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How to Make an Essay Appear Longer Than It Is

Last Updated: February 2, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,774,445 times.

You are writing a paper and the deadline is approaching, but you are nowhere near the page limit. Many students find themselves in this position. Luckily for you, you can lengthen your paper by using a few tricks. Increasing the font size, adding a lengthy header, and manipulating the spacing between lines are just a few strategies you can use to make your essay appear longer. However, be aware that breaking your teacher’s guidelines may result in a lower grade.

Playing with the Font

• Don’t pick a very large font like Arial Black or Lucida Handwriting. Your teacher will notice that you are trying to make your essay longer by choosing a larger font.

Manipulating Spacing and Margins

• If the increase is too noticeable, then try 1.15 or 1.1 instead.
• Because all documents are left justified, avoid increasing the left margin. Adjusting the left margin will produce a noticeable change that your teacher will detect.

Adjusting the Header and Footer

Expanding the Content

• Additionally, if you are quoting or paraphrasing research or literature, make sure to cite it properly. Citations can add extra length to a paper as well.

• Expand your introductory paragraph with an attention-getting statement to hook the reader in.

• However, try to avoid being descriptive when it is unnecessary since this may cause your paper to appear embellished or sound verbose.

Community Q&A

• Copy and paste your paper into a new document. Make these changes to the new document. Then compare and contrast the document with the changes to the original document. Remove any adjustments that seem obvious. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Use a thesaurus to find longer synonyms to use in place of shorter ones. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Spell out abbreviations; for example, write out “United States" instead of using "US." Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Be aware that breaking your teacher’s guidelines may be considered cheating, which may result in a lower grade or even a zero. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 1
• Don't be redundant. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.paperhelp.org/blog/how-to-make-a-paper-longer.html
• ↑ https://www.jakebinstein.com/blog/how-to-make-an-essay-look-longer/
• ↑ https://studentshare.org/study-guides/how-to-make-your-essay-look-longer
• ↑ http://www.seventeen.com/life/school/advice/a27491/tricks-you-try-to-make-your-school-paper-longer/
• ↑ https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-make-paper-longer-793288

About This Article

To make an essay appear longer than it is, pick a font that's slightly larger than Times New Roman, like Arial, Courier New, or Cambria. If you're required to use 12-point font, try increase the font to 12.1 or 12.2 to gain some extra length without the font looking noticeably larger. Then, press on Control and the F key at the same time to activate the find and replace function, and replace all of the commas and periods with 14-point font. If the essay still isn't long enough, increase the line spacing by 0.1 or 0.2 and make the right margin 0.1-0.2 inches larger. For tips on adjusting the header and footer or adding more content to your essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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12 Real Ways to Make an Essay Longer

• DESCRIPTION Stressed high school student writing essay
• SOURCE FG Trade / E+ / Getty

If you’re struggling to meet that minimum word count, it helps to know how to make an essay longer without ruining your hard work with repetition. Teachers can spot fluff in an essay a mile away, so you don’t want to just add words or repeat yourself. Focus on real ways to make it longer (and better at the same time), and you’ll end up meeting that word count minimum and scoring a good grade, too.

1. Check the Prompt or Assignment Again

While you may think you’ve already answered the prompt or tackled the assignment, you may have missed something. Think about the essay questions and prompts from new angles. Is there another way to look at the issue? Can you be more thorough?

If you’re in doubt, ask your teacher for help. He or she may suggest some new ways you can think about the topic.

2. Make Sure You Have Included Everything

Remember that outline you made before you started writing? Check it again. Did you include everything on it? You may find you skipped a few things that didn’t seem necessary as you were writing.

If you didn’t write an outline , now is the time to do it. It’s not too late. Think about what you’ve written so far and think about what your audience needs to know that you may not have included. Then craft an outline that can help you expand.

3. Take Another Look at Your Introduction

Your introduction is one of the most important parts of your essay. It has to capture your reader’s attention and set the tone for your entire essay, all in the space of a paragraph. That doesn’t have to be a short paragraph, however.

If you glossed over your introduction, take a moment to revise it. How can you make it better by adding information or expanding on the ideas you already have? What will make it even more attention-grabbing? Can you add a story or a quote?

4. Add More Evidence and References

Your essay can always be stronger, and the way to make it awesome is to add more evidence (and the references that go with that evidence). Go back to your outline and ask yourself how you could better support each point you are making. Add those supporting details .

If this is a persuasive essay , anticipate what someone who disagrees with your thesis might say. What evidence will destroy the opposing argument? Can you add one more piece of evidence for each point or paragraph?

5. Bring in Relevant Quotations

Just as you’re using references and evidence to support your point, you can also strengthen (and lengthen) your essay by adding relevant quotations . The key word here is “relevant.” These can’t be random, and you don’t want them to be more than a sentence or two.

For example, say you are writing an essay about a book you read. You can make your essay more powerful by adding a short quote or two from the book - especially if the quote supports the points you are making.

6. Improve and Expand Your Descriptions

If you’re writing a personal essay or a descriptive essay of some kind, your descriptions will be extremely important. They may already be good, but you can make them better (and longer).

One way to do this is to bring in imagery and sensory details. Think about what someone in the situation you’re describing might see or hear. Then think even more about what they might taste, smell, or feel. Choose one or two senses and write your descriptions with that kind of imagery in mind. You’ll likely have more words, and you’ll definitely have a better description.

7. Expand Each Paragraph for Clarity

Go through your essay a paragraph at a time, looking for things that might not be clear to the reader. Clarity is an essential part of a good essay, and it usually requires a few more words to help explain things.

Imagine you don’t know anything about this topic. Do you launch into a topic without explaining the basics? Take a moment to define important terms after you use them, since jargon can be confusing for readers.

8. Enhance Your Transitions

A good essay has smooth transitions from one paragraph to another. These transitions are a sign of great writing, and they also take up extra space on the page. Including great transitions in your essay will make it longer and better at the same time.

Use transition words and phrases like “with this in mind,” “on the contrary,” and “because….” These transitions should come at the beginning of each paragraph or the end of the paragraph just before it. Connecting one paragraph to the next helps your essay flow smoothly.

9. Rethink Your Word Choices

You can improve your essay and make it longer by choosing the right words and phrases. Print out a copy of your essay and sit down with a highlighter. Highlight any word that relates to your thesis but is not an especially powerful word.

Once you have a list of weak words, use a thesaurus to find better options. It’s okay if the new words are longer or if you need to use more than one word to convey the concept; that will help your essay grow in length.

10. Get Rid of Contractions and Abbreviations

There’s nothing wrong with using contractions in your writing; however, they can add a casual touch to your essay. If you want your work to sound more serious, replace the contractions with the longer versions. You’ll find this also makes your essay a bit longer.

Similarly, abbreviations can feel casual, and in many cases, they aren’t the correct choice for an essay. Consult your style guide if you’re in doubt, but in general, don’t abbreviate.

11. Make Your Conclusion Rock Solid

Your conclusion is another opportunity to make your essay even better than it is and make it longer at the same time. Take a few minutes to read your conclusion and think about it from the perspective of a reader.

Does your conclusion sound final? Does it sum up everything you’ve talked about and give the reader a direction or main point to consider? If not, enhance it.

12. Ask a Friend What’s Missing

Once you’ve done everything you can to add to your essay, you can also ask a trusted friend for advice. Have your friend read the essay and give you feedback. Ask them to look for what might be missing or unclear about your work.

It’s not always easy to receive constructive criticism about your writing, but with the help of a trusted reader, you’ll have a better idea of what to add to your work.

Longer and Stronger

No matter how you choose to expand your essay, make sure you are making it stronger and not just longer. Avoid repeating yourself for no reason and using gimmicks like increasing font size or spacing. Focus instead on writing the best essay you can , and you’ll find you make the word count requirement with no trouble at all.

How to make an Essay Longer – 21 Easy Tips!

Just about all the advice on the first page of google about how to make a paper longer sucks. No, really. The tricks they suggest suck so bad I can’t believe how bad it sucks.

Most advice on how to make your essay longer tells you to do gimmicky things that will lose you marks.

How do I know? Because I read it. And I (yes, I’m a professor) would instantly see through all those things.

Let me tell you: if you’re wasting time turning “15” into “fifteen” to get an extra 6 characters into your essay , increasing font size, or sticking fluffy adjectives into sentences to make your essay longer and increase word count, you’re stuffing up. You’re flushing marks down the drain.

So, here’s what you SHOULD do to make your essay longer.

How to Make an Essay Longer

1. make sure you included everything.

I can’t tell you how many of my students submit assignments and forget to include important points! Go back to your writing prompt . That’s the thing that you’re going to be graded on.

Go and check out exactly what your teacher asked you to write about. Did you write about every point they suggested?

Related Article: 17+ Great Ideas For An Essay About Yourself

2. Make Every Paragraph at least 4 Sentences

Scan over each paragraph. Do you have any paragraphs that are less than 4 sentences long? This is your low-hanging fruit for making your paper longer. You need to make these paragraphs longer and your page count will naturally increase.

The best paragraphs should be 4 – 7 sentences long .

If you’ve got a 1, 2 or 3 sentence paragraph, make sure you go back through it. What new points can you include to make your paragraph better? Maybe you can:

• Add a sentence at the start of the paragraph explaining what the paragraph is about;
• Add a sentence giving a real-life example of the points you’re trying to make
• Add a sentence giving an explanation of your points.

