regular exercise promotes mental and physical health by reducing stress, improving mood, and lowering the risk of chronic diseases." Remember to keep your thesis statement specific and focused, as this will help you maintain clarity and direction throughout your essay (Purdue University Online Writing Lab, n.d.).

Creating a Time-Saving Outline:

How can you create an outline in a short time?

Creating an outline quickly is possible if you follow a few simple steps:

  • Write down your thesis statement.
  • List the main points you want to discuss in your essay. For each point, jot down a few supporting details or examples. This will help you see the structure of your essay more clearly.
  • Arrange your points in a logical order, such as from least to most important or chronologically.

Review your outline to ensure it makes sense and flows smoothly.

Following these steps, you can quickly create an effective outline to help you write your essay more efficiently.

Structuring your essay for success:

To structure your essay for success:

  • Follow a standard format that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • In the introduction, grab the reader's attention with a hook, introduce your topic, and present your thesis statement.
  • In the body, organize your main points into separate paragraphs, each discussing one point and providing supporting details or examples.
  • Make sure your paragraphs are logically connected and transition smoothly from one to the next.
  • In conclusion, restate your thesis, summarize your main points, and leave the reader with a lasting impression or a call to action.
  • This basic structure can create a well-organized essay that effectively communicates your ideas.

Writing the Introduction:

How can you grab the reader's attention?

To grab the reader's attention, start your introduction with a hook. A hook can be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or a brief anecdote related to your topic. It should be engaging and make the reader want to continue reading your essay. For example, suppose you are writing about the importance of recycling. In that case, you might start with a statistic about the yearly waste produced. Remember to keep your hook brief and relevant to your topic.

Incorporating your thesis statement

After capturing the reader's attention with a hook, incorporate your thesis statement into your introduction. The thesis statement should be clear, concise, and specific, outlining your essay's main argument or point. It should be placed at the end of your introduction paragraph. For example, suppose your essay is about the benefits of exercise. In that case, your thesis statement might be, "Regular exercise leads to improved physical health, mental well-being, and increased productivity." By including your thesis statement in the introduction, you provide the reader with a clear understanding of the purpose of your essay and what to expect from your argument.

Developing the Body Paragraphs:

How can you write effective body paragraphs efficiently?

To write effective body paragraphs efficiently:

  • Focus on one main point per paragraph.
  • Start with a clear topic sentence introducing the main point, then provide supporting details and evidence.
  • Keep each paragraph focused and organized, and avoid including unrelated information.

Using the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) method for speedy writing:

The PEEL method can help you write body paragraphs quickly (de Kleijn et al., 2018). Start with a Point (your main argument), followed by evidence (facts, statistics, examples), an Explanation (connecting the evidence to the point), and a Link (connecting the paragraph to the thesis statement). By following this structured approach, you can maintain focus and coherence in your writing (de Kleijn et al., 2018).

Tips for maintaining focus and coherence in your writing

Keep your paragraphs organized and connected to the thesis statement to maintain focus and coherence. Use clear topic sentences and transitions between paragraphs to guide the reader through your argument. Additionally, refrain from introducing unrelated ideas or going off tangents, which can confuse the reader and weaken your essay.

Crafting a Compelling Conclusion:

How can you write a conclusion that leaves an impact?

To write a conclusion that leaves an impact:

  • Restate your thesis statement and concisely summarize your main points.
  • Provide a final thought or call to action that encourages the reader to consider the implications of your argument.
  • Make your conclusion memorable by using strong language and clear, powerful statements.

Summarizing your main points effectively

To summarize your main points effectively, briefly revisit each of the key arguments made in your essay. Focus on the most important aspects of your argument and avoid introducing new information in the conclusion. Use clear and concise language to remind the reader of your main points and reinforce your thesis statement.

Editing and Proofreading Tips:

Why is editing and proofreading crucial even in a time crunch?

Even in a time crunch, editing and proofreading are crucial because they help you catch errors and improve the clarity of your writing (Harvard College Writing Center, n.d.). By allocating a few minutes to review your essay, you ensure that your ideas are communicated effectively and that your essay is free from mistakes that may distract your reader or undermine your argument (Harvard College Writing Center, n.d.).

Common errors to watch out for

When editing and proofreading, watch out for common spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020). Additionally, check for consistency in your argument, clarity or awkward phrasing, and incorrect use of vocabulary. By addressing these issues, you can enhance the overall quality of your essay and make it more engaging for your reader (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2020).

Time Management Strategies for Busy Students:

How can you improve your overall time management skills?

