Uni Report Question

Nix · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:23

Hey, I've got two 1000 word reports to do for next week, so I'm starting on them now.
The format will be:

1. Introduction
2. Methodological Section
3. Data Analysis
4. Conclusions/Limitations
5. Reference List

As it stands, i'm not too sure about how many words to divide up between each section. I'm aware that the conclusion will be the bulk of the report and that the reference list is not included. How many words do you think I should be aiming for my introduction? 200-300?

Cheers

Lagz · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:27

It depends on how its marked. My introduction to my 12000 word dissertation is only 200 words, but it only carries a few marks. If it carried more, I would put more into it.

Burned_Alive · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:28

Introduction for a 1000 word report shouldnt need to be more than about 150 words, i would've thought.

Nozzer · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:31

I didn't think the reference list counted towards word count... Same for appendices.

Mat · 18 Apr 2006 at 15:34

I would write the reference list and the methodology first as these two things are straightforward and dont require discussion, just the facts. Keep them simple and dont waffle to save your word count.

That will leave you some idea on how many words you have left to play with for the rest of it.

Data analysis and conclusions will likely carry more points so keep the intro brief and to the point.

...imo

Edit: ref list isnt likely to count but I would make sure first.

nealw · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:31

i cant believe your uni reports are 1k words each :eek:

none of mine this year have been less than 5k even for only 50% of a single module, my dissertation is gonna be at least 25k by the time i finish it thursday...

PikeyPriest · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:35

reference list shouldnt count to the word limit and definitely dont start with this section.

The best way to write an article is to generally either go through it from start to finish OR to start with the discussion and then write the intro and methods to support what you discussed.

The discussion is the most important part of any essay and should really have the most words. After you know what you are discussion, you know what to have in your intro..etc.

1000 words is nothing to be honest though. You wont really be able to have much of an introduction if you have anything important to say about your findings.

*edit* Obviously for the discussion you will have to have done your results/data handling section first to know what to say

Nix · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:39

PikeyPriest said:
reference list shouldnt count to the word limit and definitely dont start with this section.

The best way to write an article is to generally either go through it from start to finish OR to start with the discussion and then write the intro and methods to support what you discussed.

The discussion is the most important part of any essay and should really have the most words. After you know what you are discussion, you know what to have in your intro..etc.

1000 words is nothing to be honest though. You wont really be able to have much of an introduction if you have anything important to say about your findings.

*edit* Obviously for the discussion you will have to have done your results/data handling section first to know what to say

PP, I'm doing a report and not an essay.

I stated in the OP that the reference list is not included in the word count. I always do the references last because I don't know what is included until the end.

I know 1000 words is nothing, all I asked is for some advice on how many words I should aim for in my introduction. I've done projects before, I don't you telling me how to do them. :confused:

Nix · 18 Apr 2006 at 16:41

Lagz said:
It depends on how its marked. My introduction to my 12000 word dissertation is only 200 words, but it only carries a few marks. If it carried more, I would put more into it.

I'm not sure how it's being marked, although being a physical paper, I'm pretty sure the bulk of marking will lie in the data analysis and conclusions.

PikeyPriest · 18 Apr 2006 at 17:50

Nix said:
PP, I'm doing a report and not an essay.

I stated in the OP that the reference list is not included in the word count. I always do the references last because I don't know what is included until the end.

I know 1000 words is nothing, all I asked is for some advice on how many words I should aim for in my introduction. I've done projects before, I don't you telling me how to do them.

i was referring to Mat's suggestion of doing the reference list + method first - which makes no sense. MY suggestion was to write the discussion first so you know how many words you need to write in that section and can divide the remaining words up to the other sections as needed (and what you need to talk about in your intro)

Obviously if you knew how to do these projects you wouldnt be posting asking for guidance on section size from an internet forum.......

Nix · 18 Apr 2006 at 22:45

PikeyPriest said:
i was referring to Mat's suggestion of doing the reference list + method first - which makes no sense. MY suggestion was to write the discussion first so you know how many words you need to write in that section and can divide the remaining words up to the other sections as needed (and what you need to talk about in your intro)

Obviously if you knew how to do these projects you wouldnt be posting asking for guidance on section size from an internet forum.......

I've never had to do one with such a small word count. Hence the reason I asked. I think your idea of doing the methodology and discussion first and introduction last may be a plan.

iBankAllDay · 18 Apr 2006 at 23:07

For the length of the introduction my rule of thumb is ~15%, so as others have said, 150 seems good to me

.

Nix said:
I've never had to do one with such a small word count. Hence the reason I asked. I think your idea of doing the methodology and discussion first and introduction last may be a plan.

I always do the introduction last, just after the conclusion; as the two should reflect each other (what the aims are / and how they were achieved).