Appendices and word count

[MatureStudentToBeMaybe]

Having taking the plunge this autumn I have my first assignments due. I'm struggling with word count, and been advised appendices don't count, but now I've opened that can of worms I am finding all sorts of background and additional detail to sneak in.

Is there any kind of rule of thumb about how big appendices can be? I'm asking the tutors but they are being rather slow to respond at the moment.
TIA

It depends on your subject, level of study and the assignment. Appendices should only really be used for information or a source that needs to be read alongside the essay - not as a place to put extra background information or research. I wouldn’t normally expect an undergrad or postgrad essay to include an appendix in my field but as I say it varies a lot between subjects.

Yes, you don’t say what level you’re studying at!

But anyway - are you sure you’re not using this quest as a distraction from completing the main piece of work? Because I very much doubt that the people marking your assignment - at this stage of your first year - are going to be interested in wading through reams of extraneous material.

Thanks for the feedback! It's a standalone module of an MSc. Some form of appendix seems to be encouraged and as the word count is quite tight it's useful for background on the real world problem I am describing rather than assuming the reader has prerequisite domain knowledge.