Let me guess.
You’re here because you’re tired of getting average grades for your term papers.
You’re in luck.
The reality is that, writing a great term paper can be a hard task.
Like any other paper, there is a learning curve and you must know how to write a term paper that gets an excellent grade.
The other challenging part is that there’s a lot of advice out there.
It’s not easy to know which advice to follow.
Don’t worry… I’ve got you covered.
In this ultimate guide on how to write a term paper, I’m going to show you how to get things done in the simplest way possible.
There are also many companies and professionals that provide a term paper help online at affordable prices.
I’ll also share practical tips that I have been using to simplify the writing process.
So without further ado, let’s get rolling.
What Is a Term Paper?
A term paper, as the name suggests is a paper that students need to prepare at the end of each semester or academic term.
It accounts for a big chunk of a student’s final grade.
The paper requires some type of research work and helps the professors see how well a student understands the materials and the skills learning during the academic term or course.
It also has to be a student’s original work.
Given how important this paper is, it’s unlikely that you can avoid it.
So it’s important to learn how to write it.
Read on to learn more.
The Typical Term Paper Format
The typical term paper format depends on the required topic.
Here is a typical format of a term paper:
Abstract
The term paper abstract is a summary of the key points presented in the paper.
It is usually one-third of the page.
Introduction
The introduction provides background information about the problem the term paper is based around.
Students are also required to provide a description of the significance of the issue, current thoughts, and how to solve the particular problem or issue.
The last sentence of the introduction is where a strong thesis statement comes in.
The thesis statement presents a plan of handling the problem and presents a solution.
Methods
The methods section demonstrates how the research was done and the tools used to gather information.
Results
The results section presents all the findings related to the term paper topic or question.
In case there was a problem when handling the problem, students are required to state it here.
Discussion
Students are required to write about the meaning of their observation, provide a brief conclusion of the core findings, and some conclusions.
References
This section provides a list of all sources used and cited in the paper in alphabetical order according to the required formatting style- MLA, APA, Harvard, etc.
Before Writing a Term Paper
If you want to write a great term paper, you need to prepare and plan greatly. Remember that a term paper is longer than essays so you need to have a detailed plan before the rubber meets the bullet.
Understand the assignment
Your professor will include everything the term paper needs to achieve in the instructions.
The first step before you start writing the paper is to read the instructions carefully.
While reading, highlight the main points. Some of the keywords you need to take note of include compare, analyze, discuss, describe, etc.
Put the requirements in your own words making sure you don’t lose the meaning. Sometimes the words or phrases used in the term paper requirements could be difficult and confusing. You can use simpler words while keeping the same meaning.
Make a list of the questions to be addressed in the paper.
How to Write a Term Paper Step-by-Step
Now that you have read the instructions, here is how to write an excellent term paper.
Step #1: Choose a topic
A good term paper is founded on an interesting and engaging topic.
The last mistake you want to make is to choose a boring topic that you can’t research and write about well.
You’ll be lucky if your professor assigns you a topic but there is a good chance you’ll be allowed to choose your own.
The basic principles for choosing a topic.
- Choose an exciting topic. A topic that has your interests and gets you excited to write about.
- Start broad then narrow down
- You can also seek guidance on how to choose a topic from your professor. Your classmates can also help you to choose a topic that works for you.
Step #2: Conduct thought research
This is one of the crucial steps when writing a term paper. You need to be organized when researching. You also need to use authoritative sources as well.
This stage requires active reading skills, critical thinking, and effective note-taking.
First, read through the existing information related to your term paper topic then analyze it.
Take notes while reading and highlight the most significant information and quotes that you can include in your paper. Remember to cite all the sources you gather information from to avoid plagiarism.
Ensure to read public and primary sources to get as much information as possible.
Also, ensure to organize material in order importance.
Step #3: Create a strong thesis statement
The thesis statement is the central argument of your topic. It talks about the main idea behind the paper.
You need to formulate a thesis statement that’s clear and specific about your stand regarding the topic.
Step #4: Create a term paper outline
Now, to ensure you’re on the right track while writing your term paper, you need an outline.
Think of an outline as the radar that keeps you within the path so you don’t get lost when in a strange environment.
You could outline the form of headings and subheadings or draw a picture with your main idea connected to your main sub-ideas.
Make sure your outline has an introduction, body, conclusion, and reference sections.
Step #5: Create your first draft
Having created a strong thesis statement and a term paper outline, the next step is to put it all together.
When creating your first draft, avoid focusing on perfection.
Also, refrain from discussing too many ideas.
Try as much as you can to focus on a single central idea while analyzing it from different perspectives.
Normally, your thesis statement needs to come in the last sentences of your introduction. However, this depends on the issues you’re discussing.
If your paper requires you to discuss multiple issues, then your thesis statement needs to be right before the conclusion.
When drafting your term paper, remember to use a catchy introduction.
Your introduction should grab attention. You can use an interesting fact, a contradicting statement, or a statement that demonstrates the significance of the topic.
The introduction should briefly describe the issue being handled and state the goal of the paper.
Once done writing the introduction, write the body sections.
Here, you’ll need to draft topic sentences referring to the outline you created earlier.
How long or short your paragraphs need to be will depend on the topic and instructions of the term paper.
Remember to begin each paragraph with a topic sentence.
After writing the introduction of the term paper, the last step is to summarize the information you have gathered.
Oftentimes students make the mistake of repeating the thesis statement.
You need to restate it by writing it in your own words without losing the meaning.
Don’t add any new information in the conclusion.
Present the final results of your research and write a concluding sentence.
Step #6: Edit and polish your first draft
Once you’re done writing your first draft, it’s time to edit and polish it, to make it presentable.
Remember when drafting, you didn’t focus on perfection.
When polishing the draft, you need to be as perfect as possible.
Read the term paper several times to spot misspellings, punctuation, and grammar errors.
You might also want to rearrange some sentences to keep them flowing logically.
Make sure the paper is fully edited and polished before you submit it.
