How to Write a Term Paper

Term papers are an inevitable assignment for the majority of modern students. They are lengthy works that require dedication and attention in class, as well as other skills like critical thinking, creativity and time management. These are extremely useful for both students and working adults. Still, crafting this type of academic paper is taxing.

Fortunately, we have prepared this guide just for you. Our talented writers will teach you everything they know about term paper format, academic writing rules and more. And if you need an extra kick, getting a custom term paper for sale from WritePaper can give you more time for other activities, and a perfect term paper sample.

What Is a Term Paper: Definition and Rules

A term paper is a project that is completed at the end of each course or semester. It requires students to display research and analysis skills, as well as their understanding of the course material.

Writing a term paper might seem like a hard endeavor, yet it’s very rewarding. By the time you finish, you’ll be able to organize information better, analyze and collect sources, think critically and gain a deep understanding of your chosen topic.

Students often confuse term papers with research papers, which is no surprise. Both assignments require lots of time, focus, thorough and extensive research, and lots of writing. The key difference is that a term paper is mainly based on course material, while a research paper can be broader and require more independence.

This guide by WritePaper is meant to help you navigate the writing process with these six simple steps:

• Researching the topic
• Writing an outline
• Mapping out the body paragraphs
• Writing the introduction, conclusion and abstract
• Proofreading & editing
• Formatting 

How to Start a Term Paper Without Anxiety

Getting past the blank sheet anxiety is often the hardest part for students, especially first years. 

Here’s our first tip: don’t focus on the blank page. 

Please fill it out with your ideas, topic options, links to potentially usable sources, etc. The goal is not to start the actual writing process yet, so try not to stress over it. Just start writing something to get into the flow.

Like any other assignment, term papers begin with picking a topic and researching it. Depending on your instructor, school or program, you may need to come up with your own title or pick one from the list provided by your professor. The topic should be at least remotely interesting to you and not too narrow. 

The term paper format you’ll use also depends on your professor’s instructions, so make sure you read them carefully. Pick the assignment brief apart, define the goal, main question, which format to use and note the grading criteria.

Keep in mind that there are term paper writing services on standby 24/7. For an affordable, student-friendly price, you can order a full paper or get a pro writer to proofread the work for you. 

Writing a Term Paper Outline

Starting with an outline is the most efficient way of writing a term paper, at least in our writers’ opinion. A well-written outline will provide a roadmap for your future paper, helping to guide you along the way. As you’re writing, sticking to the outline will ensure you stay focused on your arguments instead of digressing or adding fluff. 

Writing a term paper outline is extremely easy. A standard outline of a term paper looks something like this: 

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Body 
  
  • Argument 1
  • Argument 2 (continue as needed)
• Counterarguments and/or analysis 
• Conclusion

When writing yours, think about the preliminary research you’ve performed and use it as a stepping stone for developing your arguments. Add your ideas, thoughts and supporting evidence, i.e., sources, to each of the body paragraphs. It’s better to oversaturate the outline than to have insufficient information to work with.

Keep in mind that an outline is not set in stone. It’s a tool that should work for your benefit in the first place. That means you can change, relocate or even delete entire sections in the process. The outline is there to guide, not limit you.

How to Write a Term Paper in 5 Simple Steps

Writing term papers is not easy, but neither does it have to be. Academic writing is hard work, but once you acquire this skill, it will serve you well beyond college. 

To make a complicated assignment more manageable, you should break it apart into smaller tasks. Doing research and writing an outline was the first step. Here’s what you do next.

Start with Research 

Whether you ask a dissertation writing service or a famous novelist, everyone will tell you that writing a term paper (or any other paper for that matter) begins with research. 

Many professors ask students to use certain readings that have been covered in class. Pay attention to that part of the brief because failing to include the required sources can dramatically decrease your grade.

When doing your own research, make sure to use credible sources. Start your research with the school’s library. Most likely, that will be expected of you. Then, you can move to academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, etc. Those platforms provide access to primary sources, which are extremely valuable in academic writing.

Form the Main Arguments 

Some might think that the most logical way to write a term paper is to start with the abstract, then write an introduction and go on with the discussion of the main arguments. In reality, though, this approach is counterproductive. 

A proven way to start a paper (any paper for that matter) is to think through your arguments first. Of course, you start with a thesis statement, i.e. the key theme you’re trying to prove, argue, or provide evidence for. Then, it’s time to lay out your arguments, analyze sources and find the conclusions you’ve come to. 

