Word counts (1 Viewer)

[spazamataz]

Do I have to include a word count on reports?

And I have gone over the word count by about 200, but this includes things such as in-text referencing and titles, would this be okay even if it says not to go over 2000 even by a 'little bit'?

Oh, and if its any help its for communications.

Thanks in advance

 

[pman]

presumably thats ur elective.....my elective stuff just gave us page numbers....general rule is 10% either way though so 200 should be fine

 

[Absolutezero]

Advice for uni: Do exactly what it says.

If it states don't go over the word limit, then don't. Most courses however, give you 10% lenience either way. Only write the number of words if that's required of you. Again, it should say whether you need to or not in your subject outline.

 

[Born Dancer]

i've found that the leniency is 10% under, 20% over, but this is rarely stated in the subject outline. always ask your tutor, more often than not my tutors have changed the word limit if they see reasonable cause to do it

 

[tommykins]

that and you don't really count references in your word count

 

[-may-cat-]

that and you don't really count references in your word count

I've found this to be mostly true but i have had some nazi courses where the references and bibliography were included in the 2500 words, caught a lot of people out so make sure you check.

 

[tommykins]

I've found this to be mostly true but i have had some nazi courses where the references and bibliography were included in the 2500 words, caught a lot of people out so make sure you check.

Wow really? That's idiotic haha

 

[-may-cat-]

Wow really? That's idiotic haha

Tell me about it, one of the dumbest things i've ever seen, supposed to encourage 'tighter expression'.

 

[tommykins]

Tell me about it, one of the dumbest things i've ever seen, supposed to encourage 'tighter expression'.

I'm all for students having to learn how to write properly (I'm sure with a little proof reading you can normally cut down 100-200 words on a 2k word essay), but if they want to include ref/bib then it should be explicitly stated.

Come to think of it, I didn't get told specifically either, just assumed 2k = essay only.

 

[-may-cat-]

Yeah i agree, i just think it's ridiculous that they restrict the word count to encourage us to hone our skills when the size of the question posed usually requires tight expression anyway.

Ah well, moral of the story? If you're unsure just e-mail your tutor, it saves so much trouble.

 

[Absolutezero]

Including the bibliography in the word count is ridiculous. In text referencing fine, but not the bibliography.

 

[spazamataz]

I figured it out, as long as you don't have to attach a word count you're set!

Haven't been penalised for it so far, so it's all good!

 

[Absolutezero]

I've only had to submit a word count twice so far. And one of those is the essay that's due in two weeks.