How many sentences are in an essay? Like actually though

[Arnold]

I need someone to settle this once and for all because I've been writing essays since high school and I still don't know the real answer . My history professor marked me down last week for "underdeveloped paragraphs" and wrote "needs more sentences" in the margin. But like... how many is enough?? I thought five sentences per paragraph was the rule but apparently not??

I've heard so many different things. Some teachers say 3-5 sentences per paragraph. Others say paragraphs should be 100-200 words no matter how many sentences that is . And then my roommate who's an English major says paragraphs should be as long as they need to be which is literally no help at all . I just want a number I can follow!!

My friend sent me this guide from some university that said high school essays often use the 5-paragraph model with 3-5 sentences each but college essays need more development . So for a typical college essay maybe 5-8 sentences per paragraph?? But then how many paragraphs?? This is why I'm stressed honestly. Does anyone have a straight answer or do I just have to guess forever ?? Help a confused sophomore out please

 

[Luchia]

Arnold, I feel this deep in my soul. The way teachers gaslight us about paragraph length should be studied. One says 3-5, another says 5-7, another says "a paragraph should be like a mini-essay" like okay I'm already writing ONE essay now I need mini ones inside it??

Here's what I've learned after four years of undergrad: for college, aim for 6-10 sentences OR 150-250 words per paragraph. If you're making one point and supporting it with evidence and analysis, that's usually how long it takes. If it's shorter, you're probably not developing enough. If it's longer, you might have two points squished together.

Hope that helps!! Not a rule but a guideline ya know??