essay subject line

Essay Writing Guide

Essay Outline

Last updated on: Jun 28, 2024

A Complete Essay Outline - Guidelines and Format

By: Nova A.

13 min read

Reviewed By: Melisa C.

Published on: Jan 15, 2019

To write an effective essay, you need to create a clear and well-organized essay outline. An essay outline will shape the essay’s entire content and determine how successful the essay will be.

In this blog post, we'll be going over the basics of essay outlines and provide a template for you to follow. We will also include a few examples so that you can get an idea about how these outlines look when they are put into practice.

Essay writing is not easy, but it becomes much easier with time, practice, and a detailed essay writing guide. Once you have developed your outline, everything else will come together more smoothly.

The key to success in any area is preparation - take the time now to develop a solid outline and then write your essays!

So, let’s get started!

On this Page

What is an Essay Outline?

An essay outline is your essay plan and a roadmap to essay writing. It is the structure of an essay you are about to write. It includes all the main points you have to discuss in each section along with the thesis statement.

Like every house has a map before it is constructed, the same is the importance of an essay outline. You can write an essay without crafting an outline, but you may miss essential information, and it is more time-consuming.

Once the outline is created, there is no chance of missing any important information. Also, it will help you to:

• Organize your thoughts and ideas.
• Understand the information flow.
• Never miss any crucial information or reference.
• Finish your work faster.

These are the reasons if someone asks you why an essay outline is needed. Now there are some points that must be kept in mind before proceeding to craft an essay outline.

Easily Outline Your Essays In Seconds!

Prewriting Process of Essay Outline

Your teacher may ask you to submit your essay outline before your essay. Therefore, you must know the preliminary guidelines that are necessary before writing an essay outline.

Here are the guidelines:

• You must go through your assignments’ guidelines carefully.
• Understand the purpose of your assignment.
• Know your audience.
• Mark the important point while researching your topic data.
• Select the structure of your essay outline; whether you are going to use a decimal point bullet or a simple one.

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How to Write an Essay Outline in 4 Steps

Creating an essay outline is a crucial step in crafting a well-structured and organized piece of writing. Follow these four simple steps to create an effective outline:

Step 1: Understand the Topic

To begin, thoroughly grasp the essence of your essay topic. 

Break it down into its key components and identify the main ideas you want to convey. This step ensures you have a clear direction and focus for your essay.

Step 2: Brainstorm and Gather Ideas

Let your creativity flow and brainstorm ideas related to your topic. 

Jot down key pieces of information, arguments, and supporting evidence that will strengthen your essay's overall message. Consider different perspectives and potential counterarguments to make your essay well-rounded.

Step 3: Organize Your Thoughts

Now it's time to give structure to your ideas. 

Arrange your main points in a logical order, starting with an attention-grabbing introduction, followed by body paragraphs that present your arguments. 

Finally, tie everything together with a compelling conclusion. Remember to use transitional phrases to create smooth transitions between sections.

Step 4: Add Depth with Subpoints

To add depth and clarity to your essay, incorporate subpoints under each main point. 

These subpoints provide more specific details, evidence, or examples that support your main ideas. They help to further strengthen your arguments and make your essay more convincing.

By following these four steps - you'll be well on your way to creating a clear and compelling essay outline.

Essay Outline Format

It is an easy way for you to write your thoughts in an organized manner. It may seem unnecessary and unimportant, but it is not.

It is one of the most crucial steps for essay writing as it shapes your entire essay and aids the writing process.

An essay outline consists of three main parts:

1. Introduction

The introduction body of your essay should be attention-grabbing. It should be written in such a manner that it attracts the reader’s interest. It should also provide background information about the topic for the readers.

You can use a dramatic tone to grab readers’ attention, but it should connect the audience to your thesis statement.

Here are some points without which your introduction paragraph is incomplete.

To attract the reader with the first few opening lines, we use a hook statement. It helps engage the reader and motivates them to read further. There are different types of hook sentences ranging from quotes, rhetorical questions to anecdotes and statistics, and much more.

Are you struggling to come up with an interesting hook? View these hook examples to get inspired!

A thesis statement is stated at the end of your introduction. It is the most important statement of your entire essay. It summarizes the purpose of the essay in one sentence.

The thesis statement tells the readers about the main theme of the essay, and it must be strong and clear. It holds the entire crux of your essay.

Need help creating a strong thesis statement? Check out this guide on thesis statements and learn to write a statement that perfectly captures your main argument!

2. Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs of an essay are where all the details and evidence come into play. This is where you dive deep into the argument, providing explanations and supporting your ideas with solid evidence. 

If you're writing a persuasive essay, these paragraphs will be the powerhouse that convinces your readers. Similarly, in an argumentative essay, your body paragraphs will work their magic to sway your audience to your side.

Each paragraph should have a topic sentence and no more than one idea. A topic sentence is the crux of the contents of your paragraph. It is essential to keep your reader interested in the essay.

The topic sentence is followed by the supporting points and opinions, which are then justified with strong evidence.

3. Conclusion

When it comes to wrapping up your essay, never underestimate the power of a strong conclusion. Just like the introduction and body paragraphs, the conclusion plays a vital role in providing a sense of closure to your topic. 

To craft an impactful conclusion, it's crucial to summarize the key points discussed in the introduction and body paragraphs. You want to remind your readers of the important information you shared earlier. But keep it concise and to the point. Short, powerful sentences will leave a lasting impression.

Remember, your conclusion shouldn't drag on. Instead, restate your thesis statement and the supporting points you mentioned earlier. And here's a pro tip: go the extra mile and suggest a course of action. It leaves your readers with something to ponder or reflect on.

5 Paragraph Essay Outline Structure

An outline is an essential part of the writing as it helps the writer stay focused. A typical 5 paragraph essay outline example is shown here. This includes:

• State the topic
• Thesis statement
• Introduction
• Explanation
• A conclusion that ties to the thesis
• Summary of the essay
• Restate the thesis statement

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Essay Outline Template

The outline of the essay is the skeleton that you will fill out with the content. Both outline and relevant content are important for a good essay. The content you will add to flesh out the outline should be credible, relevant, and interesting.

The outline structure for the essay is not complex or difficult. No matter which type of essay you write, you either use an alphanumeric structure or a decimal structure for the outline.

Below is an outline sample that you can easily follow for your essay.

Essay Outline Sample

Essay Outline Examples

An essay outline template should follow when you start writing the essay. Every writer should learn how to write an outline for every type of essay and research paper.

Essay outline 4th grade

Essay outline 5th grade

Essay outline high school

Essay outline college

Given below are essay outline examples for different types of essay writing.

Argumentative Essay Outline

An  argumentative essay  is a type of essay that shows both sides of the topic that you are exploring. The argument that presents the basis of the essay should be created by providing evidence and supporting details.

Persuasive Essay Outline

A  persuasive essay  is similar to an argumentative essay. Your job is to provide facts and details to create the argument. In a persuasive essay, you convince your readers of your point of view.

Compare and Contrast Essay Outline

A  compare and contrast essay  explains the similarities and differences between two things. While comparing, you should focus on the differences between two seemingly similar objects. While contrasting, you should focus on the similarities between two different objects.

Narrative Essay Outline

A narrative essay is written to share a story. Normally, a narrative essay is written from a personal point of view in an essay. The basic purpose of the narrative essay is to describe something creatively.

Expository Essay Outline

An  expository essay  is a type of essay that explains, analyzes, and illustrates something for the readers. An expository essay should be unbiased and entirely based on facts. Be sure to use academic resources for your research and cite your sources.

Analytical Essay Outline

An  analytical essay  is written to analyze the topic from a critical point of view. An analytical essay breaks down the content into different parts and explains the topic bit by bit.

Rhetorical Analysis Essay Outline

A rhetorical essay is written to examine the writer or artist’s work and develop a great essay. It also includes the discussion.

Cause and Effect Essay Outline

A  cause and effect essay  describes why something happens and examines the consequences of an occurrence or phenomenon. It is also a type of expository essay.

Informative Essay Outline

An  informative essay  is written to inform the audience about different objects, concepts, people, issues, etc.

The main purpose is to respond to the question with a detailed explanation and inform the target audience about the topic.

Synthesis Essay Outline

A  synthesis essay  requires the writer to describe a certain unique viewpoint about the issue or topic. Create a claim about the topic and use different sources and information to prove it.

Literary Analysis Essay Outline

A  literary analysis essay  is written to analyze and examine a novel, book, play, or any other piece of literature. The writer analyzes the different devices such as the ideas, characters, plot, theme, tone, etc., to deliver his message.

Definition Essay Outline

A  definition essay  requires students to pick a particular concept, term, or idea and define it in their own words and according to their understanding.

Descriptive Essay Outline

A  descriptive essay  is a type of essay written to describe a person, place, object, or event. The writer must describe the topic so that the reader can visualize it using their five senses.

Evaluation Essay Outline

Problem Solution Essay Outline

In a problem-solution essay, you are given a problem as a topic and you have to suggest multiple solutions on it.

Scholarship Essay Outline

A  scholarship essay  is required at the time of admission when you are applying for a scholarship. Scholarship essays must be written in a way that should stand alone to help you get a scholarship.

Reflective Essay Outline

A reflective essay  is written to express your own thoughts and point of view regarding a specific topic.

Getting started on your essay? Give this comprehensive essay writing guide a read to make sure you write an effective essay!

With this complete guide, now you understand how to create an outline for your essay successfully. However, if you still can’t write an effective essay, then the best option is to consult a professional academic writing service.

Essay writing is a dull and boring task for some people. So why not get some help instead of wasting your time and effort?  5StarEssays.com is here to help you. All your  do my essay for me  requests are managed by professional essay writers.

Place your order now, and our team of expert academic writers will help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three types of outlines.

Here are the three types of essay outline;

• Working outline
• Speaking outline
• Full-sentence outline

All three types are different from each other and are used for different purposes.

What does a full-sentence outline look like?

A full sentence outline contains full sentences at each level of the essay’s outline. It is similar to an alphanumeric outline and it is a commonly used essay outline.

What is a traditional outline format?

A traditional essay outline begins with writing down all the important points in one place and listing them down and adding sub-topics to them. Besides, it will also include evidence and proof that you will use to back your arguments.

What is the benefit of using a traditional outline format and an informal outline format?

A traditional outline format helps the students in listing down all the important details in one palace while an informal outline will help you coming up with new ideas and highlighting important points

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

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Email Marketing

How to Write Email Subject Lines + 66 Examples You Can Steal

20 min read time

Published on Apr 2, 2022

Written by Rachel Waldmann

You can spend hours writing the perfect email for your subscribers, but if your subject line doesn’t spark their interest, your email won't matter!

Nailing your email subject line is the very first step to having a successful email marketing campaign. Whether you're telling subscribers about your newest line of products or sending discounts for a seasonal sale, your subject line is what gets people through the door.

Your average subscriber receives about 40 emails every single day. Email overload is real, that's why important to write subject lines that stand out from the crowd.

Just think about your own inbox. You probably get dozens of marketing emails from some of your favorite brands. You can’t possibly read through every single one of them, so emails with the most captivating subject lines are more likely to be opened and read.

And at the end of the day, the more opens you get on your emails, the more money you’re going to bring in for your business . In this guide, we're going to discuss actionable ways to write better email subject lines + we included 66 subject lines examples you can either steal or tweak for your next email marketing campaign. Let's get started.

Table of Contents:

• How email subject lines affect email open rates

11 tips on writing better email subject lines

66 email subject line examples you can steal.

• FAQs on email subject lines

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How email subject lines affect open rates

Your subject line is just as important as the content of your email. It’s the first step in getting your subscribers to open and read your emails. Think of it as the hook that inches people one step further toward making a purchase with your store. To measure the success of your email subject line, first look at your open rate . This is the number of opens divided by the number of total emails sent. If the email has a high open rate, then that's a sign you wrote a good subject line. Data from our benchmark guide says the average email open rate today is 20.4% , although, your baseline for open rates may higher or lower than that. Either way, open rates above 30% can be seen as successful. If you need some subject line inspiration, look at past emails to see which ones performed well. If you don’t have a lot to pull from, then check your own inbox to see what subject lines catch your attention. Keep a list of the effective email subject lines you come across, and use that as a starting point if you’re feeling stuck.