Or, you can try adding points explaining:

• Why the thing is true;
• Where the thing happened;
• How the thing happened;
• When the thing happened.

3. Define your Terms

Have you written a paragraph defining your key terms? If you’re writing an essay on modernism, write a paragraph defining modernism. If your essay is about education , write a paragraph giving a brief history of education. This will make your paper better – and longer!

You should have a paragraph or two right after your introduction defining and explaining what your topic is!

Now, if you are going to provide a definition for a term in college or university level writing , you need to read this article . In it, I show you how to write a full paragraph that defines a term in the right way using a research paper, not a dictionary!.

4. Get new Ideas from your Class Handouts

Below are the class handouts that you should go back through to add new ideas. They’re your most important sources. Go through all these sources and try to take down and more key points you can add:

• Handouts or worksheets in class?
• Readings or articles that they asked you to read?
• Lecture slides?

6. Get new Ideas from Friends

You will have many classmates working on the same essay as you. What ideas have your friends come up with? See if you can find out. You want it to seem like you’re working to help each other out. You don’t want to be a sponge, taking from them and not giving back. Help each other out so you both get better marks. I recommend being strategic about this:

• Offer to look over each others’ work and give suggestions;
• Trade key points in bullet point format;
• Brainstorm together to create a master list of key ideas.

8. Get new Ideas from Blogs

There are websites online about just about every topic that you can possibly imagine. That includes the topic you’re writing your essay on!

Let me ask you a question: Why would you waste your time trying to add padding to old sentences to increase your word count when you can write new ones that will win more marks?

It’s really so simple – google your essay topic or question and see what comes up. What have other people said on the topic? What ideas can you grab from others and use for yourself? You can also get new ideas from Google Scholar, which can provide you with a free to access research paper that will give you ideas as well. 

12. Use the Keep Writing Website

Keep Writing is a website where you can write your essay. But, it won’t let you delete anything. So you have to just keep on typing. This means you can just write ideas that roll off the top of your head. I gave this website a go to write this article you’re reading right now and it really did help me just write in a way that flowed nicely and added to my page count quickly. I must admit, after using the website, I copied the text and did some edits. But by that point I had a ton of words in there – more than enough – and I could shorten the essay by deleting the words that weren’t so good. I ended up having the opposite problem – too many words!

13. Include one new Example in Each Paragraph

Another thing you can do is go through each and every paragraph and add one more example and some supporting evidence. Even if you’ve included one example in each paragraph, that’s okay. You can still add more examples. In fact, teachers love to see examples and supporting evidence.

Good examples are what separates good and bad students.

Teachers love to see examples because you can only give examples if you understand the topic. So, when we see examples we go “Yes! You Got It! You understand it!”

16. Don’t add Pointless Words!

‘Padding’ is what we call it when you stick extra words in a sentence just to increase your word count. I’ve taken a sentence from earlier in this post and I’m going to show you the sentence as it is, then show it to you with padding.

Here’s the original:

“You’re going to need some new points to add to your essay. You should not try to make your sentences you’ve already written longer. You shouldn’t be trying to add in fluffy new words or saying things in a longer way.”

Here’s the padding:

“You’re going to need some new points to actually add to your essay , which actually is quite significant . You should not actually try to generally make your sentences you’ve already written longer , generally contrary to popular belief . You shouldn’t be trying to generally add in fluffy new words or saying things in a longer way , which is fairly significant. ”

Your teacher is going to read this and think “This student is a terrible writer.” And you’ll lose a ton of marks.

17. Don’t Change the Formatting

Increasing the line spacing, font size or character spacing will just make your paper worse. You should have ONE space between each word. Your line spacing should either be 2.0 or 1.5 spacing. That’s it. Those are your options. Stick to normal margins in Microsoft Word You should use font size 12. If you artificially change any of this, your teacher will see through it and grade you down .

Final Thoughts

Making an essay longer needs to be done in a way that will get you marks. I can’t believe that there are websites ranking high on google that recommend tricks like “make the space between lines bigger” and “increase your margins”.

If a student did that in my class, I’d fail them instantly. There are smarter and better ways to do it – whether you’re writing a grade 7 essay or dissertation chapter! Do it the right way and you’ll grow your marks and be on the way to success.

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 5 Top Tips for Succeeding at University
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 50 Durable Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 100 Consumer Goods Examples
• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 30 Globalization Pros and Cons

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Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Writing Tips / How to Make an Essay Longer the Smart Way

How to Make an Essay Longer the Smart Way

Meeting an essay’s required page or word count can sometimes be a struggle, especially if you’re juggling multiple papers or exams. In a pinch, students often rely on tricks like increasing margin size or making their font slightly bigger. Though these tricks do increase page length, there are easier (and smarter) ways to write a longer, high-quality essay. Making a paper meet minimum word or page counts doesn’t have to be an agonizing process—you can add length while also adding clarity and depth.

Here are 10 tips on how you can write a longer and a smarter essay, even if the deadline is fast approaching:

Tip #1: Look Back at Your Prompt/Rubric/etc.

If you’ve been provided a comprehensive prompt or rubric for an essay, read it, and read it again. Think about the following:

• Did you answer all of the questions in the prompt?
• Did you provide supporting evidence to back up whatever claims you made?
• Did you leave out any information that might increase the reader’s understanding of your argument?
• Did you meet all requirements (besides length) for the paper?

If the answer isn’t a decisive “yes” to every question on this list, go back and revise.

Tip #2: Go Back Through Your Introduction and Conclusion

Often times, ideas evolve while writing a paper. If the first thing you wrote was the introduction, go back and reread the first paragraph. You might decide that you left out key information that aids the reader in understanding your argument. When looking back on the conclusion, make sure you’ve both summarized the main points within the essay and provided your reader with a solution to consider. If you don’t feel you’ve done this, go back through and revise the paper.

Tip #3: Have Someone Proofread Your Essay

Even if you’re short on time ask a friend, sibling, or parent to read through your paper, specifically noting any points they find confusing. Then, go back and revise the parts that were unclear, adding in more information to provide readers with further clarity. You have a more comprehensive understanding of what you’re writing about than your reader, so having someone else look over your paper can be a helpful way to ensure that you haven’t missed any important details.

Tip #4: Use Quotations

Chances are, you have already used quotes in your paper. Quotations are a great way to enhance your argument while also driving up a paper’s word count, but don’t add quotes just for the sake of doing so. If you’re short on words, read through your source materials again to see if you’ve missed any valuable quotes. You can also do a little more research to see if there are any other sources you can add to provide the reader with more evidence toward your argument. Longer quotes aren’t necessarily better, but if you’re really in a bind, you might want to lengthen some of the quotes that are already included.

Tip #5: Review Your Outline

Did you make an outline to plan the essay when you first started? Go back through that initial outline and make sure you’ve hit all of your intended points. It’s possible that you’ve left out an important piece of your argument that would both increase page count and make for a better essay.

Tip #6: Include More Transitional Phrases

Graders often look for traditional words linking sentences to each other, like “therefore,” “even though”, and “on the other hand.” Read through your essay and make sure the sentences flow smoothly into each other. If they don’t, go back and add in transitional phrases like the ones listed above. Your writing will be easier to read, and you’ll get closer to the minimum page requirement in the process.

Tip #7: Read Your Paper Out Loud

This might sound like a silly tip, but when you read your paper out loud, you become increasingly aware of any grammatical or syntactical issues. When you rephrase sentences to fix these, you might end up increasing the paper length a bit. In the process of reading out loud, you also might realize that you didn’t include sufficient details within a particular paragraph. If that’s the case, go back in and add more to increase length.

Tip #8: Take a Break From Your Essay

You’ve probably been staring at your computer screen for hours, hoping words will magically pop into your head. Take a break. Eat a snack, go for a walk, or talk to a friend on the phone. You’ll come back to the essay with a fresh perspective after some time away, and you might have new ideas after you’ve had time away from your paper.

Tip #9: Ask Your Instructor for Help

Most teachers, teaching assistants, and professors are willing to look over papers for students before the final submission date. If there is still time, ask if you can make an appointment to go over your paper or head over to office hours. Your instructor might offer tips on how to better answer the prompt, and this in turn may also increase the word count of the paper.

Tip #10: Use multiple examples to back up your argument

If you’ve only used one source or anecdote to explain a given point, find a second source to provide additional evidence for the reader. This method will help drive up a paper’s word count while also providing further support for your argument.

Although hitting a minimum page count can sometimes be challenging, you can do it the smart way by increasing the information you provide to the reader—there’s no reason to resort to tricks like increasing line spacing or font size. If you’re really in a bind at the last minute, you might want to break up some of your paragraphs. This increases length while also making text more manageable for a reader. But after going through the tips on this list, your paper should be adequate in length without you having to even consider spacing.

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21 Helpful and Easy Tips to Make an Essay Longer

Bookman Old Style > Times New Roman.

When you're writing a school paper after researching and typing for what feels like ages, but you still haven't reached your teacher's required page count, it's normal to feel frustrated. Maybe you get a little creative and play Microsoft Word gymnastics with different fonts and spacing, or become super expressive with your descriptions. There's also a chance you missed something on the assignment rubric, or overlooked the opportunity to include more quotes from trusted sources. You might even be able to load up on a few more examples for your argument, easily boosting the word count with additional research. Still a couple pages behind the limit? Don't worry. Below, we have over 20 tips to help you hit that page requirement.

