VIDEO: Word Count Guide – EPA Reports
This is 1st for EPA’s video guidance on word counts for written reports that are submitted as part of end point assessment
Transcription:
This is 1st for EPA’s guidance on word counts for written reports that are submitted as part of end point assessment
Report content and format
The requirements for the written report vary according to the apprenticeship standard, so 1st for EPA has defined these within our Toolkits.We recommend you structure your report into sections using suitable headings. The Toolkit for your standard gives you full details of what to include, and will indicate headings you may wish to use.
It also shows details of what needs to be submitted with your report. This might include a front sheet, mapping document, appendices or presentation slides.
The mapping document is used where your report needs to be mapped to the assessment criteria. You should think of it as a checklist to make sure you’ve covered all the relevant areas.
Some mapping documents and front sheets include an authenticity statement to declare that the evidence submitted is your own work. These often require a signature from your employer or training provider, as well as yourself. Electronic signatures are accepted.
Where your standard allows appendices to be submitted, these should be used to support the evidence in your project report, and not to introduce new evidence to meet the assessment criteria.
To enable accurate word count checks, all project reports should be submitted as a text file, such as .doc, .docx, .odf.
Submitting your report
All project reports must be uploaded to our portal, also known as EPA Pro. Many apprentices have direct access to the portal; others will have to send the report to their training provider to upload.
Check you’ve uploaded the correct document along with any relevant materials needed, such as a front sheet, mapping document, appendices or presentation slides. Once uploaded, no additional materials can be submitted.
Make sure your report is submitted by the deadline shown in the Toolkit, and at least 2 weeks prior to the live element of your EPA.
Important: if you do not upload your project by the end of the submission date, the component will automatically be marked a fail and you will be required to re-sit it. For some standards, this limits the grade you can achieve to a Pass.
Word count
All project reports are subject to a maximum word count, as specified in the Toolkit. A variance of +/- 10% is allowed where a specific word count is given.
If you go more than 10% over the range, any additional words will not be marked. If your word count is more than 10% under, it’s likely you haven’t included enough detail to cover all the assessment criteria sufficiently, and we recommend you review and add to it before submission.
Let’s have a look at what is and isn’t included in the word count.
What’s included in the word count?
All word counts will include:
- Words within the report
- Headings
- Lengthy descriptive labels, captions, references and footnotes
- Comments added to the document
What’s not included in the word count?
The word count will not include:
- Title page or front sheet
- Contents page
- Short captions, references and footnotes
- Mapping document
- Appendices, except where the Toolkit states otherwise
- Words within images or screenshots (though these should be used to support evidence, and not to get around the word count)
Check the Toolkit for your standard for full details.
Word count requirements for each standard
This table gives a brief overview of the word count for each standard and anything you need to consider.
Standard Further info Word count -10% +10% Business Administrator Academic quotes and a bibliography are not required. Up to 4,500 recommended 4,050 4,950 Business Analyst The word count includes tables, diagrams/charts/ images and figures, though excludes references and annexes. 5,000 4,500 5,500 Content Creator Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in the word count. Appendices, must include as a minimum: a complete customer journey mapping and a copy of the original brief. 1,500 1,350 1,650 Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Practitioner Appendices, references, diagrams, etc. are not included in the word count, but these must not exceed 1,500 words 5,000 4,500 5,500 Data Analyst v1.0
(synoptic project week)Appendices are not required but you may use them if you wish.
Any extra written information will count towards your total word count.3,000 – 5,000 recommended – – Data Analyst v1.1 Appendices, references, and diagrams/charts/images will not be included in the word count. 3,500 3,150 3,850 Digital Marketer
(synoptic project week)Appendices are not required but you may use them if you wish.
Any extra written information will count towards your total word count.3,000 – 5,000 recommended – – HR Consultant/ Partner The word count does not include tables, graphs and footnotes. 5,000 4,500 5,500 HR Support The word count does not include tables, graphs and footnotes. 3,000 2,700 3,300 Marketing Assistant Appendices, references and diagrams will not be included in the word count.
Appendices should include: a presentation pack, evidence of delivery and a mapping document.3,500 3,150 3,850 Multi-Channel Marketer Appendices, references and diagrams are not included in the word count. 2,500 2,250 2,750 Marketing Executive Annexes, tables and charts are not included in the word count. 3,500 3,150 3,850 Marketing Manager Annexes, tables and charts are not included in the word count. The annex should include between 8 and 10 pieces of evidence. 4,000 3,600 4,400 PR & Communications Assistant The word count does not include annexes.
The project report must contain an annex which contains up to 10 pieces of evidence relating to the project.2,500 2,250 2,750 Senior Leader v1.0 Photos, diagrams and tables can be used to add value and clarity, and these are included in the word count. No annexes or appendices may be submitted. 4,000 3,600 4,400 Senior Leader v1.1/1.2 The word count does not include tables, graphs, figures, references and annexes. 4,000 3,600 4,400 Senior People Professional The word count includes tables, graphs, and figures, but excludes references, annexes, or mapping document. 7,000 6,300 7,700 Examples
Here are some examples of how captions might be used in a project report.
Example one:
This first example shows an image with a short caption. This is acceptable and the caption would not count towards the word count.
Example two:
In this second example, the caption has been used to add assessment evidence that should have been in the body of the report. This is not acceptable, and the full caption would contribute to the word count.
Example 3:
This caption is acceptable and the caption would not count towards the word count.
Example 4:
As with example 2, the assessment evidence should be in the body of the report. This is not acceptable, and the full caption would contribute to the word count.
Please note that this does not apply to portfolios with no word count, where it is encouraged to add some context.
For more guidance and videos, view our other articles and videos.
