Word processing question...

[rydia57]

I dunno if anyone has already posted the answer to this, so I'm asking anyway. When I write, I use two word processors, one I'm comfy with, and then when I'm finished I transfer it to Word to do a last spellcheck and print. The question is, word count. My two processors have two diff word counts. I've noticed several I've used do. So when you're doing a word count, which amount do you go with? Or do you just count your pages instead of the words? It's confusing when one says you have 1000 words and one says 950. Any help?

 

[SweetErika]

One may not be counting articles (a/an/the), which would account for the difference.

If there's a lower word limit for the piece (e.g. Lit's 750 word minimum), I'd make sure the processor with the lower reading said I had a sufficient number.

If there's an upper word limit (e.g. a 2000 word maximum), I'd ensure the program that gives the higher count didn't exceed the maximum.

If there are page restrictions, I'd make sure my margins and font met the standards (e.g. many profs say 1" margins all around, and it must be 12pt Times New Roman), and go by page, instead of word, count.

 

[Weird Harold]

I dunno if anyone has already posted the answer to this, so I'm asking anyway. When I write, I use two word processors, one I'm comfy with, and then when I'm finished I transfer it to Word to do a last spellcheck and print. The question is, word count. My two processors have two diff word counts. I've noticed several I've used do. So when you're doing a word count, which amount do you go with? Or do you just count your pages instead of the words? It's confusing when one says you have 1000 words and one says 950. Any help?

Two points:

1) Laurel uses MS Word's count to check for Literotica's minimum 750 word limit.

2) As far as I know, MS Word's word count conforms to the Publishing Industry's standards for calculating word counts.

For typing speed, word count is calculated at standard word-length of five characters, including spaces.

MS Word counts actual words, including articles such as "A An, And, The, & For -- Actually it counts any character or group of characters separated by a space as a word, so it will include acronyms and numbers as "words" in the count.

Given the fact that MS Word is ubiquitous in the business world, I'd go with that word count for most purposes unless you have some specific need to use some other guideline.

 

[SweetErika]

Two points:

1) Laurel uses MS Word's count to check for Literotica's minimum 750 word limit.

2) As far as I know, MS Word's word count conforms to the Publishing Industry's standards for calculating word counts.

For typing speed, word count is calculated at standard word-length of five characters, including spaces.

MS Word counts actual words, including articles such as "A An, And, The, & For -- Actually it counts any character or group of characters separated by a space as a word, so it will include acronyms and numbers as "words" in the count.

Given the fact that MS Word is ubiquitous in the business world, I'd go with that word count for most purposes unless you have some specific need to use some other guideline.

That's great info...thanks, Harold!

 

[AlecBond]

abcde

 

[rydia57]

I've got Word 98 on my Mac, and Word2000 on my PC, and both had different word counts. I guess the Word2000 will have to suffice. Thanx so much for the help!

 

[Weird Harold]

I've got Word 98 on my Mac, and Word2000 on my PC, and both had different word counts. I guess the Word2000 will have to suffice. Thanx so much for the help!

Word 98 is the one I double checked with to confirm that "any text followed by a space" is considered a "word."

Which had the higher word count? Word 98 does allow you to include/exclude footnotes and endnotes.

If the 1000/950 ratio you gave is accurate it sounds like one of the two is counting some "hidden text" -- like footnotes, tracked changes, comments, etc.

 

[SesameStreet]

2) As far as I know, MS Word's word count conforms to the Publishing Industry's standards for calculating word counts.
.

Yes, that's correct. My Publisher uses the MS Word Count.

 

[CopyCarver]

Yes, that's correct. My Publisher uses the MS Word Count.

Virtually all commercial publishers do the same. Additionally, few (if any) expect you to count words precisely. Almost any editor who specifies 3,000 words will be happy with 2,900 or 3,100--we're more interested in space than in words.

At Lit, the only chiseled-in-stone requirement is 750 minimum.