parts of the term paper

The timeline of events from 1776 to 1861, that, in the end, prompted the American Civil War, describes and relates to a number of subjects modern historians acknowledge as the origins and causes of the Civil War. In fact, pre-Civil War events had both long-term and short-term influences on the War—such as the election of Abraham Lincoln as the American president in 1860 that led to the Fall of Fort Sumter in April of the same year. In that period, contentions that surrounded states’ rights progressively exploded in Congress—since they were the initial events that formed after independence. Congress focused on resolving significant issues that affected the states, which led to further issues. In that order, the US’s history from 1776 to 1861 provides a rich history, as politicians brought forth dissimilarities, dissections, and tensions between the Southern US & the people of slave states, and the Northern states that were loyal to the Union. The events that unfolded from the period of 1776 to 1861 involved a series of issues because they promoted the great sectional crisis that led to political divisions and the build-up to the Civil War that made the North and the South seem like distinctive and timeless regions that predated the crisis itself.

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Major Parts of a Term Paper

Courtney clark.

Term papers are one of the most common assignments that students receive. In order to get the best grade, you must include all of the major parts of a term paper, no matter how short the paper may be.

Explore this article

1 Introduction

This part of the paper shows readers what you wrote about. In this section, pose a question or a problem and discuss how you will be reach a conclusion to this question or problem. The introduction is usually about one paragraph long.

2 Definition

In this section, you will define your question or problem in more detail. Discuss the specific parameters in which your topic falls and make sure there is no confusion about what it is that you are writing about.

3 Discussion

In the discussion section, you discuss the problem. Give arguments for and against each side of the issue and show how you came to your conclusion.

4 Conclusion

Show in the conclusion section what you have come to know or believe after your careful research and discussion. Reiterate your topic, this time with a sense of closure.

5 Works Cited

This section not only protects you from plagiarism by showing readers where you found your information, it will also gives your readers a place to go for further reading.

1 Major Parts of an Academic Term paper

About the Author

Courtney Clark studied English, creative writing, film and history at Southern Virginia University from 2005 through 2008, earning a Bachelor of Arts. During her time at SVU, Clark participated in the English Honors Society and the university's film club.

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How Do you Write a Term Paper?

What does an academic paper consist of, how should it be structured and how do you even start?

Term papers (also known as academic or research papers) are a kind of an examination causing bad headaches for lots of students. Besides exams, presentations, tests, and oral examinations, academic papers are an important part of your studies. Nevertheless, sometimes you don’t really know how to start writing. To prevent feeling desperate and unprepared, we summed up the most important aspects and criteria concerning term papers, its writing process and working scientifically in general.

Time Management

When you start working on your academic paper, it is probably best to make a plan concerning your time management first. While some students manage to finish a term paper in one or two weeks, many need about two months for it. How long it takes for you is depending on your personal working habits but also goals and calendar. Therefore, start by asking yourself the following questions: When is the paper due? How long does the paper have to be and how complex is its topic? What are your plans until the due date (holidays, visiting friends, other examinations, etc.)? Do you prefer to do everything at once or to take short work units with longer breaks in-between? Is it important to you to write a perfect paper or do you just want to pass with as less work as possible? Keeping your answers in mind, try to establish a personal timetable and fix some temporary, for instance weekly goals . For example: Until the end of next week I'll inform myself about the topic and decide for a specific question, until the following week I'll organize all necessary sources for the paper, the week after that I'll work through that material and make notes, and so on. This way you'll realize early enough if you're needing more time than you thought or if you can take more breaks and especially be able to prevent having to work through the nights shortly before you're paper is due.

Structure of the Paper

In case you haven’t written a research paper so far, it could be helpful to first get information about the structure and the different parts this kind of paper consists of. An academic paper begins with a cover sheet . This should include the topic or question you're dealing with, the seminar in which you're writing the paper as well as the name of your teacher and some personal information about yourself (your name, address, email, study subject, semester and matriculation number). The cover sheet is followed by a table of content showing all chapters and sections of your work as well as a bibliography and - if you're including pictures or diagrams into your work - index of figures or images with each’s correct page number. You should think about the structure of your paper at the very beginning of your work. Still, be aware that within your research or even your writing process there might be a point when you recognize that you have to either include or leave out a certain point. Therefore, stay open to change your structure and make sure to update your table of content one last time after everything else is finished.

The actual paper then starts with an introduction , which is contrasting to most assumptions best written at the end of your working process. This part usually is no longer than one or two pages (depending on the length of the whole paper). It consists of a short explanation why the topic of your paper is interesting or important to be analyzed and a short outlook of how the following analysis is structured. Mostly, the final result of your paper is already mentioned here (being formulated as a need-to-be proofed thesis though). The main part of your paper then is divided in different sections analyzing different parts or aspects of your topic using scientific references as proofs for your statements. This then leads to the final part of your conclusion . The conclusion consists of a short sum up of your analysis and an inferentially answer to your main question.

Afterwards the appendix starts with the bibliography listing all sources you used writing the paper and the index of figures or images if you made use of images or diagrams. It is important to end the paper with a so-called independence declaration or declaration of oath . This formula that can usually be downloaded at the website of your university is a declaration saying that you did all the work on your own without copying somebody else's work (at least not without using the correct way of citation and paraphrasing).

Getting Prepared

Moving on to the more detailed part or approach to such a paper. Some teachers are giving their students concrete questions or present some possibilities the students can choose from. However, mostly the preparation of a concrete, scientific question is your part and can be quite important for the rest of the work. Therefore, you should prepare yourself. Find a topic that may has already been discussed or talked about during the seminar. What is especially interesting for you? Is there something you would like to know more about? Thus, you can look at the reading list of your seminar: Has there been a topic especially critical or outstanding? Which texts do like? Keeping this in mind, you can go on to inform yourself, find texts and problems you’re interested in that can enclose your topic. Particularly for regular term papers usually consisting of ten to 15 pages, your topic needs to be very precise as you have to analyze it in a detailed way. If you tried all that and still don't have a clue what to write about or you have a general idea but cannot think of a concrete question, it is usually possible to talk to your teacher and ask for advice. Often, it is enough to have an idea of the topic and then decide for the concrete question during the literature research.

Literature Research

This leads to the next important aspect: the literature research. What has already been researched on your topic? Which important texts should serve as the basis for your paper? Which aspects have been analyzed especially often or critical? Search for primary and secondary sources * consisting of anthologies, monographs, essays, articles, academic papers and if necessary online sources (only if they are valid and trustworthy!). Be aware to use enough but also not too many sources. 80 different sources are too much for a paper of 15 pages, five are not enough. For most study subjects there's the rule of thumb saying you need one to two sources for each page. However, you should ask your teacher about the exact requirements, as they can be quite different sometimes.

As already mentioned, it is very important to make sure you're sources are valid . Therefore, it is most safe to use the l ibrary of your university for your research. If you're not able to find enough sources concerning your topic there or you just want to add another source because you think it fits perfectly you can prove the quality of the source by asking the following questions: Is it written in an adequate, scientific and correct language? Does the text use correct citation rules and valid sources itself? Is the author of the text known and acknowledged for the topic the text deals with? If you're still unsure, you can ask fellow students or teachers. In addition, if you need more sources, it can help to look at the bibliography of the texts you already found. When you start working through the texts then, it is recommendable to take notes and write down some particular significant quotes already. This way you won't have to read everything again during your writing process and can already organize your ideas and thoughts.

*Primary sources are the first books that explained the topic you are talking about in a scientific context. Secondary sources are the sources in which the authors refer to the primary sources and use them to explain their extended view of the topic.

Structure of your Paper

Having decided for a specific thesis topic or question and researched some literature, you can now start to develop a structure to organize your paper. As already mentioned in the beginning, it is possible that some sections change within your writing process. However, the rough structure should be fixed now.

