12 Alternatives to “This Essay” in Academic Writing

Useful options include this paper, this article, this analysis, and this discussion. The best choice depends on context: academic alternatives to this essay, with wording matched to the type of work.

Choose the Noun That Matches the Work

  • This paper
  • This article
  • This analysis
  • This discussion
  • This argument
  • This response
  • This report
  • This assignment
  • This review
  • This examination
  • The present essay
  • The following discussion

This paper

“This paper” is the most neutral formal substitute when referring to your own academic paper.

Example: This paper examines how the policy changed over time.

This article

“This article” is common in essays and reports when the writing makes an argument.

Example: This article examines how the policy changed over time.

This analysis

“This analysis” is broader and works for essays, reports, articles, or other written work.

Example: This analysis examines how the policy changed over time.

This discussion

“This discussion” is useful when the assignment is a formal academic paper.

Example: This discussion examines how the policy changed over time.

This argument

“This argument” works when the document presents an analysis rather than merely describing a topic.

Example: This argument examines how the policy changed over time.

This response

“This response” is best when referring to the study or investigation reported in the essay.

Example: This response examines how the policy changed over time.

This report

“This report” fits an essay organized around a central argument or claim.

Example: This report examines how the policy changed over time.

This assignment

“This assignment” is a formal self-reference that avoids repeating “this essay”.

Example: This assignment examines how the policy changed over time.

This review

“This review” works when referring to the document as a whole piece of academic writing.

Example: This review examines how the policy changed over time.

This examination

“This examination” is useful when the assignment is explicitly an academic discussion.

Example: This examination examines how the policy changed over time.

The present essay

“The present essay” fits a paper that evaluates evidence or competing claims.

Example: The present essay examines how the policy changed over time.

The following discussion

“The following discussion” works when the text is explanatory rather than argumentative.

Example: The following discussion examines how the policy changed over time.