1. Make sure you included everything on the rubric. If you forgot a whole section focusing on the counter argument, that could be the reason why your paper is a couple pages shorter than needed.

2. Load up on transitional phrases. Your paper isn't long enough, therefore it may be necessary to add some transitional phrases because they take up space. On the other hand , this could make your paper really wordy, however , it may be necessary. See what I did there?

3. Spell out your numbers. There are four editorial styles — AP, APA, MLA, and Chicago. Each one has a different rule for spelling out numbers, which can work out in your favor. For instance, in APA, you write out all numbers under 10. So a one-character "7" becomes a five-character "seven." In MLA, you spell out all numbers at the beginning of a sentence, and all simple numbers (those that are one or two words). Make sure to check the assignment rubric to see what style your paper should be written in!

4. Ditch the contractions. Honestly, you probably should not even be using contractions in a formal essay, so if you are filling up your paper with "don't," "won't," and "can't," switch them out for "do not," "will not," and "cannot."

5. Use numerous examples. Make sure to do extensive research on your essay topic and come up with at least 2-3 examples for every argument presented. One example might seem like enough, but adding a couple more points improves your paper and boosts its word count.

6. Add quotes. Including quotes, whether they be from a book, news article, or trusted source, helps strengthen and validate the point you're making in a paper. But you can't just drop a quotation without context. Introducing, writing out, and properly unpacking a quote can add value — and length — to your essay.

7. Start getting really descriptive about everything. How illustrative can you get about the evolution of electricity, you ask? Well, the answer is: Very. The howling wind gushed passed Benjamin Franklin at 30 miles per hour on that cold, rainy night, pulling the string of his kite taught as it fought to stay in the sky and sent his grey hair flying up in the sky like silvery wisps.

8. Try to make your header longer. If possible, of course. Some teachers clearly state what information needs to be included in the header. But if there's no guideline, add what you can within reason — I'm not sure your teacher is going to appreciate your TikTok or Insta handle listed on the page.

9. Have someone proofread. Getting another pair of eyes to read your paper might reveal some areas in need of work. Maybe you need to elaborate a bit more on a certain argument, or include a quote to strengthen an example.

10. Revisit your introduction paragraph. Sometimes, an introduction is easiest to write after the paper has been written. Having already presented and thoroughly discussed the argument in the essay's body paragraphs, you have a more concrete understanding of what direction the paper takes. There might be some information or ideas you can add into the intro, to better set up the paper's points.

11. Make your spacing larger. Your teacher probably won't be able to tell the difference between double spacing and 2.5 spacing. *fingers crossed*

12 . While you're at it, expand the spacing between the characters. Yes, I'm talking between each and every letter.

13. Raise the font size from 12pt to 12.5pt. Nobody has to know!

14. Make all periods and commas 14pt. It sounds tedious, but simply command-f and search for the period, that way you can change all of them at once.

15. Put extra space around your (super long and bolded) title. It needs some space to shine and breathe, obvs.

16. Change the font. You can't get too crazy or else your teacher will call you out, so you stick with something super similar to Times New Roman, but slightly bigger, like Bookman Old Style. However some teachers specify a certain font in the paper's assignment requirements — in the case, don't try to switch things up.

17. Reverse outline. After you've finished penning your essay, read it through and write an outline on what you have written so far. This strategy can reveal some paragraphs in need of further development. If you notice one super long paragraph, try breaking the ideas down into separate paragraphs. This might bump the page count up a bit, and give you the opportunity to include a few more transition sentences.

18. Make your margins bigger. You have to be careful about the left and right margins, and the top can be tricky. But the bottom margin, you can practically make it as big as you want. And then you can...

19. Add a fancy footer with page numbers. Obviously (hopefully), your teacher will appreciate your attention to detail and presentation.

20. Add a header with the title of your paper to every single page. Just in case your teacher forgets what your paper is about. You only want to help.

21. Make a separate cover page. Technically, the rubric didn't say it couldn't count as page one.

When I'm not holed up in my room going on a completely unproductive Netflix binge or Tumblr stalking Timothée Chalomet, I'm searching for awesome celeb news stories that Seventeen readers will love!

Leah Campano is an Associate Editor at Seventeen, where she covers pop culture, entertainment news, health, and politics. On the weekends, you can probably find her watching marathons of vintage Real Housewives episodes or searching for New York City’s best almond croissants. 

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How To Make A TikTok 60 Seconds & Longer

It only takes a few moments to get to the top of the TikTok charts , just a few moments of video time can explode in popularity and make you the next big viral meme .

One of the best features of TikTok is its pretty robust set of video editing tools.

The tools can be used to cut and splice videos however you want.

The most successful videos tend to fall right in the 15-second mark.

But, you have a lot of flexibility besides that.

Finding the right video length is the key to getting a lot of attention on your channel.

Depending on what you do on your page, longer or shorter videos may be a better choice.

How to Make a 60 Second TikTok Video

The default setting of TikTok is to record for 15 seconds.

That used to be the maximum limit, but TikTok recently changed things.

Now you can make videos up to 60 seconds long.

That is a lot longer than Snapchat and Instagram videos.

There are 3 main ways you can make a Tik Tok 60 seconds long.

1. Swipe Near The Bottom

Here is how to change the length of your video

• First, make sure you have the most recent TikTok update (v.16.5.1)
• Hit the  + button on the main toolbar
• Swipe the bar on the bottom from ’15’ to ’60’

You can then start recording by pressing the red circle.

Now your TikTok video will record for a maximum of 60 seconds.

Obviously, you can record for less time than this.

This method just changes the limit from 15 to 60 seconds, you can press the record button again to stop recording at whatever time you want.

2. Use the Stopwatch Icon

The previous method is not your only option.

You can also define exactly how long the video records for, right down to the tenth of a second.

• Press the  + button to create a video.
• On the right-hand column, press the stopwatch icon
• Drag the bar to the appropriate video time
• Press  Start countdown once you have the time set

This method allows you to set exactly how long you want to record.

The recording time slider is really useful if you want an exact video length and don’t want to worry about pressing the ‘Record” button again to stop the video.

3. Upload a Longer Video

There is one other method to make a TikTok 60 seconds or longer.

With this method, you upload a video you shot on an app other than TikTok.

This particular method is unique because you can actually upload videos  longer than 60 seconds.

The previous 2 methods had 60-second maximum limits.

Here is how to upload a video to TikTok:

• Press the  + button on the dashboard to create a new video
• Click ‘Upload’ next to the ‘Record’ button

You will then be prompted to select a video.

Highlight the video that you want and click the red ‘Next’ button in the bottom right corner.

You can actually select multiple videos and splice them together in the next part.

You will then be able to cut the video to the desired length.

This feature uses the same slider mechanisms as the previous method.

Once you have the right length set, hit the red ‘Next’ button in the top right corner.

Once you cut the video time, you can add special effects and other filters before you post, just like you would for a normal video.

Can I Make a Video Longer than 60 Seconds?

The first two methods can only make TikToks up to 60 seconds long.

If you record your video using the TikTok app then you will only be able to record for 60 seconds.

However, if you upload a video from another source, then the video can be longer than 60 seconds long.

Technically, there is no time limit to how long an uploaded video can be, as long as it does not exceed the allotted file size for TikTok videos.

You can also make ‘videos’ longer than 60 seconds by creating multiple TikToks that follow after one another.

Technically, this is not a single video but multiple posts placed consecutively.

However, if you watch them in order all in one go, it’s kind of like watching a single longer video.

TikTok Video Limits

As we said earlier, you can upload a video of whatever length you want, provided it does not exceed the maximum file limit.

Here are some quick specs for TikTok video limitations :

• File Size:  Videos can be up to 287 MB for iOS devices and 72 MB for Android. Ads can be up to 500 MB.
• Orientation:  TikTok is designed for showcasing vertical video, but you can change it to horizontal if you want.
• Dimensions : TikTok can handle up to standard HD dimensions (1080 x 1920)
• Aspect Ratio : TikTok videos are normally formatted in standard smartphone aspect ratio (9:16). You can also make 1:1 videos but these are less common and won’t fir the entire screen.
• File type:  User can upload .mp4 and .mov file types. Ads support .avi and .gif files

Is There a Minimum TikTok Video Length?

Yes, there is a minimum length for TikTok videos. TikTok videos can be as short as 3 seconds long .

If you try to record and upload a video for less than 3 seconds, you will get a message asking you to record a longer video.

Music Limitations

One of the more unique features of TikTok is that it allows you to set your videos to music directly in the app.

There is one problem here though: Most of the time, you can only choose a clip of the song, not the entire thing.

Generally, the longest music clips you can find are 60 seconds long or less.

That means if you want to make a video 60 seconds or longer, then you won’t be able to add music to the whole thing using the TikTok app.

Can I Use a Third-Party App to Make TikTok Videos?

Yes, you can make a video with a third-party app and put it on TikTok .

First, create and edit the video in whatever app you want.

Next, all you have to do is upload the video to your TikTok page (see method #3).

You can then set the time of the video and post it as normal.

Since the uploaded video is from another app, it will have all your edits and effects.

Here is a nifty list of some of the best video editing apps for TikTok .

What Is the Ideal TikTok Length?

So you are probably wondering:  What is the perfect length for a TikTok?

That is a tough question to answer.

TikTok does not publish official video stats so there is little to no hard data on video lengths and views.

We did find some sources though.

