Essay Planner
Pick the kind of essay, enter the title, word limit and the main point of each paragraph. You get an outline with prompts and a word count for each part to copy, save or print.
Worked examples
A word budget
1,500 words, 3 body paragraphs, 10% and 10%
Introduction 150, paragraphs 400, 400, 400, conclusion 150
150 + 400 + 400 + 400 + 150 = 1,500.
Rounding
1,000 words, 3 body paragraphs, 10% and 10%
100, 267, 267, 266, 100
The odd word goes to the part with the biggest remainder, so the total stays 1,000.
About Essay Planner
A lot of essays go wrong not in the writing but in the plan. They have no clear answer to the question, paragraphs that wander, or a conclusion that arrives with no words left. A plan fixes this: one clear answer, a handful of paragraphs that each make one point and back it up, and an introduction and conclusion in proportion.
This planner builds the skeleton for four common kinds of essay: arguing a case or discussing both sides, comparing and contrasting, analysing a text, and explaining causes and effects. You enter the title, your word limit, your one-sentence answer and the main point of each body paragraph. It gives you an outline with prompts for the introduction, a point, evidence, explanation and link for each body paragraph, and a conclusion, with a word budget for every part that adds up exactly to your limit. Copy it, save it as a text file or print it.
How to use Essay Planner
- Choose the kind of essay and enter the word limit and the number of body paragraphs.
- Type the title or question and your main answer in a sentence.
- Write the main point and evidence for each body paragraph in the boxes.
- Read the outline and word budget, then copy, save or print it.
Common uses
- GCSE and A level essays
- University coursework and exam planning
- Timed practice essays
- Helping a student who does not know where to start
Frequently asked questions
What does PEEL mean?
It stands for point, evidence, explain, link. Each body paragraph makes a point, backs it up with evidence, explains why the evidence matters and links back to the question.
How are the words shared out?
The introduction and conclusion get 10% each unless you change it, and the rest is divided equally between the body paragraphs. The numbers are rounded so the parts add up exactly to your limit.
How many body paragraphs should I have?
It depends on the length. About 300 words is a good size for a paragraph, so a 1,500 word essay has three or four.
Does this follow a particular exam board?
No. It is a general planning aid. Follow the instructions and mark scheme from your teacher or exam board first.
How close to the limit should I finish?
Most markers allow about 10% either side of the word limit, but check your own rules, because some courses are strict about going over.