To improve your time management skills:

  • Start by setting specific goals and breaking them into smaller tasks (Dartmouth College, n.d.).
  • Create a schedule to allocate time for each task and avoid procrastination by setting deadlines.
  • Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines, and learn to say no to distractions (Dartmouth College, n.d.).

Resources and tools to help manage your time more effectively

There are various resources and tools to help you manage your time effectively. Online calendars, like Google Calendar, can help you organize your schedule and set reminders for important tasks (Google, n.d.). Time management apps like Todoist and Trello can help you create to-do lists and track progress (Todoist, n.d.). Additionally, resources like Pomodoro Technique and time blocking can assist you in breaking your work into focused intervals (Cirillo, 2021).

Conclusion:

In this guide, you learned the importance of time management in writing and how to complete an essay in an hour. You can write your essay quickly by understanding the assignment, brainstorming efficiently, crafting a strong thesis statement, creating a time-saving outline, and writing a compelling introduction, body, and conclusion. Also, remember the importance of editing, proofreading, and effective time management strategies.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you apply these time management secrets in your essay writing, the better you will become at completing essays quickly. Stay confident, keep learning, and always strive to improve your skills. With time and effort, you will master writing an essay in an hour.

SUGGESTED READINGS:

Bolker, J. (1998). Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis . Holt Paperbacks.

This book offers practical advice on managing time and overcoming writing obstacles, specifically for students working on long-term projects like dissertations. Still, the principles can be applied to essay writing as well.

Tracy, B. (2017). Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time . Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

This book provides actionable strategies for overcoming procrastination and improving time management skills, which can be applied to essay writing and other academic tasks.

Hutchison, H. (2013). Essays and Dissertations Made Easy : Flash. Hodder Education.

This guide offers tips and techniques for writing essays and dissertations, including structuring, researching, and managing time effectively.

Leith, S. (2018). Write to the Point: How to be Clear, Correct, and Persuasive on the Page . Profile Books.

This book teaches how to write clearly and persuasively, focusing on structure and language, which can help students write an effective essay within a short time frame.

Pychyl, T. A. (2013). Solving the Procrastination Puzzle: A Concise Guide to Strategies for Change . TarcherPerigee.

This guide provides practical solutions to overcome procrastination and improve productivity, which can be particularly helpful for students aiming to write essays in a limited time.

WORK CITED:

APA. (2013). Stress in America: Are Teens Adopting Adults' Stress Habits? American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/stress-report.pdf 

Cirillo, F. (2021). The Pomodoro Technique. Retrieved from https://francescocirillo.com/pages/pomodoro-technique 

Dartmouth College. (n.d.). Time Management. Retrieved from https://students.dartmouth.edu/academic-skills/learning-resources/time-management 

de Kleijn, R., Mainhard, T., Meijer, P. C., Pilot, A., & Brekelmans, M. (2018). The development of an instrument to analyze the use of the PEEL method for writing argumentative essays. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 43(7), 1072-1083. 

Gardner, J. (2014). The Importance of Writing. In J. Gardner (Ed.), Becoming a Successful Early Career Researcher (pp. 57–69). New York: Routledge. 

Google. (n.d.). Google Calendar. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/calendar 

Graham, S., & Perin, D. (2007). Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools. Alliance for Excellent Education. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED497746.pdf 

Harvard College Writing Center. (n.d.). Editing the Essay, Part One. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/editing-essay-part-one 

Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements. Retrieved from https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html 

Todoist. (n.d.). Todoist: The to-do list to organize work & life. Retrieved from https://todoist.com/ 

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (2020). Editing and Proofreading. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/ 

University of North Carolina Writing Center. (n.d.). Thesis Statements. Retrieved from https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/thesis-statements/

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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

Step 1 Figure out how much time you have.

  • 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.

Step 2 Organize your time for a 30-minute timed essay.

  • 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

Step 3 Break down your writing time per paragraph.

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

During the Essay

Step 1 Focus on your outline.

Proofreading the Essay

Step 1 Double check the essay to proofread it.

Submitting the Essay

Step 1 Recognize who the essay must be turned into.

Expert Q&A

Arash Fayz

  • 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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7 Top Tips on Writing the Time

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. We have a few tips to help, though.

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’re referring to an approximate or round time (e.g., saying “ten thirty” is fine, but you would not usually write “twenty-four minutes after 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 periods 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 organizations 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 past seven o’clock . ✘

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

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4. Past, After, Till, and To

When writing the time as words, use “after,” “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 after or past for intervals up to 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   or  quarter after for 15 minutes after the hour.
  • Use quarter to for 15 minutes up to the hour.