According to this website , based on data from the top 100 videos of 2019, here are some interesting stats about TikTok video lengths:

• The average length of the top 100 videos was a comfortable 15.6 seconds
• 80% of all the videos were between 11-20 seconds
• 60% of the top videos were under 20 seconds
• Only 2% of the top videos were a full 60 seconds
• Only about 8% of the most popular videos were between 0-10 seconds.

So if we are just going by the data here, it seems that 15-16 seconds is the perfect length for a TikTok.

This actually fits what we know about human attention spans.

According to marketing research , the average adult attention span on the internet is about 8-12 seconds.

In fact, videos longer than 60 seconds have a nearly 50% abandon rate.

That means 1 out of 2 viewers won’t make it through a full 60-second video.

Now in full transparency, these stats were observed specifically for marketing videos, not necessarily just random videos on TikTok.

The actual stats for non-marketing videos could be different.

It could also be true that different  kinds  of videos have different optimal lengths.

For example, it’s plausible to think that dance videos can be a bit longer than sketch or comedy videos.

Let’s recap what we covered really quickly.

There are 3 major methods to make a TikTok 60 seconds or longer.

• You can swipe near the bottom of the screen and change the default timer from 15 to 60 seconds
• If you press the stopwatch icon on the right-hand side you can set the exact video length you want using the slider
• You can upload a video longer than 60 seconds that you recorded with another app

So there you have it: a comprehensive guide on how to make TikTok videos 60 seconds or longer.

To be honest, most people on the app do not use the entire 60-second allotment as people’s attention span is just too short.

However, TikTok gives some good options if you want to try your hand at a longer video.

Prove you're human, which is bigger, 2 or 8?

Comments (5)

nothing is on my mind

WASTING TIME OVER HERER!!!!!!

You write well, clear, concise. Keep on bro!

It doesn’t work for videos more than 60 secs

This is very helpful! Thank you ?

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How to Make Your Essay Longer on TikTok

Are you looking for some check it out tips on how to make your essay longer on TikTok? These tips will make your essays longer and more interesting. Just remember that the length of your essay is a function of how well you structure your essay and how well you structure your paragraphs. Moreover, the more you write, the more people will read it. In order to keep your audience’s attention, you need to have a lot of content.

In addition to doing extensive research, you must have 2-3 examples for every go to these guys argument. Adding more examples will make your paper longer, so be sure to add examples. You can also include quotes to strengthen your arguments. You should introduce them with some context, so the audience can understand their meaning and take it seriously. Besides, unpacking the quotes will enhance their value directory and improve your paper. However, be sure to adhere to the teacher’s guidelines to avoid breaking any rules.

When it comes to writing an essay, students should always keep in mind that an essay that’s under the page limit will be penalized. This is because it won’t be able to meet the expectations of the teacher. So, it’s best to stay within the guidelines of your teacher. A good way to do this is by changing the font size or manipulating the spacing between lines. You should note that changing the font size will cause your essay to look cluttered.

A good way to make your essay longer on TikTok is to expand your content. You should expand find more the length of the content. This can be done by increasing the font size, adding a lengthy header, or manipulating the spacing between lines. Just be aware that breaking the guidelines site web will cost you your grade. Ensure you follow the guidelines for the font size, as this will help you to avoid any plagiarism.

Adding more examples to your essay can help you make it longer on TikTok. In addition to the number of examples, you should also consider using quotes Full Report to support your arguments. This will not only make your essay longer, but it will also boost its word count. By adding quotes to your essay, you can show your audience that you’ve read and understood what the quote says. It will also give you more ideas.

Adding quotes and examples to your essay are why not find out more two ways to make it longer. When writing a research paper, you should include at least two or three quotes for each argument you’ve made. This will boost the overall word count of your essay. By adding quotes, you can increase your essay’s length by up to five to ten percent. You can also add additional quotes and examples to your paper.

Influencer Resources By TRIBE

How to Make Longer TikToks: 6 Tips to Nail the New Max Video Length

@noriharewood

for Airbabble

TikTok played an undeniably colossal role in the rise in popularity of short form videos, and forcing Creators to stick to a short time limit really drove creativity. But now, TikTok has changed its maximum video length from 3 minutes to a whopping 10 whole minutes.

Some people have pushed back against the change, arguing that 10-minute videos belong on YouTube, but we think it’s a great opportunity for Creators to mix up their content on TikTok and start branching out from short, snappy videos to longer, more thought out content.

How to make longer TikToks

Make sure you have access to the new feature.

• Open the TikTok app on your phone

• Click the + sign at the bottom of the screen to open the camera

• Above the record button, you should be able to swipe across the different time limits to see if you have the 10-minute option.

If you don’t see it, update your app via the App Store to make sure you’ve got the latest version. Still not there? Don’t worry! The feature is being rolled out in phases, so not everyone has access just yet — but it’ll hit your account soon.

Start putting together your video

It works just like the shorter video length you’re used to, but you’ve obviously got more time to work with. You can record a total length of 10 minutes directly in the app, starting and stopping as needed. Or upload multiple video clips and images from your camera roll if you’ve pre-recorded your content.

Find inspo: Here’s 6 ideas for making long-form TikTok content

Yes, 10 minutes may seem like a long time for a TikTok video. Some of you might even remember when TikToks were limited to 15 seconds! But the social platform is all about creativity and experimentation, and some Creators are really using this new 10-minute length to their advantage. Here’s how:

Everyone loves a good storytime video. In the past, TikTok storytimes had to be condensed into a quick 60 seconds or split into multiple parts. 

The ability to upload a single 10-minute video is revolutionising the storytime format, especially for Creators who aim to engage. Rather than rushing through a story or editing in lots of cuts, Creators can now tell their stories in a format we’re more used to seeing on YouTube. We’re talking dramatic pauses, lots of backstories, and building suspense. The key is to make sure that the entire 10 minutes is engaging. Give viewers a reason to keep watching until the end.

@jessicavanel I gotta say... Making Magic is a lot of fun! #wholesome #disney #disneyworld ♬ original sound - Jessica V.

Q&A videos are an excellent way for your followers to get to know you a bit better. It’s quite common to see Q&A’s on Instagram, usually with the Question sticker on a Story. This access to 10-minute TikTok videos will allow Creators to do in-depth Q&A videos on TikTok too! 

Tell your followers to submit questions in the comment section of another video, then pick the ones you want to answer, settle in, and start filming! Though some Creators love using the Live feature on TikTok to do Q&A sessions, everyone can see the comments as they come in — making it harder to dodge anything you don’t want to answer. 

Daily vlogs have always been en vogue. You can't go wrong with a daily vlog — from 20-minute long YouTube videos to 15-second montages on Reels. 

TikTok’s 10-minute feature is the perfect mid-way point between Reels and a YouTube video. Your TikToks can be less polished than YouTube, while you can definitely get a bit deeper than you could with a Reel.

Film your day as you go along, edit it together in the evening, and post it to TikTok that night. It’s a great way to show more of the behind-the-scenes of your life (an already huge trend on TikTok).

@orendaduong just another wednesday existing 😌 #dailyvlog #minivlog #vlog #nyc #morningroutine ♬ original sound - ASTN

DIY videos have been big on TikTok since the app’s inception, and they really boomed in popularity during COVID lockdowns. From tie-dye shirts and punch needle rugs to furniture upholstery and room makeovers, the DIY opportunities are endless. And having 10 minutes of video means you can go into more detail about each step of the DIY process.

Mukbangs — where Creators eat a meal while talking directly to the camera — had a real heyday a few years back. Though the trend was solely found on YouTube, Creators now have a chance to bring it back with 10-minute TikTok videos. 

It’s a great way to update your followers on anything going on in your life — relationship breakups, career wins, travel stories — in a more casual way than a Q&A.

@how.kev.eats Reply to @afreenreza First time trying Bangladeshi food #mukbang #foodreview ♬ original sound - how.kev.eats

Morning routine

We seem to be fascinated with watching other peoples’ morning routines. YouTube, Insta, and TikTok are all full of videos montaging Creators’ skincare, breakfast, gym routine, makeup, and more. 

A 10-minute morning routine video is a great way to go more in-depth into what you’re doing, whether it’s sharing a pancake recipe, explaining your favourite skincare products, or even responding to some journal prompts. Seeing an entire morning routine in real-time is an innovative way to engage your followers.

Remember: you don't have to make a 10-minute video just because you can

Don’t get caught up in the excitement and churn out mediocre content for the sake of it. Make sure you’re creating something worthwhile, that you’re proud of and that your audience will want to see. 

Don’t be afraid to experiment, but remember that your 10-minute videos need to work in tandem with the rest of your content, and most of all match your style.

Ready to up your TikTok game?

Working with brands is one of the best ways to grow your audience and have fun with your content. If you’re not sure where to start, TRIBE  is the ideal launchpad. Browse through hundreds of brands with active campaigns, submit content or pitch to win, and start earning by doing what you love – creating real, authentic, and engaging content.

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Guide on How To Make Clips Longer on TikTok

• Software & Apps
• How-To Guides
• Software Tutorials

TikTok has popularized the short-form vertical video format in recent years. However, sometimes one minute is just too short for content creators. That’s why many people try to learn how to make clips longer on TikTok. This makes for more engaging content and limits the stress because people don’t try to squeeze everything in too much. How can you do this yourself? Let’s find out.

How Long Are TikTok Videos?

