make an essay on this in your notebook

Soren Bjornstad

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The Art of Personal Indexing: The Complete Guide to Indexing Your Paper Notes

18 minute read

• Why This Article?
• Influences on This Technique
• What an Index is Not
• Numbering Your Pages
• Making an Index
• Using an Index
• The Index is Never Finished
• Advanced Topics

The index seems like a lost art nowadays with so many references moving online. Maybe that's not so surprising: making a generally good index is quite difficult and historically has been a profession, and there's actually an organization called the American Society of Indexers . But if you just want to help yourself find stuff when you put it away in your notebook or binder, it couldn't be easier to start an index. In fact, you're the best-qualified person to make an index for yourself, because you know how you relate ideas way better than anyone else.

I've found a surprising lack of resources on the Web relating to this idea, so I'm writing my own. While I've designed this guide for notebooks because that's how I use it, most of the techniques should apply to binders as well, or maybe even filing systems with a little bit of adaptation.

(As a side note, the plural of index  as used in this article is indexes .   Indices  is a more Latin form nowadays used only in mathematical contexts . )

An index is not a list of titles. You want to extract words or concepts from your content and provide multiple ways to access it, because that's the way your brain works.

An index is not an exhaustive list of every possible word you might relate to a page in your notebook. Don't hesitate to add useful  keywords to the index, but only add ones you honestly think you might use to get back to that point.

Finally, and most importantly, even after those rules, an index is not something that gets created only according to rules that are set in stone. Remember, there are no notebook police. If you want to write a note next to one of your entries, do it. If you want to flip the order of two entries, draw a big arrow on the page. If you want to add something that's not even in this notebook, do it!

If you're going to use your notebook completely linearly, from front to back, you can get away with numbering pages as you use them. I personally prefer to go ahead and do it all at the beginning anyway even though it's a boring job just because I'd rather not deal with it later, but you may feel differently. If you're splitting the book into multiple sections or using some other organizational system, though, you're going to have to bite the bullet and number every page at the beginning.You can get lazy if you like and only number every other page (either numbering with only odd numbers on the right side or using every number and using .5's for the left side). However, if you're picky like me, you'll probably want to number all of them. If you do go for numbering all of them, number all the right-hand or left-hand pages first, then go back and do the others—it's much faster since you don't have to move your writing hand back and forth.

Update 2013/06/28: There's one other option, sometimes called the "quadrant method." See the appropriately named section on this Moleskine/GTD fan page .

In any case, make sure you're turning the pages carefully so you don't skip any accidentally. If you do miss a page, that's not the end of the world either—the notebook police aren't going to fine you for being clumsy. Just number the pages in between with decimals or fractions (I have at least one notebook that goes 86 – 86⅓ – 86⅔ – 87). And if you accidentally skip a number, you'll just be missing a page number—it doesn't matter.

If you're picky and paranoid about screwing up the numbering, you can do 20–50 pages on one side, then go backwards doing the facing pages, checking your work as you go along. That way you'll catch it easier and have fewer pages to correct if you decide to change them.

You can put your page numbers anywhere on the page you like. Personally, I've gotten used to using the outside bottom corners, but there is not even a guideline for this, much less a rule.

If you're using a binder, you have the ability to add pages in the middle of already existing pages. You can do whatever you like for numbering added pages, but I recommend using decimals between the existing pages. So if you insert a sheet between page 24 and page 25, number the front side 24.3 and the back 24.7. If you later add something between 24.7 and 25, number it 24.8 and 24.9, and so on. If you prefer integers, you can start by numbering by tens (if you're old and geeky enough to remember programming in BASIC, you'll be familiar with this technique).

With a binder, you can't number only one side of the pages, because if you insert a page in the middle later, one of the pages will suddenly have a different (implied) number. However, if you trust yourself to remember to add the missing number every time you add a page in the middle, you might be able to get away with it.

Then write big letters along the left side of the page (preferably in a different color than you intend to write in the index with). Some letters need more space than others. In a 240-page ruled notebook with 30 lines, I use five or six as a baseline number and add, subtract, or combine letters as needed.

• C  usually takes up more space than any other letter. Give it at least one-third more space than a baseline amount.
• I  takes up somewhat less space than average.
• J and K can be combined effectively into JK , using an average amount of space together.
• N and O  can be combined into NO , using an average amount of space together.
• Q  needs almost no space, as one would expect. I prefer to not combine it with either P or R, since they are average space-users, but rather to write it on its own, giving it only one or two lines.
• S  needs more space than average.
• T  does too.
• U and V  can be combined into UV  and still use slightly less space than average.
• W  takes the most space of any of the end-of-the-alphabet letters, but can still use slightly less than average.
• XYZ123  can be just one section and still look empty most of the time. ( 123 indicates entries that start with a number, like 3-ring binder  or 911 .)
• are not the title of the page (we're not going for a list of contents).
• do not apply to very many other notes (a keyword that has 15 page numbers is annoying since you have to look up many of them).
• are things you would think of when trying to find these notes (that seems obvious, but sometimes I find myself putting keywords in the index that are related to the notes but I couldn't possibly expect myself to use when looking something up).
• if in doubt, should be the first things you think of, because those are probably the same keywords you'll think of when you're looking for it again.

You can take a look at my example indexes for some ideas for keywords. If you don't understand what one is, that's good—it means it's personal.

I prefer to write names as Lastname, Firstname, but sometimes I have to skip out of this pattern when I don't know somebody's last name. If I'm afraid I might forget someone's last name, I'll often enter it in my standard format, then add an entry "Firstname, see Lastname". In the end, it doesn't really matter how you prefer to do it as long as you're relatively consistent.

Try to roughly alphabetize the entries within each letter. It doesn't have to be perfect, and it won't be, since you can't predict what entries you'll use next, but at least you can have items whose second letter is a  at the beginning and ones with  u 's near the end. I'm still working on learning second-letter distributions for different letters; for instance, nearly half of words that start with c  start with co , and most of those start with com or con . But don't worry about these minutiae at the beginning, just try to get the entries roughly in order.

I start with two columns, the first roughly A-L and the second M-Z; if one of them fills up and you still need to add more to the letters in that column, you can squeeze some entries in between, use some of the space from an adjacent letter, or put the entry somewhere else where there's space and draw a line to the place where it should go. I've done this several times in the first example index.

A final note here: be careful with the index pages! One of my notebooks recently split apart at the first page because I turn to that page so much and probably don't do it too carefully (you can sort of see the damage in the final example). If you're using loose-leaf paper, put those little reinforcement stickers around the holes (if you don't have any, you can imitate them by taping over the holes on both sides and then re-punching the paper through the tape). If you're using a notebook, be gentle when you turn to the index so you don't rip the index pages out or wear through the binding.

References Sometimes you might want to reference some other notes somewhere else. If they're in the same notebook or binder, you can just write the page number (I always write references in green ink, but I'm particular like that and I write with a four-color pen). If they're in a different notebook, though, you're going to have fun writing things like "that yellow spiral-bound notebook" or "the one I currently keep in my pocket." So it's better to start numbering your notebooks/binders and classify them if you have different kinds. I have the following system:

• TB (Topic Book) – Ideas, things that don't really go anywhere else.
• CB (Chrono Book) – More conventionally known as a journal, but "journal book" sounds really dumb.
• DB (Dream Book) – What it sounds like.
• PB (Pocket Book) – A little tiny green notebook that I squeeze random ideas into and then put somewhere else.
• QB (Quote Book) – Another pocket-sized notebook with quotes from stuff I'm reading.

Each set has a volume number, and every volume has page numbers, so I can write, for example, TB1.53 . This reference is easy to write inline in other notes or in an index. Someday I'm hoping to make an index that covers many notebooks, but right now I don't have enough notes to make it necessary or worthwhile.

Internal Non-Page Numbering Sometimes it might be easier or more useful to index by a numbering system other than pages. For instance, in my dream journal, I number each entry and use that for my index. It may be less precise, since one entry can span multiple pages, but it's more useful for finding what happened where.

You don't need to adapt your index in any special way, you just have to remember that the numbers aren't page numbers. If you don't number the pages, that won't be hard to remember, but if you're picky like me (are you seeing a pattern yet?) you might want to number the pages anyway and include a table of contents in the back that maps your internal numbering system to pages, or use the pages for some other thing.