As mentioned as well, the paper consists of three main parts: the introduction, the main part/analysis and the conclusion . While the introduction is shortly explaining the topic and approach of the paper for the reader, the main part is made of discussions, analyses or examinations of your thesis . Ask yourself, if you need to explain some words or basis theories, so the reader will be able to understand your assumptions later on. If that's the case, you should add a short explanation in the first sections of your main part but be aware to keep this parts short as the main part of your work usually should be self-made examinations such as analyses. Depending on the topic, it can make sense sometimes to analyze different aspect at first and compare them later on, to add some fictive or real examples and sometimes to oppose contrasting opinions or positions to each other.

Attention: Different from some English-speaking countries, in Germany it is common to write about both sides of an argument. You don't have to clearly be on one side all the time! Based on this you can now divide your main part into different sections . These do not only help the reader later on to keep the overview but also yourself with organizing and structuring your ideas and thoughts during the writing process. In the main part, it is also especially important to make use of quotes and paraphrases . Therefore, the next section of this article will deal with citation rules. The conclusion then answers the question of your thesis based on the work of your main part. Even here, you can have a split opinion as long as you make sure to prove your assumptions with scientific texts so that your conclusion is not too subjective and therefore still valid.

Citation and Paraphrasing

As already mentioned, it is very important for a term paper that you prove your statements according to citation rules. All the statements or assertions that cannot be described as generally known, i.e. obvious to anyone not familiar with the subject, must be proven by valid sources. As already explained, you should have found your sources in the literature research. Again: Even with minor definitions, websites like Wikipedia are not a valid source! Instead, try to find a specialist dictionary or a textbook on the subject. It is then crucial to state the source correctly. In most cases, you can't just start writing and simply list all the sources used in the bibliography. Instead, you should indicate where you got the facts and statements from for each individual statement or each content-related section of your work. Everything else would be a plagiarism and that is, if it is recognized, not only a clear reason to fail, but also legally punishable.

Basically, you should be able to distinguish between paraphrases and quotations. Paraphrases are the reproduction of texts by others in your own words. Corresponding sections are to be provided with the source reference . One speaks of quotations if you use more than three same words as the original one. These quotes must not only include the source, but also be enclosed in quotation marks . A good piece of work usually has a mixture of direct quotations and paraphrases. Generally, the shorter the work, the more likely it is to dispense with long quotations and better summarize the most important aspects yourself.

There are different systems for the way in which sources are cited. It is therefore crucial that you ask your teachers beforehand what kind of citation is required! In Germany, quoting with footnotes is generally the most common method. For this purpose, a footnote is placed behind the content sections or (always directly behind!) the quotations. At the bottom of the page, you will find the corresponding information about the source including the page number you are referring to. The university of Hamburg summed up the most important rules on the correct structure of your references .

In English seminars, but also in some German disciplines such as linguistics, short references are more common. Here, the references are placed in brackets after the paraphrases or quotations instead of footnotes. As a rule, the author's surname and page number are given only briefly, while the complete source reference can be found in the bibliography. There are also different systems for this. Still, the best known is the MLA system and its rules can be found on its own website . In case of uncertainty, don't be afraid to ask fellow students or professors! If you take care to list all the sources you have consulted both in the body of the text and in the bibliography and, above all, use a uniform style and structure for your references, nothing should go wrong.

Writing Process and Revision

With all these rules in mind and your concept established through (rough) structuring and literature research, you can start writing. Do not use colloquial phrases, but appropriate technical terms so that your text sounds scientific. It is also important to keep the central theme throughout all chapters, i.e. to make it clear why this excursus, example or argumentation is relevant for your paper.

Once you have finished writing all the chapters, it is time to review the paper for all its important aspects: Have you quoted everything correctly or could plagiarism be accused against you? Have the formal requirements been met (margin, line spacing, font size, etc.)? Is your sentence formation understandable, are grammar and spelling correct? You should revise everything now: Form, structure, choice of words and sentence structure . Writing also means writing over and over again. Have you already created a bibliography and added the signed declaration of independence to your term paper? If you are not sure what the formal requirements are, most universities have created their own guidelines for scientific work, which you can download and use for orientation.

Proofreading

If all these points are fulfilled, you should have your work proofread again by some outsiders. Even if you have already checked your own text many times, you usually lack the objective eye at the end to notice careless mistakes or misleading sentence positions. After all, you know exactly what is supposed to be written or said, but others do not. It is important to schedule enough time for proofreading so that you do not come under time pressure at the end of your work due to the corrections. Give your term paper to people who know what is important in this kind of paper (fellow students) but also to acquaintances who are neither familiar with your studies nor with the topic (brother, sister, father, girlfriend). This way, you should receive appropriate feedback and be able to correct spelling and grammar, as well as the coherence and comprehensibility of the text.

Handing in your Paper and Evaluation

Your paper should be ready for printing now! After your academic paper has survived all the checking measures, you can finally hand it in. It is best to find out in advance whether the lecturer would like to receive the paper as a print version or in digital form (or both). Printed copies usually require a simple stapler or a transparent film to hand in the work. For Bachelor's or Master's thesis , most universities have exact requirements for the print version (e.g. spiral or book binding in multiple copies). In digital form, it is best to save the document in PDF format and send it to the lecturer by email. Sometimes, however, lecturers also explicitly want a Word or OpenOffice file to control the work of digital plagiarism checking systems . However, it is advisable to attach a PDF version to ensure that the read version does not contain formatting errors caused by different program versions or suchlike. In addition, the file name should be clear and understandable so that it doesn't get lost in all the professor's downloads - preferably: TermPaper_ThesisTitle_FirstAndSurname.pdf.

Depending on the lecturer and external conditions, it can take several months before you get your paper back. If you need the grade quickly for your transcript or the something like that you should announce it as early and friendly as possible to your examiner. Usually, they prioritize your evaluation then. Mostly, you will be informed by mail or via the online grading system of the university when the work was graded. Sometimes there are also classic announcements on campus or personal feedback meetings. The advantage of the latter is that you find out exactly what was good and what could be improved in your thesis. If you only receive your grade digitally and don't understand how it came to be, you can also ask your examiner for such an appointment by email.

Your Personal Checklist

When you read the article you will notice that it all sounds like a lot of complicated and exhausting work and to be honest - that's true. But if you have an interesting topic and a lecturer with whom you can get along well, the whole thing often goes much faster and more fun than you first think. Even if that's not the case, you can hardly go wrong with these tips and instructions! In addition, you will become more experienced with each new term paper and at the end of your studies nothing stands in the way of the Bachelor thesis. If you don't write a term paper at all during your studies and only write the (Bachelor) thesis at the end, you will have to consider a few more aspects than those listed here, but the procedure is basically the same and differs, for example, only in the scope, the time required and the precision of the topic. So, don't worry and get to work, then you will soon be able to enjoy your freedom again J

As a little help for planning your work process, you can also download your personal checklist here, in which all important work steps are summarized again:

Download Checklist

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Essentials of How to Write a Term Paper

Writing a term paper worthy of a high grade requires much more than a few research hours and some words on a paper. Time, planning, above-average writing skill, these are just a few of the things needed to create a noteworthy paper. If you are unfamiliar with the difference between a great term paper and one that is just ‘okay’, consider Googling the search phrase “example of a term paper for college” and reviewing the search results to gain a better insight into what professors are looking for in final submissions.

Simple Steps of How to Write a Term Paper

There will come a time in your studies when you will be asked to write a term paper. Keep in mind that you could be asked about custom term paper writing in just about any course, and that these types of academic papers are not solely reserved for English or literature studies.

Before we delve further into how to start a term paper, let’s first explore the basic processes involved in writing a term paper.