TikTok has been around for quite some time and focuses its content around short-form vertical clips. However, while short clips are great for sharing small tidbits, they’re not always enough if you want more substantial content. That’s why people learn how to make clips on TikTok longer.

However, before we get into the “how-to” part of the article, we must understand TikTok’s baseline time limit. In the past, TikTok limited its short clips to just 15 seconds. That’s a staggeringly short amount of time to squeeze content into.

Thankfully, the company later lengthened this time limit to a full 60 seconds. The company even pushed this limit further and has extended the time to three minutes because of high demand. As a result, you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to creating short-form videos on the platform.

Unfortunately, many users still feel that three minutes is too restricting. That’s why many folks have requested another extension and are learning how to make clips longer on TikTok. It’s unsurprising, then, that TikTok teased a 10-minute video feature back in February 2022.

How to Make Clips Longer on TikTok?

Here are easy ways you can make your clips longer on TikTok.

Use the Clip Length Setting

Need to learn how to make clips longer on TikTok? If your current video doesn’t exceed the 3-minute limit, then lengthening the video should be easy. That’s because the app has a default functionality that lets people extend their video’s length.

If you want to use it, you can navigate to the “Settings” menu and choose “Clip Length.” Then you can just adjust the clip’s length to your liking. You can also press and hold on to a clip until it flashes. This acts as a shortcut to trigger the clip adjustment tool.

Check for Updates

TikTok started rolling out the 10-minute video feature in February of this year. Hence, you should be able to learn how to adjust clips on TikTok with a new update.

However, because this feature is relatively new, it hasn’t been launched globally just yet. Thankfully, you can easily check whether your app has been updated with the new feature or not. Just follow these instructions:

• Launch TikTok on your phone
• Tap the “Plus” button at the lower-end
• Note: You should see the 10-minute option if the feature has been rolled out to your country

If the option is unavailable, then this means TikTok hasn’t released this feature in your area yet. However, make sure to check that your app has been updated in the App Store or Play Store first. That’s because TikTok could have already launched the feature in your location, but you simply haven’t updated the app.

How do you change the clip length on a TikTok? Or more specifically, how do you make seconds longer on TikTok? One way to extend your TikTok video’s length is by using the slo-mo feature.

As its name implies, this is a neat little feature that allows your TikTok videos to play in slow motion. However, what makes it relevant to this discussion is that it can lengthen your videos by a few seconds.

All you need is to open TikTok and head to your video. Then press down on the screen until the button turns into one with a lightning bolt icon. Once this happens, you should be able to move through standard and slo-mo speeds as you record.

Doing this will allow you to include more footage in one video. It’s handy for short clips that you want to lengthen for uploading on the app. However, do note that this feature is a bit processor-heavy. Hence, you’ll need a powerful phone with decent battery life to use it. Otherwise, your phone might lag too much or reduce power quickly.

Use Less Footage

Perhaps the question isn’t about how to make clips longer on TikTok but how to squeeze in as much as possible into the time limit. If this is your main priority, then we suggest simply cutting out a few shots or using less footage.

Doing so should allow you to include more important footage and waste less bandwidth and storage space. Moreover, it should eliminate boring or unnecessary moments and keep your video engaging to watch. Your video will feel long because of the packed content, but it is actually within the time frame TikTok imposes.

Don’t Use Sound

TikTok might have a library of built-in sounds, but these come at a cost. That’s right: using these sounds will cut your videos short. This is because TikTok’s library of sounds only lasts for 15 seconds each. Hence, TikTok will cut all of your videos to 15 seconds despite recording longer clips.

In this case, we recommend simply turning off the sounds on your video. It’s an easy method how to make clips longer on TikTok without jumping through hoops. This way, you can easily record 60-second or 3-minute videos without worrying about footage getting cut out.

How do you change the length of multiple uploaded clips on TikTok? Unfortunately, the app doesn’t have advanced editing tools that you can use to stitch the footage together. It can only do simple functions like trimming videos or capturing different segments of footage one at a time.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t upload footage that’s already been edited. Doing this is a great way how to make clips longer on TikTok. At least, it makes them feel longer because there’s more content.

How can you do this? You can simply film different shots with a camera or your phone. Do whatever you need to do to film different takes and gather footage. Then all you need is to download or purchase a video-editing tool to stitch your footage together.

Once you have an app, you can edit and knit the different shots together to make a TikTok video. It will take a bit of time to learn, especially if you’ve never used video editors before. Nonetheless, it will pay off eventually once you become more familiar with it.

How to Fix If You Can’t Adjust Clip Length on TikTok

A few roadblocks sometimes naturally spring up when you learn how to make clips longer on TikTok. Thankfully, even if there’s a problem with the clip length adjustment tool, there’s an easy way around it.

If you can’t adjust your clip length on TikTok, then there could be several culprits behind the issue. Firstly, your app might not be able to access the clips you’ve uploaded because they’re within your device’s internal storage. In this case, we recommend transferring these clips to a different phone or the cloud.

Apart from this, the problem might lie with lacking storage on your mobile phone. If this is the problem, then we recommend deleting unnecessary files, photos, or videos on your device. This should help you adjust the clip length on TikTok more easily.

Third-Party Programs and Apps to Help Make TikTok Clips Longer

Learning how to make clips longer on TikTok without a third-party app can be challenging. Fortunately, there is numerous free software you can download to help you on how to make uploaded clips longer on TikTok. Here are our top three recommendations for such apps.

Adobe Rush is one of the best video editing apps you can utilize to make your clips longer. It’s available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, so almost everyone can use it. Furthermore, it has tools that help you not only trim or knit footage together but also make advanced adjustments. The app has a built-in feature that allows you to publish your finished work directly to TikTok.

When it comes to default apps, there’s nothing that can beat iMovie on iOS and macOS. Sure, the app may be a bit basic, but that’s the beauty of it. With iMovie, you can reliably combine videos, trim them, create soundtracks, and even use templates. Best of all, it’s free and simple so you don’t need advanced knowledge to utilize it.

YouCut is an Android-exclusive app that possesses both simplicity and functionality. It offers several useful features, including soundtrack implementations and slideshows. The app also lets you combine clips or trim longer footage to adjust your video accordingly. Moreover, YouCut even has effects you can use to add a touch of pizzazz to your TikTok videos.

Pros and Cons of Long TikTok Posts

TikTok has established itself to be one of those apps that specialize solely in short-form vertical videos. However, with the demand for longer videos rising in recent years, users now have the option to choose.

Either you stick to TikTok’s original 15-second limit or play with its one to three-minute time frames. On the other hand, note that posting lengthier videos will have its pros and cons. We’ll discuss this in detail below.

Longer TikTok videos make for great content because they allow you to squeeze in more information. If your primary content is based around information-heavy stuff, then longer videos make more sense. For example, science videos, explainers, educational channels, and storytellers can all benefit from longer posts.

In addition, longer videos allow for more flexibility and creativity. You no longer have to wrack your brain about which clips to include in that short 60-second time frame. Moreover, there’s less editing and deleting to do if you’re allowed to post longer videos.

On the other hand, posting longer TikTok videos can also take a toll on its content creators. Sure, longer clips are more informative and can pack in more entertainment. However, this also means you have to expend a lot more energy and effort into making your videos.

In addition, you’ll have to be confident about how much you can keep your audience’s attention with longer videos. Longer videos mean you need to be sure you’re entertaining. Otherwise, people will swipe away from your video before they finish your video.

Finally, longer videos mean the audience has to adjust a bit more. That’s because TikTok has traditionally been a platform for short videos that only last a few minutes. People are used to the formula and trust it. Hence, they could easily swipe through your longer video once they get bored or antsy because of the long wait.

Why Does TikTok Shorten My Clips?

TikTok cuts the length of your clips because of the sound you use. That’s because the app limits its sound format to 15 seconds and doesn’t accommodate for longer sound bites. Hence, you should check your sound the next time you ask “why is TikTok cutting my clips short?”

Where Is the Adjust Clips Option on TikTok?

You can find the length adjustment tool by going to Settings and choosing “Clip Length” before rendering. Alternatively, you can also hold the three lines icon on the preview page and drag this up or down to where you want the footage to be.

Make Your TikTok Clips Longer Easily!

Learning how to make clips longer on TikTok is fairly easy. However, the method you choose should hinge on your targets and goals. Are you trying to lengthen an already short video? If so, we suggest using slo-mo on the app.

On the other hand, if you have tons of footage and want to cram it into a lengthy 3-minute video, using a video editor should do the trick. Regardless, there should be a tool that can help you achieve your goal.

Just don’t expect to exceed the app’s maximum time limit unless you’ve already received the 10-minute update. We hope this has been helpful so you can jumpstart your career as a TikTok influencer.

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How to Make Long TikTok Videos Up to 3 Minutes

A lot of video platforms have made headlines over the past few years trying to compete with TikTok in short video . But recently, TikTok made its own move to compete with YouTube in longer video formats.

You’ve probably noticed recently that some TikTok videos are running well over the usual 1 minute limit – that’s because TikTok raised its official video length limit to 3 minutes . It’s a smart move – influencers and YouTubers who create more in-depth content like political commentary, art tutorials, nature vlogs, and longer comedy sketches can now make more and more of their content in TikTok alone, rather than splitting their videos between YouTube and TikTok.