It's useful to add a second set of page numbers at the other end of the page (top if you numbered pages at the bottom, or bottom if you numbered pages at the top, or either if you didn't number pages at all, or on the side if you like to break the rules, or on the back of the page if you're just weird) that match the internal numbering, in a way similar to the guide words in a dictionary. Thus if you find that you want to look up #459, you can just flip through the book at that corner until you see the number 459.

Multiple Pagination Systems In my Topic Books, I have a separate section at the back for quick notes. Some of these later get made into full pages or sections, some of them don't. In any case, I like to index them. The information density is so high, however, that it's not useful to give the number of the page—there could be twenty completely different ideas on the same page. So I number these ideas separately.

Page numbers then get written in black next to keywords in the index, and quick note numbers get written in blue. If you don't have multiple colors, you can put page numbers for one of the systems in parentheses, or precede them with a B or a smiley-face, or whatever you fancy.

The Index Game This isn't really a technique, but it can be fun all the same. If I look at the index of one of my journals, I can instantly remember a bunch of the stuff that happened during that time just from reading the entries—indexes actually serve as a decent summary.

The Index Game, then, is to look at an index (preferably one you haven't used in a moderate amount of time) and try to see how much you can remember about the notes that correspond to each entry without turning to that page. For every one you succeed on, you'll probably strike out on several more, but it's amazing how much you can remember about some of them even when they're extremely random.

One trick is to look at the page number, then scan the rest of the index for other items with the same page number or a nearby one; hopefully another one will help you remember.

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• Tags: Academic Writing , Essay , Essay Writing

Knowing how to write an essay can help you out significantly in both, your academic and professional life. An essay is a highly versatile nonfiction piece of writing that not only tests your knowledge of a topic but also your literary and argumentative skills.     

Each essay requires the same basic process of planning, writing, and editing. Naturally, we’ve used these stages to group our steps on how to write an essay. So w ithout further ado, let’s get into it! Here are the eight steps to write an essay:

Stage 1: Planning

1. Pick an appropriate research topic

In certain cases, your teacher or professor may assign you a topic. However, in many cases, students have the freedom to select a topic of their choice. Make sure you choose a topic that you’re well versed in and have significant knowledge of. 

Having prior knowledge of the topic will help you determine the subsequent steps to write an essay. It will also make your research process considerably easier.

2. Form an appropriate thesis statement

A thesis statement is the central idea or premise your essay is based on. It is usually a sentence or two long and is included in the introduction of the essay. The scope of your thesis statement depends on the type of your essay and its length.

For instance, the scope of the thesis statement for a 500–1000 word school essay will be narrower than a 1000–5000 word college essay. A rule of thumb is that your essay topic should be broad enough to gather enough information, but narrow enough to address specific points and not be vague. Here’s an example: 

The invention of the airplane by the Wright Brothers in 1903 revolutionized transportation and paved the way for modern aviation. It represents a monumental achievement in human history that forever changed the course of human civilization.

3. Create an essay outline

Creating a well-organized essay outline not only gives structure and flow to your essay but also makes it more impactful and easy to understand. The idea is to collect the main points of information that support or elaborate on your thesis statement. You can also include references or examples under these main points. 

For example, if your thesis statement revolves around the invention of the airplane, your main points will include travel before the invention of the airplane, how it was invented, and its effects on modern-day travel. Take a look:

The Wright Brothers’ invention had a massive impact on modern-day travel. The subsequent growth of the aviation industry led to increased accessibility of air travel to the general public.

Stage 2: Writing

4. Write a comprehensive introduction

After creating the basic outline, it is important to know how to write an essay. Begin your essay by introducing your voice and point of view to the reader. An introduction is usually a paragraph or two long and consists of three main parts:

• Background information
• Thesis statement

Let’s better understand this with the help of an example:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane in 1903 revolutionized the way humans travel and explore the world. Prior to this invention, transportation relied on trains, boats, and cars, which limited the distance and speed of travel. However, the airplane made air travel a reality, allowing people to reach far-off destinations in mere hours. This breakthrough paved the way for modern-day air travel, transforming the world into a smaller, more connected place. In this essay, we will explore the impact of the Wright Brothers’ invention on modern-day travel, including the growth of the aviation industry, increased accessibility of air travel to the general public, and the economic and cultural benefits of air travel.

Let’s understand how to construct each of these sections in more detail.

A. Construct an attractive hook

The opening sentence of an essay, also known as the hook, should include a powerful or startling statement that captures the reader’s attention. Depending on the type of your essay, it can be an interesting fact, a surprising statistic, or an engaging anecdote. 

B. Provide relevant background information

While writing the introduction, it’s important to provide context or background information before including the thesis statement. The background information may include the time before a groundbreaking invention, the pros and cons of a significant discovery, or the short- and long-term effects of an event.

C. Edit the thesis statement

If you’ve constructed your thesis statement during the outlining stage, it’s time to edit it based on the background information you’ve provided. Observe the slight changes we’ve made to the scope of the thesis statement in the example above. This accommodates the bits of information we’ve provided in the background history.

5. Form relevant body paragraphs

Body paragraphs play a crucial role in supporting and expanding the central argument presented in the thesis statement. The number of body paragraphs depends on the type of essay as well as the scope of the thesis statement.

Most school-level essays contain three body paragraphs while college-level essays can vary in length depending on the assignment.

A well-crafted body paragraph consists of the following parts:

• A topic sentence
• Supporting information
• An analysis of the information
• A smooth transition to the next paragraph

Let’s understand this with the help of an example. 

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane revolutionized air travel. They achieved the first-ever successful powered flight with the Wright Flyer in 1903, after years of conducting experiments and studying flight principles. Despite their first flight lasting only 12 seconds, it was a significant milestone that paved the way for modern aviation. The Wright Brothers’ success can be attributed to their systematic approach to problem-solving, which included numerous experiments with gliders, the development of a wind tunnel to test their designs, and meticulous analysis and recording of their results. Their dedication and ingenuity forever changed the way we travel, making modern aviation possible.

Here’s a detailed overview of how to construct each of these sections.

A. Construct appropriate topic sentences

A topic sentence is the title of the body paragraph that elaborates on the thesis statement. It is the main idea on which the body paragraph is developed. Ensure that each topic sentence is relevant to the thesis statement and makes the essay flow seamlessly. 

The order of topic sentences is key in creating an impactful essay. This order varies depending on the type of essay you choose to write. These sentences may be arranged chronologically, in the order of importance, or in a cause-and-effect format.

B. Provide supporting information

It is necessary to provide relevant supporting information and evidence to validate your topic statement. This may include examples, relevant statistics, history, or even personal anecdotes.

You should also remember to cite your sources wherever you use them to substantiate your arguments. Always give researchers and authors credit for their work!

C. Analyze the supporting information

After presenting the appropriate evidence, the next step is to conduct an in-depth analysis. Establish connections and provide additional details to strengthen the link between your topic sentence and the supporting information. 

Depending on the type of essay, this step may also involve sharing your subjective opinions and key takeaways.

D. Create a smooth transition

In case you plan to create multiple body paragraphs, it is crucial to create a seamless transition between them. Transitional statements not only make the essay less jarring to read but also guide the reader in the right direction.

However, these statements need not be too lengthy and complicated. Use words such as “however”, “in addition to”, and “therefore” to convey transitions.

6. Construct an impactful conclusion

An impactful conclusion creates a lasting impression on the mind of the reader. Although it varies in length depending on the specific essay, the conclusion is typically a paragraph long.

It consists of

• A restated thesis statement
• Summary of the main points
• The broader implications of the thesis statement

Here’s an example of a well-structured conclusion:

The Wright Brothers’ invention of the airplane forever changed history by paving the way for modern aviation and countless aerospace advancements. Their persistence, innovation, and dedication to problem-solving led to the first successful powered flight in 1903, sparking a revolution in transportation that transformed the world. Today, air travel remains an integral part of our globalized society, highlighting the undeniable impact of the Wright Brothers’ contribution to human civilization.  

Let’s take a closer look at how to construct each of these sections.

A. Restate the thesis statement

Your conclusion should call back to your original argument or thesis statement.

However, this does not mean repeating the thesis statement as is. The essence of your argument should remain the same, but it should also be modified and evolved as per the information presented in your essay.

B. Summarize important points

A powerful conclusion not only lingers in the reader’s mind but also provokes thought. You can create a strong impression on the reader by highlighting the most impactful points of your essay.

