Short formal piece of writing (5)
![Ross](/clue/static/ross-mug.min.png)
I believe the answer is:
essay
'short formal piece of writing' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for essay that I've seen before include "Try; short written work" , "Try; a piece of writing" , "Trial, piece of writing" , "Test" , "Attempt - piece of writing" .)