For example, we would use the above accordingly in the following times:

7:05 → Five after seven

7:15 → Quarter past seven

7:30 → Half past seven

7:45 → Quarter to eight

7:55 → Five to eight

Keep in mind that using “after” for times is only standard in American English. In other English dialects, “past” is far more common.

5. Punctuating the Time

When writing the time as numerals, you can use either a colon or a period 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

For the contiguous states in the USA, we have four standard time zones:

  • Pacific Time (PT) [UTC-08:00]
  • Mountain Time (MT) [UTC-07:00]
  • Central Time (CT) [UTC-06:00]
  • Eastern Time (ET) [UTC-5:00]

We also have regional time zones for Alaska, Hawaii, and 5 US dependencies, 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 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 can use this to compare times in different places. So, “UTC-8:00” means Pacific Time is 8 hours behind UTC. And since we know Pacific Time is 8 hours behind UTC and Eastern Time is 5 hours behind UTC, we can work out that ET is 3 hours ahead of PT.

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 important if you are writing for an international audience, since not everyone will be in the same time zone. You thus need to include a set of time zone initials so your reader can calculate the equivalent time where 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 .

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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Tips for Online Students , Tips for Students

Hacks How to Write a 10 and 20 page Paper in One Night

Updated: July 15, 2022

Published: April 19, 2020

Hacks-How-to-Write-a-10-and-20-page-Paper-in-One-Night

It’s the night before a big paper is due. For whatever reason, you find yourself needing to write an entire research paper in a very short amount of time. While procrastination isn’t ideal, extenuating circumstances may have caused your timeline to get pushed back. So, here you are, looking for how to write a 10-page paper or how to write a 20-page paper in one night.

It goes without saying the best way to write a paper is to give yourself enough time to outline, draft, and edit. Yet, it’s still possible to write in less time. Take heed of these best tips and tricks to organize your thoughts and get your thesis on paper as fast as possible.

Photo by  Adolfo Félix  on  Unsplash

How to prepare before you write, 1. create a schedule to maximize your time.

You’ve likely already spent time panicking. Once you calm yourself of the anxiety of having to finish a 10- or 20-page paper in one night, organize your plan of attack. First, you should designate an area free of distractions so that you can focus. Aside from a few breaks and snacks, it’s best to set up a comfortable place to write. Give yourself some time to outline and find/cite research . Once you know how you’re going to approach the subject, then you can start drafting.

2. Determine your Main Topic

If you’ve been given a prompt, then your topic is clear. However, sometimes you have the freedom to choose what your research will be about. In this case, it’s smartest to choose a topic that you are already knowledgeable about. That way, you will save yourself key time that would have otherwise been spent on research. If you don’t feel strongly about any particular topic, then at least try to pick one that has a lot of information available.

3. Perform Research

Start looking up sources to cite that support your thesis, or main argument. As you research, be sure to take notes. One of the best ways to do this is to use a word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word to copy and paste URLs. For each source, it would be best to copy/paste one main sentence that covers its point.

Then, you can write brief notes in your own words that summarize what you have read from that source. While you are performing research, you can start to put together an outline, or the flow of how you will present your ideas broken down by topic and argument.

4. Outline 3-5 subtopics

Once you’ve chosen your topic, then try to pull 3-5 subtopics from it. Each sub-topic should be juicy enough to be able to write a lot about it. The subtopics are your supporting paragraphs which fill the body of the research paper. They should basically be mini essays within themselves.

Writing in One Night

Writing a long research paper in one night isn’t ideal, but it is doable. Some of the best ways to get it done is to follow these 5 tips:

1. Plan and Outline

Take those few extra moments to plan and outline your paper. While it may feel like a waste of valuable time, it is going to help you stay on track. When you have an outline and you get to the middle of your paper, you won’t feel lost as to how to continue. An outline will be useful to you like a map is on a journey.

2. Use Specialized Search

Take advantage of search tools that are designed for scholars. For example, a few of these include: Google Scholar and Elsevier .

3. Leverage Tools

There are citation management tools that will help you find sources for your topic. Mendeley is just one of them. You can type parts of your paper into the tool and find quotes of value. Be sure to cite everything you use to avoid plagiarism .