As an ecommerce brand, you can't afford to write stale subject lines that get drowned out by the dozens of emails your subscribers receive every day. Instead, follow some of our best tips for writing better email subject lines:

• Include the recipient's name
• Keep it short and sweet
• Use action verbs
• Get creative with preview text
• Get to the offer ASAP
• Ask questions
• Use FOMO to drive engagement
• Stay current to trends
• Use A/B testing to find out what works

1. Include the recipient's name

Want to capture someone's attention right away? Try including their first name in your email subject line. Tests have shown that including someone's first name can improve open rates by more than 3% compared to subject lines without a first name.

When someone sees their first name scrolling through their inbox, they immediately know this offer is personalized for them. Your subscribers will notice this attention to detail from your brand and reward you with better open rates. The best part about including someone's first name is that it's completely automated. When you capture someone's email address through a website popup , their contact details like first name will be automatically imported to your contact list. Give it a try!

2. Keep it short and sweet

How long should your email subject line be? Don't overthink it. Less is actually more.

Studies have found that subject lines in the range of ~65 characters (or 5-9 words) tend to be most effective. Remember, you only have your readers’ attention for a few seconds (if that), so it's important to use those few seconds to your advantage.

Another thing to remember is that longer subject lines will likely get cut off on mobile devices, where many of your subscribers will be reading emails. Even more of a reason to keep your email subject lines short and sweet.

3. Use action verbs and phrases

It's psychologically proven that people respond positively to clear, direct instructions when receiving messages. So don't shy away from using action-oriented words in your subject line!

No, you're not being too "salesy" or pushy on your subscribers. Telling people to take a desired action will simply clarify your message and encourage more purchases. Words like “get,” “buy,” “look,” and “shop” are short, yet effective action verbs to include in your subject lines.

Examples of phrases that use action verbs:

You can always test the tone of your message to see what kind of language has the highest open rate and drives the most sales.

4. Get creative with preview text

A great subject line has two parts: the actual subject line and the preview text that follows. Preview text is the little snippet of copy that appears next to the subject line or under the sender in the recipient’s inbox.

When writing preview text to complement your subject line, you'll want to keep it between 35-90 characters so it doesn't get cut-off on mobile devices.

5. Get to the offer ASAP

You should assume that your subscribers want the most important information upfront, especially when you release new items or run seasonal sales. So, get to your offer early in the subject line when possible. Some examples of this include:

• Take 30% off today
• New sweaters have arrived!
• Summer swimsuits are here

Whatever message you really want your readers to know should be the very first thing they see. Tell them exactly what’s in it for them. Because if they don’t understand the value immediately, chances are they’ll scroll past your email.

6. Ask questions

Human psychology dictates when you ask a question, someone will try to fill in the blanks with an answer. Asking a question of your readers will buy you a couple of seconds of their attention as they consider what their response is. It can be a completely hypothetical question, inspired by what you’re selling. Just make sure it actually relates to the content of the email.

You've probably seen these questions in your inbox before:

• Doing late holiday shopping?
• Tired of your old grill?
• Thinking of upgrading your phone?

The examples above combine personalization with piquing curiosity by asking questions. This perfect mix in your email subject lines are sure to lead to better open rates.

7. Use FOMO to drive engagement

Everyone is susceptible to the fear of missing out or FOMO. That’s why things like “another person is viewing this item” or “only 3 left!” make you want to buy something even more. But it doesn’t just have to be on your product page; you can also use FOMO in your email subject lines to create a sense of urgency. Use this fear of missing out to drive urgency for your readers to open your emails, click, and hopefully buy. Whether you’re alluding to product scarcity or a limited-time offer, giving your audience a deadline or a sense of belonging if they engage is a surefire way to grab their attention.

8. Stay current to trends

When you mix current events and viral trends with your offers and promotions, the email subject lines practically write themselves. 

It shows your brand has a finger on the pulse of what's trendy and in style. It also shows a human side of your brand, something more and more consumers want to see. Lastly, it's a great way to improve your open rates amongst younger audiences in your email contact list.

Doing this requires a bit more creativity than other tips on this list. However, inserting your brand in current trends and running an email marketing campaign around it can provide you a nice sales boost and maybe even some social media attention.

9. Use A/B testing to find out what works

Your email subject line is the perfect place to use an A/B test . All that means is that a portion of your email list will see one subject line, and the other will see another variation. Whichever one performs the best is your winning subject line. Once you run enough A/B tests, you’ll start to notice trends about the winning variations, and that will influence the email subject lines you use in the future. Don’t overcomplicate this. Write two different subject lines you think are great options and run the test. If you do it enough, it’s a really simple way to find out what works with your audience.

Information overload? Writer's block? No worries, we came up with 66 awesome email subject line examples you can steal and make your own. Some of these are from the Privy team, others are examples from real-life brands.

Welcome email subject lines

Your welcome email is often someone's first impression of your brand and it gives them a glimpse into what to expect from further emails. Nailing this subject line sets you up for long term success with your newsletter.

Use this as a chance to share a welcome discount and entice a purchase. Tell your brand story or mission and show the human side of your brand. T ake a look at a couple of great examples from Gainful and Muddy Bites: A Message from Our Founders A note from our co-founder It’s also a really great place to lean into the value prop behind your brand, like Lingua Franca, BEHAVE, and Fly by Jing do: Welcome, you’re going to help us change the world! Entering a Candy Shame-Free Zone. Your new favorite hot stuff, all-natural and small-batch crafted. Wouldn’t you feel good about changing the world by supporting a brand that donates a percentage of the proceeds from every single order to organizations working to make the world a better place? Or eating candy that only has 3g of sugar? What about sauces that are all-natural and small-batch crafted?

Abandoned cart email subject lines

If you’re not doing anything to combat cart abandonment , you’re missing out on a huge opportunity for your store. Abandoned cart emails can bring people who left items in their cart back and encourage them to complete the purchase. Your abandoned cart email subject lines should pique your subscribers’ interest, so they’ll open your email and (ideally) complete their purchase. Ask questions and bring in scarcity, like these examples: Can’t stop thinking about it? Still Obsessed? Forgot Something? No Sweat. Your picks are almost sold out! Going... going... (almost) gone! Last chance! Claim your cart

New product email subject lines

Whenever you announce a new product, you should absolutely be sending an email to your list. It’s a no-brainer. You have the opportunity to get clever here. Use words like “meet,” “it’s here,” and “new” to really get the point across that this is something brand new they need to see. Here are five examples of new product email subject lines I love: Meet the spicy ramen baby we just had New flavor!?!?! 😱 There’s a new kid in town We had a bébé It’s here! Early Access to 12 Nights of Wine.

Review email subject lines

Reviews are incredibly important for ecommerce businesses. Especially because a lot of times, it’s not possible to check out your products in person before buying. But visitors to your site don’t really want to know what you have to say about your products; they want to know what real customers have to say. That’s where your reviews come in, and when it comes to writing awesome email subject lines for review emails, it wasn’t hard to find these examples. 3,620+ Five-Star Reviews ⭐️ When your products hit a certain number of 5-star reviews, that’s a great time to send an email! It definitely doesn’t have to be this many...even something like 52 five-star reviews (or whatever makes sense for where you are as a business) will make people want to read your email to see what they might be missing out on. Being specific here will give you credibility (for example, 27 five-star reviews rather than rounding up to 30). “Already can’t live without it” Another classic way to use your reviews in an email subject line is to steal a snippet of a real review. Aren’t you thinking to yourself, “What can’t this person live without?!” That’s exactly what you’re looking for here. And here are a handful of other review subject line ideas you can steal: 10 recent reviews we love ❤️ Reviews coming in HOT 🍓🌹🌺 the reviews are in! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Reactions to their first BITE 🤩 Psst.. don’t just take our word for it. Aw, you’re making us blush!

Best-seller email subject lines

Showcasing your most popular products is an amazing reason to send an email. I don’t know about you, but whenever I find out something is a best-seller, it always gets my attention. It must be that popular for a reason, right? Check out these best-seller email subject lines to get inspiration the next time you want to feature your most popular product in an email: It’s a best-seller for a reason! These will sell out (By the way, they’ve used “These will sell out” as a subject line more than once. Which means it probably works.) We can’t keep this jean in stock 1,500-Person Waitlist This sold out in 6 days AYR does an AMAZING job leaning into FOMO and scarcity. Things like “we can’t keep this in stock,” “these will sell out,” and “1,500-person waitlist” all make me want to open to see what’s so popular. So if you know for sure something is going to sell out or has absolutely flown off the shelves in the past, you should hands down use that in your email subject line.

Teaser email subject lines

The next time you’re getting ready to launch something new, send an email to tease what’s coming! That way, when you send the actual announcement email, more of your subscribers will want to know what you have to say. Check out these teaser email subject lines you can use next time you’re gearing up for a launch your subscribers need to know about: Can you keep a secret? TOMORROW. Something big is coming... 👀 Spring scents are coming... 🌼 coming soon! 💫 Preorder starts tomorrow!

Back in stock email subject lines

If something was so popular it sold out, it’s probably worth sending an email to your list to re-introduce the product and let them know it’s back (even if they weren’t on a waitlist). I don’t know about you, but things like “fastest-selling product ever,” “the dress with the 6,000 person waitlist,” and “our #1 best-seller” definitely make me want to open the email to find out what I’m missing out on. Here are some of my favorite back-in-stock email subject lines you can use the next time one of your products is restocked: Our fastest selling product ever is restocked and ready to clean BACK (and we cannot stress this enough) IN STOCK Walk & Play Sets are back! 👏 The Oversized Sweater (Our #1 Best-Seller) is Back! Your favorite shoe is back The Dress with the 6,000 Person Waitlist is Back! Back by Popular Demand: The Blazer Dress ⚡️ Guess who’s back 👀👀

New content email subject lines

If you’re producing content like blog posts , webinars, or podcast episodes for your business, it’s awesome to mix in that education with your promotional emails to make sure you’re not constantly trying to push sales but are also showing value to your subscribers. Check out what some of these brands did: 5 skincare ingredients to avoid 🙅‍♀️ The Cost of a Vetta Garment ✂️ How to Prevent Headaches 🙅‍♀️ Thinking of switching to natural deodorant? 6 facts about hydration and weight loss Super Shroom Brownies

Sales email subject lines

This is a no-brainer. If you’re running a sale or promotion of any kind, your subscribers should know about it. But if protecting your margins is especially important to you, and sales aren’t the norm for your business, it’s awesome to tie this messaging to a specific event or make it extra clear that this isn’t something your subscribers are going to see very often like Otherland does with this email subject line by mentioning “only sale of the year.” 💥 IT’S HERE: Our only sale of the year 💥 Moving is another awesome reason to run a promotion for your email list without setting the expectation that this is the norm. That’s exactly what Fly by Jing, Mala the Brand, and DONNI did with these subject lines: 20% off Zhong, ‘til we’re sold out. ✌️ MOVING SALE: Get 20% for 48 hours 🚚 25% off for you because...

Winback email subject lines

It’s no secret that your existing customers are more valuable than first-time buyers. So to make sure your customers keep coming back to you, customer winback emails are an incredible option. Often, they’ll give customers an incentive to come back to shop again, like money off, free shipping, or a free gift with purchase. So to encourage your customers to come back to your store, check out these winback email subject line examples: Here’s $20 off, just because. Enjoy 30% off Blume.com from us, to you 15% off your next order, to say thanks We miss you! Here’s $5 off your next order A gift for you Get $20 off your next order An exclusive offer for your next order Make it clear that there’s something in it for them.

Order follow-up email subject lines

After you make a purchase, order follow-up emails give you confidence and build excitement about your order. I’m not talking about the order confirmation email . Technically, it’s an order follow-up email, but that’s table stakes. You absolutely have to let your customers know their order went through. But after that, the businesses that really stand out take it a step further and do things like:

• Explain the next steps and what to expect
• Share helpful tips to make sure you’re successful with the product
• Generally keep you in the loop about your order

Here are a few email subject line examples for your next order follow-up email: MATE the Label: CARE FOR YOUR MATE Jing Gao: Just wanted to say thanks for your order! ⚡️ Modern Fertility: Next steps on your Modern Fertility order Jinx: Switching to Jinx True Botanicals: A closer look at your new face oil Feals: Feals flight guide: Our most frequently asked questions inside

Email subject line FAQs

How long should my email subject line be.