By the time you’re finished, you’ll have a clear idea of what your term paper has achieved in terms of academic value and be ready to start on introduction and conclusion.

Write the Introduction and Conclusion

When you have at least a rough draft of your term paper body, you can start working on the introduction. This section has to be engaging enough to make the reader want to explore more. At the same time, you need to ensure the introduction is not too long. It’s enough to set the scene by explaining the context of your term paper, provide background information, add an engaging hook, and finish off with your thesis statement. 

When it comes to wrapping the paper up, remember to keep the conclusion concise and to the point. Briefly restate your main arguments along with the results of your analysis. Revisit the thesis statement and see if you’ve reached the paper’s main goal. A conclusion of your term paper shouldn’t feature any new information. You can only summarize the main points and from the final idea you reached based on them.

It’s Time for the Abstract

When you begin a term paper by writing the body sections first, you give yourself freedom to think and make bold claims without being limited by introductory sections. When you’ve painted a full picture of your arguments, counterarguments and analysis, writing those auxiliary sections gets a lot easier. Instead of writing an intro based on speculations and expectations, you will appeal to facts, arguments and the experience you’ve gained from writing the body.

Abstract should be the very last section of a term paper you write because it provides a short summary of your goals, methods, results and conclusions. It is literally impossible to write before you complete all the other sections. An abstract is usually 200 words or fewer.

Proofread, Edit & Repeat

Writing a term paper is a lengthy and complicated process. You need to explore an entire library’s worth of books, journal articles and webpages to come up with something decent. However, it won’t matter how many credible and relevant sources you used if your term paper contains spelling mistakes or lacks flow.

Luckily, all that can be avoided if you edit and proofread the paper before submission.

Begin by reading the paper from top to bottom, assessing for clarity. See if the arguments make sense and are strong enough. Ensure every piece of information is supported by a citation.

• Does the term paper flow logically? 
• Are there transitions between paragraphs? 
• Does every argument relate back to the thesis statement?
• Does each paragraph focus on a single argument?
• Are there any parts that feel redundant and too wordy? 

Once you’re satisfied with the flow and clarity, you can move on to technical aspects such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation. 

One round of proofreading is not enough. It’s always best to let the paper ‘rest ’for a while in between rounds of editing. This way, you’ll be able to look at what you’ve written from a fresh perspective. 

Term Paper Format: Rules & Tips

Proper format can make or break a term paper. Following the rules set by a style guide signals to the reader that your paper is a proper academic piece and should be taken seriously.

When getting acquainted with the instructions, pay special attention to the formatting style that your professor requires. MLA, APA, Harvard and other styles all have different rules for formatting citations, references, quotations and other details. Moreover, style guides get updated all the time. That’s why it’s important to note the exact edition that your professor wants you to use for formatting your term paper.

Here’s a checklist you can use to see if your term paper format is in order:

• Font 
• Title page
• Spacing 
• Indentations and margins
• Running head and page numbers
• Formatting quotations
• Page numbers (or lack thereof) in citations
• References 

All these aspects can differ depending on the required style. Cross-reference each one with the guide and check that all the rules are followed.

Check Out the Term Paper Example

It’s hard to imagine something you’ve never seen before. That’s exactly why we have prepared a term paper example for you. Click the button below to see the term paper example.

One of the most efficient means of social development and personal growth is education. Online learning has become a quickly growing substitute for conventional classroom teaching. Millions of students and teachers around the world were forced to shift from in-person education to virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This, in turn, has made the online education industry grow even faster.

This term paper compares online education to traditional classroom settings. The author also explores the benefits and drawbacks of the shift from offline to online. This paper will review factors such as cost, learning achievements, student involvement, and flexibility. While many academics highlight the convenience of online learning, other scholars express concerns about the lack of in-person interaction and unequal access to technology.

The purpose of this research is to assess and examine recent literature on online education. This will allow the author to evaluate the viability of online education as a long-term substitute for conventional classroom instruction. This paper aims to draw attention to the opportunities and difficulties that will shape education in the digital age.

Conclusion 

Writing term papers is no easy feat, especially for first-year students. However, just like with any complicated task, breaking it up into smaller assignments will make it more manageable and less terrifying. From crafting an outline to drafting, editing and formatting, each element adds up, ending up in a coherent, well-written academic paper. 

Remember that you’re not alone in this. Using tools for proofreading and editing your papers can help you save time, automate some processes and get the most tedious aspects of writing out of the way. Services like WritePaper can go the extra mile for you by connecting you to a professional writer who will craft a custom term paper according to your instructions.