Essay Word-cutting tips needed.

[pokemon_master]

I did my General Studies project for college last week, and then handed it in. It turns out that my essay was 2000 words over the limit! oops...

I am now spending time re-wording my General Studies essay so there are less words in it. Anyone got any tips for me? It's easy to be under the limit, but not to be over!

 

[carolfoy]

When I was a journalist I used to spend hours editing stuff to fit - its an enormous task! The only thing I can offer is if you pm me the essay I'll edit it for you although won't have time until monday if thats any help!

 

[alisonbestford]

The only thing I can offer is if you pm me the essay I'll edit it for you although won't have time until monday if thats any help!

What a lovely offer of help
Wish you'd been around when I had to edit my dissertation

 

[KayleeUK]

When I was a journalist I used to spend hours editing stuff to fit - its an enormous task! The only thing I can offer is if you pm me the essay I'll edit it for you although won't have time until monday if thats any help!

That is very sweet of you Carol.

 

[Minniespal]

Sounds like an offer you can't refuse ~ Lovely gesture.

 

[pokemon_master]

Thanks for the offer, but it is SO long that you may fall asleep. Besides, I don't think the Exam board would be too happy if I told them someone on the DIS helped me in my essay....

Also, It's due in on Monday!

 

[AlanUK]

A very commendable attitude indeed Pokemon Master

All I can suggest is that you re-read the entire thing and quite ruthlessly start to remove sections of text that don't directly support the argument you are trying to make.

Good luck with it

 

[alisonbestford]

Yes, good luck .

Maybe a glass of wine to help things along....?

 

[jen_uk]

You could write out a plan of what you want to say and make sure its not too detailed, just include what you really have to. Then go thru the essay and cut anything thats not on your plan.

 

[alisonbestford]

It's a bit of a long winded way of going about it but, when I wrote an essay for my Oncology Nursing course, my tutor spread it all over the staff room floor and, literally, 'cut and pasted' it with a pair of scissors and a roll of sellotape

This was about 13 years ago, and a little before we were all so computer savvy, but I still find it useful to do now sometimes Trying to scroll through my work on the screen sends me cross eyed and, more often than not, I cut bits I didn't intend to!

 

[natalielongstaff]

as someone who uses 10 words when one will do all i can say is GOOD LUCK !
i find it incredibly difficult to keep within word limits

 

[pokemon_master]

I am finally done! 1944 words! It took FOREVER to get that thing done!

I probably sold words to the people in my class who hadn't finished/were under the limit.

 

[Minniespal]

Well done PM

 

[Cyrano]

Well done

 

[alisonbestford]

Fantastic - that feeling of relief is a wonderful thing

 

[wils]

well done now you can relax!

 

[pokemon_master]

Fantastic - that feeling of relief is a wonderful thing

Oh yeah, definitely. Too bad now that the weekend is over so I can't enjoy the fruits of my labour... oh well! At least my teacher will be happy to read this on monday!

 

[Minniespal]

Too bad now that the weekend is over so I can't enjoy the fruits of my labour... oh well!

There is always next weekend and you can enjoy it even more knowing that your essay is done

 

[pokemon_master]

There is always next weekend and you can enjoy it even more knowing that your essay is done

True, or I could always relax during college! That's what free lessons are for! Lol just kidding!

 

[Minniespal]

True, or I could always relax during college!