Short answer
A standard academic essay usually includes a title page, table of contents, introduction, main body, conclusion, and a list of sources. Formatting rules differ by institution, so always check your department guidelines.
Essay structure
A typical structure looks like this:
- Title page
- Table of contents
- Introduction
- Main body
- Conclusion
- List of sources
- Appendices if required
The introduction explains relevance, goal, and tasks. The conclusion summarizes the results and should not introduce new facts.
Text formatting
Most universities expect consistent font, spacing, margins, headings, and page numbers.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Font | Times New Roman, 14 pt |
| Line spacing | 1.5 |
| Paragraph indent | 1.25 cm |
| Margins | 2-2.5 cm |
| Alignment | Justified |
Sources and citations
Use reliable sources, keep bibliographic details, and make sure every citation in the text corresponds to an entry in the source list.
Final check
- Check that the topic, goal, and conclusion match.
- Remove unsupported claims and repeated paragraphs.
- Verify formatting, citations, and page numbering.
- Run originality and spelling checks if your institution requires them.