4. Proofread and Edit

Once you complete writing 10 to 20 pages, you may feel like throwing in the towel and going to sleep for a few hours. However, it is crucial to power through and proofread your paper. If you have anyone available who can read your paper over, that would be best because it’s hard to catch mistakes when you’ve been looking at the same thing for so long. But, if no one is available, try to read your paper back to yourself out loud. This way, you may be able to catch typos better.

5. Check Formatting

Every research paper needs to adhere to a particular format guideline. Whether it’s APA, MLA, or another standard formatting practice, be sure to double check that your layout adheres to the guidelines.

Photo by  Christin Hume  on  Unsplash

When to start writing.

If you have yet to find yourself trying to write a paper at the last minute and all the notes above are scaring you out of procrastination, then that’s a good start! Perhaps you were recently assigned a research paper. In this case, the best way to tackle the project is to do the following:

Start Early

Get started right away. Even if it means just performing early research or writing an outline, starting early is going to save you from having to write a paper in one night down the line. When you start early, you benefit greatly because you can: leverage peers for ideas, take the necessary time to edit and rewrite, and you lower your risk of picking a topic with too little information and having to change topics at the last minute.

Writing in Stages

Starting early also affords you the opportunity to write in stages. You can think of writing as a cycle when you write in stages. First, you can create your outline. Then, you can write the introduction, edit it, and rewrite anything you may need to before moving on to the next piece (or the first body paragraph, in this case).

Use a Timeline

Create a timeline for your writing in stages. If you start four weeks in advance, for example, you have time to do all of the following:

  • Fully understand the assignment and ask any questions
  • Start to read and document sources
  • Create notecards and cite books for sources
  • Write a summary of what you’ve discovered so far that will be used in some of your paper
  • Create 3-5 subtopics and outline points you want to explore
  • Look for more sources on your subtopics
  • Start writing summaries on each subtopic
  • Write some analysis of your findings
  • Start to piece together the research paper based on your notes and outline (almost like completing a puzzle)
  • Edit and proofread / ask for feedback

The Writing Process

The actual writing process is a little different for everyone, but this is a general overview for how to write a 20-page paper, or one that is shorter.

  • Start with a Thesis: Your thesis is one sentence that clearly and concisely explains what you are going to prove with research.
  • Include a Menu Sentence: At the end of your introduction, you will briefly outline your subtopics in what is often referred to as a “menu sentence.” This allows the reader to understand what they can expect to learn about as they continue to read your paper.
  • Create a Detailed Introduction: Your introduction should be detailed enough so that someone with little to no knowledge about your subject matter can understand what the paper is about.
  • Keep References: Be sure to write your references as you go along so that you basically can create your bibliography in the process of writing. Again, this is where a tool like Mendeley may be useful.
  • Write First: Write first and edit later. You want to get all your ideas down on the page before you start judging or editing the writing.
  • Save Often: Create the draft on a cloud platform that is automatically saved (i.e. Google Docs in case your computer crashes) or email the work to yourself as you go.

The Breakdown of a 10-Page Paper

The Breakdown of a 10-Page Paper infographic table

Sources to Consider Using

When writing your research paper and finding sources, it’s best to use a mix of sources. This may include:

  • Internet: The Internet is filled with limitless possibilities. When you use the Internet, it’s best to find credible and trustworthy sources to avoid using fake news as a source. That’s why tools like Google Scholar can be so helpful.
  • Textbooks: It’s more likely than not that you’ll be able to use your class textbook as a source for the research you are conducting.
  • Books: Additionally, other books outside of those you read within your class will prove useful in any research paper.

Final Steps: Editing and Formatting

Once you’ve written all your ideas on the page, it’s time to edit. It cannot be stressed enough that editing is pivotal before submission. This is especially true if you’ve been writing under immense pressure.

Writing a 10- or 20-page research paper in one night is not easy, so there are bound to be mistakes and typos. The best way to catch these mistakes is to follow these tips:

  • Take a break before you edit so you can come back to the page with somewhat fresh eyes and a clearer head
  • Read it out loud to edit and catch mistakes because sometimes your brain will override typos or missing words to make sense of what it is reading
  • If possible, ask someone else to look it over
  • Consider using footnotes or block quotes
  • Format according to how your university asks – MLA or APA, etc.

The Bottom Line

Life throws curveballs your way without warning. Whether you are holding yourself accountable for procrastinating or something out of your control came up, you may find yourself needing to write a big research paper in one night. It’s not the best-case scenario, but with the right tools and tricks up your sleeve, you can surely get it done!

Related Articles

How To Finish A Compelling Essay in An Hour

how to write an essay in an hour

Table of Contents

Burning midnight oil.

