It is getting more usual for teachers to ask their students for a school essay... on video. A video essay doesn’t have to be a mini-movie. Think of it as a short talk with helpful visuals. The goal is clarity: one idea, explained simply, with clear sound and readable text. This guide shows you a quick path from zero to finished video in an evening.
1) Plan in 3 sentences
Write three lines: what you will argue, why it matters, and one concrete example you will show. That’s your script. Keep it under 120 words so you can speak naturally in 60–90 seconds.
2) Record with what you have
Use your phone. Face a window, put the camera at eye level, and keep the background simple. Record two takes: one medium shot (waist up) and one closer shot (head and shoulders). If you don’t want to be on camera, record voice-over and film your screen, slides, or pictures you took yourself.
3) Edit the easy way
Trim the start and end, remove "mmms" and long pauses, and place your best take first. Add a title card (video name + your name), short captions for key terms, and one relevant image or clip for your example. If you don’t want to install software, edit in a simple online tool such as FlexClip; the free plan is enough for short assignments, and you can export in 1080p.
4) Make it readable
Use large, clean fonts; keep any on-screen text under 10 words per line. Captions help with comprehension—turn them on or add short subtitles for definitions or quotes. Keep background music very low or skip it; your voice must be the star.
5) Finish and submit
Export at 1080p, 16:9. Name the file like this: Lastname_Name_VideoEssay_Topic.mp4. If your teacher wants a link, upload to a private listing (such as a personal YouTube account) and include a one-sentence description of your argument in the submission notes.
Quick checklist (one line)
Outline (3 sentences) → record 2 takes → trim → add title & key captions → one strong visual → export 1080p → submit.
Avoid these common mistakes
Talking too fast—pause at commas. Tiny text—make it big or remove it. Long intros—start with your claim in the first 10 seconds. Dark rooms—face a window or a lamp with a sheet of paper as a diffuser.
That’s it. Keep it short, clear, and watchable. And remember, your teacher is grading thinking and communication—not special effects.