The Term Paper Process

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Understanding What is a Term Paper

According to Wikipedia, a term paper definition is ‘ any type of research-intensive paper authored by students over the course of an academic term. This paper typically accounts for a large part of their final course grade.” Simply put, a term paper is a major writing assignment, in an academic setting, that is used to showcase a student’s understanding of course material or a specific topic.

Read also: Ask expert writers to “ do my term paper for me”.

What is Standard Term Paper Format

The way you format your term paper will depend largely on the course being studied. For example, the way one formats a term paper in an economics course will differ from the way one would format a term paper in social studies or legal course.

For example purposes, here is an overview of how someone studying sciences at a university level might choose to format their term paper

Create a page, separate from the rest of the paper, which includes the title of the paper, your name, the course name, the name of the instructor and the date.

Acknowledgement

1.A Topic: State your topic or describe your subject

1.B Rationale: Explain why you chose to research this topic

1.C Additional Information: Add any other relevant introductory information

Table of Contents

Purpose or Statement (AKA Abstract)

Present the questions that your paper will answer, and a brief overview of the paper itself.

Literature Review

Explain your research methodologies and any procedures that were used for implementing them. Offer as much detail as reasonable, while staying within the required word limits.

Make your conclusions or closing statements. Determine whether or not your hypothesis was true or false.

Recommendations

Offer your views and suggestions for future research on the chosen topic.

Reference list

List all of your sources used in research and in the text. Remember to list in alphabetical order, and following the required citation format.

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How to Make a Term Paper Outline

The outline of a term paper is used as a roadmap to guide the direction of the writing process as a whole. This is where you will organize all of the points that you wish to bring up in your paper. Outlines are typically done for the benefit of the writer, to help them stay on track. That being said, there may be times when a professor asks you to submit your outline prior to starting your term paper, and it is wise to start it not with a term paper introduction, but with an outline.

Keeping the above paper example in mind, most term papers will follow the same basic outline.

Read also: How to write a research report ?

Look Through Helpful Term Paper Examples

As mentioned previously, one of the best ways to learn how to write a term paper worthy of a passing grade comes from researching and reviewing previously written term papers that received high marks. Several colleges and universities make submissions from their top students available online. Here are a few examples:

Term Paper Topics You Might Use

In many cases, the topic you are required to write about will be chosen by the professor. However, there will be times when you are asked to choose your own research topic. The most important thing to remember is to keep it relevant to your course study, wherever possible, pick a topic that interests you – or something that you genuinely want to know more about – this will increase the chances that you will remain engaged and eager to write a solid paper with lots of substance. If you have any concerns about term paper, you can always order a sample of your paper:

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A Quick-Start Guide on How to Write a Term Paper

Writing a term paper may be a hard task. We don’t want to sugarcoat it. Creating term papers and other academic papers can be frustrating, and cause worries who can write my term paper . There is a learning curve and you may not be pleased with your first paper.

In the article below you will find recommendations and detailed tips on how to write a term paper. In addition, you will find out what term paper format looks like, and an excerpt of a written term paper sample.

What is a term paper

A term paper is an academic paper that can take the form of a report or research paper. Typically it is assigned at school, college, and university at the end of the term. The term paper has a great value in the final score for the subject.

Every course typically has various requirements for writing a term paper. In the following guide we offer a standard approach and elements to writing a term paper.

Typical term paper format

Before we get too deep into how to start a term paper and how to find the best topic for it, here is the typical format of term paper.

Structure matters. All well-written academic papers have a clear structure, as it helps the reader easily absorb information from the text. Also, a good structure will help you not to get lost in the variety of information and write a concise paper. Let’s look at the format below.

Title page. This page usually contains the title, name of the student, course and code, instructor’s name, and the date. Abstract (optional). The abstract is a short summary of the main ideas, theoretical approaches, and findings you are going to highlight in the paper. Table of contents. This section is needed for easy navigation between the paper sections. Generally includes headings of every section and page numbers. Introduction. This is the opening paragraph that tells the reader basic information about the paper. Main sections. This part of the paper may consist of several sections, as the topics of term papers are diverse. The parts should follow each other in a logical framework. Conclusion. The conclusion is the last part that ties the paper up in a logical ending. Here the author needs to restate the main findings and indicate the importance of these findings to the current circumstance. References. All sources that were used and cited in the paper should be listed in the reference list in alphabetical order. Appendix (optional). The purpose of the appendix is to provide information that would be distracting in the body of the paper. Typically authors place in the appendix large tables, questionnaires, images, and other documentation and materials.

Also, you can add a list of figures, tables, or abbreviations if needed. Some term papers have a lot of information that can’t be placed in the text, so it can be attached after the references.

This example hits all the right paragraphs to create a well-structured term paper. Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s up to you to determine the best way to write the term paper.

Before writing a term paper

If you want to make something great, you need to prepare greatly. As the term paper is usually a longer paper than essays, you will need to make a more detailed plan before writing it.

Carefully read the assignment. To realize what the instructor wants to see from a term paper, just read the instructions attentively.

Conduct research. The research should be aimed at finding a distinct amount of information for the chosen topic. During this stage you need to use these skills: active reading, effective note-taking, and critical thinking.

Make an outline. On the basis of the obtained information, you can create a plan. As you can see in our “Term Paper Format” section, you can give titles to each section of your future paper. Also, we recommend you to add topic sentences to each section – this will ease the writing process.

Create a calendar. Divide the paper writing process into several steps and list them in your calendar. Term papers take more than one night to write, so make sure that you have planned enough time for it. You can make a hard copy of the timetable or save it on your computer.

How to pick sources for a term paper

Every builder knows that the foundation is the core part of the building. Without a strong foundation, the building may quickly fall to ruin. The same refers to academic writing. Without reliable sources and information, you will construct a poor paper, and will look for someone to write a term paper for cheap .

On the internet and at the library you may find tons of information related to your topic. How can you pick a reliable source? Imagine that you are Sherlock Holmes and you need to find the truth hidden in the text. You don’t need superpowers to learn how to do it.

Use your critical thinking skills while looking through each source. Let’s see what you need to pay attention to:

Tip: Reading general texts from the journals and articles can help you clarify your thoughts at the beginning of your research and deciding what point you can consider on your paper.

Tip: Most search engines use the data from your web browser to sort information according to your preferences. It is also known as a “filter bubble.” Delete your browser history and cookies, and tune into the incognito mode to get another list of search results.

When you obtain a certain amount of information, you can create an extended outline. What does it mean? Take your old outline and add any new points that you have found in the sources. Think in what section you can incorporate new facts, examples, quotes, or expert opinions.

Writing the first draft of a term paper

There are many approaches to writing a term paper. The key to success is simple: be prepared before you start. Have a clear purpose, a thesis statement, enough background information, and a clear plan.

1. Write the abstract.

This first section should focus on what your research is about. But the best decision will be writing it after all subsequent sections. Mention major findings in your research so even a person unfamiliar with the topic can read and understand it. Keep it simple and informative.

A good abstract should consist of the following sections:

To write an abstract, you need to reread your paper and underline the key statements related to research objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. Copy these sentences and you will receive the first draft of the abstract.

Tip: The abstract should be limited to 120-250 words (depending on assignment instructions).

What is the difference between the introduction and abstract? An abstract presents the essence of the paper: it lists the main points of the paper, including results and conclusions. The introduction provides background information on the topic, gives the proposition (or thesis statement), and outlines key issues that will be discussed in the paper.

2. Write the introduction.

Strong introductions can make it harder to put the paper down. Think about how you can “sell” your paper to the reader. What is the main point of your term paper?

The introduction should contain only general information about the paper. Its aim is to give an overview of the term paper. Examples, quotations, and excess details are not accepted.

