My essay should be 400 words long, but I have it at almost 500. Should I try to narrow it down?

That depends upon the directions provided by your teacher.

The directions are very vague. It says

-clear thesis
-use specific evidence from history
-400 words

but doesn't include a rubric or how many paragraphs

prompt:
Analyze the contributions of two of the following in helping establish a stable constitution after the adoption of the constitution.

T. Jefferson & G.Washington

It was hard to capture all of this in 400 words

I suggest you go through to see if there are any extraneous ideas or words that could be deleted. Then leave it at whatever word count you have. Apparently, your teacher wanted at least 400 words -- but won't mark you down if you have 500.

If your essay is currently at almost 500 words and you need it to be 400 words long, then it would be a good idea to try to narrow it down. Here is how you can do it:

1. Review the main points: Identify the main arguments or ideas presented in your essay. Determine which ones are essential and contribute the most to your overall message. Consider removing any points that are less relevant or not strongly supporting your thesis.

2. Eliminate unnecessary details: Look for any unnecessary or repetitive information in your essay. Be mindful of wordy phrases, redundant sentences, or excessive examples that don't add much value. Try to express your ideas more concisely without sacrificing clarity.

3. Remove any tangents: Sometimes, when writing, it's easy to go off on tangents or include information that might be interesting but not directly related to your main topic. Trim down or eliminate these digressions to keep your essay focused and within the desired word count.

4. Consolidate or rephrase sentences: Look for opportunities to merge multiple sentences into one by using appropriate conjunctions or rephrasing them more efficiently. This can help reduce word count without sacrificing coherence.

5. Use shorter alternatives: Look for any long words or phrases in your essay that can be replaced with shorter alternatives without changing the meaning. This could include using synonyms, abbreviations, or acronyms where appropriate.

6. Get rid of unnecessary adjectives and adverbs: While descriptive language can enhance your writing, it's good to review your essay and see if any adjectives or adverbs are excessive or not crucial to conveying your message. Removing or replacing them selectively can help reduce word count.

7. Read aloud and edit: Read your essay aloud or have someone else read it to identify any areas that seem repetitive, verbose, or can be simplified. Make edits accordingly.

Remember, the goal is to retain the clarity and coherence of your essay while reducing its length. Ensure that the final version still effectively communicates your message and fully supports your thesis statement.