What Is a Term Paper

A term paper is a research paper required at the end of a school semester. It tracks and
evaluates students’ knowledge about the course. Usually a scientific report or a
discussion of an assigned topic, a term paper requires a lot of research and technical
writing expertise. This academic writing assignment must be well-written, analytical,
organized, and well-researched—as this reflects your knowledge of a certain course.

Watch our video guide to get more information about this type of research paper then
get back to reading. Our next step for writing a term paper is choosing a topic.

Term Paper Topics

Instructors usually provide topics related to your course. However, sometimes you are
free to choose your own topic. Try surfing the web, reading articles, news, magazines,
and blogs to get ideas for your term paper. Make sure that the chosen topic will fulfill
the objectives of your course and will interest you. If a certain topic interests you,
researching and writing about it will be easier and more fun.

The following should be considered when choosing a topic:

 Length: Consider the length of the required assignment. Will it be 10 pages long or 5

pages short? How many words are required? Considering the length will help you choose
a certain topic because you will be able to decide how broad or narrow your subject will
be.

 Resources: Check out your school or community library for any available resources. You
can also look for any available online resources. Make sure you have hands-on books
and other materials to reference for your paper.

 Complexity: Make sure that you will be able to explain your topic—no matter how
complex it may be. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask experts. Have your
professor explain certain areas in your topic that you don’t feel you’ve fully grasped.
How to Start a Term Paper
Before starting, make sure to follow the instructions that were given to you.
Clarifications should be made with your instructor before doing any research or writing
work. Don’t wait until the last minute before you start writing a research paper. If you
want quality work and a high-grade, plan ahead and make time every day for writing your
assignment. Allot time for proofreading your work before handing it in to your professor.

A good way to start is by creating a compelling and creative title. Your title page is the
first impression of your work, so make sure that it will capture your reader’s attention.

Term Paper Outline

The outline should be produced before and while researching and writing a term paper
because it will serve as the basis around which you will build your work. There are a lot
of templates to choose from, but most of the time your instructor will require you to
follow a certain essay format. The main parts should include an introduction, a body,
and a conclusion.

The structure should be organized and well-researched. Technical writing skills should
be crucial in organizing your ideas. The following is a general term paper format or
layout that you should follow in presenting your argument or topic:

 Cover page: Align the text that contains your name, course number, your
teacher’s name, and the date of the deadline in the center of the page.

 Abstract: Usually less than a page long, the abstract describes your work. It lets
readers know where the term paper is headed, the issue at hand, and why the
subject was interesting or important enough that you decided to write about it.

 Introduction: The introduction should begin with a statement of the topic to be

discussed. Explain the significance of the topic or problem at hand and write
about how you plan to discuss or resolve the issue.
 Body: The body of your text should contain the main points from your research.
Provide information about the topic so that the reader can further understand
what is being discussed. Don’t forget certain positions pertaining to the issue
and the analysis of the research you have done.

 Results: Explain why your research has led you to believe certain things about
your subject. How has your view changed from when you began the project? Has
it stayed the same, and why? Tie everything you’ve been explaining into what you
had stated in your introduction.

 Discussion: End with a summary and a conclusion about the topic in question.

Finish by stating an opening question or by prompting the reader to continue his
or her own research on the subject through a discussion.