Word count and writing
This guideline includes:
The policies about reporting word counts
Instructions on how to report word counts
General policies about 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 and without question prompts.
Highlight your responses with the question prompts, and report the word count with question prompts.
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?
Highlight your response.
Click "Tools."
Click "Word count."
See the word count for the highlighted response.
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:
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.
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.
Lack of original interpretation: Failing to generate novel insights or truly original arguments.
Absent or weak authorial stance: Responses that read like neutral encyclopedia entries, where the analytical position never becomes clear.
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.
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.
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.
Last updated