Generally speaking, your email subject lines should be ~65 characters long, which is approximately 5-9 words. Don’t be afraid to get creative to communicate the key point of your email. The goal of your subject line is to engage your subscribers to open it to read the content!

How to write email subject lines that drive open rates?

Your open rate is the most important metric to pay attention to in order to gauge the success of your subject line. To write an email subject line that drives opens, you want to keep it short and to the point, send from a real person, and use the preview text to enhance your messaging. Read the 11 tips and check out the examples above to find out what really works.

What are email subject line best practices?

There is no silver bullet when it comes to crafting the perfect email subject line. But there are definitely some best practices you should keep in mind. Keep it short and get to the point ASAP. Use emojis to stand out, but don’t overdo it. Use FOMO and scarcity to get your readers interested and remember that email subject lines related to current events usually perform well. For a full breakdown, read all 11 tips.

What are examples of good email subject lines?

When it comes to finding examples of killer email subject lines, you should start by looking in your own inbox and finding the emails and brands that you always want to hear from. But to get you started, we put together 66+ examples you can pull from above. So you have ideas of good email subject lines for everything from your welcome emails to your abandoned cart emails.

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15 Tips For Writing An Excellent Email Subject Line

If you're like most professionals, you probably write dozens of emails a day but barely think about the subject line. It's an afterthought that you add just before you hit send.

If so, you're making a big mistake. The subject line often determines whether an email is opened and how the recipient responds.

We asked career, email, and marketing experts to offer their best tips for crafting the perfect subject line. Whether you're looking for a job, emailing co-workers, or reaching out to potential clients, here's how you should approach it:

1. Write the subject line first.  One of the top mistakes people make on email is forgetting to write a subject line, says Amanda Augustine, career expert at professional job-matching service TheLadders. An email with a blank subject line will likely go unread or get lost in a cluttered inbox. Write the subject line before the email so you know it’s taken care of.  

2. Keep it short.  A typical inbox reveals about 60 characters of an email’s subject line, while a mobile phone shows just 25 to 30 characters, says Augustine. Get right to the point in about six to eight words.  

3. Place the most important words at the beginning.  A whopping 50% of emails are read on mobile phones, says Dmitri Leonov, a VP at email management service SaneBox . Since you don’t know how much of the subject line will be viewable from a smartphone, it’s important to put the most important information at the beginning. Otherwise, compelling details could get cut off.  

4. Eliminate filler words.  With such precious space, don’t waste it with unnecessary words like “hello,” “nice to meet you,” and “thanks,” which can easily be included in the email’s body.  

5. Be clear and specific about the topic of the email.  The subject line should communicate exactly what the email is about so that the recipient can prioritize the email’s importance without having to open it. For example, writing “Do you have a sec?” is vague, says Augustine, since the reader will have to open the email or reply to figure out what you want. If it’s a job application , she suggests including your name and the position, and if it’s to another co-worker , you should identify the project that the email refers to.  

6. Keep it simple and focused.  Especially if you’re sending a marketing email , Kipp Bodnar, a VP at marketing software platform HubSpot , says it should be focused on one action, which should be communicated in the subject line. Offer one takeaway, indicate how the reader can make use of it, and specify how you will deliver it.  

7. Use logical keywords for search and filtering.  Most professionals have filters and folders set up to manage their email and probably won’t focus on your message when they first see it, says Leonov. That’s why it’s important to include keywords related to the topic of the email that will make it searchable later.  

8. Indicate if you need a response.  “People want to know whether they really need to read this now and if they have to respond,” says Augustine. If you need a response, make it clear in the subject line by saying “please reply” or “thoughts needed on X topic.” If not, simply start the line with “Please read,” or tack on “no response needed” or “FYI” to the end.  

9. Set a deadline in the subject line.  Especially if you have a lot of information to convey in the email itself, including a deadline right in the subject line exponentially increases the odds that readers will respond. For example, after the email’s topic, you could say: “Please reply by EOD Friday.”  

10. If someone referred you, be sure to use their name.  If you’ve been referred by a mutual acquaintance, do not save that for the body of the email, says Augustine. Put it in the subject line to grab the reader’s attention right away. Moreover, she suggests beginning the subject line with the full name of the person who referred you.  

11. Highlight the value you have to offer.  If sending a cold email to someone you don’t know, “you need a subject line that indicates value and communicates what they’re going to get,” says Bodnar. Pique the reader’s interest by offering them something that’s helpful. Whether you’re providing a speaking opportunity, a discount, or a service, make it clear in the subject line what’s in it for them.  

12. Personalize it with the recipient’s name or company name.  You have to know who you’re sending the email to, and they have to recognize that it’s about them or a subject interesting to them, Bodnar says. Using their name or company name is one of the best ways to do that, he says, and makes the recipient much more likely to open the email. For example, you might write, “Increase Company.com’s traffic by 25%,” or “John, see how you compare to competitors.”  

13. Don’t start a sentence that you finish in the email’s body.  If you begin a thought or question that ends in the email, then the reader is forced to open the email. It’s annoying, and since clarity and being respectful of the recipient’s time is the goal, it’s not very helpful, says Augustine. Consider whether instant message, a call, or an in-person chat might be a better medium for your question.  

14. Make sure you reread the subject line.  Augustine also warns against copy-and-paste errors. Sometimes when people are sending a similar email to multiple people, they forget to tailor it to each reader and end up with the wrong name or title in the subject line. The easiest way to avoid this is to reread the subject line before you hit send.  

15. Don’t put words in ALL CAPS.  Using all caps may get someone’s attention, but in the wrong way. It’s the digital equivalent of yelling, and your job is to make the email as easy as possible for the recipient to read rather than giving them anxiety, says Leonov. Instead, use dashes or colons to separate thoughts, and avoid caps and special characters like exclamation points.

• Main content

The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient readers.

Introduce the Essay.  The beginning lets your readers know what the essay is about, the  topic . The essay's topic does not exist in a vacuum, however; part of letting readers know what your essay is about means establishing the essay's  context , the frame within which you will approach your topic. For instance, in an essay about the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech, the context may be a particular legal theory about the speech right; it may be historical information concerning the writing of the amendment; it may be a contemporary dispute over flag burning; or it may be a question raised by the text itself. The point here is that, in establishing the essay's context, you are also limiting your topic. That is, you are framing an approach to your topic that necessarily eliminates other approaches. Thus, when you determine your context, you simultaneously narrow your topic and take a big step toward focusing your essay. Here's an example.

The paragraph goes on. But as you can see, Chopin's novel (the topic) is introduced in the context of the critical and moral controversy its publication engendered.

Focus the Essay.  Beyond introducing your topic, your beginning must also let readers know what the central issue is. What question or problem will you be thinking about? You can pose a question that will lead to your idea (in which case, your idea will be the answer to your question), or you can make a thesis statement. Or you can do both: you can ask a question and immediately suggest the answer that your essay will argue. Here's an example from an essay about Memorial Hall.

The fullness of your idea will not emerge until your conclusion, but your beginning must clearly indicate the direction your idea will take, must set your essay on that road. And whether you focus your essay by posing a question, stating a thesis, or combining these approaches, by the end of your beginning, readers should know what you're writing about, and  why —and why they might want to read on.

Orient Readers.  Orienting readers, locating them in your discussion, means providing information and explanations wherever necessary for your readers' understanding. Orienting is important throughout your essay, but it is crucial in the beginning. Readers who don't have the information they need to follow your discussion will get lost and quit reading. (Your teachers, of course, will trudge on.) Supplying the necessary information to orient your readers may be as simple as answering the journalist's questions of who, what, where, when, how, and why. It may mean providing a brief overview of events or a summary of the text you'll be analyzing. If the source text is brief, such as the First Amendment, you might just quote it. If the text is well known, your summary, for most audiences, won't need to be more than an identifying phrase or two:

Often, however, you will want to summarize your source more fully so that readers can follow your analysis of it.

Questions of Length and Order.  How long should the beginning be? The length should be proportionate to the length and complexity of the whole essay. For instance, if you're writing a five-page essay analyzing a single text, your beginning should be brief, no more than one or two paragraphs. On the other hand, it may take a couple of pages to set up a ten-page essay.

Does the business of the beginning have to be addressed in a particular order? No, but the order should be logical. Usually, for instance, the question or statement that focuses the essay comes at the end of the beginning, where it serves as the jumping-off point for the middle, or main body, of the essay. Topic and context are often intertwined, but the context may be established before the particular topic is introduced. In other words, the order in which you accomplish the business of the beginning is flexible and should be determined by your purpose.

Opening Strategies.  There is still the further question of how to start. What makes a good opening? You can start with specific facts and information, a keynote quotation, a question, an anecdote, or an image. But whatever sort of opening you choose, it should be directly related to your focus. A snappy quotation that doesn't help establish the context for your essay or that later plays no part in your thinking will only mislead readers and blur your focus. Be as direct and specific as you can be. This means you should avoid two types of openings:

• The history-of-the-world (or long-distance) opening, which aims to establish a context for the essay by getting a long running start: "Ever since the dawn of civilized life, societies have struggled to reconcile the need for change with the need for order." What are we talking about here, political revolution or a new brand of soft drink? Get to it.
• The funnel opening (a variation on the same theme), which starts with something broad and general and "funnels" its way down to a specific topic. If your essay is an argument about state-mandated prayer in public schools, don't start by generalizing about religion; start with the specific topic at hand.

Remember.  After working your way through the whole draft, testing your thinking against the evidence, perhaps changing direction or modifying the idea you started with, go back to your beginning and make sure it still provides a clear focus for the essay. Then clarify and sharpen your focus as needed. Clear, direct beginnings rarely present themselves ready-made; they must be written, and rewritten, into the sort of sharp-eyed clarity that engages readers and establishes your authority.

Copyright 1999, Patricia Kain, for the Writing Center at Harvard University

200 Catchy Email Subject Lines (And How to Make Them!)

Create email subject lines where people WANT to open your emails! Learn about the key do’s and don’t’s and pick one of these 200 fantastic options.

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Your email subject line is the most important part of your email. In fact, Hubspot 1 https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/subject-line-stats-open-rates-slideshare reports that 35% of email recipients open an email based on the subject line alone.

This article will help you learn what goes into creating an email subject line that people want to click. Plus, you’ll get 200 actual email subject line examples you can use.

Let’s dive in.

What is An Email Subject Line? (Definition)

An email subject line or headline is the first line of text someone reads when they receive your email. This is the line of text you’ll usually type to grab the attention of your email recipient.

Email subject lines are crucial—they are the first impression. You might write the best email in the world, but if your subject line stinks, then nobody will read it. 

A fair bit of psychology goes into writing a captivating email subject line. Let’s go into the key do’s and don’t’s. 

Email Subject Line Do’s and Don’t’s

Do make sure to follow these best practices!

• Do Be Clear and Concise: Make the subject line clear, brief, and relevant.
• Do Use an Emoji: Emojis create a personalized flair. But if you use too many, it’ll be in the spam folder.
• Do Personalize: Write the recipient’s first name to boost the open rate 2 https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/ . 
• Do Use Emotion-Driven Words. Evocative words will create feelings. Feelings will make clicks.
• Do Leverage Curiosity: Hint at something intriguing without giving it away. Curiosity is a powerful force.
• Do Test and Optimize: Try A/B testing for different subject lines to determine which tactic resonates best with your audience.
• Send at the Right Time: 11:00 am EST has the highest open rate 3 https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/best-time-send-email-report-2015?=&_ga=2.141218610.1693432634.1531769354-1791073514.1499368195 for email sends (and Tuesday is the best day to send).
• Do Emphasize Timing. Subject lines that include dates or a sense of urgency tend to perform better. In a study by Return Path 4 https://returnpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RP-Subject-Line-Report-FINAL.pdf , 9 million subject lines were sent out and analyzed. It turns out that certain urgent phrases and words work better than others:

But don’t abuse their fear of missing out, or you’ll come off as spammy and stressful.