The new limit opens a lot of doors for your TikTok content, but it also makes it harder for you to make some types of videos. I’ll go over everything you need to know about creating longer videos on TikTok . We'll be using Kapwing's free online video editor to trim, cut, and polish our videos. Let's get started:

• How can I record long videos?
• What sounds can I use for long videos?
• How can I use TikTok sounds in long videos?

1. How Can I Record Long Videos?

If you usually make your TikToks by simply recording clips inside the app and using your original sound, not much is going to change when you make longer videos. You can record clips with both your back-facing and front-facing cameras, either by holding down the record button or tapping it to start and stop.

Your video can be any length, but TikTok has added a new 3-minute timer option to the left of the 15-second and 60-second options. Tap the 3m button and you can keep recording clips until you hit 3 minutes.

Try these trending TikTok tools:

• Free TikTok Video Editor
• TikTok Safe Zones Template
• Repurpose YouTube Videos to TikTok
• Repurpose Instagram Videos to TikTok
• Repurpose Twitch Videos to TikTok
• TikTok Video Ads Maker

2. What Sounds Can I Use for Long Videos?

Unfortunately, TikTok doesn’t let you use TikTok Sounds for videos over a minute long, so all the longer videos you see on TikTok use either their own original sounds or the seldom-used royalty-free music library .

Since TikTok doesn’t allow users to use the music library typically used for TikTok videos, most long videos aren’t able to follow trends. Additionally, you aren’t given the option to trim the royalty-free music tracks that TikTok lets you use for long videos – instead, they’re grouped by length in the royalty-free library.

3. How Can I Use TikTok Sounds in Long Videos?

Not being able to use TikTok Sounds in your long videos places a big limit on the types of content you can create, but it’s not hard to use your favorite sounds anyway. I recommend using Kapwing to add TikTok sounds to your longer videos , since it lets you upload audio tracks directly from TikTok and YouTube, where you can find any sound you want to use.

Start by searching for the sound you want to add to your longer video in TikTok, or search for the full version of a popular TikTok sound on YouTube. Whether you went to TikTok or YouTube, copy the link to the video and head to our TikTok video editor in your browser. Here, select Menu, then Audio, then paste the link in the URL bar and the TikTok or YouTube source will upload to the Timeline on the bottom.

Once the TikTok or YouTube audio has uploaded to the Studio, use the Upload button at the top of the Studio to import or record all the videos you want to use for your TikTok. Tap your audio layer in the Timeline and drag the ends to trim it to the portion you want to use, or drag it from the middle to change its position on the Timeline. With your audio selected, use the Edit Audio button to adjust its volume , change its speed, or input its timing precisely.

I hope this article helps you take advantage of the extra 2 minutes TikTok lets you use for your videos. For more tips and tutorials on creating great video content in 2021, check out the Kapwing YouTube channel or read through some related article on video editing for TikTok:

• How to Apply for a Job with TikTok Resumes • How to Do the Beer Poster Trend in TikTok • Where to Find the Most Popular Songs on TikTok • The Ultimate TikTok Houses List

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Jane Coaston

What the TikTok Bill Is Really About, According to a Leading Republican

By Jane Coaston

Ms. Coaston is a contributing Opinion writer.

Last month, the House passed a bill that would require TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its U.S. business to a company without ties to the Chinese government or face a ban of the TikTok app in the United States.

In Washington, which has become increasingly hawkish toward the Chinese government, worries and fears about the Chinese Communist Party’s role in ByteDance are widespread. But outside Capitol Hill, millions of people — especially younger Americans — use TikTok every day for entertainment and increasingly for search. Even beyond the potential speech or other legal issues, if this bill becomes law and a divestiture doesn’t work, those people might be pretty surprised if they were no longer able to download or update the TikTok app.

Representative Mike Gallagher, Republican of Wisconsin, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. He’s about to leave Congress, but if this becomes law, it will have an effect on social media and U.S.-China relations long after his departure. Many lawmakers in both parties are concerned about the effects of social media on teens. Mr. Gallagher’s much more concerned about the Chinese government, and we spoke about speech concerns, the message to authoritarian governments from a bill like this and how Donald Trump’s fluctuating support affects the chances the bill will become reality.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity and is part of an Opinion Q. and A. series exploring modern conservatism today, its influence in society and politics and how and why it differs (and doesn’t) from the conservative movement that most Americans thought they knew.

Jane Coaston: So what’s the scenario with TikTok that you fear the most? Data theft, misinformation, tracking generations of Americans and then using their information and attention against them? Or something duller than what I’m imagining?

Representative Mike Gallagher: There are two threats. One is what you could call the espionage threat. It’s data security — using the app to find Americans, exfiltrate data, track the location of journalists, etc. We have incidences of this happening already that are in the public domain. That’s a serious threat, but I actually think the greater concern is the propaganda threat. If TikTok continues to establish itself as the dominant news platform in America and if the algorithm remains a black box and subject to the control of ByteDance and, by extension, the Chinese Communist Party, you’re placing the control of information — like what information America’s youth gets — in the hands of America’s foremost adversary. And that’s a risk I don’t think we can afford to take. Obviously, there’s well-established precedent when it comes to traditional media for foreign ownership, which is why we think a divestiture is the most prudent way to guard against both of those threats.

[ In 2022, Forbes reported that TikTok employees pulled the IP addresses and user information of three reporters to monitor their whereabouts after the reporters published a critical article about ByteDance; TikTok said the employees were no longer employed by the company. ]

Coaston: Let’s say I’m 19 years old, I’m in college. I use TikTok for normal stuff. Make the case to me that there’s a security risk.

Gallagher: We have already examples of TikTok, as I mentioned before, spying on journalists. TikTok has not been truthful about where its data was housed in the past, and using TikTok’s own metrics when it comes to comparing content on that platform versus Instagram — recognizing it’s not an apple-to-apples comparison, based on the different way the apps work — there are disparities that don’t make any sense. It can’t be explained away by sounding variables such as the fact that TikTok doesn’t operate in India. And the closer you get to the topics that are sensitive to the Chinese Communist Party — whether it’s Covid origins, whether it’s the Uyghur genocide, whether it’s Hong Kong, etc. — the disparities get more and more severe. Again, this gets back to the black box nature of the algorithm. But the other thing I would say to that 19-year-old who wants to continue to use TikTok, that’s fine. In the scenario that our bill envisions, once the ownership structure changes, the national security concerns are substantially alleviated. I see no reason the user experience can not only continue but also improve.

[ This year TikTok limited access to a tool that researchers used to track trending topics on the platform. In the past, groups like the Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University have found that based on tags, certain topics, like protests about increasing antidemocratic measures in Hong Kong and reports of the confinement and forced labor of Uyghur Muslims in China, are underrepresented on TikTok compared with Instagram. TikTok has said that the Chinese government has no influence over the app. ]

Coaston: How much have you used TikTok? Do you have a burner phone with TikTok on it, by any chance?

Gallagher: I do not. I don’t really use social media at all. I have a Twitter staff account, but I made that decision about six years ago, I think, to remove myself personally from it. I don’t have it on my phone. And that was more to me a matter of wanting to be effective, and I found myself not having the time I wanted to do deep thinking and writing and researching, and the minute I got off it, the more my productivity improved. Now, that’s just me personally; I just don’t find it useful. There are occasions when I would use Twitter to sort of monitor various Chinese Communist Party propaganda accounts during the pandemic. I became fascinated with what they were doing to spread kind of dangerous anti-American rhetoric on our platforms.

People will send me TikTok videos sometimes as examples, but I don’t have the app even on a burner phone. I do think when we’re talking about all this stuff — social media companies in America and China — a principle underlying all of it has to be reciprocity. As we have this debate about how and whether to regulate a foreign-adversary-controlled social media application in the United States, it’s worth remembering that our social media applications are not allowed in China. There’s just a basic lack of reciprocity, and your Chinese citizens don’t have access to them. And yet we allow Chinese government officials to go all over YouTube, Facebook and X spreading lies about America. I think this is a microcosm with a broader lack of reciprocity in the entire U.S.-China relationship. And I do think, as a matter of principle, it puts us on firm ground to address this issue.

Coaston: Jameel Jaffer at the Knight First Amendment Institute recently said on X, “A U.S. TikTok ban would be a gift to authoritarian regimes around the world.” There’s also an argument that banning an app in the same way that the Chinese Communists do, as you just mentioned, is basically a propaganda win for China. How should conservative China hawks be thinking about the messages that this ban might send worldwide?

Gallagher: Which is why it’s not structured as a ban and why TikTok lies about it being an outright ban. That argument backfired — and I think the push notification they forced on millions of users actually sort of proved our point about the concerns with how the tool could be weaponized to inject disinformation into the American legislative process and the democratic process. The outcome we’re trying to navigate toward is a divestiture or a sale or a separation. I actually think that’s an outcome that American investors in ByteDance should want. We’re not talking about an outright ban; we’re trying to force a sale. Now, you need a mechanism to force the sale, to be sure. I also would disagree that the bill addresses content or speech; it’s about conduct, specifically foreign adversary control of social media.

[ TikTok has sent messages to users to call their representatives, which resulted in widespread calls to congressional offices. ]

Coaston: So there are some Republican lawmakers who seem most concerned with the mental health of young people rather than something specific to Chinese ownership. In states like Utah, where I live, there are efforts to restrict teen social media usage more broadly. Are you in favor of that more expansive, less libertarian approach to social media and big tech for younger people? For adults?