C. State the greater implications

End your essay with the most powerful and impactful part: the larger perspective. This can‌ include a question you’d like to leave the reader with, the broader implications and impact of your thesis statement, or the long-term, lingering effects of your experience. 

Make sure to include no new evidence or arguments, or to undermine your findings in any way. 

Stage 3: Editing

7. Review your essay

Knowing how to write an essay is just one part of essay writing. Properly reviewing and editing your essay is just as important. Make sure to spend enough time going over your essay and adding any bits of information that you’ve missed. 

This is also a good time to make minor structural changes in your essay.

8. Thoroughly proofread your essay

After making the necessary structural changes, recheck your essay word by word. It is important to not only correct major grammatical and spelling errors but also minor errors regarding the phrasing or tone of voice.

You can either choose to do this by yourself, ask a friend for assistance, or hire an essay proofreading service to go over your writing. To construct a fool-proof, error-free essay, it is helpful to have a trained pair of eyes go over it. Professional proofreaders can spot errors that are not visible to most people and set the right tone for your essay. 

Now that you know the basics of how to write an essay, it’s time to learn about the specifics. Feel free to dig into the articles below and keep reading!

• How to Write an Essay Header in 4 Steps
• How to Write an Essay Outline
• What is an Expository Essay?
• How to Start an Essay

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How to Start a Writer's Notebook

Last Updated: November 25, 2022

This article was co-authored by Alexander Peterman, MA . Alexander Peterman is a Private Tutor in Florida. He received his MA in Education from the University of Florida in 2017. This article has been viewed 43,693 times.

Whether you use a notebook for journaling, keeping a diary, sketching out short stories or poems, writing essays, or just scribbling down thoughts and observations during the day, it can be helpful to have a place specifically dedicated to writing. If you’d like to write more often than you currently do, having an appealing writer’s notebook can also help motivate you. If you enjoy the notebook itself, you’ll be inclined to crack it open and write, even on a daily basis. To start a writer’s notebook, find a notebook that you like and decide what type of content you want to fill the notebook with.

Finding or Making a Writer’s Notebook

• If you’d like your notebook to be portable (in a shirt pocket or purse), a small notebook may be better. However, if you plan to be prolific and to fill every page with writing, a larger notebook may be more practical.
• If you’re notebook shopping on a budget, size will be the single factor that most determines the price—smaller notebooks, and notebooks with more flimsy covers are usually cheaper.
• If you plan to draw in your notebook, you may also want to find a notebook with graph-paper pages.

• If you write a lot, and don’t want to constantly buy new notebooks, consider buying a three, four, or five subject notebook, so you have ample space to expand.
• Buying multiple notebooks will also be helpful if you want to categorize your writing into multiple subject categories.

• You can also personalize the notebook by writing your name in the front, doodling pictures when you’re bored, or taping in a couple pictures of you and your friends.
• Your personalization doesn’t have to be messy or showy; it just needs to make the journal feel like it’s yours.

• Get pictures, gems, feathers, strings, whatever you want to create your own personal writing place to escape.
• You can also decorate the cover of your writer’s notebook with stickers. You don’t have to do this all at once; build up a collection of stickers over time (through visiting local businesses, for example) and use them to make an appealing collage on your notebook’s cover.

Writing in Your Notebook

• Don’t worry whether or not your writing is “polished.” Just focus on writing something that’s interesting to you and that you can keep coming back to day after day.

• Plan to sit down and write after you get home from school or work.
• Write first thing in the morning before you tackle responsibilities for the day.
• Write in bed at night, before you go to sleep.
• Find a time that works best for you when you are relaxed and undisturbed. This may vary on a day to day basis.

• Give yourself some restrictions when you write to push you out of your comfort zone and try new things.
• Try writing poetry. In poems, you don’t need to have characters or plots; you can write about your feelings or observations of the world around you.
• Read a variety of works for ideas and inspiration. When deciding what to read, plan to focus on different genres so that you can see how well-known writers use descriptive language.

• Always revise your work after you’ve finished a draft, a poem, or an essay. If you don’t like what you’ve written or you think it could be better, add or remove a section, change the genre or style, or change the point of view. [3] X Research source

• You’ll also receive compliments on your writing, which are encouraging and can motivate you to continue writing or to try a new style of writing.
• However, if you would prefer your notebook and its contents to remain private—especially if you’ve written sensitive or personal information inside—that’s fine too. If someone asks to read your notebook, you can just say, “No thank you, I’d prefer that other people not read what I’m writing in my notebook.”
• Keep your notebook in a private spot in your room to prevent others from looking at it.

Generating Ideas for Your Writing

• Write down the details right when you see them. It’s likely you’ll forget what you wanted to write the longer you wait.
• Note things like how a tree looks when it loses its leaves, how fresh baked foods smell, or how you feel at the end of a long day.
• Make notes of what you have seen in the past such as the author/artist and write any description of your inspiration in the start of the book.

• You can also try this by listening to someone’s conversation on the phone. You won’t be able to hear the other side of the conversation, but that is the fun part because you can imagine what the other person is saying and incorporate that into your writing.

• Try taking words you’ve already used in your writing and looking up their synonyms in a thesaurus.
• This will help you to use more descriptive words in your writing, making it more interesting and more detailed. It will also help you to expand your vocabulary.

• If you take your journal with you everywhere you go, you’ll be able to jot down impressions, observations, or phrases that you see or overhear throughout the day.

Community Q&A

• Bring your notebook with you to as many places as possible. Keep your notebook with you at school or work, and keep around the house when you’re at home. Don’t let inspiration strike when you are unprepared! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can also use your notebook for sketching or doodling; don’t feel constrained to only write in the notebook. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• However, if you start to become more interested in drawing and less in writing, then you may need to re-invest and purchase a drawing notebook with unlined, high-quality paper. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2014/09/setting-writers-notebooks-part-2-inside
• ↑ https://letterpile.com/writing/Inspiration-Journal
• ↑ http://ralphfletcher.com/tips-young-readers/
• ↑ https://sarahbrennanblog.com/top-ten-writing-tips-for-kids/3-start-a-writers-notebook/

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Tips for Students > How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks

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How To Write An Essay: Beginner Tips And Tricks

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: June 22, 2021

Many students dread writing essays, but essay writing is an important skill to develop in high school, university, and even into your future career. By learning how to write an essay properly, the process can become more enjoyable and you’ll find you’re better able to organize and articulate your thoughts.

When writing an essay, it’s common to follow a specific pattern, no matter what the topic is. Once you’ve used the pattern a few times and you know how to structure an essay, it will become a lot more simple to apply your knowledge to every essay. 

No matter which major you choose, you should know how to craft a good essay. Here, we’ll cover the basics of essay writing, along with some helpful tips to make the writing process go smoothly.

Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

Types of Essays

Think of an essay as a discussion. There are many types of discussions you can have with someone else. You can be describing a story that happened to you, you might explain to them how to do something, or you might even argue about a certain topic. 

When it comes to different types of essays, it follows a similar pattern. Like a friendly discussion, each type of essay will come with its own set of expectations or goals. 

For example, when arguing with a friend, your goal is to convince them that you’re right. The same goes for an argumentative essay. 

Here are a few of the main essay types you can expect to come across during your time in school:

Narrative Essay

This type of essay is almost like telling a story, not in the traditional sense with dialogue and characters, but as if you’re writing out an event or series of events to relay information to the reader.

Persuasive Essay

Here, your goal is to persuade the reader about your views on a specific topic.

Descriptive Essay

This is the kind of essay where you go into a lot more specific details describing a topic such as a place or an event. 

Argumentative Essay

In this essay, you’re choosing a stance on a topic, usually controversial, and your goal is to present evidence that proves your point is correct.

Expository Essay

Your purpose with this type of essay is to tell the reader how to complete a specific process, often including a step-by-step guide or something similar.

Compare and Contrast Essay

You might have done this in school with two different books or characters, but the ultimate goal is to draw similarities and differences between any two given subjects.

The Main Stages of Essay Writing

When it comes to writing an essay, many students think the only stage is getting all your ideas down on paper and submitting your work. However, that’s not quite the case. 

There are three main stages of writing an essay, each one with its own purpose. Of course, writing the essay itself is the most substantial part, but the other two stages are equally as important.

