How long to write a 3000 word essay?

[Olpa]

I have 17 days to write one. I wouldn’t say I am knowledgeable on the subject at all. I‘ve only just started studying it. So I need to do a lot of reading and research too. It‘s my first essay in almost 20 years!

Realistically, how long do you think this will take me? I work and have two young DC, so only ever have a few hours here and there to devote to study, rather than whole days.

I‘m starting to panic and wonder what I‘ve got myself into.

You can do it in this timescale, but don't do what I used to do and procrastinate for two weeks and then panic and write the whole flipping thing while crying! As you are doing your research, make sure you make a note of the references (author, date of publication, page number) if you are using Word then get to grips with the references tab. Don't think you can quickly look these up again afterwards as the referencing is always a total pain in the arse. Good luck!

Definitely doable in that many days. I'm doing an ou degree and all my essays are done in little blocks of time when I can.

Don't think about it though, just start! Even if you get ten sentences down as an introduction, getting something on.paper is the hardest bit.

Just finished a 3000 word assignment this weekend!

It took me about 6 hours spread out during the week and another 12 ish over the weekend to finish it. I'm a get it done in one go type of person.

I found it hard going back to study in later life, a bit like I'd had a brain transplant actually!
Referencing advice is sound. Also, remember you can't read everything on the subject, try and dip in and out for relevant stuff thatcsuppoerts your argument. I found the internet and it's infinite amount of artcles/access to books to be overwhelming and wished for a library with only a selection of books and articles to use.
You can do it, good luck!

Start today with an outline. If you don’t know the topic (though presumably you have some kind of input on it so use whatever information you have) spend time listing all the questions you need to answer before you can move on.
Break down the question to find your structure. So if the question were “Are tomatoes fruits or vegetables?” you would have an introduction, secondly all the evidence they are fruits, thirdly all the ways they are considered vegetables, then a discussion and a conclusion. Your question will almost certainly give you a way to build a structure from it.
There is a great book on essay writing from the OU, if you want something to follow.

It's hard to judge. I'm a solicitor and I just wrote a client advice and the accompanying research in less than three hours. But that i've been doing this for so long.I'm not new to the subject, so it takes me quite a short period of time.

It depends on large background reading you've already done. If you've done all the research and reading, I wouldn't have thought it would take you that long.

Great advice, thanks all so much!

Should have set the client advice was a similar length.