The Academic Term Paper
Gero Bauer
A good term paper should…
[Content]
✓ address an appropriate and original research question that goes
beyond class discussions.
✓ contain a thesis statement that clearly defines the aim of the paper.
✓ address a body of primary material appropriate to the research
question.
✓ use examples in a convincing manner to support claims and
arguments.
✓ address a body of theory and secondary literature appropriate to
the research question.
✓ demonstrate the author’s grasp of the most important research in
the relevant field.
✓ not just paraphrase theory and secondary literature, but
convincingly integrate them into the overall argument.
✓ show evidence of analytical skills and independent thinking.
[Organisation & Development]
✓ be argued coherently and consistently throughout.
✓ only contain arguments that support the thesis statement and that
are integrated into the paper’s overall structure.
✓ convincingly lead up to a conclusion and present a logical transition
from thesis statement to conclusion.
✓ employ transition sentences between sections that help the reader
follow the argument.
PD Dr.
How do I get there?
➢ Use brainstorming exercises to find out what really interests you and
what might work as a research question.
➢ Make sure your thesis statement fits the question and is appropriate
for the scope of the paper. Ask yourself? Is this enough, but not too
much ground to cover?
➢ Make your own claims, but support them by quoting from and
referring to primary sources and secondary literature and theory.
Finding a good balance between foregrounding your own thoughts
and adequately supporting them takes practice.
➢ Find good ‘role model’ texts! How do others make their point. What
do you find convincing? And what would you do differently?
➢ Be precise, work with the texts, make a point, convince your
readers!
➢ Remember, a writing process may have different stages:
- Orientation / finding a topic
- Researching material
- Structuring material
- Writing a first draft
- Revise, revise, revise…
➢ Work with notes. Structure your thoughts and arguments before
you start writing.
➢ Work with drafts. It is completely fine (and necessary!) to revise
what you have written several times.

[Language & Style]
✓ contain no grammatical or spelling mistakes.
✓ be written in clear, direct, and lucid language throughout and avoid
ambiguity or unjustified generalisations.
✓ use an academic register throughout and avoid colloquialisms and
awkward phrasing.
✓ employ appropriate analytical terminology.
[Form]
✓ be formatted according to MLA guidelines (including references and
bibliography).
➢ Take time to leave your drafts for a few days. Re-read them like you
were reading someone else’s work. Be critical. Does this paper argue
coherently and consistently? Does it support my thesis statement?
Am I convinced by it?
➢ Take enough time to read your final draft only for language several
times. Finding mistakes in your own texts is extremely hard!
Remember looking at grammar, spelling, punctuation etc.
➢ Again: think of ‘role model’ texts. Ask yourself if you have employed
an academic register throughout.
➢ It is completely fine to develop an idiosyncratic style. But: do not try
to sound fancy if it might be at the cost of writing in correct and lucid
language!
➢ When you are done writing, double- and triple-check your
formatting.
- Capitalisations on title page, in table of contents, and in chapter
headings correct?
- Title page and table of contents formatted appropriately?
- First lines of paragraphs indented (apart from first chapter
paragraphs!)?
- References in brackets formatted correctly?
- Footnotes only for additional information!
- Bibliography formatted correctly?
- Anti-plagiarism note included and signed?
➢ Formatting determines your term paper’s first impression, and it is
not hard to manage. Dress it to impress with it!