Tip: Don’t be boring or too general. Immediately dive into the essence of the topic and draw the reader’s attention deeper into the paper.

3. Write the body sections: generating ideas and text.

Once you have received certain research results and notes, take a look at what you’ve found. Record the outcomes of your research and cut unnecessary materials.

One of the best ways to start writing body sections is drafting topic sentences referring to the outline. Write complete sentences on its basis and add supporting details.

The number of paragraphs will depend on the topic and assignment instructions. Frequently, a term paper body section consists of a literature review and the research itself.

Tip: Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence. It should be a very clear introduction of the paragraph’s main idea.

How can you write a literary review? Present the analysis of the literature you have found on the topic. You need to present what materials you have found and how you have connected this information to the context of your research. Summarize the arguments and theories of various authors you agree with. Also, you need to highlight what points were absent or not considered in the author’s research.

Here are general recommendations while writing the body sections:

4. Write the conclusion.

When you finish writing the main part of the term paper, it’s time to summarize what information you have received and discuss the further implication of your research. Consider the following points in your conclusion:

Refresh the points that you have already highlighted in the body paragraph and restate the thesis statement.

Note: Don’t present any new information in this paragraph.

How can I evaluate my research results? What meaning does my research have? Does my topic intersect other topics or areas?

Write the concluding sentence.

For example: “Forgiveness therapy is a new approach in psychology and has much need for testing, but it is an important practice in the treatment of many psychological disorders.”

Revising and polishing the first draft

If you have succeeded in writing your first draft and have some time left, it’s time to proofread your text. Don’t neglect the possibility of reading the term paper once more. Many professors perceive misspellings, as well as punctuation and grammar errors as a personal insult. These mistakes may draw more attention than your original ideas and significant results. So, how can you make your text look better?

First, you need to read your first draft and think about how you can make your paper cleaner or more convincing. Look at the ideas that don’t fit the context and remove or modify them. Then, look at what points need more detailed support. And finally, add transitional phrases or words to connect ideas.

Second, when the content is logical and well-structured, it’s time to check for errors. Correct all grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Last, check whether your paper has the right format and layout. Make sure that pages are numbered correctly. Images, tables, diagrams, and other visual materials also should be numbered and titled appropriately.

Mistakes to avoid in term paper writing

How to find excellent term paper topics

Paper instructions that you receive from a teacher typically provide a list of term paper topics to choose from. Luckily, sometimes students are given the freedom of choice.

First, you can start with a fairly broad idea of the area you want to research, such as “body image.” As you can see, the topic is too general and if you start googling about this topic over the internet you will get a great amount of information. You can narrow it down considering other areas:

Narrowing down the topic will make your research more manageable. You can add more limitations to your research:

Sometimes it’s difficult to pick a topic on your own, as there are so many interesting topics to write about! We are happy to propose you a list of interesting term paper topics that you can reuse for your own paper.

Legal Issues

Tip: On our blog you can find more information on how to choose topics for term paper writing and get inspired with a list of term paper topics on technology, economics, political science, sports, media and culture, and health.

Term paper sample

In the text below you can see a portion of a term paper written by our author. It should help you understand the theoretical approaches that we have written above. Also check the comments below.

Title: The Promotion of a Healthy Lifestyle Through Social Media

This paper discusses the growing popularity of healthy lifestyles in social media. It looks into the methods of health promotion through evolving technologies. The research was built on questionnaires and existing information on the issue. The paper presents a plan for actions aimed to keep the topics about health popular over social media. (…)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Overview of Social Media 3. Plan of Action 4. Conclusion 5. References

Introduction

Social networks are some of the most popular websites over the internet. Social media use has been increasing in health promotion because it removes geographic and physical barriers. However, social media still has the potential to increase the influence of healthy lifestyles. (…)

Overview of Social Media

According to articles published in NBC Statistics, the most popular social media sites estimate more than a billion visits every day. The statistics show that more than 77 percent of people in the US have a social media profile. The majority of Americans use Facebook and Youtube on a daily basis.(…)

One of the researches has measured the change in knowledge, attitudes, behavior, eating habits, weight, energy and fat intake, self-efficacy, and sharing in social media (Hoshi, 2017). The amount of information, even in small doses, has an influence on promotion of healthy habits.

Welch et al. (2016) studied the effectiveness of health promotion campaigns in social media as Facebook, Twitter, and video sharing like YouTube. The research has shown the increased effectiveness of social media interventions in improving healthy habits among youth and older adults. (…)

Plan of Action

Social media campaigns should relate to the specific topic and plan ahead. To construct an effective campaign, we should collect the relevant information, pictures, videos, and texts.

Facebook activities. This social media platform has a wide list of events that can be used for promotion.

A healthy lifestyle is one of the main things that every person should apply in everyday life. To help the person make the right choice, government and organizations should spread the information about tools and advice to promote a healthy lifestyle. (…)

Hoshi, T. (2017). SES, Dietary and Lifestyle Habits, Three Health-Related Dimensions, and Healthy Survival Days. International Perspectives on Aging the Structure of Healthy Life Determinants , 121-141.

Smith, A., & Anderson, M. (2018, September 19). Social Media Use 2018: Demographics and Statistics. Pew Research Center . Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/03/01/social-media-use-in-2018/

Welch, V., Petkovic, J., Pardo, J. P., Rader, T., & Tugwell, P. (2016). Interactive social media interventions to promote health equity: An overview of reviews. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice , 36(4), 63–75.

FAQ about term paper writing

1. what is the format of a term paper.

Speaking about the format standard for a term paper, we need to mention MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian as the most common format types.

In addition, students may create a specific format of term paper when it comes to its structure. The format will include several obligated elements such as title page, abstract, introduction, conclusion, and references.

2. How many pages should a good term paper be?

The standard term paper must contain at least 10-12 double-spaced pages. Term papers of 15-20 pages are also appropriate, but you must consider the quality of the content. It is always better to make the paper shorter but informative than make it longer with bland, repeated statements.

3. What is the difference between a term paper and a research paper?

The core difference between a term paper and a research paper is in the approach to sourcing. A research paper assumes a deeper investigation of a topic and analysis. When it comes to structuring, there are specific differences as well. A term paper consists of such core elements as an introduction, the main body, a conclusion, and a bibliography. A search paper includes methods, results, discussion, and other aspects of a deep analytical paper.

4. Want is the fastest way to write a term paper?

If you have a strict and short deadline, you must act quickly, skipping the outlining stage. Start with a brief brainstorm. Afterward, you will require providing research on a chosen topic. You will then have to draft a paper and quickly polish it. If you have some minutes left, read your paper to edit it or skip the proofreading stage.

5. How many citations are considered suitable for a term paper?

It depends on the discipline and the topic involved; skilled authors suggest supplementing a term paper with at least five citations, with a maximum of ten.

Term paper writing help from industry experts

Want more term paper examples? Check out our EssayShark blog. If you compare our examples, you will see that they all share three qualities: they are interesting to read, they have good grammar and style, and contain in-text references to reliable sources.

We know how writing a term paper can be a struggle. A lack of time, missed deadlines, a sudden flu, tons of homework, and other troubles may spoil even the most accurate writing plan. There is no need to get discouraged while you have a trusted term paper writing service at hand.

Even if you have never tried such services, you need to know that it’s the ultimate solution for students who need urgent help with their assignments. EssayShark experts can help you with term papers for any course, discipline, and school. Also, our experts can help you pick the right topic for the term paper, write missing paragraphs for existing parts of the paper, and edit your first draft.

Get a unique and polished term paper before the deadline and live your life to the fullest!

3 thoughts on “ A Quick-Start Guide on How to Write a Term Paper ”

nice info. thanks

I have got good ideas for my first term paper preparation. Thank you so much.

