Writing

Essay writing for school: structure, draft and word limit, in your child's words

· 3 min read

The worksheet says "Write 300 words on…". Your child stares at a blank page. You don't want to write it for them, and you don't want a borrowed paragraph they can't explain. Here is a way through.

Why essays feel so hard

  • The blank page. Your child often has opinions, but no structure to put them in.
  • Word limits. They write 80 words, or 800. Neither is what was asked.
  • Different expectations. A tutor may mark one way, and the school another.
  • The shortcut. A ready-made essay from the internet or an AI tool is one click away. It reads well, but there is no understanding behind it, and the teacher wants your child’s own voice.

What good help looks like

Good help is not a finished essay to copy. It is a process your child can repeat next time:

  1. Read the brief. Topic, word limit, and any points the teacher asked for. Underline them.
  2. Brainstorm. Ask: “What do you actually think about this?” Write down every idea, however rough.
  3. Outline. One line for the introduction, two or three main points, one line for the conclusion. On paper, before any drafting.
  4. Draft one paragraph at a time. Read each paragraph aloud before moving on.
  5. Trim to the word limit. Cut repeated ideas and extra adjectives first. Keep the argument.
  6. The own-words test. Your child should be able to explain every sentence if the teacher asks.

Getting the word limit right

A rough guide helps children plan before they write:

  • 150 words: an introduction line, one main paragraph, a closing line.
  • 300 words: a short introduction, two or three body paragraphs, a conclusion.
  • 500 words: an introduction, three or four body paragraphs, a conclusion.

Count after the first draft, not during it. Writing and counting at the same time slows children down. If the draft is too long, cut a whole point rather than squeezing every sentence. If it is too short, ask “Can you give an example for this point?”

Tips for each essay type

Descriptive (“Describe a visit to…”)
Use the senses: what did you see, hear, smell? One strong detail beats five general ones.

Argumentative (“Should mobile phones be allowed in school?”)
Take a clear side. Give two or three reasons with examples, and answer one point from the other side.

Narrative (“Write a story that ends with…”)
Beginning, middle, end. Something should change for the main character.

Occasion or event (Independence Day, a science milestone, the environment)
Keep it age-appropriate and specific. A local example from your city or school is better than a paragraph of general facts.

Biographical (“A person who inspires me”)
Research first, then outline: who they are, one or two moments that matter, and why they inspire you.

How you can help without writing it

  • Ask questions, don’t supply sentences. “What’s your first reason?” is help. “Write: firstly, pollution harms…” is not.
  • Be the reader. Ask your child to read the draft aloud to you. They will hear most of their own mistakes.
  • Point, don’t fix. “This paragraph has two ideas. Which one is it about?” lets them do the fixing.
  • Keep the outline visible. Most essays go off track when the plan is forgotten halfway through.

Writing for a speech is different: it is meant to be heard, not read. See our guide to writing a school speech.

In short

  • Brief, brainstorm, outline, draft, trim, then the own-words test.
  • Plan paragraphs to fit the word limit, and count after the first draft.
  • Ask questions and be the reader. Let your child do the writing.

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