So, what are these three stages of essay writing? They are:

Preparation

Before you even write one word, it’s important to prepare the content and structure of your essay. If a topic wasn’t assigned to you, then the first thing you should do is settle on a topic. Next, you want to conduct your research on that topic and create a detailed outline based on your research. The preparation stage will make writing your essay that much easier since, with your outline and research, you should already have the skeleton of your essay.

Writing is the most time-consuming stage. In this stage, you will write out all your thoughts and ideas and craft your essay based on your outline. You’ll work on developing your ideas and fleshing them out throughout the introduction, body, and conclusion (more on these soon).

In the final stage, you’ll go over your essay and check for a few things. First, you’ll check if your essay is cohesive, if all the points make sense and are related to your topic, and that your facts are cited and backed up. You can also check for typos, grammar and punctuation mistakes, and formatting errors.  

The Five-Paragraph Essay

We mentioned earlier that essay writing follows a specific structure, and for the most part in academic or college essays , the five-paragraph essay is the generally accepted structure you’ll be expected to use. 

The five-paragraph essay is broken down into one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and a closing paragraph. However, that doesn’t always mean that an essay is written strictly in five paragraphs, but rather that this structure can be used loosely and the three body paragraphs might become three sections instead.

Let’s take a closer look at each section and what it entails.

Introduction

As the name implies, the purpose of your introduction paragraph is to introduce your idea. A good introduction begins with a “hook,” something that grabs your reader’s attention and makes them excited to read more. 

Another key tenant of an introduction is a thesis statement, which usually comes towards the end of the introduction itself. Your thesis statement should be a phrase that explains your argument, position, or central idea that you plan on developing throughout the essay. 

You can also include a short outline of what to expect in your introduction, including bringing up brief points that you plan on explaining more later on in the body paragraphs.

Here is where most of your essay happens. The body paragraphs are where you develop your ideas and bring up all the points related to your main topic. 

In general, you’re meant to have three body paragraphs, or sections, and each one should bring up a different point. Think of it as bringing up evidence. Each paragraph is a different piece of evidence, and when the three pieces are taken together, it backs up your main point — your thesis statement — really well.

That being said, you still want each body paragraph to be tied together in some way so that the essay flows. The points should be distinct enough, but they should relate to each other, and definitely to your thesis statement. Each body paragraph works to advance your point, so when crafting your essay, it’s important to keep this in mind so that you avoid going off-track or writing things that are off-topic.

Many students aren’t sure how to write a conclusion for an essay and tend to see their conclusion as an afterthought, but this section is just as important as the rest of your work. 

You shouldn’t be presenting any new ideas in your conclusion, but you should summarize your main points and show how they back up your thesis statement. 

Essentially, the conclusion is similar in structure and content to the introduction, but instead of introducing your essay, it should be wrapping up the main thoughts and presenting them to the reader as a singular closed argument. 

Photo by AMIT RANJAN on Unsplash

Steps to Writing an Essay

Now that you have a better idea of an essay’s structure and all the elements that go into it, you might be wondering what the different steps are to actually write your essay. 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Instead of going in blind, follow these steps on how to write your essay from start to finish.

Understand Your Assignment

When writing an essay for an assignment, the first critical step is to make sure you’ve read through your assignment carefully and understand it thoroughly. You want to check what type of essay is required, that you understand the topic, and that you pay attention to any formatting or structural requirements. You don’t want to lose marks just because you didn’t read the assignment carefully.

Research Your Topic

Once you understand your assignment, it’s time to do some research. In this step, you should start looking at different sources to get ideas for what points you want to bring up throughout your essay. 

Search online or head to the library and get as many resources as possible. You don’t need to use them all, but it’s good to start with a lot and then narrow down your sources as you become more certain of your essay’s direction.

Start Brainstorming

After research comes the brainstorming. There are a lot of different ways to start the brainstorming process . Here are a few you might find helpful:

• Think about what you found during your research that interested you the most
• Jot down all your ideas, even if they’re not yet fully formed
• Create word clouds or maps for similar terms or ideas that come up so you can group them together based on their similarities
• Try freewriting to get all your ideas out before arranging them

Create a Thesis

This is often the most tricky part of the whole process since you want to create a thesis that’s strong and that you’re about to develop throughout the entire essay. Therefore, you want to choose a thesis statement that’s broad enough that you’ll have enough to say about it, but not so broad that you can’t be precise. 

Write Your Outline

Armed with your research, brainstorming sessions, and your thesis statement, the next step is to write an outline. 

In the outline, you’ll want to put your thesis statement at the beginning and start creating the basic skeleton of how you want your essay to look. 

A good way to tackle an essay is to use topic sentences . A topic sentence is like a mini-thesis statement that is usually the first sentence of a new paragraph. This sentence introduces the main idea that will be detailed throughout the paragraph. 

If you create an outline with the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and then a few points of what you want to discuss, you’ll already have a strong starting point when it comes time to sit down and write. This brings us to our next step… 

Write a First Draft

The first time you write your entire essay doesn’t need to be perfect, but you do need to get everything on the page so that you’re able to then write a second draft or review it afterward. 

Everyone’s writing process is different. Some students like to write their essay in the standard order of intro, body, and conclusion, while others prefer to start with the “meat” of the essay and tackle the body, and then fill in the other sections afterward. 

Make sure your essay follows your outline and that everything relates to your thesis statement and your points are backed up by the research you did. 

Revise, Edit, and Proofread

The revision process is one of the three main stages of writing an essay, yet many people skip this step thinking their work is done after the first draft is complete. 

However, proofreading, reviewing, and making edits on your essay can spell the difference between a B paper and an A.

After writing the first draft, try and set your essay aside for a few hours or even a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes to review it. You might find mistakes or inconsistencies you missed or better ways to formulate your arguments.

Add the Finishing Touches

Finally, you’ll want to make sure everything that’s required is in your essay. Review your assignment again and see if all the requirements are there, such as formatting rules, citations, quotes, etc. 

Go over the order of your paragraphs and make sure everything makes sense, flows well, and uses the same writing style . 

Once everything is checked and all the last touches are added, give your essay a final read through just to ensure it’s as you want it before handing it in. 

A good way to do this is to read your essay out loud since you’ll be able to hear if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies.

Essay Writing Tips

With the steps outlined above, you should be able to craft a great essay. Still, there are some other handy tips we’d recommend just to ensure that the essay writing process goes as smoothly as possible.

• Start your essay early. This is the first tip for a reason. It’s one of the most important things you can do to write a good essay. If you start it the night before, then you won’t have enough time to research, brainstorm, and outline — and you surely won’t have enough time to review.
• Don’t try and write it in one sitting. It’s ok if you need to take breaks or write it over a few days. It’s better to write it in multiple sittings so that you have a fresh mind each time and you’re able to focus.
• Always keep the essay question in mind. If you’re given an assigned question, then you should always keep it handy when writing your essay to make sure you’re always working to answer the question.
• Use transitions between paragraphs. In order to improve the readability of your essay, try and make clear transitions between paragraphs. This means trying to relate the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next one so the shift doesn’t seem random.
• Integrate your research thoughtfully. Add in citations or quotes from your research materials to back up your thesis and main points. This will show that you did the research and that your thesis is backed up by it.

Wrapping Up

Writing an essay doesn’t need to be daunting if you know how to approach it. Using our essay writing steps and tips, you’ll have better knowledge on how to write an essay and you’ll be able to apply it to your next assignment. Once you do this a few times, it will become more natural to you and the essay writing process will become quicker and easier.

If you still need assistance with your essay, check with a student advisor to see if they offer help with writing. At University of the People(UoPeople), we always want our students to succeed, so our student advisors are ready to help with writing skills when necessary. 

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Want to write a college essay that sets you apart? Three tips to give you a head start

1. Keep it real. It’s normal to want to make a good impression on the school of your choice, but it’s also important to show who you really are. So just be yourself! Compelling stories might not be perfectly linear or have a happy ending, and that’s OK. It’s best to be authentic instead of telling schools what you think they want to hear.

2. Be reflective . Think about how you’ve changed during high school. How have you grown and improved? What makes you feel ready for college, and how do you hope to contribute to the campus community and society at large?

3. Look to the future. Consider your reasons for attending college. What do you hope to gain from your education? What about college excites you the most, and what would you like to do after you graduate? Answering these questions will not only give colleges insight into the kind of student you’ll be, but it will also give you the personal insight you’ll need to choose the school that’s right for you.