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Term Paper Outline

Your term paper outline is your reliable compass throughout the writing process. Here, you arrange all the points that you are going to discuss in your term paper. Mostly you do it for yourself.

It will always help you stay focused and stick to the main points in your paper. However, a tutor, teacher, or professor may ask you to submit your working-term paper outline before you start writing. He or she will check the ways that you are going to develop your thesis and can suggest some improvement areas.

You may revise and restructure this version of your outline once you come across new material or find new ideas to be included in your term paper.

Don't make haste writing your paper. Think carefully about your topic and main points as well as evaluate the material you have found. Subdivide all the relevant material into groups and then name each group. These names will serve as headings and subheadings in your outline.

Our paper writing service would like to remind you that every term paper, regardless of the subject, has the following sections:

Term Paper Writing

You haven’t got yourself admitted in the college for just a mediocre degree to get mediocre jobs in your life, have you? Sure, even getting a C or D would get you that degree but why bother settling for less when you can get an A+?

As a student, you must have familiarity with the term papers. A lot of students think that great term paper writing requires Shakespeare level writing skill. However, in reality, above average writing skill is enough to write a striking term paper – all you need to be is strategic and organized.

So, do you want to know the secret recipe of writing a remarkable term paper that can help you get the ever-eluding A+? Just go through the whole guide, and you will get the gist.

What is a Term Paper?

Let’s start with the term paper definition. By definition, a term paper is a type of research-based writing assignment that a student has to submit to his or her teacher at the end of an academic term. Typically, a student tries to discuss elaborately on a topic that was assigned to him or her. The topic could be an event description, a case study, a concept, or an argument. It is mandatory that the paper has to be unique – plagiarism is not allowed.

An average term paper is about several pages in length. There is no fixed length, and often the corresponding teacher has the authority to impose structure and length for writing. In such a case, a student must adhere to the teacher's instructions.

However, the commonly accepted length of such paper is about 5,000 words. With the single line spacing, single column, 12pt font, and 1inch margined general term paper format; it should be about 15 pages. We will talk about the structure and formatting style later.

Differences between Term Paper and Research Paper

Students often confused between these two different types of papers. The first difference between them is the time frame – a term paper has to be submitted by the end of the semester or a term while a research paper may need months even years to complete.

Even the task was given out in a different timeline. Generally, the teacher asks the students to work on their research paper at the beginning of the academic semester. A term paper, on the other hand, is tasked somewhere in the middle of the semester.

Another major difference between them is the purpose. The purpose of a research paper is to find a viable solution to a problem while a term paper is the reflection of knowledge of student on a particular topic – in common cases, a description.

Moreover, a research paper has a hypothesis, to begin with, by the end, it either supports the hypothesis or rejects it with feasible data. A term paper is much simpler in nature and tries to support an existing thesis paper in most cases. That’s why a research paper has a significantly longer length.

Despite a research paper being more crucial, it doesn't affect a student’s final grade while a term paper strongly controls the grades.

The Basics of Term Paper Format: What are the Parts of a Term Paper?

A term paper has a fixed format, but it differs from course to course. For example, a Computer Science course will have a different format of writing when compared to an Architecture course. You must ask your teacher about how to outline a paper – he or she can guide you the best.

Just check out the most common format that could help you outlining a term paper.

How to Write a Term Paper?

There are a few simple ideas you can follow in crafting up a brilliant piece of writing. Here are some effective ideas for you.

Be prepared for LONG research hours

Research is a must for writing a term paper. Some students make a mistake by starting to write right away. This is a rookie mistake. Although it seems that there is no progress as not a single word is being written, research would make your writing phase much faster and fluent. Moreover, you could come up with a better approach and idea if you thoroughly research topic first. Think of it as the investment for writing the paper.

Create an outline first

Creating an outline prior to writing gives you a sense of control. You can how much time it would take to complete the whole piece and which part would take more time. At the same time, you would render a smoother reading experience, and everything would be in some kind of chronological order.

Come up with a compelling introduction

"Dawn shows the day!" If you have an impelling introduction, the reader will get more interested in reading through and eventually favor you and your grades. If you lose the grip in the introduction, no matter how good your content is, your reader will give it average feedback.

Avoid fluff words

Fluff words are attention killers. Especially, when you are writing formal academic writing, the reader would seek constructive information all along the writing. You don't need to unnecessarily blabber about anything as long as you are talking about something relevant.

Conclude with the ROCC method

The conclusion is just as much important as the introduction. A great way of writing an impactful conclusion is following the ROCC method. ROCC stands for Restating your standpoint, having One vital and strong gist, Concluding tone, and leaving a Clincher for a reader to think about.

Select a citation style

Proper formatting or following a citation style is a must while writing a research paper or a term paper. Following the MLA or the APA format is a wise decision. However, make sure you are sticking to either MLA or APA, a mix between these two looks really shabby.

Make sure to proofread

Yes, you have worked really hard writing up the whole term paper, and you aren't not feeling proofreading the whole paper. Although it sounds really painful to proofread, you might correct A LOT OF misspellings and simple grammatical mistakes. You don't want your grades gone to ashtray just because you feel lazy, do you?

Term Paper Topics

A term paper is known to be one of the most important papers in your study. That's why picking the right topic for your paper is critical. Moreover, a lot of students fail their term papers because of the wrong formatting. So, our team decided to help with the first step in writing a term paper and give you some tips on how to cite it correctly.

50 original topics from our term paper writing service

All these topics are creative ideas from our writing team. We are tired of writing student's orders on abortion and other common topics, so we decided to share our ideas with you. Your professor will be impressed by your creativity. These topics are completely original and should help you to boost your grades. Moreover, if you stuck with such a topic, our academic writing service is ready to help you!

Whether you are looking for a college term paper or the university one – these picks will apply to both. We divided our list into five main categories, like education, environmental issues, family issues, social issues, and the political ones. So, enjoy the list, and don't forget to ask for help from our team!

Term paper topics on education

If you got stuck with the education topic for your term paper, we are here to help you. Our top picks will definitely surprise your supervisor and give you more chances to get the higher grade. These topics can be reworked or widened. So here are our ten topics our team created for you:

Term paper topics on environment

Environmental issues topics are vast, they are covering a lot of disciplines in natural sciences fields. It is hard to pick the right one because of so many choices out here. So, our online term paper writing team decided to take a step and pick the top ten grade-boosters for you:

Term paper topics on family issues

Family is the basis of our society. Yet, not all of them are healthy. This topic set we created is devoted to family issues, and you should try to focus on the solutions. Our team wrote a lot of term papers on this topic for students studying social sciences, so we know how to pick the perfect one:

Term paper topics on Politics

Politics vector changes each year. Politicians are making right or wrong decisions changing the relationship inside and outside of the country. You might agree or disagree with them, and this term paper is a chance to share your thoughts. Here are our top picks for this set:

Term paper topics on Social issues

Social issues related to society. Cultural, moral and ethical aspects influence them. So, while picking the topic for your paper, you should be thinking about the cultural aspect of an issue. Our team has collected ten amazing social issues topics you may consider for your next big thing:

APA formatting – how to format your term paper right

If you are studying psychology in college or university, your papers should be styled following APA guidelines. Here is a brief must have a list for this complicated style:

MLA formatting rules for a term paper

According to our term paper writing service experts MLA is the most chosen paper formatting directive. That's why it's highly important to understand its rules and follow all the guidelines. So here are several things about this formatting style for your paper:

Now, you have everything needed for term paper writing. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact our team. Our writing experts are ready to help you!

If you are determined and focused enough, you can write great term papers all by yourselves. You cannot neglect your term paper as it carries a significant amount of weight that can either give you a great grade or destroy it! So, we hope you know what is a term paper now and how you can write a great one.

