Word Count (DB)

Liberty Student Word Count Overview

WORD COUNT IN THE DB FORUMS

For scored Discussion Board posts, you are provided an assignment—which may have multiple parts to it—and a clearly indicated word count minimum.

The word count posted in the DB directions is a target you will need to either HIT or EXCEED.

• To HIT the word count minimum, you need to make sure that you are addressing all aspects of the writing prompt while using source materials (textbook and other assigned readings and/or video sources).
• If you EXCEED the word count posted for an assignment, you will not be penalized, as long as you remained on topic, wrote with CONCISENESS, CLARITY, COHERENCE, UNITY, and were advancing your argument.
• The word count minimum is the number of words you write that are your original ideas, thoughts, reflections, analysis, and evaluation of the prompt, topic, readings, etc.
• While you are required to use source materials to back these ideas up in your writing, since source materials are not your original thoughts, they do not count toward your overall word count.
• While you are required to provide in-text citations to alleviate any question of plagiarism, they do not count toward your overall word count since they are not original content.
• The full-source citation list (Works Cited—in MLA Formatting Style, References—in APA Formatting Style, or Bibliography—in Turabian Formatting Style) at the end of your post does not count toward your word count total either.  Posting your source materials in proper citation format at the end of your writing is simply how you show proper documentation of your outside materials so that you do not plagiarize within your work.

REQUIRED SOURCE USAGE IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS 

Don't forget that you are required to use source materials, in-text citations, and provide a full source citation (References, Works Cited, or Bibliography) page within all of our assignments.

DOCUMENTATION STYLE IN ALL ASSIGNMENTS 

Also, be sure to post in the subject line of your message post which documentation style you are using.

Need more helpful information about Discussion Board posts?  See these handouts for assistance:

Discussion Questions:

FAQs and Understanding the Assignments

• Discussion Boards OVERVIEW
• Discussion Board Details
• Word Count (DB)
• Previewing Posts (DB)
• Edit/Delete (DB)
• 3-Part-Structure
• Voice: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (DB)
• Source Usage (DB)
• Documentation (DB)
• Initial Post—Part 1 (DB)
• Initial Post—Submission Requirements (DB)
• Analysis and Evaluation in the Discussion Boards
• Response Writing
• Participation Post--Part 2 (DB)
• Participation OVERVIEW (DB)
• Participation Post—Submission Requirements (DB) 
• Discussion Board Post No-Nos