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Word count and writing

The policies about reporting word counts

  • In most of the assignments, you will be asked to provide a word count of your responses.
    • If there's a single question, you will target the provided minimum word count.
    • If there are multiple questions, I will provide the minimum word count with question prompts.
      • Highlight your responses with the question prompts, and report the word count with question prompts.
      • When there are multiple questions for an essay, the stated minimum word count applies to the collective (combined) responses, not to each question.
    • You can exceed the provided word counts.
  • When there is a “WC” (Word count) section under the responses, provide the word count; otherwise, there will be a -5% deduction.
  • Reported word counts must be accurate. Incorrect counts result in a -5% deduction.
    • Discrepancies within ±2% of the actual count are considered negligible and will not be penalized.

How to report the [[word count]]?

  1. Highlight your response.
  2. Click "Tools."
  3. Click "Word count."
  4. See the word count for the highlighted response.
    • Alt text

General policies about writing

  • My primary focus is always on the quality of your critical thinking, the depth of your analysis, and the originality of your ideas as demonstrated in your writing.
  • Your assignments require precise arguments, specific evidence, and concrete examples directly from our course materials and your sociological imagination.
  • Every single word and sentence should serve a function. If removing certain words or sentences would not affect your arguments, then they should be removed.
  • When you are writing, you bring your own experiences, your own voice, and your own unique way of connecting ideas.
  • The following will negatively affect your grade:
    1. Broad, general statements lacking specificity: Vague claims, unsupported generalizations, or arguments that could apply to any context rather than the specific one presented in specific lectures.
    2. Overly formal and generic language: Using sophisticated vocabulary and formal sentence structures, but often in a way that feels detached or lacks personal voice. I do not care about the grammar or word choice. I value your unique thinking over "perfect" academic prose. Assignments are training fields for improving writing skills. Writing improves thinking skills.
    3. Lack of original interpretation: Failing to generate novel insights or truly original arguments.
    4. Absent or weak authorial stance: Responses that read like neutral encyclopedia entries, where the analytical position never becomes clear.
    5. Generic or cliched examples: Using highly generalized or textbook-perfect examples that lack the specificity or personal touch that comes from genuine engagement with the material.
    6. Synthetic neutrality: Providing a perfectly balanced, "encyclopedic" summary of a topic that lacks a distinct, personalized, or sociological stance. If the writing is too "safe" and non-committal, it fails the requirement for original interpretation.
    7. Predictable or template-based structure: Prioritizing a rigid, repetitive, or formulaic organization (e.g., most sentences starting and ending with nearly identical structures) over the organic development of a unique personal voice.