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Term Paper Writing- Meaning, Format, Components, and 5 steps to writing an excellent Term Paper

Term Paper Meaning

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a term paper writing as a major written assignment in a school or college course representative of a student’s achievement during a term or semester. In other words, a term paper is a form of academic writing written solely by students.

It contains the bulk part of their grades for the term or semester and is aimed at depicting or describing a particular or designated subject matter. Subject matter in this context could refer to an argument, event, concept, or theory.

Importance of a Term Paper

The importance of a term paper in academia includes the following:

What are the Components of a Term Paper?

A well-structured term paper ought to consist of the following elements or components:

This is the first part or section of any term paper. It ought to consist of the following elements:

Acknowledgements

The aim of this second part or section of the term paper is to show appreciation to all the people who, at one point in time or another, contributed to the writings or research of the term paper.

Table of Contents

A table of contents contains a comprehensive compilation of all the contents used during the term paper. The term ‘contents’ in this context refers to the headings and subheadings used during the term paper.

List of Tables/Figures

This refers to compiling all the tables or figures used in the term paper. It is situated or placed directly after the table of contents in the term paper.

An abstract is the summary of the contents of a book, article, speech or any other form of formal writing. Hence the aim of an abstract in a term paper is to contain a concise summary of the details or information in the academic piece.

The aim of the introductory section is also to contain a summary and brief overview of the term paper. However, unlike an abstract, it covers a more significant and in-depth ground than the abstract. Examples of elements which ought to be included in the introductory part of the term paper include:

The introductory part of a term paper is its most important section, which should be treated as one. This is so because it gives the readers or examiners a first impression of the term paper; depending on how it was written, it could either be good or bad.

The literature review section in the term paper is where the real work begins. It ought to consist of the following elements:

This is another essential section of the term paper; it ought to consist of the following elements:

This section explains in detail the results that emerged as a result of the evaluation of the subject matter or topic of study. Similarly, it can also contain elements like:

This section can be referred to as a reference list or a bibliography . This section aims to provide in detail the works or books used during the research as well as the names of their authors. This particular section is mandatory in every form of academic writing because it serves as a means of avoiding plagiarism. The modes or methods in which the works cited can be written in a term paper tends to vary depending on the nature of study and discipline of the student.

5 steps to writing an excellent Term Paper

It is common for undergraduates, masters or PhD students to be given a term paper assignment by a professor or asked to develop a topic to work on. Term paper constitutes a large part of your course grade, meaning it is crucial. You may be asked to argue a point or describe an event or a concept. These steps below will help you:

Get a topic

Sometimes you may not be given a topic to work on; you would have to choose a topic based on your interest, available resources or the amount of time you have been given to work on the paper.

Research your chosen topic

Now that you have picked a topic to work on, the next thing you would do is to explore all available materials. You could start by checking your school library for scholarly articles on your topic of interest. The web is the most helpful place to get relevant resources. Read term papers that align with what you are working on and observe the citation style format; it would usually be the title, author, publication, publisher, place of publication, publisher, date and page number. If you are working on a common topic or feel people might know about it, go ahead and talk to them.

Ensure you know the number of words you are required to write so you do not exceed the limit. Ensure your cover page has your name, the name of your school and lecturer and the title of your term paper, semester, year and level. Your introduction must contain your topic sentence and supporting details about what you are arguing for. The body of your paper may have subchapters where you will discuss your point or provide answers/evidence to questions you have raised.

Write your draft

Arrange the information you have gathered in the manner of your outline. Make sure you verify statistics if you are to use one and be confident of the accuracy and relevancy of your information. After doing this, begin writing but make sure your ideas are related and pay attention to your grammar and vocabulary. When you are done with your first draft, re-write and ensure your sentences flow logically- are coherent.

Edit your final draft

This is an essential part of your writing. Look at the paragraphs and ask yourself if each line communicates your idea. Are your thoughts closely linked to one another? Can your reader grasp the meaning of your sentence without misinterpreting it? What about your spelling and vocabulary? A helpful tip will be reading out aloud. Also, check for punctuation errors and your ability to use transitional devices; I would advise that you use a grammar checker ; there are hundreds of them online that you can use to edit your work.

Do you have an idea to add? Please use the comment section and we MAY use your suggestion to update the content.

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How to Write a Successful Term Paper

By: Tasha Kolesnikova

How Long Is a Term Paper?

Introduction, make sure you have enough time, start by creating an outline, use a strong tongue, don't forget about proofreading, how to write a term paper proposal, how to start a term paper, how to finish a term paper, term paper apa formatting, term paper mla formatting, term paper chicago formatting, social issues topics.

Studying at college or university, you have to deal with a variety of assignments. They are necessary to gain new knowledge, skills, and experience important for your future career. Some tasks may be pretty easy, while others require a lot of time and effort. However, you should challenge yourself because it is when you’re developing and becoming better.

Regardless of the major you choose, each discipline has a specific structure and goals. You’ll have lectures, practical lessons, internships, and so on. Your professor may use different strategies to test your knowledge, and writing is one of them.

It is not so hard when it goes about regular essays. But the term paper is something the most students are afraid of. It is a voluminous piece that synthesis all your knowledge received during the course.

We’re ready to provide you with an ultimate guide to write a term paper. Let’s start from the beginning.

Definition of a Term Paper

A term paper is a research document that you write after a semester or year of work. This assignment helps you determine your understanding of the course content and the aspects required by the curriculum.

Writing a term paper has other purposes as well. Working on your task, you delve deeper into the discipline, get acquainted with its main problems and challenges. It also improves your analytical, critical thinking, and writing skills, which are useful both during your studies and after university.

Your professor can assign you a specific topic, depending on the material being studied. Sometimes the choice is up to you, or you can choose a narrower theme from a broader list of options.

Regardless of the title, it would help if you delved in. We’ve prepared some actionable tips to come up with outstanding writing. You may follow them or send us your “ write my essay ” message if you need professional assistance. Our authors are eager to share their experiences and help you to boost academic performance.

There is no universal standard for the volume you should adhere to. It depends on the requirements of your institution.

If you search for this information on the Internet, you will see that different sources offer different data. One website claims that you need to submit a 10-page document, while another writes about 45 pages. This is why it is important to read your professor's requirements carefully.

The volume determines which approach you take to writing. For example, if your paper is short, you need to state your thoughts concisely and clearly, going straight to the point. If it is long, do not fill the pages with hot air, but try to do thorough research and look at the issue from different angles.

Can I Ignore the Length Requirements?

You may write about 10% less or more, but overall try to adhere to the particular number of pages or words. All students are in identical conditions, so your article should be standardized. If you don’t know what to write about, ask your professor about additional instructions.

It would also be a great idea to read some examples written by other students or professional authors. Filter out the documents with the same volume as you need and pay notice to the paper writer's structure .

Term Paper and Research Paper - Differences

We understand if you are confused after reading our introduction. If you need to conduct research, why are you writing a term paper and not a research one?

Many students confuse these two types of assignments. But certain aspects indicate the differences between them.

Writing a research paper takes months or even years. It covers various aspects of the topic, up to the development of new strategies and innovative ideas.

The term paper should be submitted by the end of the semester or year. Its content is based on the material covered. Of course, you can use additional resources, but in general, custom term paper assignment is only relevant to the themes you discussed in class.

The purpose is another crucial difference between the two assignments.

When you work on a research paper, you need to work through the problem and find a viable solution. You are dealing with a hypothesis that needs to be confirmed or refuted.

The term papers have the task of reflecting your knowledge of the discipline. It is more straightforward but influences the final score much more.

What Are Parts of Term Paper?

Each student paper has its structure you should strictly adhere to. It is useful to organize your thoughts and to provide your readers with a clear and understandable text. Here is the list of the main parts you should include in your term assignment.

