How many sentences are in an essay for different types?? 🤔

[Laura]

I'm taking three writing-intensive classes this semester and they all have different expectations and I'm losing my mind trying to keep track . My philosophy professor wants super dense paragraphs with like complex sentences that explore every angle. My English professor wants elegant varied sentences that flow nicely. And my history professor just wants clear evidence-based writing. When I ask about how many sentences are in an essay they all give me different answers!!

I did some research because I'm desperate and found that different types of essays actually do have different typical structures. A standard 5-paragraph essay for high school might have 3-5 sentences per paragraph . A college argumentative essay usually has longer paragraphs with more development—like 5-8 sentences with evidence and analysis . A personal narrative might have shorter punchier paragraphs for effect .

For my philosophy class apparently dense academic writing often has fewer but longer sentences because they're packing in complex ideas . My professor actually said "a good philosophy paragraph might only be three sentences if those sentences are doing heavy lifting" which is wild to me but okay.

My lit review paper for English is supposed to have paragraphs that synthesize multiple sources so those are longer—maybe 8-10 sentences with citations woven throughout . I found this guide from a university that actually breaks down paragraph length by discipline and it was so helpful . Basically STEM papers have shorter paragraphs, humanities have longer ones. Who knew??

Anyway I'm keeping a little chart now because my brain needs organization. Does anyone else struggle with this or am I just extra??

 

[PeterDD]

Laura, you are NOT extra, you're organized and I respect that so much. The discipline breakdown is real and nobody tells us this!!

I'm a sociology major and my paragraphs are like 6-8 sentences usually - gotta fit in theory, evidence, analysis, implications. My friend in engineering writes paragraphs that are literally 3-4 sentences max and I'm like how?? She's like "we just state facts" and i'm like must be nice

Also the sentence length thing matters too! Philosophy sentences are like a whole paragraph by themselves sometimes. I read one once that was 80 words and needed a nap after.