Also, be careful of these “don’t’s:”

• Don’t Write Misleading Content: If you make a clickbait subject that doesn’t match the email content, your trust will go down the toilet.
• Don’t Use Spammy Language: Avoid overused sales language and excessive punctuation or all caps, which can trigger spam filters. You probably wouldn’t open an email with the subject: “🔥🎉🚀 HURRY!!! Your EXCLUSIVE Deal Awaits! 🌟💰💸 Open NOW for FREE MONEY! 🎁🎁🎁”
• Don’t Write Overly Long Subject Lines: Long subject lines often get cut off, especially on mobile devices.
• Don’t Ask For Things: Mailchimp 2 https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/ analyzed thousands of words related to donations and found that words such as “helping,” “fundraising,” “charity,” and “donate” all lead to negative effects on open rates. Instead, you might want to save the asking (if any) for later.
• Don’t Include Typos: A typo in the subject line screams unprofessional and unprepared.

Now, let’s get into some sample subject lines that you can use for your emails!

Catchy Email Subject Lines

Here are some really good subject lines that work for almost all occasions–just make sure they are true! Don’t use that subject line if you do not have an important announcement.

• “I have an important announcement.” Mailchimp 2 https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/ found that “announcement” (and similar words) caused a higher open rate. People want to be in the know!
• “Question for you” This email subject line invites the receiver to open your email and help you. It also works because of the Benjamin Franklin Effect —when someone does a favor for you, they end up liking you more!
• “Hey there, [name], check this out.”
• “Your Sneak Peek Inside the Future of [ whatever your industry is] “
• “🌟 Exclusive Offer Just for You – Ends Tonight!”
• “Can You Believe This Happened?”
• “Unlock the Secrets to Effortless Productivity”
• “You’ve Never Seen Deals Like These 🚀”
• “🎉 Surprise Inside: A Gift Just for You!”
• “This One Mistake Could Cost You (And How to Avoid It)”
• “Flash Sale Alert: 50% Off Your Favorites!”
• “This Week’s Top 10 Must-Reads for You”

If you’d like to boost the content of your email as well, check out our video below for 7 tips to improve your emails.

Best Email Subject Lines for Sales

Sales are tricky because you want to balance relatability and selling perfectly. You also don’t want to mislead, which is EXTREMELY easy in sales emails.

GovX uses an email subject line that hints toward a “free” knife… but it’s just a discount. Bummer!

Many people who report emails as spam send those reports based on the subject line alone. Here are great examples to nail your sales subject line for your email campaign:

• “You Have Two Choices.” Everyone loves to play games, and everyone likes to have options. This is a great subject line for sales, as choices influence people to take action.
• “Why You Can’t [insert problem here]” Why you can’t lose weight. Why you can’t sleep at night? Why you can’t feel happy at work? Find a common problem and offer reasons (hopefully your solution!).
• “Psst… Here’s a freebie.” People love the word “free,” but did you know the word “freebie” works even better 2 https://mailchimp.com/resources/catchy-email-subject-lines/ ? Add this to your email, but please make sure to make the freebie worth it (or risk getting unsubs!).
• “So. Many. Deals… Find Something AMAZING Now 💸”  
• “You’re a Perfect Fit For [insert opportunity here].”  
• “Save up to $10/month for life”  
• “Hey, you forgot this—here’s your 20% off!” 
• “Get a [adjective] $20 off your next order.”  
• “Ready for a Game-Changer?”
• “Limited Time Offer: 30% Off Your Next Purchase!”
• “Solve [Problem] with This One Simple Tool”
• “Last Chance: Don’t Miss Out on This Deal!”
• “How to Achieve [Desired Outcome]”
• “Exclusive Offer: Buy One, Get One Free Today Only!”
• “Join the Revolution: Be the First to Experience [Product/Service]”
• “Flash Sale: Prices Slashed for 24 Hours Only!”
• “See Why [Product/Service] is a Customer Favorite”
• “Don’t just take our word for it.” 

Newsletter Subject Lines

Are you sending out a weekly/biweekly newsletter to your subscribers? Here are some great email subject lines to share in a blog post or an email marketing campaign.

•  “Fake Friends” Vanessa Van Edwards, the founder of Science of People, used this subject line in one of their newsletters, and it was a HIT! It’s short and gets the reader wondering, What are you talking about? Try combining a short subject line with an interesting/lesser-known topic.
• “One simple way to make yourself happier.” Ramit Sethi uses this fabulous newsletter subject line, which works because it provides value! Find a problem and offer a solution.

• “3 crazy theories that [interesting thing here] .” Mark Manson grabs the reader’s attention in this email’s subject line by being super intriguing. Who doesn’t want to read up on something almost too crazy to believe?

• “You’re Invited!”  
• “Learn how to [skill here].”  
• “Studies show only 10% of people can…” 
• “Free Resources to Help You X”  
• “Want to play a game?” 
• “[Recipient’s Name], Catch the Latest in [Industry/Interest]!”
• “[Recipient’s Name], Be the First to Know What’s Happening!”
• “Your Customized [Month] Guide is Here, [Recipient’s Name]!”
• “Last Call to Get Your Questions Answered”
• “What’s Behind the [problem the reader is facing].” EG “What’s Behind the Scarcity Mindset?”
• “This ‘secret’ could [results reader wants].”
• “[Recipient’s Name], Open This Email ASAP”
• “[Recipient’s Name], I just noticed…”
• “My biggest regret?”
• “Here’s the hard truth…”
• “The secret that [successful people in this industry] won’t tell you…but we will!”
• “No one will teach you this…”

Welcome Email Subject Lines

When someone joins your email list, it’s a cause for celebration! It’s also an essential moment in your relationship with them. This is the chance to welcome them into your audience, to show them care, and to give them an impression of your brand.

• “🌟 Welcome Aboard! Discover What You’ve Been Missing!”
• “You’re In! See What’s Inside Your Welcome Kit”
• “🔓 Unlocked: Your Access to Exclusive Insights”
• “Welcome to the Inner Circle – Your Journey Begins”
• “🎉 You Made It! Start Your Adventure with This…”
• “Get Ready to Transform Your [Interest/Field] Game!”
• “🎁 Surprise Inside: A Special Welcome Gift for You!”
• “👀 Sneak Peek: What Only Members Can See!”
• “You’re Part of the Family Now – See What’s Next”
• “🌈 Welcome! Your Journey to [Goal] Starts Here”
• “🌟 A Warm Welcome & Your First Insider Tip!”
• “🔥 Hot Off the Press: Your First Member-Only Content!”
• “Welcome to the Club – Your Exclusive Perks Inside”

Email Subject Lines to Promote Your Free Content

You wrote an ebook or created a free course to promote to your audience. Here are some tips to share your content with your audience in a way that encourages them to open the email.

• “Everyone thinks I’m crazy for giving this away…”
• “I’m giving you this for FREE”
• “Special invitation for [Recipient’s Name]”
• “🎁 Just for You: A Free Guide to Transform [Topic/Skill]”
• “Unlock Your Exclusive Freebie: Master [Topic] Today”
• “📚 Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to [Topic]”
• “Claim Your Free [Content Type] – Uplevel Your [Skill]”
• “Exclusive Offer: A Free [Content Type] Just for Our Subscribers!”
• “🔥 Hot Off the Press: Grab Your Free [Content Type] on [Topic]!”
• “📈 Boost Your [Skill/Topic] with This Free [Content Type]”
• “🌈 Discover the Secrets of [Topic] with Your Free [Content Type]”
• “🎯 Hit Your Goals Faster with This Free [Content Type]”
• “🤓 Geek Out on [Topic] with Your Free [Content Type]”

Follow-up Email Subject Lines

Here are some subject lines for follow-up emails when you want to check in on someone.

Whether they attended your webinar, downloaded your course, or the ball is in their court on a pricing estimate you sent them.

For Webinar or Workshop Attendees

• “🌟 Thanks for Joining Our Webinar – Here’s What’s Next!”
• “Missed Details from [Webinar Topic]? Let’s Recap!”
• “I’d love to know your thoughts on [Webinar]?”
• “Keep the Momentum Going Post-Webinar on [Topic]”

For Course Downloaders

• “📘 How’s Your Journey with [Course Name] Going?”
• “Unlock the Full Potential of [Course Name] – Tips Inside!”
• “Are you feeling stuck with [Course Name]? Try this”
• “Need Help with [Course Name]? We’re Here for You!”
• “🚀 Take Your [Course Topic] Skills to the Next Level!”

Post Pricing Estimate

• “📊 Any Thoughts on Our Pricing Proposal for [Service/Product]?”
• “Checking in on the [Service] estimate.”
• “Following up since our last chat?”
• “Is there anything else you need?”

Cold Email Subject Lines

A cold email is sent to someone you may not know for marketing, networking, sales, or other outreach promotion. Generally, cold emails aim to increase conversion rates (a.k.a. the number of sales, clients, or customers).

And since the average professional receives 5 https://www.radicati.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Email-Statistics-Report-2015-2019-Executive-Summary.pdf about 121 emails daily, yours must stand out to get noticed. Here are some winning options for cold emails.

• Hope you’re doing well, [insert name here] .” Writing like you’d be speaking to a friend is a personalized and informal way to grab attention. This subject line is great and looks like a text from a friend you haven’t spoken to.
• “I loved your article on [topic here] .” I love it when people send me comments on my articles. And when I can tell they’ve read them and appreciate my tips? That gets them ahead of the game. A little appreciation goes a long way to getting attention!
• “You’ll love this article on [topic here]!” Along with liking a writer’s article, another eye-grabbing subject line offers another article with mega value. Can’t find a great article? Head over to our blog —we’ve got loads of topics packed with amazing info!
• “Are we still good for 2 pm today?” 
• “Can I help you with [problem here]?”
• “Hey [name], I’m looking forward to seeing you at [place]!” A 
• “Your Expertise is Requested!” 
• “You have this in common with [celebrity here].”  
• “Ideas for Improving [Aspect of Recipient’s Business]”
• “[Mutual Connection] Recommended I Get in Touch”
• “Saw Your Work on [Project/Platform], and I Have a Proposal”
• “A [Benefit] for [Recipient’s Company]”
• “Is [Common Pain Point] a Challenge for You?”
• “Sharing a Quick Tip for [Relevant Topic]”
• “Unlocking Potential with [Your Product/Service]”
• “Congrats on [Recipient’s Company’s Recent Milestone/News]!”
• “A few thoughts on [Recipient’s Company’s Recent Milestone/News]”
• “Inspired by Your Article on [Topic] – A New Perspective”
• “[Recipient’s Name], Your Thoughts on [Industry Trend]?”
• “Loved Your Post on [Platform] – Here’s an Idea for You”
• “Your Work with [Company/Project] Caught My Eye!”
• “Connecting Over Shared Interest in [Topic/Industry]”

Remember, cold emails might be complex at first, but sending the right subject line can make all the difference.

Email Subject Lines for an Upcoming Event

Are you hosting a workshop, webinar, or community gathering?

Try one of the following subject lines to ensure that as many people show up as possible.

• “🚀 You’re Invited: Unlock the Secrets of [Event Topic]!”
• “Join Us for a Surprising Twist on [Event Topic]!”
• “🎉 Exclusive Invite: [Event Name] – Reserve Your Spot”
• “Be Part of Something Special”
• “🌟 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience: Don’t Miss [Event Name]!”
• “Discover the Future of [Topic]”
• “🎤 Hear from the Experts on [Topic]!”
• “Transform Your [Skill/Interest] at [Event Name]!”
• “🌐 Connect with Like-Minded [Audience Type]”
• “An Invitation to Explore [Topic] Like Never Before”
• “🎓 Learn from the Best: Exclusive Webinar on [Topic]!”
• “Unlock Your Potential at [Event Name]!”
• “Dive Deep into [Topic]”

Thank You Email Subject Line

Studies show 6 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276486329_Letters_of_Gratitude_Improving_Well-Being_through_Expressive_Writing that expressing our thanks to people makes us happier. And it also feels good to receive appreciation!

If someone purchased your product, signed up for your newsletter, downloaded your ebook, or attended your course, why not show some love to them?

