Academic / A2

ES-ay/ˈeseɪ/

An essay is a short piece of writing on a subject, usually for school: write an essay, an essay about / on. Article is for a newspaper or magazine; report is more factual. Essay question is exam language. Countable: an essay, two essays. Plan, draft, then write the essay.

Meaning

A short piece of writing on a subject, often for school or college.

Examples

• “I have to write an essay about my hometown.”
• “Hand in your essay on Friday.”
• “The essay has to be 300 words.”

Good to know

write an essay on / about. Contrast: article / report. Countable.

Topics

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