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Posted on 13th October 2017

Writing a Three-Paragraph Essay

By Elise Barbeau

Sally Baggett holds a master’s in literature. She enjoys inspiring students, cooking with her family, and helping others achieve their dreams.

Just like there is more than one way to skin a cat (or so they say), there is more than one way to write an essay. One is not required to produce a perfectly formatted five-paragraph essay every time one composes a piece of writing. There is another type of essay you can write that may just be simpler than the traditional style: the three-paragraph essay. This type of essay might be beneficial for beginning writers as it offers the organizational structure of a longer essay without requiring the length. It also offers a challenge to more advanced writers to condense their points.

The Parts of the Essay and Its Benefits

As with most essays, the three-paragraph essay has three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Yet with this type of essay–unlike its five-paragraph counterpart–each one of these sections has only one paragraph. The three-paragraph essay, therefore, might be ideal for young writers or those who are currently mastering the English language.

Another benefit to the three-paragraph essay could be that it requires you to condense your supporting points into just one, which can be a good exercise. If you had to choose only one point to convince a reader to agree with you, what would it be?

After performing some light prewriting, such as brainstorming or writing an outline, students can move right into composing the essay. While this process is similar across the board for writing academic papers, the three-paragraph essay is unique in that the body will take up less space in the finished product.

An outline for this essay might look like this :

• Background Points
• Thesis Statement
• Supporting fact 1
• Supporting fact 2
• Transition Sentence
• Re-statement of Thesis
• Summary of Main Point
• Challenge to the Reader

Paragraph One: Introduction

As with most formal essays, the three-paragraph essay begins with an introduction paragraph. Such paragraphs must, obviously, introduce the reader to your idea and, in most cases, convince the reader that this essay is worth reading. To craft a strong introduction, be sure to open with a solid hook. You want to draw in readers so they are compelled to engage with your writing.

A hook can be something compelling such as a question, a powerful quote, or an interesting fact. Introduction paragraphs also usually contain background information that assists the reader in understanding your topic, perhaps defining it or explaining an important part. Finally, you want to include a thesis statement. Even though your essay only has three paragraphs, there still needs to be a purpose to the writing.

You could structure your introduction paragraph according to this outline :

• Hook: Is there no solution for dumping waste in the ocean?
• Explain why trash is dumped in the ocean
• Statistics about dumping trash in the ocean
• Thesis Statement: Dumping waste in the ocean is a problem because it spells disaster for the ecosystem, leading to problems on land.

This structure is not mandatory, though it might be useful in the long run for organizing your thoughts.

Paragraph Two: Body

The second paragraph, as we have discussed, is the one and only body paragraph. This paragraph bears the burden of communicating support for the thesis statement all on its own. As such, it may take more than one rough draft to get this paragraph to communicate everything you want it to.

Your body paragraph needs to underscore the thesis statement. Create a topic sentence for this body paragraph that communicates this and also transitions from the introduction into the body. For example, your body paragraph topic sentence based on the outline above could be:

One of those problems might play itself out as food scarcity where humans live.

This topic sentence reiterates the thesis and moves the reader into a body paragraph that contains a supporting point: that damage to the ocean’s ecosystem could lead to food scarcity. Within the body paragraph, you can quote different sources that support this point.

Again, this paragraph does not have room to contain everything that a full five-paragraph essay might. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fit in some strong evidence to convince your reader to see your perspective, such as is accomplished through quotes and analysis. Don’t forget to end with a strong transition sentence to move the reader seamlessly into the conclusion.

Paragraph Three: Conclusion

The final paragraph in an essay is usually the conclusion. The three-paragraph essay is no exception. In this essay, the conclusion can be just as long as the other two paragraphs, and it can drive home the point made in the thesis statement and body paragraph. As with most conclusion paragraphs, this paragraph ought to restate the thesis in different words. It should then summarize what was stated in the body paragraph before challenging the reader in some way, whether in thought or action.

Editing Before Turning It In

One thing to be sure of in this type of essay (as in any other) is to polish it. Make it flow well. In other words, revise it!

Before beginning the revision process, take a break from your writing so that you can look at it with fresh eyes. Once you start revising, hunt not only for grammar and punctuation errors but for ways to make the writing flow better. Take a look at the sentences at the beginning and end of each paragraph. Do these sentences contain transition words? Do these paragraphs link to each other? Transition words or phrases like “Likewise,” “In spite of,” or “In addition to” can ensure that your paragraphs are coherent. There are also other services that will automatically proofread you paper.

If you used any sources (i.e. websites, books, videos, etc.) to help support your points and write your paper, you need to cite them! Most teachers will ask you to create a bibliography in MLA format . Others may have you one in APA format , or create references in Chicago style. Ask your teacher for guidance on what citation style they prefer.

Final Thoughts

Don’t forget that you aren’t limited to using this type of essay for just persuasion. You can also use it to relate a narrative tale, using the three parts as the beginning, middle, and end of a story. You can use this to craft an informative essay. See if other types of essays–such as a process analysis or an evaluation–will fit inside the three-paragraph essay format.

In many ways, the three-paragraph essay is similar to the five-paragraph essay. They both make a solid point using an introduction, body, and conclusion. This simpler essay only requires that you condense your points into one body paragraph, perhaps only one supporting point, before reaching a conclusion. Again, this can make a good exercise for beginning English writers, but can also make a challenge for a more advanced writer to select their strongest supporting points.

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APA Formatting and Citation (7th Ed.) | Generator, Template, Examples

Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.

The 7th edition of the APA Publication Manual provides guidelines for clear communication , citing sources , and formatting documents. This article focuses on paper formatting.

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Throughout your paper, you need to apply the following APA format guidelines:

• Set page margins to 1 inch on all sides.
• Double-space all text, including headings.
• Indent the first line of every paragraph 0.5 inches.
• Use an accessible font (e.g., Times New Roman 12pt., Arial 11pt., or Georgia 11pt.).
• Include a page number on every page.

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How to set up apa format (with template), apa alphabetization guidelines, apa format template [free download], page header, headings and subheadings, reference page, tables and figures, frequently asked questions about apa format.

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References are ordered alphabetically by the first author’s last name. If the author is unknown, order the reference entry by the first meaningful word of the title (ignoring articles: “the”, “a”, or “an”).

Why set up APA format from scratch if you can download Scribbr’s template for free?

Student papers and professional papers have slightly different guidelines regarding the title page, abstract, and running head. Our template is available in Word and Google Docs format for both versions.

• Student paper: Word | Google Docs
• Professional paper: Word | Google Docs

In an APA Style paper, every page has a page header. For student papers, the page header usually consists of just a page number in the page’s top-right corner. For professional papers intended for publication, it also includes a running head .

A running head is simply the paper’s title in all capital letters. It is left-aligned and can be up to 50 characters in length. Longer titles are abbreviated .

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APA headings have five possible levels. Heading level 1 is used for main sections such as “ Methods ” or “ Results ”. Heading levels 2 to 5 are used for subheadings. Each heading level is formatted differently.

Want to know how many heading levels you should use, when to use which heading level, and how to set up heading styles in Word or Google Docs? Then check out our in-depth article on APA headings .

The title page is the first page of an APA Style paper. There are different guidelines for student and professional papers.

Both versions include the paper title and author’s name and affiliation. The student version includes the course number and name, instructor name, and due date of the assignment. The professional version includes an author note and running head .

For more information on writing a striking title, crediting multiple authors (with different affiliations), and writing the author note, check out our in-depth article on the APA title page .

The abstract is a 150–250 word summary of your paper. An abstract is usually required in professional papers, but it’s rare to include one in student papers (except for longer texts like theses and dissertations).

The abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page . At the top of the page, write the section label “Abstract” (bold and centered). The contents of the abstract appear directly under the label. Unlike regular paragraphs, the first line is not indented. Abstracts are usually written as a single paragraph without headings or blank lines.

Directly below the abstract, you may list three to five relevant keywords . On a new line, write the label “Keywords:” (italicized and indented), followed by the keywords in lowercase letters, separated by commas.

APA Style does not provide guidelines for formatting the table of contents . It’s also not a required paper element in either professional or student papers. If your instructor wants you to include a table of contents, it’s best to follow the general guidelines.

