Whether 1200 words is considered "a lot" to write depends largely on the context, the writer's experience, and the purpose of the writing. For many common writing tasks, it represents a substantial piece that requires thought and time.
Understanding the Scope of 1200 Words
A 1200-word piece of writing is more than just a brief note or a short response; it typically constitutes a well-developed argument, a detailed report, or a comprehensive blog post.
Time and Effort Required
Writing 1200 words isn't a task to be completed in a few minutes. On average, it takes approximately 3 and a half to 4 and a half hours to produce content of this length. This timeframe accounts for not just the physical act of typing but also the crucial stages of planning, research, and revision.
- Research: An essay or article of this size usually necessitates a fair amount of research to gather credible information and support arguments.
- Detail and Depth: While a 1200-word piece allows for the inclusion of key details, it doesn't always permit extensive expansion on every point, especially if the subject matter is complex. Simpler topics might allow for more thorough exploration within this word count.
Contextualizing 1200 Words
The perception of 1200 words being "a lot" varies significantly across different writing scenarios:
Academic Writing
In an academic setting, 1200 words is a common length for:
- College essays: Many university assignments, especially argumentative or analytical essays, fall within this range. They require a clear thesis, structured arguments, and evidence.
- Research paper sections: While a full research paper might be much longer, individual sections or a shorter research report could be around 1200 words.
- Literature reviews: A focused literature review might also fit this word count.
Professional and Content Writing
For professional purposes, 1200 words is often considered a medium to long-form piece:
- Blog posts: A 1200-word blog post is a comprehensive article that can delve deeply into a topic, offering substantial value to readers.
- Feature articles: Magazine or online feature articles often aim for this length to explore a subject in detail.
- Reports: Internal company reports or detailed summaries might be 1200 words.
Casual or Everyday Writing
In casual contexts, 1200 words would be considered excessive:
- Emails: An email of this length would be overwhelming and inappropriate for most communication.
- Social media posts: This word count far exceeds the typical limits and engagement patterns of social media platforms.
What a 1200-Word Piece Entails
To better visualize what 1200 words means in terms of content, consider the following:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Pages | Roughly 4-5 pages (double-spaced, 12-point font). |
| Paragraphs | Approximately 8-12 paragraphs, depending on their length and complexity. |
| Content | Typically includes an introduction, 2-3 main body sections (each with multiple paragraphs and supporting details), and a conclusion. It can cover key details but might not allow for extensive deep dives into every sub-topic. |
| Research | Requires a fair amount of research to provide sufficient evidence and examples, often citing multiple sources. |
Strategies for Managing 1200 Words
While 1200 words may seem daunting, breaking down the task can make it manageable:
- Outline First: Create a detailed outline to structure your arguments and ensure logical flow. This helps you allocate word count to different sections.
- Allocate Time Wisely: Dedicate specific blocks of time for research, drafting, and editing. Remember that drafting is only one part of the process.
- Focus on Key Points: Prioritize the most important details and arguments. For complex subjects, it's essential to decide what can be thoroughly explained and what might need to be condensed.
- Draft in Sections: Instead of trying to write all 1200 words at once, focus on completing one section or one main point at a time.
- Revise and Edit: Allow time for multiple rounds of revision, focusing on clarity, coherence, grammar, and word count. Tools like Grammarly can assist with editing.
In summary, 1200 words is a substantial word count for most writing tasks, requiring a dedicated time investment, thorough research, and careful structuring. It's often the length for detailed explanations, comprehensive analyses, or in-depth articles.