• “🌟 A Heartfelt Thanks for Joining Our Community!”
• “You Made Our Day! Thanks for Your Purchase ✨”
• “Grateful for You: A Special Thanks from [Your Brand/Name]!”
• “💌 A Little Note of Big Thanks to You!”
• “You’re Awesome! Thanks for Subscribing ✨”
• “Thanks a Million for Choosing [Your Product/Service]!”
• “Because of You, We’re Growing – Thank You!”
• “🤗 A Warm Thank You from the [Your Brand/Team] Family!”
• “Your Contribution Matters – A Big Thank You!”
• “Your Presence is Valued – Thank You for Attending”
• “A sincere thank you 🙏🏻”
• “Payment received. Thank you so much!”

Networking Email Subject Lines

Nowadays, a lot of networking happens online . Or perhaps you’ve met someone at an event and want to play catch-up. Here are the perfect lines to say if you’re looking to network:

• “Are you coming?” Do you have a networking event coming up? Invite them over in your email by asking them a question directly!
• “You are not alone.” People who network want to connect. Let them know there are people out there searching for others, too!
• “Did I lose you?” Are you reaching out to someone you haven’t contacted in a while? This subject line grabs attention immediately.
• “I finally found you!”  
• “So happy to finally meet you!”  
• “I loved meeting you at [place]. I’d love to reconnect!”  
• “Can I introduce you to [person’s name]?”  
• “I loved our conversation about [topic here]!”  
• “It was awesome to meet you”
• “Wanted to follow up”
• “Hey! I’d love to connect :-)”
• “That was super fun!”
• “🤝 Continuing Our Great Conversation from [Event Name]”
• “Hey [Name], Loved Your Thoughts on [Topic]”
• “Can’t stop thinking about our talk on [Topic].”
• “I’d love to continue over coffee/lunch.”
• “[Name], Your Insight on [Topic] Was Spot On!”
• “It Was Great Meeting You, [Name] – Fancy a Follow-Up Chat?”
• “Revisiting Our Conversation – I Had an Idea!”
• “Hey [Name], How Have You Been Since [Event/Location]?”
• “🍵 [Name], Up for a Coffee and a Casual Chat?”
• “From Our Last Talk, I’ve Been Thinking…”

Nobody said networking was easy! Here are 24 tips to help you become an expert networker. And if you’ve networked enough and want to land an excellent job, read on!

Email Subject Lines for Jobs

Are you going on a job hunt? Once you’ve prepared your resume , decked out your LinkedIn , and perfected your elevator pitch , it’s time to move on to the email.

Sending out emails to companies you’re looking to get hired at can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are my favorite lines that work more often than not:

• “CV for [job position] — available immediately.” Try being direct and putting as much info as possible upfront. This one shows you’re ready and organized.
• “[Job Position] — [Name]” This is a variation of the above. Use this one if you don’t have a specific time you’ll be available or a CV ready yet.
• “Looking to help.” 
• “Following up on…” 
• “Referred by [friend] — [name]”  
• “[Your credentials] with over X years of experience.”  
• “Thank you — [job position].”  
• “URGENT: Need by EOD” 
• “Eager to Bring [Unique Skill] to [Company’s Name] Team!”
• “Aspiring [Job Title] Passionate About [Company’s Industry/Value]”
• “Excited About the Opportunity to Join [Company’s Name]!”
• “Driven [Your Profession] Ready to Make an Impact at [Company’s Name]”
• “Enthusiastic [Your Role] Excited About [Company’s Name] ‘s Vision”

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Holiday Email Subject Lines

Holidays are a great time, especially if you’re in sales. Check these out if you’re a marketer or want to build up your customer base:

• “💥 Holiday Special” According to Omnisend 7 https://www.omnisend.com/blog/holiday-email-subject-lines/ , this was the #1 email subject line that got the most opens. It’s simple and effective.
• “5 Thanksgiving Facts to Know” There are a lot of interesting facts about Thanksgiving, Black Friday , and other holidays.
• “Happy Birthday [name here]—Here’s a Gift!” Combine a birthday and a gift, and you’ve got a one-two combo for an excellent email. Don’t forget to include a decent gift, though, or the receiver might feel like they’ve wasted their time.
• “Happy Holidays from [company/individual name]”  
• “HO HO NO!!! Last Day For [Benefit Here]!” 
• “[Holiday] Guide: Everything You Need to Know”  
• “Happy Holidays From [name]!”  
• “The FIRST Thing to Do After [holiday].”  
• “🎄 Unwrap Your Early Holiday Surprise Inside!”
• “Guess What’s Coming This Holiday Season… 🌟”
• “🎁 Secret Holiday Deals Just for You!”
• “Sneak Peek: Our Magical Holiday Collection!”
• “🎅 Shh… Santa’s Got a Special Message for You!”
• “Your Guide to a Stress-Free Holiday is Here”
• “The Holiday Gift You Didn’t Know You Needed”
• “🌟 Holiday Wishes and Dreamy Deals Inside”

Whatever line you choose, keep it positive and uplifting to stay in good holiday spirits.

Funny Subject Lines

Science shows that humor is one of the best ways to connect with people. If you’re looking to add humor to your emails, try one of these funny lines:

• “Since we can’t all win the lottery…” Include something in the body email: “We might not all be lucky, but at least we can [achievable goal here].”
• “It’s time to unleash your inner [noun].” This is a fun one if you want to show a little personality. Great to use for holidays (replace a noun with “Santa”), business meetings (replace with “Mark Cuban”), or even friendly get-togethers (replace with “Unicorn”).

• “Shh… This is for you only.”  
• “Why did the chicken cross the road?”  
• “May the Fourth be with you” 
• “Re:re:re: let’s chat?” 
• “Ugh, not another email!”  
• “Subject Line”  
• “How Many [Your Brand] Employees Does It Take to Write an Email?”
• “👽 Spoiler Alert: We Come in Peace and Bring Discounts!”
• “This Email is Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Surprisingly Funny!”
• “Warning: This Email Will Make You Laugh Out Loud 🤣”
• “🎉 Party in Your Inbox: No RSVP Needed!”

And if you’re itching to improve your humor, why not check out one of our humorous articles? Or check out the video below to find your type of laugh!

• Laughter Lunch: 10 Videos to Make You Laugh
• How to Be Funny: 7 Easy Steps to Improve Your Humor

FAQs About Email Subject Lines

The ‘subject’ in an email is a summary of the email’s content, serving as a headline for the recipient to quickly understand the email’s purpose.

The ideal length of an email subject line is typically between 30 and 50 characters, ensuring it is concise yet informative enough to capture the essence of the email. This will give you better open rates and engagement.

Takeaways About Email Subject Lines

Best of luck writing your email subject lines! If you just remember these tips, you’ll be in great shape:

• Be Clear and Concise 
• Use an Emoji
• Use Emotion-Driven Word
• Leverage Curiosity
• Send at 11 am EST on a weekday
• Don’t write clickbait
• Don’t use spam language

On the topic of email, it’s also worth considering what phrase to use for your signoff. If you’d like to dive more into the topic, check out this article.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Writing Experience — 17 Tips For Writing An Excellent Email Subject Line

17 Tips for Writing an Excellent Email Subject Line

• Categories: Culture and Communication Writing Experience

About this sample

Words: 1071 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 1071 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

• Always write a subject line. Not including a subject line is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The subject line often determines whether an email is opened and how the recipient responds. An email with a blank subject line will likely get deleted, lost, or immediately irritate the recipient, who is forced to open the email to figure out what it’s about.
• Write the subject line first. For many professionals, the subject line is an afterthought that you add just before you hit send. But Amanda Augustine, career expert at professional job-matching service TheLadders, stresses that it can be the most important part of the email. Write the subject line first, so that it sets the tone and you don’t forget.
• Keep it short. A typical inbox reveals about 60 characters of an email’s subject line, while a mobile phone shows just 25 to 30 characters, says Augustine. Get right to the point in about six to eight words.
• Place the most important words at the beginning. A whopping 50% of emails are read on mobile phones, says Dmitri Leonov, a VP at email management service SaneBox. Since you don’t know how much of the subject line will be viewable from a smartphone, it’s important to put the most important information at the beginning. Otherwise, compelling details could get cut off.
• Eliminate filler words. With such precious space, don’t waste it with unnecessary words like “hello,” “nice to meet you,” and “thanks,” which can easily be included in the email’s body.
• Be clear and specific about the topic of the email. The subject line should communicate exactly what the email is about so that the recipient can prioritize the email’s importance without having to open it. For example, writing “Do you have a sec?” is vague, says Augustine, since the reader will have to open the email or reply to figure out what you want. If it’s a job application, she suggests including your name and the position, and if it’s to another coworker, you should identify the project that the email refers to.
• Keep it simple and focused. Especially if you’re sending a marketing email, Kipp Bodnar, a VP at marketing software platform HubSpot, says it should be focused on one action, which should be communicated in the subject line. Offer one takeaway, indicate how the reader can make use of it, and specify how you will deliver it.
• Use logical keywords for search and filtering. Most professionals have filters and folders set up to manage their email and probably won’t focus on your message when they first see it, says Leonov. That’s why it’s important to include keywords related to the topic of the email that will make it searchable later.
• Indicate if you need a response. “People want to know whether they really need to read this now and if they have to respond,” says Augustine. If you need a response, make it clear in the subject line by saying “please reply” or “thoughts needed on X topic.” If not, simply start the line with “Please read,” or tack on “no response needed” or “FYI” to the end.
• Set a deadline in the subject line. Especially if you have a lot of information to convey in the email itself, including a deadline right in the subject line exponentially increases the odds that readers will respond. For example, after the email’s topic, you could say: “Please reply by EOD Friday.”
• If someone referred you, be sure to use their name. If you’ve been referred by a mutual acquaintance, do not save that for the body of the email, says Augustine. Put it in the subject line to grab the reader’s attention right away. Moreover, she suggests beginning the subject line with the full name of the person who referred you.
• Highlight the value you have to offer. If sending a cold email to someone you don’t know, “you need a subject line that indicates value and communicates what they’re going to get,” says Bodnar. Pique the reader’s interest by offering them something that’s helpful. Whether you’re providing a speaking opportunity, a discount, or a service, make it clear in the subject line what’s in it for them.
• Personalize it with the recipient’s name or company name. You have to know who you’re sending the email to, and they have to recognize that it’s about them or a subject interesting to them, Bodnar says. Using their name or company name is one of the best ways to do that, he says, and makes the recipient much more likely to open the email. For example, you might write, “Increase Company’s sales by 25%,” or “John, see how you compare to competitors.”
• Create urgency by limiting the timeframe. To grab someone’s attention and persuade them to reply, consider creating a deadline for your proposition. Common ways of creating urgency include “respond now,” “register today,” and “limited space available — reply soon.”
• Don’t start a sentence that you finish in the email’s body. If you begin a thought or question that ends in the email, then the reader is forced to open the email. It’s annoying, and since clarity and being respectful of the recipient’s time is the goal, it’s not very helpful, says Augustine. Consider whether instant message, a call, or an in-person chat might be a better medium for your question. 1
• Make sure you reread the subject line. Augustine also warns against copy-and-paste errors. Sometimes when people are sending a similar email to multiple people, they forget to tailor it to each reader and end up with the wrong name or title in the subject line. The easiest way to avoid this is to reread the subject line before you hit send.
• Don’t put words in ALL CAPS. Using all caps may get someone’s attention, but in the wrong way. It’s the digital equivalent of yelling, and your job is to make the email as easy as possible for the recipient to read rather than giving them anxiety, says Leonov. Instead, use dashes or colons to separate thoughts, and avoid special characters like exclamation points.