Place the table of contents on a separate page between the abstract and introduction. Write the section label “Contents” at the top (bold and centered), press “Enter” once, and list the important headings with corresponding page numbers.

The APA reference page is placed after the main body of your paper but before any appendices . Here you list all sources that you’ve cited in your paper (through APA in-text citations ). APA provides guidelines for formatting the references as well as the page itself.

Creating APA Style references

Play around with the Scribbr Citation Example Generator below to learn about the APA reference format of the most common source types or generate APA citations for free with Scribbr’s APA Citation Generator .

Formatting the reference page

Write the section label “References” at the top of a new page (bold and centered). Place the reference entries directly under the label in alphabetical order.

Finally, apply a hanging indent , meaning the first line of each reference is left-aligned, and all subsequent lines are indented 0.5 inches.

Tables and figures are presented in a similar format. They’re preceded by a number and title and followed by explanatory notes (if necessary).

Use bold styling for the word “Table” or “Figure” and the number, and place the title on a separate line directly below it (in italics and title case). Try to keep tables clean; don’t use any vertical lines, use as few horizontal lines as possible, and keep row and column labels concise.

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Why it's important to keep a notebook

It is a good idea to keep in touch with old selves, Joan Didion once wrote

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I've been doing some research into notebooks and the like. A friend of mine pointed me towards a Joan Didion essay, "On Keeping A Notebook," that appears in Slouching Towards Bethlehem , a collection of her essays.

Written long ago, in the 1960s I think, the essay is still relevant. In fact, you could make an argument that in the world of blogging and Twitter, it's more relevant than ever.

Reading an arbitrary entry from her notebook, "that woman Estelle is partly the reason why George Sharp and I are separated today," Didion goes on to wonder:

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Why did I write it down? In order to remember, of course, but exactly what was it I wanted to remember? How much of it actually happened? Did any of it? Why do I keep a notebook at all? It is easy to deceive oneself on all those scores. The impulse to write things down is a peculiarly compulsive one, inexplicable to those who do not share it, useful only accidentally, only secondarily, in the way that any compulsion tries to justify itself. I suppose that it begins or does not begin in the cradle. Although I have felt compelled to write things down since I was five years old, I doubt that my daughter ever will, for she is a singularly blessed and accepting child, delighted with life exactly as life presents itself to her, unafraid to go to sleep and unafraid to wake up. Keepers of private notebooks are a different breed altogether, lonely and resistant rearrangers of things, anxious malcontents, children afflicted apparently at birth with some presentiment of loss. [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

The point of keeping a notebook, then:

So the point of my keeping a notebook has never been, nor is it now, to have an accurate factual record of what I have been doing or thinking. That would be a different impulse entirely, an instinct for reality which I sometimes envy but do not possess. [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

Recalling her failure to keep a keep a diary she touches on our ability to shape memories while we codify them.

At no point have I ever been able successfully to keep a diary; my approach to daily life ranges from the grossly negligent to the merely absent, and on those few occasions when I have tried dutifully to record a day's events, boredom has so overcome me that the results are mysterious at best… [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

But if the boredom of daily events doesn't matter, what does?

I sometimes delude myself about why I keep a notebook, imagine that some thrifty virtue derives from preserving everything observed. See enough and write it down, I tell myself, and then some morning when the world seems drained of wonder, some day when I am only going through the motions of doing what I am supposed to do, which is write — on that bankrupt morning I will simply open my notebook and there it will all be, a forgotten account with accumulated interest, paid passage back to the world out there: dialogue overheard in hotels and elevators and at the hat-check counter in Pavillon...

I imagine, in other words, that the notebook is about other people. But of course it is not. I have no real business with what one stranger said to another at the hat-check counter in Pavillon... My stake is always, of course, in the unmentioned girl in the plaid silk dress. Remember what it was to be me: that is always the point. [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

I think for Didion her notebook was an escape. She was "brought up in the ethic that others, any others, all others, (were) by definition more interesting than (her)." The notebook was an escape.

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[O]ur notebooks give us away, for however dutifully we record what we see around us, the common denominator of all we see is always, transparently, shamelessly, the implacable "I." … [W]e are talking about something private, about bits of the mind's string too short to use, an indiscriminate and erratic assemblage with meaning only for its maker. [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

In the end the deepest value of notebooks to her was not to remember the line but the memory, "I should remember the woman who said it and the afternoon I heard it." To reconnect with another iteration of herself.

Perhaps it is difficult to see the value in having one's self back in that kind of mood, but I do see it; I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind's door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike, forget what we whispered and what we screamed, forget who we were. I have already lost touch with a couple of people I used to be; one of them, a seventeen-year-old, presents little threat, although it would be of some interest to me to know again what it feels like to sit on a river levee drinking vodka-and-orange-juice and listening to Les Paul and Mary Ford and their echoes sing "How High the Moon" on the car radio. (You see I still have the scenes, but I no longer perceive myself among those present, no longer could even improvise the dialogue.)

…It is a good idea, then, to keep in touch, and I suppose that keeping in touch is what notebooks are all about. And we are all on our own when it comes to keeping those lines open to ourselves: your notebook will never help me, nor mine you. [Slouching Towards Bethlehem]

Like so much of what I read, I'm new to Didion. Slouching Towards Bethlehem , her first work of non-fiction, is interesting throughout.

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Best AI PCs in 2024: These laptops are optimized for the latest AI-powered features

The best AI PC laptops we've tested, from Copilot+ laptops to the MacBook Air

• Best overall

Best battery life

• Best gaming
• Best business

Recent reviews

How to choose the best ai pc, how we test ai pcs, why trust laptop mag.

1. The list in brief 2. Best overall 3. Best battery life 4. Best gaming 5. Best business 6. Best AMD 7. Best Apple 8. Recent reviews 9. How to pick the best AI PC 10. How we test AI PCs 11. Why trust Laptop Mag

I know how tricky it is to pick a new laptop, especially for someone who wants the latest and greatest technology. And what's more cutting-edge in 2024 than the best AI PCs? Qualcomm, Intel , AMD , and Apple are all concentrating on AI with their latest chipsets, and software leveraging AI is everywhere.

To make buying your new laptop easier, I've curated this guide to the best AI PCs to reduce confusion and leave you with nothing but the best.

Of course, AI PCs are available in several configurations, from business laptops to gaming laptops and everything in between. The one thing that connects all of these AI PCs is an NPU machine learning core, which adds an additional type of processor to each AI PC laptop. The NPU can help with standard features like efficiency but also new features like generative AI images and text.

One of my specialties is processors, and here at  Laptop Mag,  we review more than 100 laptops each year from every major brand, including configurations using all of the major chip makers. So you can be sure this list will be kept up-to-date with the latest and greatest AI PCs on the market so you can make the most informed purchase possible when you're ready to take home that new AI-powered laptop.

The Quick List

If you can't wait for a brand-new AI laptop, here's a quick rundown of our top picks for the best AI PC laptops. You can also follow the links to the full review to learn more about any of the computers on this list.

The best overall

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x has everything you could want or need in an AI PC. It offers a good balance of price and performance, a stylish design, and over 14 hours of battery life.

Read more below

The best for battery life

The Dell XPS 13 9345 has nearly endless battery life, lasting over 19 hours on our battery test. Plus, with the Snapdragon X Elite processor, this XPS 13 has strong performance and an ultralight design, in addition to its stellar battery life.

The best for gaming

The Maingear ML-16 delivers dependable gaming performance with loud, clear audio and a vibrant 100% sRGB QHD display. Its Intel Core Ultra 7 processor can also handle quite a bit of on-device AI.

The best for business

The HP EliteBook Ultra brings AI to the business world, offering Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite performance, all the Copilot+ AI PC features, solid battery life, and upgraded HP Wolf Pro Security to keep your files secure.

Best for AMD fans

If you'd prefer an AMD-powered AI PC laptop, the Zenbook S16 features the latest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which delivers powerful performance and long battery life.

The best for Apple enthusiasts

The MacBook Air M3 already includes an 18 TOPS NPU, but with macOS Sequoia, several new AI features will be unlocked this fall. The M3 chip also delivers over 15 hours of battery life and powerful productivity performance.

Madeline Ricchiuto has covered software and hardware of all kinds over the years. She joined Future in 2019 as a tester in the hardware testing lab and moved to Laptop Mag in 2024.

