Uni Report Question

[Nix]

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

 

[Nix]

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.

 

[Nix]

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.

 

[Nix]

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.