Works Cited

• Augustine, A. (2017). How to write the perfect email subject line. Retrieved from https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/how-to-write-the-perfect-email-subject-line
• Gordon, W. (2019). How to craft the perfect email subject line. Retrieved from https://www.inc.com/william-gordon/how-to-craft-perfect-email-subject-line.html
• Bodnar, K. (2014). The 17 best email subject lines for increasing open rates. Retrieved from https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/the-17-best-email-subject-lines-for-increasing-open-rates
• Brooks, C. (2018). 13 tips for crafting an effective email subject line. Retrieved from https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/effective-email-subject-lines/
• SaneBox. (n.d.). How to write effective email subject lines. Retrieved from https://www.sanebox.com/blog/2014/08/14/write-effective-email-subject-lines
• Morgan, C. (2019). 20 of the best email subject lines to increase opens and clicks. Retrieved from https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2014/04/22/best-email-subject-lines
• Dunlop, S. (2019). 101 email subject lines for your sales emails. Retrieved from https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/101-sales-email-templates-you-can-use-to-close-more-deals
• DeMers, J. (2018). 12 tips for crafting effective email subject lines. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/12/01/12-tips-for-crafting-effective-email-subject-lines/?sh=395663d378d2
• Nielsen, J. (2017). Be succinct! (Writing for the web). Retrieved from https://www.nngroup.com/articles/be-succinct-writing-for-the-web/
• Strickland, J. (2019). The psychology of color in marketing and branding. Retrieved from https://www.helpscout.com/blog/psychology-of-color/

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75+ Professional Email Subject Line Examples

Table of Contents

Crafting Impactful Email Subject Lines: Professional Examples for Better Communication

In today’s fast-paced business environment, email communication plays a vital role in our professional lives. With many emails flooding our inboxes every day, it’s essential to grab the attention of recipients promptly. The key to effective communication starts with a well-crafted email subject line. In this blog article, we will explore professional email subject line examples to help you improve your communication skills and make a lasting impression.

Professional Email Subject Line Examples

1. clear and concise email subject lines.

• “Meeting Request: [Date] – [Time]”
• “Project Update: [Project Name]”
• “Action Required: [Task Description]”

Using clear and concise language in your subject lines makes it easier for recipients to understand the purpose of your email at a glance. Clearly stating the topic or action required helps to ensure that your email is opened and addressed promptly.

2. Urgent or Time-Sensitive Matters

• “Important Deadline: [Due Date]”
• “Emergency: [Brief Description]”
• “Immediate Action Required: [Issue]”

When there is an urgent matter that requires immediate attention, including keywords like “Important,” “Emergency,” or “Immediate Action Required” in the subject line conveys the sense of urgency and prompts recipients to prioritize your email.

3. Follow-Up or Reminder Emails

• “Friendly Reminder: [Upcoming Event/Task]”
• “Following Up: [Previous Discussion/Request]”
• “Gentle Nudge: [Pending Response]”

When you need to remind someone about a pending task or follow up on a previous conversation, using friendly and polite language in your subject line helps to maintain professional etiquette while keeping your email visible and memorable.

4. Requesting Information or Clarification

• “Request for Information: [Specific Information]”
• “Clarification Needed: [Topic/Issue]”
• “Seeking Your Expertise: [Area of Expertise]”

When you need specific information or clarification from someone, clearly stating your request in the subject line reduces confusion and ensures that your email is attended to promptly. Seeking expertise shows respect for their knowledge and encourages a timely response.

5. Introductions or Networking Opportunities

• “Introduction: [Your Name] – [Purpose/Connection]”
• “Coffee Meeting Request: [Your Name] – [Their Name]”
• “Networking Opportunity: [Event Name or Description]”

When reaching out to introduce yourself or seeking networking opportunities, personalizing the subject line with your name and a specific purpose establishes a connection and increases the likelihood of opening and responding to your email.

Professional Email Subject Line Examples Tips

Here are a few general tips to keep in mind:

• Use proper capitalization and avoid excessive punctuation.
• Keep subject lines brief and to the point (aim for 6-8 words).
• Avoid using vague or ambiguous language that may confuse the recipient.
• Be mindful of utilizing appropriate language and avoiding sensitive or controversial topics.

Professional Email Subject Line Examples | Here are 75 Examples For different topics/occasions

Meeting requests:.

• Request for a Meeting: [Date/Time Availability]
• Meeting Request: [Topic/Agenda]
• Let’s Meet and Discuss: [Subject]
• Request for Face-to-Face Meeting: [Your Name]
• Scheduling a Meeting: [Topic] – [Your Name]
• Meeting Request for Collaboration: [Project Name]
• Meeting Request: [Department/Team Alignment]

Project Updates:

• Project Update: [Project Name]
• Milestone Achievement: [Project Name]
• Progress Report: [Project/Task Name]
• Completion Status Update: [Project Name]
• Important Project Announcement: [Project Name]
• Project Update Request: [Project/Task Name]
• Need Your Input: [Project Name]

Task Assignments:

• New Task Assignment: [Task Name]
• Urgent Task: [Task Description]
• Task Deadline Reminder: [Task Name]
• Action Required: [Task Name]
• Task Update Required: [Task Name]
• Request for Task Assistance: [Task Name]
• Task Completion Confirmation: [Task Name]

Follow-Up Emails:

• Following Up: [Previous Discussion/Request]
• Gentle Reminder: [Subject/Task]
• Checking In: [Meeting/Event/Follow-Up]
• Last Attempt: [Subject/Request]
• Did You Receive My Email? [Subject]
• Following Up: [Action Required]
• Just a Quick Follow-Up: [Subject]

Requesting Information:

• Request for Information: [Specific Topic/Details]
• Seeking Advice: [Topic/Area of Expertise]
• Need Your Expertise: [Subject]
• Quick Question: [Subject]
• Assistance Required: [Topic/Area of Expertise]
• Seeking Guidance: [Topic/Area of Expertise]
• Your Recommendations Needed: [Subject]

Introductions or Networking:

• Introduction: [Your Name] – [Purpose/Connection]
• Coffee Meeting Request: [Your Name] – [Their Name]
• Mutual Connection Introduction: [Your Name] – [Their Name]
• Exploring Networking Opportunities: [Your Name]
• Introduction and Possible Collaboration: [Your Name]
• Request for Network Connection: [Your Name]
• Meeting Request to Discuss Common Interests: [Your Name]

Event Invitations:

• Save the Date: [Event Name]
• Invitation: [Event Name/Type]
• Event RSVP Request: [Event Name]
• Special Event Announcement: [Event Name]
• You’re Invited to [Event Name]
• Exclusive Invitation: [Event Name]
• Join Us: [Event Name/Description]

Thank You Emails:

• Thank You for Your Support: [Subject/Task]
• Gratitude for Your Contribution: [Subject]
• Appreciation for Your Assistance: [Subject]
• Thanks for Your Time: [Subject]
• Thank You for Your Feedback: [Subject/Task]
• Expressing My Gratitude: [Subject/Task]
• Appreciation for Your Collaboration: [Subject/Project]

Apologies/Rescheduling:

• Apologies for the Inconvenience: [Subject/Task]
• Rescheduling Our Meeting: [Subject/Date/Time]
• Request for Meeting Rescheduling: [Subject/Date/Time]
• Apologies for the Delay: [Subject/Task]
• Regretfully Cancelling: [Subject/Event/Meeting]
• Request for Extension: [Subject/Task/Deadline]
• Rescheduling [Event/Meeting]: [Subject/Date/Time]

News/Announcements:

• Important Announcement: [Subject]
• Company News Update: [Subject]
• Key Organizational Change: [Subject]
• New Initiative Announcement: [Subject]
• Exciting Opportunity: [Subject]
• Breaking News: [Subject]
• Urgent Announcement: [Subject]

Internal Communication:

• Team Update: [Subject]
• Employee Recognition: [Subject/Name]
• Company Policy Reminder: [Subject/Policy]
• Internal Training Opportunities: [Subject]
• Urgent Internal Communication: [Subject]

Remember, while these subject lines serve as examples, it is important to customize them to fit your specific email content and audience. Always consider the tone and purpose of your email when selecting a subject line. Happy emailing!

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15 Tips for writing compelling subject lines with 75 practical examples

Last updated July 16, 2020

According to Statista , there are over 3.9 billion email users across the globe, and the numbers are expected to grow to 4.3 billion by 2023 . Furthermore, the same study also reported that around 293.6 billion emails were sent and received each day .

While some may consider emails as an outdated method of contacting customers, Emarsys reports that around 81% of SMBs still use emails for customer acquisition. Moreover, according to a study by DMA, every $1 you spend on email marketing can offer you an average return of $42 .

All of this just literally goes to show just how effective a tool email marketing is to this current day. That is exactly why we would like to share with you some tips that can help you write compelling subject lines for marketing and business-related communications.

How To Write Subject Lines That Convert

1. use action-oriented verbs.

The thing with action-oriented verbs being used in your subject lines is that it actually animates the sentence in a physical or mental state . However, it has also got to do with how you use them to draw a vivid picture in the mind of your readers to grasp their attention.

For example, if you use ‘leading a meeting,’ then it is pretty obvious that the word due to its overuse and abuse in the past has lost most of its impact. Instead, you could prefer to use ‘chaired the meeting’ which not only adds more personality but also deviates from the usual boring stuff too.

• Mark (Date/Day/Time) on Your Calendars!
• Stop By My Desk – I Brought in Cupcakes
• Read the Insider Report for Business Job Applications
• Register Today and Become A Master at Hosting Webinars
• Get Help Now to Reach More People Through Your Website

2. Build Up On Curiosity

If you fail to tease your customer through subject lines, then the probability of them clicking on your email naturally falls down. You have to create and generate curiosity to know more to get their attention and clicking open to read through your message.

To be curious about something is human nature, which is why you need to understand your audience and know their interest to create a subject line that piques their interest. Hence you necessarily do not want to give too much away in your subject line, just the right amount that nudges them in the intended direction.

• Check This Out, Jen
• Quick Question, Mark
• Steal This Strategy
• You’re Not Alone
• You Won’t Believe This Story

3. Conciseness is Best

People are not fond of reading in the first place; it is an undeniable fact, and thinking that they would go through a long subject line is simply horrendous. You need to keep things short, simple, and digestible so that they can grab the gist of it and respond without wasting their time.

There are several people out there that might feel compulsive to look at an unopened email that offers them a subject line that has no ending to it. As a matter of fact, many supervisors in a workplace setting can also get offended if you, as a subordinate, send them an email with a tediously long subject line. Please don’t!

• This is Not a Sale. It’s a Celebration!
• Stay on the Couch & Save Money
• This is What You Have Been Missing
• The Wait is Now Over
• You Left Your Stuff At Our Place

4. Create a Sense of Importance

If your email subject line isn’t displaying anything important that may be considered a topic of interest for your recipients, then chances are slim that they will ever read your email. That is why you always need to make sure that your subject lines have something significant to say to them.

However, it is again the execution that matters since you cannot contradict by writing about something important and not making it concise as well. Writing subject lines is an art; you need to tick off all the boxes within a reasonable amount of space, not too little and definitely not too much.

• 3 days until (conference)(Let’s talk)
• Just (number) seat left for (training)
• Next Week Only – Watch Me (do something) Live
• You Should Sleep on Big Decisions
• Offer Ends in (number of days) – Trust Your Instincts

5. Dishing Out Exciting Offers

To excite the recipient and be the bearer of good news should always be the intention of any company that wants to market their products and services. Otherwise, nobody would be least interested to hear about a documentary or brief about a monotonous finding regarding something truly mundane and disappointing.

The idea is to get them excited with a subject line that feeds their craving to know more and find out more. Once you have their attention and get them excited, it is a predominant factor that the chance of them clicking on your email improves by a lot.

• Your 7-Figure Plan is here!
• Your Discount is Ready – Coupon Attached
• Double Your Bonus (today/specific date )
• Tonight A Denim Lover’s Dream Comes True
• You Are Missing Out on Points

6. Humor & Pun Intended

Humor is always appreciated, but again it can be a double-edged sword if you begin to be careless with the choice of words and putting out meanings that can actually offend someone. Hence a necessary precaution has to be advised before you use puns and other gimmicks into your subject line.

Always use humor that is universally acceptable and indefinitely doesn’t discriminate against anyone . Your aim is to make them laugh and have a smile on their face when they see your email rather than make them feel agitated or profoundly feel thwarted by your style of communication.

• Swipe Right on Us
• Mom’s Gonna Love This
• You Have This in Common With Steve Jobs
• Dad Jokes. I’ve got ‘em.
• You can’t buy this on Amazon

7. Keep It Original

There are a lot of times when companies during desperate times try to get the attention of their customers and future prospects by writing absolutely unrealistic things in their email’s subject lines. Not only does falsehood disintegrate their credibility in front of their clientele, but it can also result in them losing their respect in front of their customers.