Gallagher: Well, I think I need to caveat this: I share the concerns, but it’s a separate issue than what this bill is trying to address. What I’m narrowly trying to address with this bill is foreign adversary control of a dominant social media platform and news platform in the United States. Now, once we address that issue, then we can have a bigger debate about the effect of social media more broadly to include American social media companies. I’ve been persuaded by Jonathan Haidt’s work, both in the previous book he wrote with Greg Lukianoff, “The Coddling of the American Mind,” and then Haidt’s book that just came out, “The Anxious Generation,” that it is strongly correlated with the skyrocketing rate of anxiety and depression that we’re seeing among Gen Z. I think it’s worthy of government attention. There’s not an obvious government solution that I’ve been able to address. In fact, right now, my instinct is that it is my responsibility as a parent to set guardrails and not rely on the government to do it for me.

You could, however — and I think this is where Haidt’s analysis has been very persuasive — entertain raising the internet age of adulthood. And that is something that I haven’t seen a piece of legislation yet that I’m ready to co-sponsor, but the idea makes sense to me, and I think there would be government authority to do that if we decided to do that. But again, that is not what this bill is about.

The other idea, which I think is sensible but doesn’t lend itself to federal legislation — though there might be state and local efforts at the school-district level — is finding a way to incentivize, if not mandate, phone-free schools. Haidt’s analysis is very good at highlighting the benefits of doing that. But again, that’s not something I would legislate as a member of Congress, if that makes sense. As a parent, I’m terrified about the corrosive impact of social media. I even see it among my colleagues, and I referenced my own experience and how social media, I think, really sapped my own productivity. I think there’s a way in which it precludes us from having a serious debate on certain policy issues because there’s no shared epistemological framework. We’re debating what is true and what isn’t, and we spend all our time on that, and we never get to the actual debate over policy. But again, that’s just a broader issue, and it’s not addressed by our bill right now.

Coaston: So Donald Trump supported banning TikTok, and now he doesn’t. How much harder does that make it for Republicans to vote for this legislation?

Gallagher: So in many ways I was surprised by his statement because a lot of this started with Trump. I mean, he was ahead of the curve when he tried to address the national security problems posed by ByteDance ownership of TikTok. And our bill is an extension of that effort. Obviously his effort ran into a legal buzz saw. We tried to learn from that and draft the bill in a way where it would survive a legal challenge and was on the strongest constitutional grounds. The bill is not trying to shut TikTok down and then force all its users onto Facebook. So if that’s the former president’s concern, then this bill should not worry him, because that is not the intent, and that, I don’t think, is what would practically happen. And then we had the vote after he made the statement, and we still got 352 votes. I think that just shows that there’s serious bipartisan concerns about ByteDance’s ownership of TikTok, and either this administration or the next administration, which could be the Trump administration, is going to have to address it.

After the interview, I followed up with Mr. Gallagher via email on a few points. These have also been edited for length and clarity.

Coaston: Conservatives also used to be pretty leery of government control and intervention. The approach of many conservatives to TikTok feels to me like “government knows best” and “government will call the shots.” Did conservatives change their way of thinking, or is China just scaring the hell out of them?

Gallagher: There’s a clear precedent of the government protecting Americans from national security threats posed by foreign-adversary-controlled applications and preventing our foreign adversaries from influencing the American airwaves. For a century, the Federal Communications Commission has blocked concentrated foreign ownership of radio and television assets on national security grounds, and in 2020, CFIUS (the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) forced a divestment of the app Grindr, citing national security concerns stemming from its Chinese ownership.

Coaston: Clearly, there are a lot of younger people who would be upset if a divestment didn’t work and TikTok no longer operated in the United States. How do you think about the politics of that?

Gallagher: Fortunately for the kids, this bill presents a great opportunity for ByteDance to divest of TikTok and continue operating in the United States. This decision is squarely in TikTok’s hands.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

Follow the New York Times Opinion section on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , WhatsApp , X and Threads .

Jane Coaston was the host of Opinion’s podcast “ The Argument .” Previously, she reported on conservative politics, the G.O.P. and the rise of the right. She also co-hosted the podcast “The Weeds.” @ janecoaston

Opinion If you can’t trust TikTok’s anti-diet dietitians, who can you trust?

Regarding the April 5 front-page article “ Big Food and dietitians push ‘anti-diet’ advice ”:

Companies such as General Mills might be embracing the cultural anti-diet movement. But what is clear from The Post’s article is that Big Food and influencers sponsored by it are co-opting an extremely important and potentially revolutionary anti-diet message to make more money selling sugary cereals and processed foods. This is not only underhanded but also harmful to public health.

As a UCLA professor and researcher who has contributed to the science behind the anti-diet movement, I feel the need to weigh in. My research finds that restrictive weight loss diets are not effective for long-term weight loss . However, I think the problem comes when people equate “don’t diet for weight loss” with “eat whatever you want.”

These are not the same, but I don’t think the solution is to cycle right back around to warn “So you better watch what you eat!” I think how we got to this point is that everyone is laser-focused on weight and obesity, when the focus should actually be on health, not as measured by Body Mass Index but on true health markers such as blood pressure and triglycerides. Health professionals can and should shift the focus to healthy behaviors such as exercise, eating more fruits and veggies, reducing stress, and getting great sleep. When you focus on weight, then fat shaming ensues. When you focus either on downstream health or upstream behaviors, health can improve no matter the number on the scale.

A. Janet Tomiyama , Los Angeles

The writer is director of the Dieting, Stress, and Health Laboratory at University of California at Los Angeles.

I applaud The Post and the Examination for their article bringing attention to influencer dietitians who are misleading the public with messaging suggesting that all foods are equal and that attempting to address excess body weight is wrongheaded. I also agree with the article’s criticism of alliances between dietitians and the food industry. Dietitians’ code of ethics makes clear that nutrition and dietetics practitioners should “refrain from accepting gifts or services which potentially influence or which may give the appearance of influencing professional judgment.” It sickens me that many influencer dietitians are violating their own code of ethics, and I believe these violations should be addressed.

At the same time, I wish the article had drawn a sharper line between influencer dietitians and the majority of practitioners. Influencer dietitians make up a small percentage of the over 112,000 registered dietitians in the United States. It’s worth acknowledging that the majority of dietitians work in clinical settings and are quite conscientious.

Secondly, using one individual’s anecdotal experience, that of Jaye Rochon, to suggest that an anti-dieting approach is always wrong does not adequately address the complexities of and nuances behind why some dietitians seek to help their clients get off the yo-yo dieting treadmill, to mix metaphors. I have counseled thousands of clients about weight management in the past 27 years, and it is clear to me that there is no single efficacious approach to weight management. Some clients do need to abandon “dieting,” but that messaging should be individualized and presented in a measured way.

Mark Glen , St. Joseph, Minn.

The writer is a visiting professor in the nutrition department at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.

There are a lot of things that made me uncomfortable about The Post’s April 5 article on dietitians and the food industry. Let’s start with the headline. Calling processed food companies “Big Food” seems to rhyme uncomfortably with “Big Pharma.” People who cannot afford to buy organic bok choy and hand-churned chèvre from a goat with a first, middle and last name don’t need to be made to feel bad about it. And there’s a difference between dietitians including convenient processed foods as part of someone’s eating plan and the unscrupulous pharmaceutical salespeople who fueled the opioid free for all.

Then there’s the way the article paints dietitians with a broad brush. Leading with an image of dietitians “in line to climb a giant yellow General Mills cereal box and slide into a bowl of plushie Cheerios” seems to undermine the profession, encourage readers to doubt sound food advice and to confirm their worst fears.

That worst fear? It’s fatness. Being fat was scary to me for many years of my life. I would have loved this article during the time when I ate 1,000 calories daily and exercised excessively while gobbling up Michael Pollan books. But luckily, I am not that sad girl anymore. I am a fat woman who is also successful, fulfilled, and, well, full.

There are many things worse than looking like me: you could be a dictator, you could clip your toenails over the carpet or you could spend decades of your life destroying your mental and physical health trying to attain an “ideal” body weight. You could miss out on Costco samples because you do not want to be the fat kid eating in public. You could skip birthdays because you do not know how to tell your friends you cannot eat the cake. You could develop any of several serious medical issues from disordered eating.

I promised myself that after losing 15 years to hating myself, dieting would not get any more of my time. Fat people do not owe anyone health. They do not owe anyone a body that someone else deems acceptable. And they sure do not owe you any more time missing out on the beautiful moments in life because they can only worry about being thin.

Hannah Landers Organ , Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The Post’s front-page article about influencer dietitians who have teamed up with food companies made my blood boil. What General Mills — and the unethical dietitians supporting their disinformation campaign — are doing is scurrilous. To tell consumers that they should eat processed food in excess is more than a disservice. It’s dangerous.

Consider that diabetes and heart disease are two of the leading causes of death in the developing country of Ecuador. The Ministry of Health there responded with a “red light” food labeling system to tell consumers which foods are highest in sugar, fats or salt. When I visit and shop there, I find the Ecuadorian food labeling system very helpful. The United States should continue to label foods more prominently, especially when it comes to exceeding daily recommendations for added sugar and salt consumption. I hope Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and the Food and Drug Administration will prevail and help us navigate beyond Big Food’s deceptive practices.

Caren Madsen , Silver Spring

Send Mr. Will to the principal’s office!

