How to Write a Term Paper: the Process Fully Explained
A term paper is a standard paper for many college students. However, the unfamiliarity with writing a college term paper often inspires feelings of inadequacy in students.
This guide will highlight the term paper outline, the process of writing a term paper, and tips to help ensure an outstanding paper.
What is a term paper?
A term paper is a research paper that gauges your mastery of content at the end of a semester. This type of paper is heavily dependent on research and is often analytical. In most cases, students may be required to find a common problem in their discipline in light of the covered content.
How to write a term paper
Often, the term paper contributes a significant portion to your final score and may at times be used as the CAT assessment. It is thus crucial to acquaint yourself with writing a term paper to ensure quality results.
The key steps to guide you as you write your term paper are:
- Research
Since a college term paper is meant to give your tutor a glimpse of your writing skills, it is critical to exhaust your argument to ensure a quality score. Here, it would help if you gauged the existing research to establish various aspects of the issue under study.
Although you may feel well-versed with the topic, research is crucial to help you avoid plagiarism. This is often because many of ‘your’ thoughts are already highlighted in existing research.
Also, research will offer you a better understanding of your topic, helping you approach the problem from various angles.
- Select your topic
Here, think of a specific problem under the question assigned within your term paper. The topic should cover an exciting issue to help retain your interest during the research and writing phases.
Also, steer clear of unfamiliar topics as they may limit you in applying various concepts you have encountered over the semester. Before diving into writing, ensure that you prepare an outline and gauge the completeness of each argument.
It would be best to leave wiggle room in the research phase if you have to change your topic midway through research.
- Select your thesis
After settling on your topic, prepare a thesis statement that highlights the critical argument of your paper. Preferably, the thesis statement should be a debatable topic and evoke curiosity in your reader.
- Prepare an outline: how to write an outline for a term paper
After research, you should compile your ideas logically and ensure that your argument flows towards your ideal conclusion. When working on your outline:
- Place related ideas in subsequent paragraphs to highlight the similarity.
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence, followed by the evidence and a closing remark highlighting how the idea complements your research.
- Use short phrases with the main keywords to easily trace the flow of your ideas.
- Write
Next, write your paper and edit it for grammatical errors, plagiarism, and fallacies in your argument. You may consider using various editing tools to make this process easier for you.
How to write a conclusion for a term paper
The conclusion is a critical element for a term paper. This section should summarize your topic, restate the thesis and highlight your main argument.
For this, read through your paper and weigh the argument that best encapsulates your idea. It is crucial to avoid new discussions in this section, resulting in an incomplete paper.
How long should a term paper be?
A term paper should range between six and seven pages. Each page should contain a maximum of three paragraphs and be organized from the introduction, body, and conclusion.
What is a term paper proposal?
A term paper proposal explains why a research subject is relevant to the field under study and to the student. Some institutions may require the proposal before getting approval for your term paper.
How to write a term paper proposal
When writing a term paper, it is crucial to research the topic and prepare an argument outline. The key elements to highlight in your term paper proposal are:
- Title
- Objectives
- Research question
- Thesis statement
- Methodology
- Outline
Final take
Writing a term paper does not have to cause you tons of stress. The points highlighted in this term paper should help you structure your paper and develop a quality argument. If you need more help with your paper, engage our experts today!