The cover or title page is necessary to introduce your paper and provide the basic information about it, including your data, professor’s name, topic, etc. More detailed requirements depend on the particular formatting style, so read your instructions carefully.

This part is something like a short introduction to your paper. It lets your readers understand the overall direction, the issue you explore, and why you have decided to choose this particular theme. If you have additional comments that may be interesting for your audience, provide them here as well.

Start your paper with an exciting and engaging statement. The main thing you should know about the thesis is that it is a pivot point of your writing. You build all body paragraphs and the primary research around it.

If you don’t know how to write a thesis , you may read some articles or ask for professional help.

The body consists of the main paragraphs. The traditional essay structure includes 3 of them; however, if you’re writing a 10-pages or even 40-pages paper, you should change your structure according to requirements.

You should develop your findings, ideas, or arguments, considering the final goal. For example, if your task is to analyze some issues and perceive readers to accept your point of view, you should provide compelling evidence-based arguments. If you need to explore the theme, write down, and develop the main ideas it covers. Make sure each paragraph is devoted to one aspect only.

This part is of great significance because you should show particular progress. Have you accepted certain things about your topic? Have you changed your view from the moment you started working on the piece? Any insights you’ve gained you should describe in the Results section. If you’re not satisfied with them, you can explain the reasons here as well.

It is a conclusion chapter where you can wrap up. You should analyze your text and provide readers with the next steps one should follow to continue one’s research on the subject you’re working through.

As an unusual essay conclusion, the discussion doesn’t contain any new information.

Main Tips to Write a Killer Term Paper

Do not hope that you will complete this task in a day or an hour. Some students make the mistake of starting paper right away. This is a beginner's mistake. You may think that if you have already written a few lines, this indicates significant progress. But these proposals will be weak, meaningless.

Any work takes time. Think of it as a project with specific goals. You can split a task into multiple milestones and set a deadline for each one.

If you realize that you cannot write this piece on time, hire an experienced writer. The more experience you have, the faster the process lasts.

So, you've gathered enough information. We understand if you don't know what to do next and what your first step should be.

Get a sense of control with a paper outline. This is your plan that describes all stages of the process. It also helps you organize your time and information.

In the end, you can come back to this plan again to check how the final version matches your initial expectations. If you have developed a high-quality outline, you can quickly determine which aspects of the document are needed and which are just filling the space.

You should write the term paper competently. You have done the research, collected enough information, analyzed it. Any of your doubts will indicate a lack of professionalism.

This is why you need to keep an eye on your writing style. Formal academic writing involves an active voice, professional vocabulary, and no fluffy words. You don't need to write something that doesn't make any sense for the main task.

Remember, we said that writing a term paper is long and complicated? Most students hate this. They spent a lot of time writing all sections of the article and do not feel like proofreading the entire text.

But if you have not yet encountered academic writing, you may not imagine how many mistakes a text can contain. Even if you are a very literate person, you may not notice some typos and occasional flaws. Of course, this does not make you incompetent, but readers can lose confidence in your paper.

Proofread the piece very thoroughly and carefully. Wait a few days before doing this; your brain should not be tired.

How to Make a Term Paper Outline

An outline is the part of the writing process that deserves a little more attention.

Use it as the guiding map that is always ready to point you in the right direction if you get confused.

There are several ways to design an outline, and you can download different templates from the Internet.

Some methods are suitable for people who like to organize all information in a coherent plan. But if you are a creative person, you can also choose a suitable template for yourself. For example, a mind map.

An outline is not something that your professor will check, so you don't have to worry about the exact format and details. The main thing is to make sure that you fully understand the content and use it for your writing.

Even before you start researching a topic and writing, you need to prepare a college term paper proposal. This is a document that will help you defend your idea in front of the professor. Even before starting the main work, you will submit this proposal to get approval.

You need to show the importance of this theme by including recent data with correct links. Why do you think your piece will correlate with the course syllabus? How is it useful for you and your fellow students?

Set goals for your college assignment and organize your ideas into one article. This will let the professor know that you have understood the assignment correctly.

It's okay if you fail at this stage. It is needed just so that the professor checks whether you are on the same wavelength and can provide you with any further instructions.

So, you received confirmation from your professor, came up with a topic, conducted initial research, and made an outline. What's next?

You may think that the conclusion chapter is not so important because it doesn’t provide your readers with any new information. However, each section has its tasks and goals, so don't relax too early.

The last paragraphs should provide an answer to a fundamental question. This question is “So what?”. Just imagine your regular reader who finishes the text and doesn’t understand what is next. Was your text just a pleasant evening reading? Is it one more piece to improve academic performance? Or is it something more that was created to contribute to the field you’ve studied?

If you don’t have strict instructions from your professor, you can decide on your own. Think about questions your work creates, and provide the audience with steps to follow.

Term Paper Format

All college and university papers must be standardized. The requirements are the same for all students regardless of their educational institutions. If you plan to pursue a scientific career, you’ll deal with these standards all the time.

Formatting is not the most straightforward task because you need always be concentrated on some details that seem to be useless for you. It is clear why you should develop a unique thesis statement, but some students can’t get why they should use the particular font type or double-spacing.

That’s why formatting is one of the most popular writing services. While you’re working on tasks you like, the professional author and editor provide you with quality formatting.

Several styles are typical for the modern scientific society. Let’s look at them to get a basic understanding.

If you are studying psychology or other social sciences, the APA format is your choice. Here's a shortlist of the main things to consider:

The MLA style is the preferred guideline for dealing with the humanities such as English and Literature, Arts, etc. Some of the features of this style are:

Chicago or Turabian styles are used when it goes about the law assignments. The requirements are similar, but there are some differences as well. Take a look at this list:

Of course, we can’t provide you with all the format requirements in this article. You should have an official relevant guide with all details and examples to follow. Ask your professor if you have any questions. And don’t forget about correct citing, it is necessary to avoid plagiarism.

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How to Write a Term Paper: 5 Basic Components of Successful Format

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An overall GPA average in the United States is 3.0. An average score in core academic courses (mathematics, science, English Language & Literature, and social studies) equals to 2.79.

An average score is never enough to enter the best American colleges/universities. Students should do their best in all possible academic fields to join the prestigious universities like Harvard/Yale. It means doing all homework & in-class assignments. One of the most effective ways to get the highest grade per course is to understand how to write a term paper. What is a termpaper? That is what we plan to discuss! Sometimes, there is no way to finish a homework assignment without extra help because the learning and working schedules are overwhelming. The professional writers help students by writing your papers!

Discover How to Write a Term Paper & What It Is

Students who earn Cs (70 per cent equivalent) do obtain degrees, but they barely get valuable, interesting job offers. Tell Granny to get ready with the magnets: we are about to start our amazing academic adventure! What is a term paper ? It is an effective method to increase the overall great point average and professional skills every student should not ignore. What is a term paper? Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word this way: “A major written assignment in a school/college course representative of a student's achievement during a semester.” No matter which is your personal answer to “what is a termpaper,” it is the last chance to fix the final course grade. There will be no other chance to improve the academic performance as it is the final assignment to pop up during the semester. The need to learn how to write a term paper appears closer to of the educational year’s finish; try to be ahead of your class by reviewing the steps to writing a term paper earlier! Or you can simply get the best term paper writing service .

Accepted Essay’s Format

How to write an outline for a term paper? Do not bother – have a look at the helpful guide prepared by the talented scholars to understand what the main parts of the good final projects are! Here are five main parts of this process. Please do not be confused with five paragraph essay. Term paper help can get your assignment written in half a day, by the way.

Brief (1/3 of A4 page) description of the written work. Wonder how to write an abstract ? Write down what the topic is, reasons to discuss it (how it is related to the core college discipline/major), and your results.