Essay writing makes up a big part of academic life for students in schools and colleges. Instructors teach the dynamics of essay writing before assigning them tasks of their own. There is always a limited time and set guidelines to finish an essay and submit it before the deadline.

Simply saying that essay writing is a single task can be quite misleading. Students can never set out to write a complete essay without prior or post-writing phases. For instance, if a student has decided to write on a topic, it is impossible to cover the whole premise without in-depth research and collection of data.

This post is about dissecting the idea of writing a perfect essay in one hour through a guide. We have shared a complete plan and then provided a pro tip to get a well-written compelling essay in an hour.

Writing A Perfect Essay In One Hour – Fact or Fiction?

It may seem like an outlandish idea. As a matter of act, it is an outlandish idea. But it is doable. Writing a perfect essay in one hour is a distant dream of novice writers and students, yet professional writers can do it in even less time. They divide the whole task of writing an essay into different parts.

Each part is done at a specific time before they move on to the next one. In professional companies, different writers designate tasks between one another and complete a finished copy well before one hour.

Two Possible Ways Forward

When a student is tasked to write a well-researched, compelling essay, it is necessary to have some time on their hands to deal with the assignment. Instructors usually provide a couple of days, at least, to students so that they can research, write, and edit excellent essays.

But let us just say that you were not lucky to have this much time to submit your assignment. How can you write a perfect essay in one hour ?

To that question, there are two possible answers, but only one of them is desirable.

Hiring A Professional Writer

This is the easiest and by far the most secure way to get a unique essay written in one hour. Professional writers are employed by essay-writing companies that offer timely services to students across the globe. They have the right tools and training to collect relevant information before outlining, and then writing the essay before the deadline. You can be sure of the fact that you will be able to secure the highest marks. PerfectEssay offers a money-back guarantee if the provided essay will fail the customer. As a decade-old company, they did not have to pay that penalty once!

Writing On Your Own

Writing the essay on your own is a noble cause, and there is no doubt about it. But students should also look at things from a more practical or pragmatic angle. As novice writers in their formative years of school or college education, they do not have enough training or tools to come up with a topic, research necessary information, and then write on the premise. It is best to go with a professional writer who can deliver guaranteed work on time. But if they are still up for the challenge, the guide in the upcoming lines is for them.

How To Quickly Write An Essay

Distractions can create setbacks for seasoned writers, so novice writers and students at academic institutions cannot be blamed for being mere mortals. The room where you need to write the essay in an hour should be quiet and isolated. Your smartphone should be turned off or at least the notifications are silent to provide you the head space you need.

The atmosphere, the right one, has a great impact on the quality and quantity of the output when it comes to writing. Before setting out to write an essay in an hour, make sure that everything is where it should be. It means a comfortable temperature of the room, ample light, and a supporting chair and desk for the right posture.

Many times, teachers assign a topic to the students for writing the essay. Other times, they need to come up with one on their own. If you are already given a topic, you can save time on choosing one and go straight to the research and outline. If not, it is best to scour the internet and look for trendy topics.

Understanding the topic is the first step toward writing a superb essay. During normal times, it is alright if a student wants to take more than a day to better understand the topic. But when he has only an hour to write the essay, it is best to rely on his instincts and move to the brainstorming phase as soon as possible.

Brainstorming ideas is a crucial part of the process. It can be done in mind or on paper. Since students do not have ample time on their hands, it is best to go with the paper method and write down the best ideas. Then, they must be vetted against other issues before settling and writing the essay on one.

It is impossible that a student has all the information he needs to write a quality essay. There are sources and credible publications that they must consult beforehand. This allows them to have a solid thesis, main argument, or idea for the essay. This phase also helps them in determining the right direction, depth, and scope of the essay.

A thesis statement is an essential element of the essay, no matter the type, scope, and application of the essay. A thesis statement is the distillation of the main idea or the argument of the essay into a single or a couple of bold sentences or a small paragraph. The best way to develop one is to write it in the closing lines of the introduction after completing the essay.

An outline is the best way to set the direction and tone for the essay. It also helps with setting the scope and focus of the write-up. But the most important and far-reaching benefit of creating an outline is to avoid bottlenecks or writer’s block along the way. When students have only an hour to write the whole essay, every minute and second counts.

There is no need to get into the process of writing with half heart and mind. Even though the time is limited, students should approach the task of writing with a confident urgency. This will result in fewer mistakes and errors in the writing, which means fewer minutes to allocate for the editing and proofreading process.