Hence it goes without saying that you should always refrain from blurting out plain lies in your subject lines as this would get you in more trouble than ever. Stick to being honest at all times, and this will eventually help you, in the long run, to build up your trustworthiness in the eyes of your selected audiences.

• Uh-oh, Your Prescription is Expiring
• The Deals That Make Us Proud – Best of Groupon
• Buffer has been hacked – here is what’s going on
• Cool Freebie Alert! 15 Gifts, You Pick 5!
• Where to Drink Beer Right Now

8. Make Them Feel Special

No matter what services and products we use, it is always the experience that can make us remember and retain a brand in our minds. It’s like going to a restaurant to get your favorite meal, but the wait staff drives you nuts, which can eventually result in you not going to that restaurant at all.

What we are trying to say is that even if your products and offers are not up to the mark, but you make people feel special whenever you come into contact with them, then they will remember you. Your subject line needs to deliver that edge, make them feel at ease, and tell them how special you are to them , some kind words can go a lot further and help you build long-lasting relationships.

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9. Numbers for Greater Impact

It is a well-known fact that one sure-fire way to get your audiences’ attention is by relaying meaningful numbers in your communication. This implies that you represent them with factual information that carries immeasurable value for them, and it also further adds to your overall appeal.

Research is important in business as it offers you fascinating insights to propel yourself ahead of the competition. Likewise, if your subject lines for your email present valuable information with the help of numbers , as anyone would expect, you are able to leave a lasting impact on them.

• 7 Secrets That Can Make Your Business Successful
• 17 Reasons Why People Are Joining Us
• Your First 1,000 Subscribers & How to Get Them
• 97.3% of Individuals Said Yes
• 8 Deadly Sales Mistakes You Can Avoid

10. Personalization

Nowadays, with the advent of technology and how the internet has progressively integrated with our everyday lives, people are more aware and thus would like to see you try your level best. Customers nowadays are looking forward to more personalized services than ever before.

Personalizing not only the subject lines but also the entire email is therefore considered a positive reflection on how you deal with your esteemed and valued customers. It doesn’t have to be much but enough to make them understand that you care for them and their preferences .

• Thomas, Your Home Needs these Fixes
• Hey Jonathan! Care for a Free Meal?
• [Mutual Contact] mentioned You
• Hey Mark, We Met At a [Conference]
• Your comments on [social post] were insightful

11. Questions that Oblige

At times it is our inquisitive nature that can get the best of us. People like to question and challenge themselves to see just how far they know about how things work. You can play with this trait by presenting a useful and helpful question of your own and mention it in the subject line of your email.

This will again build upon their curiosity that is mentioned above and will help you get more favorable responses. Presenting them with a question that you would like to answer for them once they read through your mail is a great idea, but make sure that this tactic is used adequately without any inappropriateness.

• Is this the hottest career in marketing?
• ? Free (Cool!) Clothes Alert?
• Why Your Website is Running Low on Traffic?
• Do You Know Where to Get The Best Meal Prices?
• What is the best family car of 2020?

12. Relevance & Timeliness

Having a keen outlook towards on-going and current trends can also give you and your business the edge to ignite sparks in the mind of your customers. The more relevant your marketing style is for a selected audience , the better results you would be able to generate through your efforts.

On the other hand, it is also important that you keep your email replies prompt. In the case of an order confirmation, a welcome email, and other types of responses, they should all be well-timed . The more you delay, the lesser of a window you will have to strike when the iron is hot.

• 8 hours before the deal runs out
• These Trends Are Hitting Big at the Market
• Your Business Needs AI and Here is How
• Athleisure That is Making Waves in the Fashion Industry
• Get These Insights Now Before Everyone Else Joins the Bandwagon

13. Showcasing Urgency

There are times where you can play with words to impart urgency in your audiences , and this could get them to act spontaneously towards your desired outcomes. For instance, the word “Limited Time Offer” is often used to tell readers that a certain package or deal is only available for a short period, and if they want to avail that offer, then they need to act quickly.

Similarly, terms like “breaking news” and “important alert” can also showcase that the matter that you need to discuss with them is quite urgent. Some of the times companies may even induce fear to get customers to respond ; however, we digress on that line of action as no one should disrespect their customers like that.

• Important Alert – How Your Social Media is Being Tracked
• Breaking News – Scientists Proclaim A Cure for Corona
• The Best Deal in Town – Are You In or Out?
• Limited Stock – Order Now!
• Last Chance to Get Your Discount

14. Tell a Story

A strong narrative in your subject line can also spark the needed interest in your clients to have them clicking your email open. You need to capture the attention from the word go and may refer to an incident that they may be interested in reading its complete detail.

We all like a bit of drama in our lives; that is how fake news media make millions of dollars in cash by spicing things up a bit more than they actually are. However, we strongly recommend you to stick with an actual series of events as they too can be at times too darn interesting to simply pass by without giving a second look.

• Ready This Story About a Coffee Shop’s Success
• This is How Samantha Opened Her New Spa
• From a Pizza Delivery Boy to a Restaurant Owner – True Story
• A Forex Trader’s Tale from Hardships to Triumph
• How I Took My Website to 1 Million Subscribers

15. Use Familiarity

By far, we hope that you are getting the gist of what we have covered, and as an ending, not we would like to share with you the final tip for writing compelling subject lines. This one focuses on your past connections, engagements, and interaction with a customer that your business is familiar with.

Using a familiar set of voice or tone can actually help you bypass the protective shield or layers everyone has. It is almost like when two fellow acquaintances meet, where there are no needs for introductions. In fact, we directly jump to more active conversations and sharing of information as we have been living with them this whole time.

• Hey Peter, You Left Things in Your Cart
• Lui, Did Your Order The Same Item Twice?
• Joan Someone Just Tired to Tap into Your Account [Ignore if this was you]
• We Know You Love Apple Products – Here Are Some Discounts
• You Package is Ready for Shipping

Writing compelling emails and their subject lines is nothing less of an art form, but with proper guidance and practice, you can break it down to its technicalities for better results. However, there have to be set parameters that you need to implement in place so that certain moral values and ethical aspects of things are always taken care of by your marketing teams.

Hopefully, the above mentioned tips will offer you a range of options to play with when sending out your newest batch of emails to your customers.

Melissa Calvert is an IT Specialist who is currently working as an Academic Writer at Crowd Writer, where higher education students can acquire professionals for their do my essay needs from experts specializing in the field of study. During her free time, she likes to explore nature and travel to exotic destinations.

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Essay Topics – List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas

List of 500+ essay writing topics and ideas.

Essay topics in English can be difficult to come up with. While writing essays , many college and high school students face writer’s block and have a hard time to think about topics and ideas for an essay. In this article, we will list out many good essay topics from different categories like argumentative essays, essays on technology, environment essays for students from 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades. Following list of essay topics are for all – from kids to college students. We have the largest collection of essays. An essay is nothing but a piece of content which is written from the perception of writer or author. Essays are similar to a story, pamphlet, thesis, etc. The best thing about Essay is you can use any type of language – formal or informal. It can biography, the autobiography of anyone. Following is a great list of 100 essay topics. We will be adding 400 more soon!

But Before that you may wanna read some awesome Essay Writing Tips here .

Get the Huge list of 100+ Speech Topics here

Argumentative Essay Topics

• Should plastic be banned?
• Pollution due to Urbanization
• Education should be free
• Should Students get limited access to the Internet?
• Selling Tobacco should be banned
• Smoking in public places should be banned
• Facebook should be banned
• Students should not be allowed to play PUBG

Essay Topics on Technology

• Wonder Of Science
• Mobile Phone

Essay Topics on Festivals on Events

• Independence Day (15 August)
• Teachers Day
• Summer Vacation
• Children’s Day
• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
• Janmashtami
• Republic Day

Essay Topics on Education

• Education Essay
• Importance of Education
• Contribution of Technology in Education

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

• Mahatma Gandhi
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Swami Vivekananda
• Mother Teresa
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• Abraham Lincoln
• Martin Luther King
• Lal Bahadur Shashtri

Essay Topics on Animals and Birds

• My Favorite Animal

Essays Topics About Yourself

• My Best Friend
• My Favourite Teacher
• My Aim In Life
• My Favourite Game – Badminton
• My Favourite Game – Essay
• My Favourite Book
• My Ambition
• How I Spent My Summer Vacation
• India of My Dreams
• My School Life
• I Love My Family
• My Favourite Subject
• My Favourite Game Badminton
• My Father My Hero
• My School Library
• My Favourite Author
• My plans for summer vacation

Essay Topics Based on Environment and Nature

• Global Warming
• Environment
• Air Pollution
• Environmental Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Rainy Season
• Climate Change
• Importance Of Trees
• Winter Season
• Deforestation
• Natural Disasters
• Save Environment
• Summer Season
• Trees Our Best Friend Essay In English

Essay Topics Based on Proverbs

• Health Is Wealth
• A Stitch in Time Saves Nine
• An Apple a Day Keeps Doctor Away
• Where there is a will, there is way
• Time and Tide wait for none

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Essay Topics for Students from 6th, 7th, 8th Grade

