Users frequently write to let me know that they believe the traditional method of word-count and the average word-processor's methods are both wrong unless special care is taken. They describe methods by which one might attain a very precise word-count.
Folks, this really is not the part of your writing that should most concern you.
Choose a word-count method. Any word-count method.
Now concentrate on writing something so you'll have some words to count. And concentrate on writing it well. That really is the important part.
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