[Paula2005]

This may seem like a silly question but I'd really like a little input.

I've just finished my final draft of my coursework on Hitler's rise to power on the first draft I missed out a few important points I have now discussed these as well as long term short term causes etc. i have gone over the suggested word limit of 1000 - 1250 my essay is 1800 words and I was wondering if going over the word limit of coursework By this much is frowned upon and if I may loose marks.

Like I said may seem like a silly question but I'd appreciate some input

Thanks very much and this is a terrific website.

Paula

[Mr Field]

A good question but you must speak to your teacher to get an accurate answer. Only they know the exact exam board that you are taking.

The word limits are there for a purpose and you should do your best to stick to them. I have not known it so far, but the exam board could - if they wanted to - just read up to the word limit and refuse to mark any more.

A few small steps over the word limit will do little harm, but I think you should cut your essay down a little. Perhaps try and see how you could explain a few points without using as many words....

Sorry, but we cannot really give much more assistance with coursework matters.

[Harriet-812]

Hi,
As Mr. Field says I think a lot depends on your board. My GCSE essays were well over the word limit but it wasn't a problem, despite the fact mine were externally moderated - my secondary school had also never had anyones coursework lower in marks due to excess. However, now I am at college it is much stricter. Even if we are only slightly over the word limti you are heavily penalised, no essay over the wrod limit can recieve more than 64%, and many lose much more. Needless to say I have reduced my essay. I'm not sure if this variation is due to the level of study or just the board. It might alos be worth checking if you are allowed 10%, some boards allow you to be 10% over without penalisation. Unfortunately my board only allows 10% under and nothing over, but it would stillbe worth checking. My tips for reducing essays:
check you are not giving more evidence than in required
Merge similar paragraphs
Leave it a few days before trying to crop it
Do a "find" in Microsoft word for unessecary words eg clearly
Get someone else to have a go at cropping it
Set yorself a limit in words perparagraph as it can be eaier to manage than thinkcing of the whole essay
Try colour coding each paragraph according to point, evidence and explanation to see how they balance out.
Check you are not repetaing details in multiple places.

Best of luck with your coursework

[Mr Field]

The tips Harriet offers for reducing your work are very useful. Please remember that it is essential to check issues like word limits with your actual teacher. Only they will be able to give you the accurate answer.

[Paula2005]

Thank you for clearing it up for me I have a double lesson of history tomorow so i will discus my coursework and the word limits with my teacher then.

thanks again for the tips for reducing essays i'm sure they will definately come in useful again!

[crazy_emma]

my coursework should have been 2500 words but the fiorst piece i did was 3800 words and the second was 4200 words and i have had no problems so dont worry about it. most exams do not mark you down for going over the owrd limit

[Mr Field]

crazy_emma, on Mar 17 2005, 06:45 PM, said:

my coursework should have been 2500 words but the fiorst piece i did was 3800 words and the second was 4200 words and i have had no problems so dont worry about it. most exams do not mark you down for going over the owrd limit 

Most don't but if you fail to keep to the word limit the exam board is perfectly entitled to just mark your work up to the word limit and ignore the rest.

Not a risk worth taking.