2000 Word Degree Essay: How Many Words Do I Need?

This is the first essay I have written at university given I am an Economist and so, I am unsure about how many words to include. I was wondering what you think the minimum would be.

Reply 1

Alan Smithee

Erm, call me stupid, but 2000?

No seriously, most unis specify 10% either way, so 1800 perhaps...

Reply 2

PeterParadox

OP

2

Fidelis Oditah

Erm, call me stupid, but 2000?

No seriously, most unis specify 10% either way, so 1800 perhaps...

I thought it would be at least two replies before someone cracked that one.

Reply 3

Bubblebee

15

Firstly it should be 'written' not 'wrote'...also why don't you just ask your tutor. It normally is 10% off the total but some of my longer ones had a 20% margin.

EDIT: Thanks Jonah, it was late and I was cranky.

Reply 4

Jonah Ramone

19

Bubblebee

Firstly it should be 'written' not 'wrote'...also why don't you just ask your tutor. It normally is 10% off the total but some of my longer ones the minimun has be 20% less.

You're picking him up for 'wrote' and yet you say "the minimun has be 20% less". I think you might want to apologise.

And as has been said most are about 10% lee-way. If you're worried, aim to hit 1800, and anything more is a bonus really.

Reply 5

All-American Reject

Yes, normally ten percent either way is fine; whatever you do don't try and make it up to 2000 words with something superfluous.

Reply 6

Dude

14

Why is everyone saying go for 1800. My uni says the minimun is 1900 and the maxium is 2100 in an 2,000 word essay?

Besides, in a 2,000 word essay you don't really aim for 1,800 words. You just write your essay with as much information as you can, and then trim it down.

Reply 7

All-American Reject

Dude

Why is everyone saying go for 1800. My uni says the minimun is 1900 and the maxium is 2100 in an 2,000 word essay?

Besides, in a 2,000 word essay you don't really aim for 1,800 words. You just write your essay with as much information as you can, and then trim it down.

Well we're told 10% either way, which it seems is what quite a few other universities tell their students too. There are going to be minor variations between universities, obviously.

Reply 8

London Prophet

17

PeterParadox

This is the first essay I have wrote at university given I am an Economist and so, I am unsure about how many words to include. I was wondering what you think the minimum would be.

Your towards the end of your second term and writing your first essay .....grrr :mad:

Reply 9

ChemistBoy

16

You should be given guidance as to the specific requirements of your department regarding assessed coursework. If you have not been given this guidance in written form then ask for it.

Reply 10

Alan Smithee

Tom Holder

Your towards the end of your second term and writing your first essay .....grrr :mad:

His is assessed. :wink:

Reply 11

pikaboo

13

I've just finished a 2000 word essay...I've gone over again and am having to lie about the word count. It's the only way!

Reply 12

All-American Reject

pikaboo

I've just finished a 2000 word essay...I've gone over again and am having to lie about the word count. It's the only way!

Lies and university work really don't mix.

Reply 13

ChemistBoy

16

All-American Reject

Lies and university work really don't mix.

Oh I don't know...

Reply 14

pikaboo

13

Its not as bad as plagarism, therefore I have no guilt :biggrin:

Reply 15

All-American Reject

pikaboo

Its not as bad as plagarism, therefore I have no guilt :biggrin:

I can't see how its not just as bad.

Reply 16

pikaboo

13

Because most academics ramble on needlessly when their word counts could be much shorter? I try not to ramble and if I'm still a bit over the word limit, then sod it.

Reply 17

All-American Reject

pikaboo

Because most academics ramble on needlessly when their word counts could be much shorter? I try not to ramble and if I'm still a bit over the word limit, then sod it.

Rambling on is one thing, but I'm pretty sure most academics don't then go on and lie about it, its not going on for too long that is a major problem, its the dishonesty about doing so.

Reply 18

the_alba

12

Yes, but academics don't find themselves restricted to tiny 2000 word limits. Students do. If the problem isn't noticeable then there's nothing wrong with lying, because you haven't done much wrong - and if it is noticeable, then lying won't do any good anyway.

Reply 19

PJ

14

Quality of the work, not quantity...

2000 Word Degree Essay: How Many Words Do I Need?

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