Regarding George F. Will’s April 4 op-ed “ School choice thrives in Arizona. Let’s hope it lasts. ”:

As an unabashed liberal, I have, nevertheless, usually found George F. Will a conservative whose reasoned and reasonable arguments often deserve consideration. So I was disappointed to see him join the ranks of those who have made inflammatory charges against public education. I won’t argue his avocation of school choice. What I will fight strongly is his contention that, during the pandemic, “Children consigned to ‘remote learning’ opened their laptops at home, and parents heard indoctrination served up as learning.”

This is an irresponsible statement to make without evidence. I taught in Maryland’s public schools for 44 years. My wife had a second career as a special educator. Whether it was presenting “The Wizard of Earthsea” in the middle school classroom, “Beloved” in a senior honors class or purchasing “And Tango Makes Three” for my elementary school library, I have never tried to “indoctrinate” any student or group of students. Nor have I ever witnessed a colleague doing so.

Beyond making sure that every student, at whatever grade level, has a solid foundation in the basics, the goal of teaching is not to tell young people what to think. The goal of public education is to teach young people how to think for themselves. And that often means presenting ideas from across a wide spectrum. In his column, Mr. Will never tells us what ideas he feels these children with their open laptops were being force-fed. What nefarious ideas did their parents hear and fear?

The kind of language Mr. Will uses in this editorial is the kind of language that has fueled unnecessary conflict in school districts across the country. It is the kind of rhetoric that gives teachers-in-training second thoughts about pursuing a career in education. His decision to quote an unnamed music educator — speaking about music conservatories rather than public schools — who says “Mediocrity is like carbon monoxide: You can’t see it or smell it, but one day, you’re dead” is both misleading and risky. Why would Mr. Will invite his conservative readership to rise up against teachers when he could encourage them to help rebuild the public school system?

Richard Parker , Clarksburg, Md.

I am a Montgomery County elementary school substitute teacher. I am confused by George F. Will’s reference to the mystique of teachers in his recent school choice column. What have I missed? In my 35 years of substituting in grades K-5, I’ve felt, at times, like a sympathizer, empathizer, cheerleader, nurturer, health aide, and oh, yes, importantly, an educator. Never have I felt powerful or mysterious. I think that mystique is a myth.

Jean Danielson , Bethesda

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• Opinion | If you can’t trust TikTok’s anti-diet dietitians, who can you trust? April 9, 2024 Opinion | If you can’t trust TikTok’s anti-diet dietitians, who can you trust? April 9, 2024

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How to make Michael Twitty’s matzoh ball gumbo, a soup of Black and Jewish cuisines

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With a rainbow knitted kippah affixed to the crown of his head, Michael Twitty is paced and intentional as he moves through the test kitchen at the L.A. Times. He’s here to make one of his classic Passover dishes, matzoh ball gumbo, which combines two recipes from his food memoir “ Koshersoul .”

The crimson stew adds buoyant, scallion-studded matzoh balls to a heartening okra gumbo, joining two staple dishes from Jewish and Black Southern cuisines. Chicken broth and diced tomatoes lend the finished gumbo their umami, with a Creole spice blend that imparts a gentle, humming heat.

Twitty, who hails from the Washington, D.C., area, says he’s always wanted to winter in Los Angeles. He’s been living at the junction of Beverly Hills, Pico-Robertson and West Hollywood since November and, following a short trip back to the East Coast in March, plans to stay through June.

After hosting a conversation at chef Martin Draluck’s Black Pot Supper Club series in February, Twitty will take over the kitchen at Baldwin Hills’ Post & Beam restaurant with his “Koshersoul” dinner pop-up on Wednesday, May 15. The evening will include back-to-back dinners with recipes from the book. The first service will lean into Twitty’s Jewish background with West African brisket and peach rice kugel, as well as matzoh ball gumbo. The second will embrace a cookout vibe with the same brisket plus barbecue chicken and lamb (all of the meat will be kosher), baked beans and collard green lox wraps.

“Koshersoul,” the follow up to his James Beard Award-winning “The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African American Culinary History,” details Twitty’s journey as a Black, gay and Jewish man and draws meaningful links between Afro-Atlantic and global Jewish culinary practices, including the contributions of Jews of color. It was named the 2023 book of the year at the National Jewish Book Awards, making Twitty the first Black author to win the distinction. Currently, Twitty is working on a cookbook with essential recipes from the American South and has plans to write another food memoir and history that will serve as a queer journey through the culinary world.

Michael Twitty became the first African American author to win the National Jewish Book Award in 2023 for his book “Koshersoul.”

Chef and author Michael Twitty adds matzoh balls to okra gumbo in a Passover recipe from his “Koshersoul” book.

He credits food historian Marcie Cohen Ferris for inspiring the matzoh ball gumbo recipe. Published in 2010, Ferris’ book “ Matzoh Ball Gumbo ” explores the historic foodways of Southern Jews, including the influence of Black Southerners and Black women in particular.

“When I make this dish, I’m thinking how can we connect to that past and history, and recount the people who were often nameless?” says Twitty. He says that for European Jews assimilating in the Deep South in the early and mid 20th century, food, often prepared by Black domestic workers, was a conduit for belonging.

Rather than a blending or “fusion” of culinary styles, Twitty sees his matzoh ball gumbo as an act of preservation. It’s a continuation of Southern food stories, highlighting the traditions that extend across the African and Jewish diasporas.

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April 10, 2024

“You can compare it to soup and dumplings from Jamaica, or omo tuo from Ghana,” he says. “In West and Central Africa, the main meal is often a soup, sauce or stew with a starch — sauce and fufu, sauce and banku, sauce and millet or rice balls. There are so many parallels there.”

He continues, saying that, “Jewish tradition is extremely fluid and flexible. We eat foods that have their roots in very ancient ideas, but bear very little resemblance to their original concept.”

Twitty begins by methodically chopping the herbs and vegetables for his gumbo and matzoh balls: parsley, green onions, garlic and the “holy trinity” of onion, celery and bell pepper.

Next, he makes the dough for the matzoh balls. Cooking alongside Twitty reminds me of sharing kitchen space with my late great-grandmother Madea, a born-and-raised Mississippian. Like her, he measures in pinches, makes last-minute adjustments (such as substituting salt for baking powder in the matzoh ball dough) and gives a deep, satisfied grunt when his taste-testing yields the desired results.

Once the matzoh ball dough is finished, Twitty seals the bowl with plastic wrap and puts it in the refrigerator to rest.

As he slices the okra into razon-thin rounds, our conversation winds from the Yiddish words for matzoh ball and Passover (kneidlach and Pesach, respectively) to his experiences traveling to Italy and various countries in West Africa.

We’re weeks away from Passover, but the atmosphere feels similar to a Seder Twitty might host. The conversation is peppered with laughter, and topics that are usually avoided at the dinner table — namely, religion and politics — are met with curiosity and understanding. Such discussions, Twitty says, are integral to the spirit of Passover. He describes a long history of Seders that supported early labor movements, women’s rights and Black and Jewish liberation.

“It’s exactly what Pesach is supposed to do, which is open those gates of liberation and lack of constraints to the rest of humanity,” he says. “It can be both an origin story moment for the Jewish people, and a human liberation story for all of mankind. It was always meant to be that way.”

Twitty pauses to give the roux his full attention. He stirs slowly, peeking into the deep-bottomed pot to gauge its progress. The potato starch that he uses instead of flour takes longer to brown, about 15 minutes. Twitty dips a spoon in to taste; his throaty purr tells us that it’s ready for more broth.

Green and red onion, ginger and garlic add aromatic, peppery notes to chef Michael Twitty’s matzoh ball gumbo.

Sliced okra is added into a pot of simmering gumbo.

After adding the cooked vegetables, tomatoes, okra, thyme and Creole seasoning, we let the concoction simmer and turn our attention back to the matzoh balls. We fill a large pot with salted water and wait for it to reach a rolling boil. Twitty shapes the dough into walnut-sized spheres.

One by one, the matzoh balls get dropped into the pot with boiling water. In a departure from the recipe in his book, Twitty takes them out early and transfers them to the gumbo, where he lets them simmer under a lid for an additional 15 minutes.

Finally, we ladle the gumbo into bowls, at least two or three matzoh balls per serving. The okra retains a pleasant crunch and the matzoh balls are savory, a persuasive replacement for rice or even chicken. Someone notes the rare silence that has befallen the kitchen — this gumbo is good.

There are several of us in the kitchen, and Twitty’s gumbo speaks to different parts of each of our heritages. For me, the okra and tomato-rich broth recalls my maternal Mississippi roots, while the matzoh balls take someone else back to childhood experiences making them alongside their Bubbe.

“We have to remember that we co-created the Southern culture with Indigenous people, with white people, with immigrants from all over the world,” Twitty says. “And all of those stories have to be told for it to be a true, full and honest recounting of how we got here, and what mistakes we should refuse to make going forward.”

Find Michael Twitty at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on Sunday, April 21, at Booth 410, where he’ll have signed copies of “Koshersoul” available to purchase, 2-3 p.m. Tickets are available for Twitty’s “Koshersoul” dinner pop-up at Post & Beam on Wednesday, May 15, and can be purchased via Eventbrite .

The Recipes

Matzoh Balls

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Danielle Dorsey is the assistant editor and writer of guides for the Food section. Previously, she was the senior West Coast editor at Thrillist, where she covered food, drink and travel across the California region. She grew up across San Diego and Riverside and has happily called Los Angeles home for more than 15 years.

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