Checklist For Writing An Essay In An Hour

A checklist is a list of essentials for a task so that they could not be left out in a hurry. While writing an essay in an hour, writers need to have a solid and dependable checklist to compare and evaluate their essays with.

In this section, we have shared the major parts of the essay and how writers can check elements and essentials in these with the checklist. This will ensure that they end up securing maximum scores in their assignment.

Introduction – Hook, Context, Thesis

The introduction of the essay should have a hook. It can be a single or a couple of sentences in the opening to lure the readers in. After the hook, writers should provide the background information or context of the problem or issue. In the closing lines of the introduction, writers should put down the thesis statement. It will help them transition into the main body of the essay.

Body Paragraphs – Arguments, Narrative, Description

Body paragraphs are the real meat and bones of the essay. Whether students are  writing an argumentative , narrative, or descriptive essay, this will be the major portion in terms of the quantity of the essay. Writers should ensure that the relevant elements of the essay type are in abundance and are perfectly balanced against one another. Otherwise, it will be no point in writing catchy opening or closing lines.

Conclusion – Summation, Reiteration

Many students wing this part because they mistakenly think that it cannot add much value to the essay. This cannot be further from the truth as it can help writers make the essay memorable and better understood by the readers. Again, writers should keep the section bold and brief and reiterate the main ideas and arguments of the essay. The real value of any essay lies in its closing sections.

How To Finish An Essay Quickly

Starting and finishing a good essay in an hour requires a cocktail of talents and traits. First of all, students need to be resilient and able to think and write under pressure. This comes from writing prompts in quick sessions. Then, it is about knowing how and where to look for relevant information without wasting time. In the end, it is about putting the time and effort into writing the essay and then editing it before the stroke of the clock.

Will You Write My Essay In One Hour?

If a student asks this question to another student or a sibling, there are healthy chances that his request will be turned down for good. But when the same question is asked by a good writing company such as PerfectEssay, the answer will always be yes, and for all the right reasons.

PerfectEssay offers nominal pricing and ensures a guarantee of success. We have a team of highly skilled writers with support staff to get started and finish a quality essay from scratch within an hour. Since the clock is ticking, what are you waiting for? Place your order now and get a superb essay in your inbox before the deadline!

A Perfect Essay – More Than The Sum of The Parts

A perfect essay, objectively speaking, is a collection of different paragraphs with varying functions and focuses. It is hard to make sense of the individual sections if we do not take into account the whole premise and intent behind writing an essay.

There is no denying that writing a complete essay within an hour is a herculean task, one that requires excellent research and writing skills. On the other hand, students can make a great time by dividing the whole task into small sections and then taking on each section accordingly. Still, the best way forward is by not writing at all and outsourcing the heavy lifting to the professionals.

Free Features

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How Long Does It Take to Write 8 Pages?

Writing 8 pages will take about 1.7 hours for the average writer typing on a keyboard and 3.3 hours for handwriting. However, if the content needs to include in-depth research, links, citations, or graphics such as for a blog article or high school essay, the length can grow to 13.3 hours.

Typical documents that are 8 pages include college dissertations, theses, and in-depth blog posts and journal articles. A typical single-spaced page is 500 words long.

You may write faster or slower than this depending on your average writing speed. Adults typically type at about 40 words per minute when writing for enjoyment and 5 words per minute for in-depth essays or articles. They can handwrite at 20 words per minute. College students typically need to be able to write at 60-70 words per minute in order to quickly write essays.

Writing Time by Word Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical word counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:

Writing Time by Page Counts

The table below will tell you how long it will take to write typical page counts. If you want to know how long writing an essay or book will take, check out the table below:

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How to Write a Great Essay in 8 Hours or Less: A Very Easy Guide (30 Minute Read) (The Learning Development Book Series 9)

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How to Write a Great Essay in 8 Hours or Less: A Very Easy Guide (30 Minute Read) (The Learning Development Book Series 9) Kindle Edition

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The Editor’s Manual

Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

  • Abbreviations

How to Use AM and PM

Neha Karve

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.

Graphic titled "a.m. & p.m." The left panel shows an illustration of a white alarm clock against a pastel green background. The clock face is divided into day and night. The right panel lists the following rules and examples: Use "a.m." and "p.m." to indicate exact time ("The sun set at 8:01 p.m."). Use numerals with "a.m." and "p.m." ("Maya woke up today at 8 a.m."). When lowercased, use periods. If capitalized, omit the periods ("At 8:01 a.m./8:01 AM, the alarm rang").

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.

Share this article

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.

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