If your paper is over the maximum number of words:

• Eliminate needless words.
• Remove redundant statements or paragraphs.
• Revise statements to express the same idea in fewer words.
• Combine sentences, while maintaining grammatical integrity.

If your paper is under the minimum number of words:

• Ensure each paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence.
• Look at each paragraph individually and see where you can expand.
• Include an introductory paragraph and a conclusion paragraph.
• Compare your paper side by side with the assignment rubric to cover the mandatory criteria.

Please note: When an assignment has a required word count, this number typically does not include words on the title page or reference list—so be sure to exclude those when calculating your word count.