Best Overall

1. lenovo yoga slim 7x.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is our favorite of the Copilot+ PC laptops. Starting at $1,199, you get balanced performance, full-day battery life, a fantastic keyboard, and a sharp OLED display. So you can stream video and open up your 32 comfort Chrome tabs while still enjoying the best of the Copilot+ AI programs like Live Captions and Co-Create.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x lasted 14 hours and 14 minutes on our battery life test, so you should have no problem making it through an entire work or school day. The Slim 7x also boasts Lenovo's solid build quality and customer support, which makes it a fantastic choice for any AI enthusiast on the go.

Why buy the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x instead of the MacBook Air ? While the Apple MacBook Air 13 M3 is on this list thanks to its great battery life and excellent performance, Apple hasn't unleashed its Apple Intelligence feature. The M3 benefits from battery and performance optimization thanks to its onboard NPU, but it doesn't have the on-device AI capabilities of a Copilot+ PC.

If you need to save money, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition starts at just $999 and features the same Copilot+ AI features as the Yoga Slim 7x. If you'd prefer an AI PC with a larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra has a stunning 16-inch AMOLED display, excellent battery life, and the powerhouse combo of an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU.

See our full Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x review .

• ­Back to the top ⤴

2. Dell XPS 13 9345 (Snadragon X Elite)

One of the most highly anticipated features of the Copilot+ AI PC platform was the extended battery life offered by AI optimization combined with Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon X Elite chip, and the Dell XPS 13 9345 more than delivered on that promise.

The XPS 13 9345 lasted an impressive 19 hours and 1 minute on our battery test, dethroning the MacBook Pro 16 M3 Max and its 18:05 battery life for the laptop with the best battery life . But the XPS 13 has more to offer than just all-day battery life, as it combines power efficiency with strong performance from the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite XIE-80-100 chip and an incredibly svelte 2.6-pound chassis.

In fact, the Dell XPS 13 9345 has more powerful multi-core performance than some of our favorite laptops, like the MacBook Air 13 M3 and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) . On the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, the XPS 13 scored an average of 14,635 compared to the MacBook Air's 12,807 or the Zenbook 14's 12,358. The XPS 13 has better battery life than both, making it the best choice for power and longevity.

So what are the downsides? The XPS 13 suffers from a shortage of ports (two USB4s), a cramped keyboard, and an inaccurately calibrated display, which hold it back from taking the top spot in this category. But if you don't plan to use your AI PC for a lot of video editing, the XPS 13 more than makes up for its shortcomings in terms of battery life and performance. In fact, with the XPS 13, you can even dare to leave your charger at home.

See our full Dell XPS 13 9345 review.

Best for gaming

3. maingear ml-16.

AI PCs offer good power efficiency, strong performance, and lightweight designs, even on gaming laptops. The Maingear ML-16 is a gaming machine with all the benefits of an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H AI CPU, with over 4 hours of battery life, dependable gaming performance, stellar productivity power, and a chassis that weighs just 4.59 pounds. While it may not be the most powerful gaming laptop on the market, it balances power, portability, and price.

Our testing revealed that the Maingear ML-16 provides a "smooth, consistent gaming experience at FHD or QHD resolutions" compared to other gaming laptops with the same Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU. The ML-16 clocked in at 62 FPS on our  Red Dead Redemption II  benchmark at Medium settings and a 1080p resolution, compared to the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 's 60 FPS.

While the Maingear ML-16's 4 hours and 1 minute of battery life may not be able to beat the Razer Blade 14 2023 (8:35) or Alienware m16 R2 (6:13), it is comparable to other gaming laptops like the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 9 which survived for just 3:43.

While the Maingear ML-16 doesn't have the same Copilot+ PC features as some of the other laptops on this list thanks to its less-powerful Intel AI Boost NPU, it does offer similar performance and efficiency as other AI chipsets, which makes it our best AI PC for gaming.

See our full Maingear ML-16 review.

Best for business

4. hp elitebook ultra.

The HP EliteBook Ultra is a business AI PC laptop that prioritizes security, thanks to the included HP Wolf Pro Security . Plus, the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU allows business users to handle AI tasks on-device, keeping sensitive information away from potential security breaches in cloud-based AI.

Like the other Copilot+ laptops, the HP EliteBook Ultra has full-day battery life, quality performance, and a bright, vibrant display. So even if security is not your top priority, you're still getting a solid laptop that lasted 16 hours and 1 minute on our battery test. On our other lab benchmark tests, the EliteBook managed to stay competitive with the likes of the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) and Apple MacBook Pro 14 M3 with a Geekbench 6 multicore score of 12,717 compared to the Zenbook's 12,707 and MacBook Pro's 11,986.

While you could use one of the other Copilot+ or AI PC laptops, like the  Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x  or  MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo,  as a business machine, the upgraded Wolf Pro Security makes a solid case for the EliteBook as the top choice. Lenovo and MSI skip that built-in comprehensive end-point security solution.

With a starting price of just $1,699, most other business laptops can't compete.

See our full HP EliteBook Ultra review.

5. Asus Zenbook S16

This AI powerhouse isn't part of the Copilot+ PC program, but with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, it more than meets the requirements for NPU performance with 50 TOPS of AI processing power. So, if you want a top-of-the-line AI PC and Qualcomm's ARM chip won't work for you, the Asus Zenbook S16 is your best pick.

As our reviewer stated, "The Asus Zenbook S16 UM5606 has the makings of a great laptop, from its incredible performance and graphics to its long battery life and stellar design." Of course, the Zenbook does have a few drawbacks, like an unsatisfying keyboard and slower SSD, but it makes up for those shortcomings by surviving an impressive 11 hours and 35 minutes on our battery test. And it starts at just $1,399.

The Zenbook S16 scored above most of its competition on Geekbench 6, with a multicore average of 13,282. That outpaces even the MacBook Air 15 M3 's 12,052 average and the Intel Core Ultra-powered Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) , which scored an average of 12,717.

So, if you need a powerful AI PC that runs Windows 11 without needing software emulation, the Zenbook S16 is the most affordable, powerful option.

See our full Asus Zenbook S16 review.

Best for Apple enthusiasts

6. macbook air 13 m3.

Here at Laptop Mag , we love the MacBook Air 13 M3. Starting at just $1,099, with education pricing dropping it to $999, the Air is a laptop we can recommend for just about any purpose. It's affordable, especially by Apple standards, and it features an excellent keyboard, fantastic performance, and outstanding endurance, which makes it a great laptop for just about anyone's needs.

While the M3 chips don't have the same dedicated on-device AI features as the Copilot+ laptops, Apple is bringing AI to macOS soon. With  Apple Intelligence , the MacBook Air 13 M3 will be one of the most affordable AI PCs on the market, with features similar to those found in Microsoft's Copilot+ PC system, like image and text generation, email summaries, and in-call recording and summaries.

Outside of the fancy new AI features coming to Macs this fall, the MacBook Air M3 boasts the same kind of all-day battery life as the other AI PCs on this list, lasting 15 hours and 21 minutes in our battery life test. 

The MacBook Air is also still competitive with other AI PCs when it comes to performance, scoring a Geekbench 6 multicore average of 12,087, which isn't too far behind the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) 's 12,707 or even the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x 's 13,750. While it isn't groundbreaking performance anymore, the Air M3 still holds up well, particularly when you consider the Apple M3 chip is almost a year old.

Of course, you could choose the  MacBook Pro 14 M3  instead. It has better performance and longer battery life but a much higher starting price: $1,599.

So, if you want to stick with macOS and get the best Apple Intelligence features at an affordable price, the MacBook Air M3 is the way to go.

See our full Apple MacBook Air M3 review .

We review dozens of laptops annually, and while some simply don't have what it takes to make our buying guides, others are still strong options that came up short for one reason or another. Here are some of our most recently reviewed laptops that didn't make the cut, which for this page could simply mean they aren't classified as "AI PCs."

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★ ★

Pros: Gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display; powerful CPU/GPU Combo; excellent battery life; relatively thin and light; robust Samsung ecosystem

Cons: Performance doesn't quite match top competitors; retail pricing high for max configuration; webcam could be better in low-light

See our full Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra review .

Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 | Intel Core i9-14900HX | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Vibrant display; bouncy keyboard and silky touchpad; powerful performance and graphics; cool thermals

Cons: Scratches will strip the paint; mediocre audio; short battery life

See our full Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 review .