• Noise Pollution
• Environment Pollution
• Women Empowerment
• Time and Tide Wait for none
• Science and Technology
• Importance of Sports
• Sports and Games
• Time Management
• Cleanliness is next to Godliness
• Cleanliness
• Rome was not Built in a Day
• Unemployment
• Clean India
• Cow Essay In English
• Describe Yourself
• Festivals Of India
• Ganesh Chaturthi
• Healthy Food
• Importance Of Water
• Plastic Pollution
• Value of Time
• Honesty is the Best Policy
• Gandhi Jayanti
• Human Rights
• Knowledge Is Power
• Same Sex Marriage
• Childhood Memories
• Cyber Crime
• Kalpana Chawla
• Punctuality
• Rani Lakshmi Bai
• Spring Season
• Unity In Diversity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Online Shopping
• Indian Culture
• Healthy Lifestyle
• Indian Education System
• Disaster Management
• Environmental Issues
• Freedom Fighters
• Grandparents
• Save Fuel For Better Environment
• Importance Of Newspaper
• Lal Bahadur Shastri
• Raksha Bandhan
• World Environment Day
• Narendra Modi
• What Is Religion
• Charity Begins at Home
• A Journey by Train
• Ideal student
• Save Water Save Earth
• Indian Farmer
• Safety of Women in India
• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
• Capital Punishment
• College Life
• Natural Resources
• Peer Pressure
• Nature Vs Nurture
• Romeo And Juliet
• Generation Gap
• Makar Sankranti
• Constitution of India
• Girl Education
• Importance of Family
• Importance of Independence Day
• Brain Drain
• A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
• Action Speaks Louder Than Words
• All That Glitters Is Not Gold
• Bhagat Singh
• Demonetization
• Agriculture
• Importance of Discipline
• Population Explosion
• Poverty in India
• Uses Of Mobile Phones
• Water Scarcity
• Train Journey
• Land Pollution
• Environment Protection
• Indian Army
• Uses of Internet
• All that Glitters is not Gold
• Balanced Diet
• Blood Donation
• Digital India
• Dussehra Essay
• Energy Conservation
• National Integration
• Railway Station
• Sachin Tendulkar
• Health And Hygiene
• Importance Of Forest
• Indira Gandhi
• Laughter Is The Best Medicine
• Career Goals
• Mental Health
• Save Water Save Life
• International Yoga Day
• Winter Vacation
• Soil Pollution
• Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
• Indian Culture And Tradition
• Unity Is Strength
• Unity is Diversity
• Wildlife Conservation
• Cruelty To Animals
• Nelson Mandela
• Of Mice And Men
• Organ Donation
• Life in a Big City
• Democracy in India
• Waste Management
• Biodiversity
• Afforestation
• Female Foeticide
• Harmful Effects Of Junk Food
• Rain Water Harvesting
• Save Electricity
• Social Media
• Social Networking Sites
• Sound Pollution
• Procrastination
• Life in an Indian Village
• Life in Big City
• Population Growth
• World Population Day
• Greenhouse Effect
• Statue of Unity
• Traffic Jam
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• Importance of Good Manners
• Good Manners
• Cyber Security
• Green Revolution
• Health And Fitness
• Incredible India
• Make In India
• Surgical Strike
• Triple Talaq
• A Good Friend
• Importance of Friends in our Life
• Should Plastic be Banned
• Nationalism
• Traffic Rules
• Effects of Global Warming
• Fundamental Rights
• Solar System
• National Constitution Day
• Good Mother
• Importance of Trees in our Life
• City Life Vs Village Life
• Importance of Communication
• Conservation of Nature
• Man vs. Machine
• Indian Economy
• Mothers Love
• Importance of National Integration
• Black Money
• Greenhouse effect
• Untouchability
• Self Discipline
• Global Terrorism
• Conservation of Biodiversity
• Newspaper and Its Uses
• World Health Day
• Conservation of Natural Resources
• A Picnic with Family
• Indian Heritage
• Status of Women in India
• Child is Father of the Man
• Reading is Good Habit
• Plastic Bag
• Terrorism in India
• Library and Its Uses
• Life on Mars
• Urbanization
• Pollution Due to Diwali
• National Flag of India
• Vocational Education
• Importance of Tree Plantation
• Summer Camp
• Vehicle Pollution
• Women Education in India
• Seasons in India
• Freedom of the Press
• Caste System
• Environment and Human Health
• Mountain Climbing
• Depletion of Natural Resources
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
• Health Education
• Effects of Deforestation
• Life after School
• Starvation in India
• Jan Dhan Yojana
• Impact of Privatization
• Election Commission of India
• Election and Democracy
• Prevention of Global Warming
• Impact of Cinema in Life
• Subhas Chandra Bose
• Dowry System
• Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
• Role of Science in Making India
• Impact of Global Warming on Oceans
• Pollution due to Festivals
• Ambedkar Jayanti
• Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Family Planning in India
• Democracy vs Dictatorship
• National Festivals of India
• Sri Aurobindo
• Casteism in India
• Organ trafficking
• Consequences of Global Warming
• Role of Human Activities in Global Warming
• Issues and Problems faced by Women in India
• Role of Judiciary in the Country Today
• Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
• PUBG Mobile Game Addiction
• Role of Youths in Nation Building
• Value of Oxygen and Water in Life/Earth
• Farmer Suicides in India
• Start-up India
• Pollution Due to Firecrackers
• Life of Soldiers
• Child Labour
• Save Girl Child
• Morning Walk
• My School Fete
• Essay on Financial Literacy
• Essay On Sustainable Development
• Essay On Punjab
• Essay On Travel
• My Home Essay
• Child Marriage Essay
• Importance Of English Language Essay
• Essay On Mass Media
• Essay On Horse
• Essay On Police
• Essay On Eid
• Essay On Solar Energy
• Animal Essay
• Essay On Mango
• Gender Discrimination Essay
• Essay On Advertisement
• My First Day At School Essay
• My Neighborhood Essay
• True Friendship Essay
• Work Is Worship Essay
• Essay On Self Confidence
• Essay On Superstition
• Essay On Bangalore
• Sex Vs Gender Essay
• Essay On Social Issues
• Time Is Money Essay
• Essay About Grandmothers
• Essay On Hard Work
• First Day Of School Essay
• Flowers Essay
• My Favorite Food Essay
• Essay on Birds
• Essay on Humanity
• Essay on Sun
• Essay on Kargil War
• Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining Essay
• Francis Bacon Essays
• Importance of Cleanliness Essay
• My Sister Essay
• Self Introduction Essay
• Solar Energy Essay
• Sports Day Essa
• Value Of Education Essay
• Essay On Isro
• Essay On Balance Is Beneficial
• Essay On Reservation In India
• Essay On Water Management
• Essay On Smoking
• Essay On Stress Management
• Essay On William Shakespeare
• Essay on Apple
• Essay On Albert Einstein
• Essay On Feminism
• Essay On Kindness
• Essay On Domestic Violence
• Essay on English as a Global Language
• Essay On Co-Education
• Importance Of Exercise Essay
• Overpopulation Essay
• Smartphone Essay
• Essay on River
• Essay on Cyclone
• Essay On Facebook
• Essay On Science In Everyday Life
• Essay On Women Rights
• Essay On Right To Education
• Essay on Quotes
• Essay On Peace
• Essay On Drawing
• Essay On Bicycle
• Essay On Sexual Harassment
• Essay On Hospital
• Essay On Srinivasa Ramanujan
• Essay On Golden Temple
• Essay On Art
• Essay On Ruskin Bond
• Essay On Moon
• Birthday Essay
• Dont Judge A Book By Its Cover Essay
• Draught Essay
• Gratitude Essay
• Indian Politics Essay
• Who am I Essay
• Essay on Positive Thinking
• Essay on Dance
• Essay on Navratri
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• Essay on New Education Policy 2020
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• Essay on Railway station
• Essay on earth
• Essay on knowledge is power
• Essay on favourite personality
• Essay on memorable day of my life
• My parents essay
• Our country essay
• Picnic essay
• Travelling essay

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How To Tackle The Weirdest Supplemental Essay Prompts For This Application Cycle

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Writing the college essay

How do you write a letter to a friend that shows you’re a good candidate for the University of Pennsylvania? What reading list will help the Columbia University admissions committee understand your interdisciplinary interests? How can you convey your desire to attend Yale by inventing a course description for a topic you’re interested in studying?

These are the challenges students must overcome when writing their supplemental essays . Supplemental essays are a critical component of college applications—like the personal statement, they provide students with the opportunity to showcase their authentic voice and perspective beyond the quantitative elements of their applications. However, unlike the personal essay, supplemental essays allow colleges to read students’ responses to targeted prompts and evaluate their candidacy for their specific institution. For this reason, supplemental essay prompts are often abstract, requiring students to get creative, read between the lines, and ditch the traditional essay-writing format when crafting their responses.

While many schools simply want to know “why do you want to attend our school?” others break the mold, inviting students to think outside of the box and answer prompts that are original, head-scratching, or downright weird. This year, the following five colleges pushed students to get creative—if you’re struggling to rise to the challenge, here are some tips for tackling their unique prompts:

University of Chicago

Prompt: We’re all familiar with green-eyed envy or feeling blue, but what about being “caught purple-handed”? Or “tickled orange”? Give an old color-infused expression a new hue and tell us what it represents. – Inspired by Ramsey Bottorff, Class of 2026

What Makes it Unique: No discussion of unique supplemental essay prompts would be complete without mentioning the University of Chicago, a school notorious for its puzzling and original prompts (perhaps the most well-known of these has been the recurring prompt “Find x”). This prompt challenges you to invent a new color-based expression, encouraging both linguistic creativity and a deep dive into the emotional or cultural connotations of color. It’s a prompt that allows you to play with language, think abstractly, and show off your ability to forge connections between concepts that aren’t typically linked—all qualities that likewise demonstrate your preparedness for UChicago’s unique academic environment.

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How to Answer it: While it may be easy to get distracted by the open-ended nature of the prompt, remember that both the substance and structure of your response should give some insight into your personality, perspective, and characteristics. With this in mind, begin by considering the emotions, experiences, or ideas that most resonate with you. Then, use your imagination to consider how a specific color could represent that feeling or concept. Remember that the prompt is ultimately an opportunity to showcase your creativity and original way of looking at the world, so your explanation does not need to be unnecessarily deep or complex—if you have a playful personality, convey your playfulness in your response; if you are known for your sarcasm, consider how you can weave in your biting wit; if you are an amateur poet, consider how you might take inspiration from poetry as you write, or offer a response in the form of a poem.

The goal is to take a familiar concept and turn it into something new and meaningful through a creative lens. Use this essay to showcase your ability to think inventively and to draw surprising connections between language and life.

Harvard University

Prompt: Top 3 things your roommates might like to know about you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in both form and substance—first, you only have 150 words to write about all 3 things. Consider using a form other than a traditional essay or short answer response, such as a bullet list or short letter. Additionally, note that the things your roommate might like to learn about you do not necessarily overlap with the things you would traditionally share with an admissions committee. The aim of the prompt is to get to know your quirks and foibles—who are you as a person and a friend? What distinguishes you outside of academics and accolades?

How to Answer it: First and foremost, feel free to get creative with your response to this prompt. While you are producing a supplemental essay and thus a professional piece of writing, the prompt invites you to share more personal qualities, and you should aim to demonstrate your unique characteristics in your own voice. Consider things such as: How would your friends describe you? What funny stories do your parents and siblings share that encapsulate your personality? Or, consider what someone might want to know about living with you: do you snore? Do you have a collection of vintage posters? Are you particularly fastidious? While these may seem like trivial things to mention, the true creativity is in how you connect these qualities to deeper truths about yourself—perhaps your sleepwalking is consistent with your reputation for being the first to raise your hand in class or speak up about a cause you’re passionate about. Perhaps your living conditions are a metaphor for how your brain works—though it looks like a mess to everyone else, you have a place for everything and know exactly where to find it. Whatever qualities you choose, embrace the opportunity to think outside of the box and showcase something that admissions officers won’t learn about anywhere else on your application.

University of Pennsylvania

Prompt: Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge.

What Makes it Unique: Breaking from the traditional essay format, this supplement invites you to write directly to a third party in the form of a 150-200 word long letter. The challenge in answering this distinct prompt is to remember that your letter should say as much about you, your unique qualities and what you value as it does about the recipient—all while not seeming overly boastful or contrived.

How to Answer it: As you select a recipient, consider the relationships that have been most formative in your high school experience—writing to someone who has played a large part in your story will allow the admissions committee some insight into your development and the meaningful relationships that guided you on your journey. Once you’ve identified the person, craft a thank-you note that is specific and heartfelt—unlike other essays, this prompt invites you to be sentimental and emotional, as long as doing so would authentically convey your feelings of gratitude. Describe the impact they’ve had on you, what you’ve learned from them, and how their influence has shaped your path. For example, if you’re thanking a teacher, don’t just say they helped you become a better student—explain how their encouragement gave you the confidence to pursue your passions. Keep the tone sincere and personal, avoid clichés and focus on the unique role this person has played in your life.

University of Notre Dame

Prompt: What compliment are you most proud of receiving, and why does it mean so much to you?

What Makes it Unique: This prompt is unique in that it invites students to share something about themselves by reflecting on someone else’s words in 50-100 words.

How to Answer it: The key to answering this prompt is to avoid focusing too much on the complement itself and instead focus on your response to receiving it and why it was so important to you. Note that this prompt is not an opportunity to brag about your achievements, but instead to showcase what truly matters to you. Select a compliment that truly speaks to who you are and what you value. It could be related to your character, work ethic, kindness, creativity, or any other quality that you hold in high regard. The compliment doesn’t have to be grand or come from someone with authority—it could be something small but significant that left a lasting impression on you, or it could have particular meaning for you because it came from someone you didn’t expect it to come from. Be brief in setting the stage and explaining the context of the compliment—what is most important is your reflection on its significance and how it shaped your understanding of yourself.

Stanford University

Prompt: List five things that are important to you.

What Makes it Unique: This prompt’s simplicity is what makes it so challenging. Stanford asks for a list, not an essay, which means you have very limited space (50 words) to convey something meaningful about yourself. Additionally, the prompt does not specify what these “things” must be—they could be a physical item, an idea, a concept, or even a pastime. Whatever you choose, these five items should add depth to your identity, values, and priorities.

How to Answer it: Start by brainstorming what matters most to you—these could be values, activities, people, places, or even abstract concepts. The key is to choose items or concepts that, when considered together, provide a comprehensive snapshot of who you are. For example, you might select something tangible and specific such as “an antique telescope gifted by my grandfather” alongside something conceptual such as “the willingness to admit when you’re wrong.” The beauty of this prompt is that it doesn’t require complex sentences or elaborate explanations—just a clear and honest reflection of what you hold dear. Be thoughtful in your selections, and use this prompt to showcase your creativity and core values.

While the supplemental essays should convey something meaningful about you, your values, and your unique qualifications for the university to which you are applying, the best essays are those that are playful, original, and unexpected. By starting early and taking the time to draft and revise their ideas, students can showcase their authentic personalities and distinguish themselves from other applicants through their supplemental essays.

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• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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