How to Write a Term Paper
By the time you are assigned to write a term paper, you already have some experience in writing. Any conventional tips or advice won’t make much difference, so we tried our best to gather some tips that you might not usually consider and that could help in developing a successful piece of writing.
First piece of advice. Is term paper writing easy or not? It depends on how you look at it. It’s best to tackle all tasks with the mindset that you can do it. You know your subject well and can easily write about it. Even if that is not completely true, underestimating your skills is a setup for failure.
What do you usually do to write a paper? You choose the topic, google it and find articles with relevant or interesting titles and abstracts. Then, you read them and take notes. Next, you develop an outline and then write the paper based on what you have found. After that, you edit and proofread the paper and then submit it to your professor. This is a very straightforward strategy. Now, let’s see what else you can do.
Have You Ever Done This Before?
- Topics. Term papers have great potential for providing an in-depth look at many issues, so you are bound to be given a list of topics from which to choose. First, go through that list and pick the topics you are at least okay with, preferably those for which you feel passionate, and try playing with them.
- You can try rephrasing the topic or think of a topic that is in opposition to the one you are interested in. Doing this can give you a clearer idea of what you can write by considering an opposing point of view.
- Research each topic on the Internet to see which topic you can contribute to. Choose one that still has an unanswered question and is still open for discussion.
- Research. Once you have a topic, what do you usually do? Do you go straight to Google or review the notes you made during class lectures?
- The latter strategy is a good idea because a major reason for this assignment is to show how well you’ve studied.
- Another way to research your topic is through Google Scholar. Read some recent articles on related topics.
- Make a bibliographical diary on your computer with links to relevant articles. Include notes on how you can use these sources in your writing.
- Don’t be lazy about using libraries! Teachers like to see that you have taken the time to go there to view a book. Also, remember that you can access a library’s online database.
- Always bring a notebook wherever you go.
- Notes. Take them wisely. First, you should be able to read them yourself if you prefer to handwrite them. Second, they should be arranged in groups, according to the main idea. The last thing you need is to get lost in your own notebook!
- Scope. At this point, you need to make certain that you can handle the scope of the topic within the designated length of your paper and the time allotted for writing it. Essays are designed to describe a problem or express your opinion, but you have to be able to handle it within a reasonable amount of time for researching and writing. So, define the issue and the resources needed to address it within the confines of your paper.
- Point of view. Consider how to help readers get something useful from your paper. There is a great rule for presentations that you can use here: repeat the main information three times. So here, you introduce your argument first. Then, you support it in the body paragraphs and, finally, summarize the main points in your conclusion.
- Facts. Always use citations for anything that can be checked. For example, if you provide statistics, say where you found them. If you’ve made the calculations yourself, then describe how you got them.
What Else Can I Do?
Tips and tricks are not the only type of help you can get. If you have trouble with writing skills, there should be a writing center at your school. Ask friends and family for help, too. They may not help you write the actual paper, but they can help make sure it sounds good. That is also important.
In addition, you can find help on the Internet. There are many sources that allow you to download free example papers; you might even find one close to your topic. But as it is free, you cannot be sure of its quality. An alternative to this is to order an example paper with your requirements from a professional writer.