HP ZBook Studio 16 G10 | Intel Core i9-13900H | Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada Generation GPU | 64GB RAM | 2TB SSD

Pros: Powerful, well-optimized performance; Stunningly vivid display; Incredibly light and thin; Loud onboard speaker system

Cons: Prohibitively expensive; No HDMI port

See our full HP ZBook Studio 16 G10 review . 

Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | Qualcomm Adreno | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Pros: Impressive battery life; Fantastic keyboard; Sharp OLED display; Strong multi-core performance

Cons: Mediocre gaming performance; No USB Type-A ports; Reflective display

Microsoft Surface Pro (11th Edition) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | Qualcomm Adreno | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Score: ★★★ ½

Pros: Great performance; Gorgeous display; Sturdy and thin; Solid speakers; Superb battery life

Cons: Shallow keyboard; Poor trackpad; Lack of ports; Expensive for just a tablet

See our full Microsoft Surface Pro (11th Edition) review . 

Acer Nitro 17| AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★

Pros: Huge display; great audio quality; smooth gaming performance; budget-friendly price

Cons: Bulky; plastic chassis; no right-hand control key; grainy webcam

See our full Acer Nitro 17 review .

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16| Intel Core i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Leading productivity power; solid RTX 4060 fps; bright and colorful panel; sturdy chassis; tons of ports

Cons: Piercing speakers; sluggish trackpad; dreadful battery life

See our full Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review .

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Nvidia RTX 4050 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★ ½

Pros: Beautiful display; bouncy keyboard; strong overall performance; discrete graphics; decent battery life

Cons: No RTX 4060 with Intel Core Ultra 7 configuration; touchpad too resistant; awful audio

See our full Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Gen 9 review .

MSI Vector 16 HX A14VHG | Intel i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4080 | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Superb processing power; high RTX 4080 fps; beautiful display; decent battery life; solid audio

Cons: Flimsy trackpad; loud fans; SSD could be faster

See our full MSI Vector 16 HX A14VHG review .

HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) | Intel Core Ultra 155H | Nvidia RTX 4050 Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Large, vibrant display; great performance; incredible speakers; huge touchpad; sleek design

Cons: Limited ports; battery life could be better

See our full HP Spectre x360 16 (2024) review .

Alienware x16 R2 | Intel Core Ultra 185H | Nvidia RTX 4080 Graphics | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Thin design; excellent keyboard & touchpad; strong performance and graphics; solid battery life

Cons: Price-to-performance ratio is rough; display isn't the best for a $3K+ gaming laptop; messy audio

See our full Alienware x16 R2 review .

Razer Blade 16 | Intel i9-14900HX | Nvidia RTX 4070 Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Score: ★★★★½

Pros: Powerful, reliable performance; vivid OLED display; loud, powerful speakers; comfortable, snappy keyboard

Cons: Worse battery life than the previous generation at under five hours; base model starts at $2,999

See our full Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) review .

Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U | Intel Integrated Graphics | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Pros: Good battery life; roomy touchpad; loud top-firing speakers; flexible 2-in-1 design; ample ports

Cons: Underwhelming display, sluggish gaming performance, grainy webcam; heavy for a 2-in-1.

See our full Lenovo Yoga 7i Gen 9 review .

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Arc Graphics | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Quick, responsive performance; over 15 hours of battery life; powerful speakers; comfortable keyboard

Cons: Display could be brighter; one USB-C port; blurry webcam

See our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus (7044) review .

Asus Zephyrus G14 | Ryzen 9 8945HS | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 16GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Stunning OLED display in a sleek, compact chassis. Springy keyboard is a joy to type on, has strong CPU performance for gaming/productivity, and has a long battery life.

Cons: Middling graphics; runs hot

See our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) review .

Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Arc Graphics | 32GB RAM | 1TB SSD

Pros: Bright, vivid OLED display; speedy performance; snappy keyboard, loud speakers; compact chassis

Cons: Mushy touchpad; disappointing webcam

See our full Lenovo Slim 7i Gen 9 review .

There are several factors you should consider before buying an AI PC laptop.

The benefits of AI PCs are multifaceted, but portability and battery life are some of the more tangible benefits of buying a laptop with an NPU. Courtesy of AI optimization, these laptops are more efficient than their non-AI counterparts, which helps shave off some weight with thinner, smaller batteries that can still last all day on a charge. Most AI PCs we've seen have lasted for more than 10 hours on our battery test, and many of the laptops on this guide have better battery life than that. 

On-device AI is another key benefit of the AI PC platform, though we are still in the early days of generative AI, so those features will be upgraded and added. Microsoft, Apple, Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm all flesh out their AI platforms. But at a minimum, all of the AI PCs have a dedicated NPU and can tackle on-device AI tasks like image and text generation. While some have more powerful NPUs than others, all of these AI PCs can run your favorite large language model.

Regarding minimum specs, we recommend a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus, AMD Ryzen 8000 series, Intel Core Ultra, or Apple M2. You'll also want to go for at least 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD minimum for extra memory and storage for your AI tasks.

Other deciding factors that can make your AI PC life even more successful are the same as most other laptops, including a comfortable keyboard, a sensitive touchpad, and a bright, vivid display. So you can enjoy your laptop for more than just its generative AI capabilities.

We put every laptop through extensive benchmark testing — both synthetic and real-world—before sending it to our reviewers. We evaluate each aspect of the laptop, including its performance, battery life, display, speakers, and heat management. 

In our benchmark testing, we use a Klein K10 colorimeter to detect the brightness and the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamut of the laptop's display. For performance testing, we run the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks, including Geekbench 6 and 3DMark professional graphics tests. 

When we test AI PCs, we use a few additional AI benchmarks and workloads to gauge their AI prowess, including Geekbench ML, UL Procyon AI Image Generation, and UL Procyon AI Computer Vision.

To determine real-world performance, we task the laptop with converting a 4K video to 1080p resolution and duplicating a 4.97GB multimedia file. Our real-world graphics test is Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm benchmark with medium settings at 1080p and 4K resolution. 

We also run heat tests by playing a 15-minute full-screen video and measuring temperatures in different areas of the laptop. Last but not least, our battery test consists of continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits of brightness. For MacBooks and premium Windows 10 or Windows 11 laptops, a runtime of over 9 hours is considered a good result, whereas gaming laptops and workstations that can stay powered longer than 5 hours deserve praise. 

These tests are complemented with extensive hands-on testing from our reviewers who critique everything from the laptop's materials to the feel of its touchpad. 

Laptop Mag reviews over a hundred laptops yearly, from paperweight ultralights to everyday workhorses to lumbering gaming notebooks that scorch the frame rates of even the hottest AAA games. We're not just experts in the laptop field, as we go one step further by meticulously testing smartphones, tablets, headphones, PC accessories, software, and even the latest in gaming. 

We are 100 percent independent and have decades of experience to help you buy with confidence. Laptop Mag has been testing and reviewing products for three decades and continues to deliver trustworthy reviews you can rely on. 

Our experienced team of writers and editors scour the available information about the laptop and put it through its paces to determine which is best for you. But before they start, the testing team subjects each system to a rigorous regimen of synthetic and real-world tests to see how a system handles the type of work and games you’re most likely to throw at it. 

Future Publishing , one of the world's largest technology publishers, enforces our editorial trustworthiness. As a company, we have unrivaled experience across every tech sector — and we're the group's specialist for all things mobile tech.

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A former lab gremlin for Tom's Guide, Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, and Tech Radar; Madeline has escaped the labs to join Laptop Mag as a Staff Writer. With over a decade of experience writing about tech and gaming, she may actually know a thing or two. Sometimes. When she isn't writing about the latest laptops and AI software, Madeline likes to throw herself into the ocean as a PADI scuba diving instructor and underwater photography enthusiast.

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Rename your Windows device

Renaming your device can be beneficial for several reasons:

Organization: if you use multiple devices with your Microsoft account, renaming them can help clearly identify and differentiate between them

Security: default device names might provide hints about the device type or user, which could be a security risk. Renaming can help obscure such details

Management: for organizations and IT management, having a consistent naming convention can simplify the process of tracking and managing devices

How to rename your device

In the Settings app on your Windows device, select System  > About , or use the following shortcut:

Select Rename this PC

Enter a new name and select Next

Select Restart now or Restart later ​​​​​​​

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