Word count - Report and SLS (Self-reflection)

@Allen - this has been answered before so please read my answers above

Hi, As there is a word limit of 7500 for RAP. My query is, can I utilize the words saved from part 1 and 2 in part 3? Like, after completing part 1 and 2, I am left with 4800 words. Can I utilize all those words up to the limit or should I contain part 3 to maximum 4500 words? Regards,

Please refer to the page 42 and page 43 of information pack Part 1 approx. 1000 words Part 2 approx. 2000 words Part 3 approx. 4500 words

Please also read our FAQs on the homepage www.opentuition.com/obu where an OBU marker explains the breakdown is for guidance only. The message I get from OBU is the markers are mainly only concerned that the word count limit is not exceeded (though I doubt they would fail if it was 7525 but any more they might....)

Hello, I'm having problem with word count. I failed the lastest submission with the comment "Please note that the word count of your report includes all words. You have included some diagrams in your report which have not been counted due to their format. Please be aware that, with the inclusion of these, you are over your word limit." Can anyone tell me how you include words in those charts and graphs in your report? I haven't figured it yet. I'm using Microsoft word 2007. Thanks a lot.

@Ha - you will need to count them manually and add them to the Microsoft total and state it on the cover - this is what the marker obviously did and found you had exceeded the limit. Some students embed diagrams in attempts to get round the word count but the OBU rule is that once the word count is reached the marker is ordered to stop marking so if this is before they get to your Conclusion you will be failed as you in effect have not produced one within what they are permitted to mark NOTE This question was moved as it was posted to the wrong forum topic (it should have been posted on the relevant forum e.g. Word count as it has nothing to do with tips for the RAP where it was originally posted)

how do they fail you with regards to referencing?

@darkangle5 - I am not sure why you are asking about failing on referencing in a forum on word count? However please see my article on Referencing on our homepage www.opentuition.com/obu As you will discover there are several different reasons why markers fail on Referencing

Hi Trephena, I'm unsure on how to count the words on my chart on the RAP. Do I count numbers used on the vertical axis as a word for each? E.g 10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Can these be said to be 11 words? Thank you

@favour - Don't bother manually counting anything! Run your mouse over the word immediately preceding the chart down to the one after and see what the word count is and subtract 2. As long as you don't use embedded tables extensively and / or put words in these that rightfully should be in the text, you should be fine with going with the electronic word count The marker is hardly likely to manually count the words and is going to go with the program word count unless they spot embedded tables [tables posted as images which don't register as words on the count] - then they might manually count the words and add them to the visible count - and possibly fail if significantly over the limit!

Hi Trephana Please I need you to help me answer this. Do i need to type the questions in the SLS before answering them? I just noticed the questions are so many words and I am limited to 2000 words. Just want to know if its ok for me to go straight into the answers . Thanks

No you do not need to set out the questions. See my recent answer on the Resubmission forum where I was advising on what to focus on in the SLS - Don't waste words on just listing what happened

@trephana. thanks very much.

Hi trephana Please I need your help. Is it necessary for me to add a cover page and table of content as part of my SLS and if yes, are the words in these counted as part of the 2000 word limit? Please reply. Thanks

No you don't need to do this. And yes the words would be counted. Just chill baby, chill - they are not going to shoot you for 10 or 20 extra words! :-)

Hello , Please confirm me if the in-text referencing is counted in the 7500 word count. thanks

@tanvi2211 - yes in text references are counted as part of the 7,50 word count (Some students paste the title page front sheet as an image to try to save words and some even paste the contents pages as images - MS Word does not then pick them up in the count. However a hard marker might pick this up and although they might let the title page go they won't allow the contents pages as well if the word count has already exceeded 7,500 )

@trephana, thank u. I will definitely chill after the 18th. Hihihi. Thanks again

@trephana, please I need your help. Concerning the resubmission form, is it ok if I delete the instructions which comes above the form? It takes about 92 words and I will like to know if is it considered as part of the 500 words? Also must i write in exactly 500 words? Please reply

No the 500 words is a guideline. You need to cover all the marker's feedback (and ensure you address all those areas in your work). If this takes more than or fewer than 500 words will depend on the feedback you need to consider so you can chill on this one too :-)

hahaha @trephana, now that was funny. But seriously, I really appreciate all your help. My main concern is the information above the form where it outlines the instructions on filling the form and making sure its uploaded as a separate document. I just want to be clear if I can delete that or should I just let it be considering having a resubmission statement of about 571 words is no big deal. If i delete this, then it reduces the number of words to 509 words. Please tell me what you think and I will surely be chilled. lol

My advice is to just stop worrying about it! As long as you address the feedback then that's all they want. (Think about it -there are no assessment criteria attached to the resubmission statement so you are never going to be passed or failed on it) so please chill baby, chill! (And that's an order!!!!) :-D

haha @trephana, thank you very much for your help. Really appreciate.

Hello Trephena, Apologies for the last minute panick questions! My SLS answers total 1,897 words, title , Acca number along with me putting down the questions makes up the remaining 103 words..Is this ok?I don't want to be marked down for this,I would rather make changes now. I can't wait to see the back of this Rap..like many students ! Thank you. Best regards Kell Ann

It is quality of content not quantity of words. Again students waffle on about what they or their mentor did / said (boring those poor old markers yet again!) rather than actually doing self-reflection and considering why taking a particular approach helped achieve their objectives. Try to think of the SLS like a personal SWOT - consider the 'before' and 'after' positions in terms of strengths and weaknesses (or rather weaknesses and strengths) and discuss how you went from one to the other and the challenges you encountered in your learning and personal development experience. Oh to make you laugh again your sentiments in wanting to see the back of the RAP are shared by the markers apparently :-) -one told me she hardly drinks at all normally but at the end of a hard day spent marking she has to reward herself with a glass or two of wine to survive the ordeal!

Thanks Trephena.You always open omy mind to a solution that offers better thinking. Lolol , you are totally killing me with laughter here , I went into panick mode this morning but after reading the previous response and now this, has defo put a BIG smile to my face hehe :) Take care & best regards, Kell Ann

Hey Trephena, This might be a silly question ,is the PowerPoint presentation included in the word count as part of SLS? Best Regards, Kell Ann

No. The word count only applies to the 4 self-reflection questions. However the Presentation should not have 'wordy' slides - it is supposed to communicate the principal findings effectively in 15 minutes by means of bullet points, charts and graphs. Do not paste chunks of text from the report (and loads of unnecessary numbers!) or cram lots of graphs on one slide (2 max per slide). Oh and keep the number of slides to between 15 to 20 otherwise realistically it would probably take longer than 15 mins. I think the chief moderator mentions in the Info Pack someone once copied the whole report on to 97 slides! And I saw a comment from a marker who said not only would one student's Presentation have taken all morning to deliver as it was so detailed but there would have had to have been a coffee break as well :-D

Pheww thank God. Trephena you are on a roll today with making me laugh, really need it!! :) :) What would students be without your guidance, such prompt responses in times of need! Big thank you again Best Regards, Kell Ann

Yeah - I should be in glum mode -am just back from Barbados so should have major post- holiday blues!