Word counts are bad.

A Guy · Oct 15, 2008 9:55 PM

I feel as if word counts are bad. You know why? Because it emphasizes quantity over quantity. Seriously, even if you answered every question a teacher asked you to answer, a teacher can say "Oh, good, you answered the question, but it's not <insert word count here> words, so you fail!" And then that encourages students to fill in space with pointless stuff and excessive wordiness.

Who else agrees?

Spyrorocks · Oct 15, 2008 10:07 PM

Word counts provide a means to teachers to prevent some kids from half assing things, although if your determined to half *bleep* something you will do whatever it takes.

TB · Oct 15, 2008 10:13 PM

As Spyrorocks points out, there is two sides to the story.

Besides, if you're below the word limit, there is always something else meaningful to write. It's not like you are forced to add pointless filler.

A Guy · Oct 15, 2008 10:16 PM

But that's the problem. Sometimes, you ARE forced to add pointless filler.

I remember a time when I was required to write an essay with a certain amount of words. I didn't get the full grade the first time because I was a little below the word count, but when I redid it, I got full credit, and all I did was make things less concise.

TB · Oct 15, 2008 10:17 PM

It's school.

All they do is try to screw you over. Take the grade and be happy.

Oh, and I like your sig.

Spyrorocks · Oct 15, 2008 10:20 PM

Word counts are usually used as a measurement of detail a teacher may want in such an assignment.

Aicebo · Oct 15, 2008 11:10 PM

Bahaha, suckers...

JK'in.

Kamineko · Oct 15, 2008 11:12 PM

The teacher never, EVER, actually counts the words. I say this with 100% certainty

It's just a guideline to stop everyone from asking the same *bleep*ing "HOW LONG SHOULD MY ESSAY BE!?!?!?!?!?!!!?!?!?!!?!!??!?!?!?" all the time.

A Guy · Oct 15, 2008 11:24 PM

In that particular incident, my teacher counted the words. I'm serious.

I question whether or not he had a life.

Kamineko · Oct 15, 2008 11:25 PM

What the.

He counted every word for every paper?

A Guy · Oct 15, 2008 11:27 PM

I dunno, but someone's paper didn't get the full grade because they were 47 words short.

Said victim counted and found this to be true.

Paranoia · Oct 15, 2008 11:41 PM

Wow, your teacher must be really strict. I think you were right to question whether he has a life. =p

In the essays I've had to write, it's just been a page requirement. Like 2 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman.

Kazoobie64 · Oct 15, 2008 11:49 PM

That doesn't sound like a strict teacher, it sounds like a jerk.

Kamineko · Oct 15, 2008 11:54 PM

A Guy wrote:

I dunno, but someone's paper didn't get the full grade because they were 47 words short.
Said victim counted and found this to be true.

well what was the limit? I mean if it was 50 words minimum yeah I see where he's coming from but...

A Guy · Oct 16, 2008 12:04 AM

I don't remember the limit, but I believe it was 400-500 words.

bmah · Oct 16, 2008 12:18 AM

Word counts are good when your teacher or prof restricts you on the number of words you're allowed to have, so a lack of words isn't always the issue.

raven · Oct 16, 2008 12:20 AM

There are many faults with the education system. In this case, quantity vs quality. hmm

Our teachers usually work out the number of words in an essay by counting the number of words in the first line, and multipying it by the number of lines in your essay, to get an average.

Stormy · Oct 16, 2008 12:30 AM

[sub]I agree with you there, A Guy. I absolutely hate word counts in essays.

Often, my essays are either too short, in which case I have to add useless information or make it "wordy-er", or too long, and I have to omit important information.[/sub]

bmah · Oct 16, 2008 4:21 AM

raven wrote:

There are many faults with the education system. In this case, quantity vs quality.

This is certainly the case when it comes to a minimum word limit for essays and such, but consider the case I presented a little earlier: on the other hand, having a maximum word limit is actually a good measure to implement because it encourages writers to be more concise.

raven · Oct 16, 2008 4:27 AM

True, I guess. A maximum word count would persuade students to be more precise, keep the topic relevant and get to the point of the question rather than waffle meaninglessly.

Spyro_Loves_Me · Oct 16, 2008 4:55 AM

Last year, I had a bunch of limits on papers. For example, one of our essays had to be more than 600 words, but less than 800. Usually, the case for me is that I get too much info and end up having to cut it down a lot.
I don't mind it. As long as your paper looks similar in length to everyone else, you're good. :-P

spyromaster330 · Oct 16, 2008 8:46 AM

A couple of months ago I got a bad grade because I was 2 words short of the minimum. It had to be at least 200 words and less than 250, and I had 198.

ratchet · Oct 16, 2008 9:52 AM

there are tonnes of plotholes in the education system. You just have to remember that theres nothing you can do, and all you should do is be quiet and try to comply, even if something is really stupid.
For example, Physcologists and scientists have proven does nothing or very little for junior students, yet no one has ever taken any action, scared of changing an unproved system used for years.

Kazoobie64 · Oct 16, 2008 12:01 PM

There are many, many teaching methods that I have disagreed with over the years, but yes unfortunately there's not much we can do about it.

In the community college I went to as a freshman, there was this one professor that had a no make-up policy if you were absent, no matter what you were absent for. He said "I don't want to hear your reason, even if you have a good reason; it's your own problem that you're not here." So we had this one kid come in for testing once and he had a freaking FEVER. He sat in a corner in the back and tried to avoid everyone but it was difficult because it was a crowded and closed-in classroom, and he kept sneezing and stuff and distracting everyone around him because they kept nervously shuffling in fear of catching anything. I'm sorry, but that's really ridiculous.

bmah · Oct 17, 2008 3:14 AM

Wouldn't that kid be excused with a doctor's notice? If an illness is hindering enough, it's usually an acceptable (and usually the only acceptable) way to get excused. I think the only other legit excuse in my university is for going to a funeral.

#1 Oct 15, 2008 9:55 PM

Word counts are bad.

#2 Oct 15, 2008 10:07 PM

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