(10 May 2015, 8:05 pm)Michael wrote I went over on my research project by 500 words (3500 words for it), it was impossible for me to keep to the word limit, so much you have to put in.
Wouldn't worry about going over on it, just dont tell them haha
(10 May 2015, 8:43 pm)MurdnunoC wrote ...And then you risk getting marked-down by an over-zealous teacher, lecturer or professor. Believe me it happens - especially when submitting work through whichever plagiarism software your institution decides to employ.
They may be cumbersome but word-counts exist for a reason. Being concise is an important skill to master in this day and age. Impressions are made in matter of minutes. If you are able to condense an idea or proposal into a one-page document - it's more likely to be read.
Exactly what Adam said. We're allowed +/- 10%, so between 2,700 and 3,300. If we're under/over that, then we get a 10% penalty. So for example, if I get a mark of 80, but wrote 3,400 words, then I would only end up with a mark of 72 with the penalty applied. It can make the difference between a 1st and a 2:1, or a 2:1 or a 2:2 and so on.