Introduction

What is a termpaper without a powerful introduction? It does not make any sense; stick to the following checklist to avoid missing an important introduction element:

Buy term papers online if that doesn't seem interesting for you at the moment.

In this section, list the results of the experiment (trying to solve the problem) and the obstacles faced on the way while trying to answer every related question.

In the final part, the student is willing to do whatever they think is relevant. In personal words, it is important to explain what the findings mean, make a summary of the main points, draw some conclusions, & interpret the role of the findings in the context of the studied subject. The outline will prevent the student from falling off the topic, forgetting the next item in the line to discuss. Need some help with it? Call online academic writing services to allow them explain how to write a term paper by developing the most powerful essay!

“What Is a Term Paper?” on the Essay Examples

To understand a topic better, it is critical to have great examples in front of your nose. You may know how to write a term paper, having an idea of the outline, but choosing a good topic might be a challenge. A topic reflects the title, which is the face of your writing. Do not hope that your teachers/professors will give a list of great topics every time the end of the semester is closer. Modern instructors prefer to leave freedom of choice to their students. Many ways exist to help with the choice of topic:

If you decide to pick one of the sources as your primary source of information, do not forget to cite the quotes. It is important to add a Reference list on the last page. The basic rule of choosing the appropriate topic is to have the one, which fulfills the purposes of the college course and is the subject of the student’s interest. It makes no sense to select the topic you do not know at the advanced level. It is important to understand the criteria of choosing a topic to realize how to write a term paper. In case your head goes spinning from all the new information, simply shop for custom written term papers and call it a day.

Selecting the Topic: Criteria

What length are you planning to handle? What is a termpaper regarding of volume? It is not a typical argumentative, narrative essay ; a project of this type is a lengthy document, which contains no less than 5-10 pages. If your teacher asks for the certain amount of words, leave the word count to your Microsoft Word app. If writing huge pieces does not inspire you, try to select narrower topics. Take into account the length and plan how many words you plan to include into each part. Resources: school, college, or community libraries are no longer the best places to look for the relevant information. The modern world offers high technologies! Go to the Internet, open Google, type whatever you wish to research, and you will get millions of results. Remember: every source requires a reference. These are the top resources that will help to write a great term paper:

The final page of your essay should contain a full Bibliography made of the cited sources. The last thing to think about is the complexity level. It is better to avoid topics you are not expert in; try choosing something you know from your personal experience & life examples, what can be explored in details. In case of any questions, professionals working in the field of your study may help. Teachers put extra credits to the works with interviews & surveys. Do not use primary sources only! Wish to learn how to write a history term paper, biology lab report , arts movie review, or how to write a dissertation in psychology? Buy a ready solution online!

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

How to Write a Term Paper

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References Approved

This article was co-authored by Matthew Snipp, PhD . C. Matthew Snipp is the Burnet C. and Mildred Finley Wohlford Professor of Humanities and Sciences in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University. He is also the Director for the Institute for Research in the Social Science’s Secure Data Center. He has been a Research Fellow at the U.S. Bureau of the Census and a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. He has published 3 books and over 70 articles and book chapters on demography, economic development, poverty and unemployment. He is also currently serving on the National Institute of Child Health and Development’s Population Science Subcommittee. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 21 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,165,431 times.

C's may get degrees, but only an A+ essay earns a place on your grandmother's fridge or your own fridge. Have you been busting your little collegiate butt just to get mediocre results? Well, tell Granny to get the magnets ready: follow these steps, and take your term papers to the head of the class.

Sample Papers

Writing Your Own Term Paper

Remember that the research doesn't stop here. And nor does the thesis statement, necessarily. Allow room for flexibility as you continue working through both the research and the writing, as you may wish to make changes that align with the ideas forming in your mind and the discoveries you continue to unearth. On the other hand, do be careful not to be a continuous seeker who never alights upon a single idea for fear of confinement. At some point you are going to have to say: "Enough is enough to make my point here!" If you're so taken with a topic, there is always the possibility of postgraduate study some day but remember that the term paper has a finite word length and due date!

Try to relate the actual subject of the essay (say, Plato's Symposium) to a tangentially related issue you happen to know something about (say, the growing trend of free-wheeling hookups in frat parties). Slowly bring the paragraph around to your actual subject, and make a few generalizations about why this aspect of the book/subject is so fascinating and worthy of study (such as, how different the expectations for physical intimacy were then compared with now).

It's helpful to sort out your bibliography from the beginning, to avoid having a last minute scramble: How to write a bibliography , How to write an APA style bibliography and How to write a bibliography in MLA format.

Trade in weak "to-be" verbs for stronger "action" verbs. For example: "I was writing my term paper" becomes "I wrote my term paper."

Decent grammar should be a given. You need a teacher to give you the benefit of the doubt, not correct your apostrophe use . A few too many errors and the message is soon lost beneath the irritation of the errors involved.

Expert Q&A

About This Article

If you need to write a term paper, choose your topic, then start researching that topic. Use your research to craft a thesis statement which states the main idea of your paper, then organize all of your facts into an outline that supports your thesis. Once you start writing, state your thesis in the first paragraph, then use the body of the paper to present the points that support your argument. End the paper with a strong conclusion that restates your thesis. For tips on improving your term paper through active voice, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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COMMENTS

What Is Paper Used For?
Paper is used to make books, magazines and newspapers as well as paper money and photographic paper. It’s used to make writing paper, toys, boxes, wrapping paper, glassine, paper napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue and paper ...
Tips to Help You Ace Your Next Term Paper
Writing a term paper is easily accomplished if you have a game plan for getting the job done. Here are five tips to help you ace your next term paper. Once you’ve narrowed down your term paper topic, start by reading about it in authoritati...
What Are Some Ideas for a Concept Paper?
Some examples of concept paper topics: the detrimental effects of spanking; the correlation between colors and mood; self-esteem in preteens; early childhood obesity and confidence; and freedom and self-efficacy.
6 Components of Good Term Paper Work
6 Components of Good Term Paper Work In order to write a good term paper, you have to make sure that the paper contains all the components.
Term Paper: Full Guide with Structure, Outline & Examples
Title: This is the draft title of what you want to research. Make it clear and comprehensible. · Objectives: This part should define your
Major Parts of a Term Paper
This part of the paper shows readers what you wrote about. In this section, pose a question or a problem and discuss how you will be reach a conclusion to this
How Do you Write a Term Paper?
As mentioned as well, the paper consists of three main parts: the introduction, the main part/analysis and the conclusion. While the
A Short Guide How to Write a Term Paper
How to Make a Term Paper Outline · Introduction: this is the overall purpose or thesis statement. · Body: This section is typically divided into multiple headings
A Quick-Start Guide on How to Write a Term Paper
When it comes to structuring, there are specific differences as well. A term paper consists of such core elements as an introduction, the main
Term Paper: Outline, Structure, Tips
The Basics of Term Paper Format: What are the Parts of a Term Paper? ; Title Page. A separate page with paper title, student's name, course title, teacher's name
Term Paper Writing- Meaning, Format, Components, and 5 steps to
Term Paper Meaning · Importance of a Term Paper · What are the Components of a Term Paper? · Title Page · The name of the writer. · Acknowledgements.
How to Write a Good Term Paper (Format, Structure, Outline)
What Are Parts of Term Paper? · Cover Page · Abstract · Introduction · Body · Results · Discussion.
Term Paper: 5 Components of Successful Writing and Structuring
Accepted Essay's Format · Abstract · Introduction · Methods · Findings · Discussion.
How to Write a Term Paper: 11 Steps (with Pictures)
Writing Your Own Term Paper · Introduction, discussion paragraphs/sections and conclusion or summary. · Descriptive or explanatory paragraphs following the