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Sample Academic Proposals

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proposal term paper example

How to Write a Term Paper From Start to Finish

proposal term paper example

The term paper, often regarded as the culmination of a semester's hard work, is a rite of passage for students in pursuit of higher education. Here's an interesting fact to kick things off: Did you know that the term paper's origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where scholars like Plato and Aristotle utilized written works to explore and document their philosophical musings? Just as these great minds once wrote their thoughts on parchment, you, too, can embark on this intellectual voyage with confidence and skill.

How to Write a Term Paper: Short Description

In this article, we'll delve into the core purpose of this kind of assignment – to showcase your understanding of a subject, your research abilities, and your capacity to communicate complex ideas effectively. But it doesn't stop there. We'll also guide you in the art of creating a well-structured term paper format, a roadmap that will not only keep you on track but also ensure your ideas flow seamlessly and logically. Packed with valuable tips on writing, organization, and time management, this resource promises to equip you with the tools needed to excel in your academic writing.

Understanding What Is a Term Paper

A term paper, a crucial component of your college education, is often assigned towards the conclusion of a semester. It's a vehicle through which educators gauge your comprehension of the course content. Imagine it as a bridge between what you've learned in class and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world topics.

For instance, in a history course, you might be asked to delve into the causes and consequences of a significant historical event, such as World War II. In a psychology class, your term paper might explore the effects of stress on mental health, or in an environmental science course, you could analyze the impact of climate change on a specific region.

Writing a term paper isn't just about summarizing facts. It requires a blend of organization, deep research, and the art of presenting your findings in a way that's both clear and analytical. This means structuring your arguments logically, citing relevant sources, and critically evaluating the information you've gathered.

For further guidance, we've prepared an insightful guide for you authored by our expert essay writer . It's brimming with practical tips and valuable insights to help you stand out in this academic endeavor and earn the recognition you deserve.

How to Start a Term Paper

Before you start, keep the guidelines for the term paper format firmly in mind. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to reach out to your instructor for clarification before you begin your research and writing process. And remember, procrastination is your worst enemy in this endeavor. If you're aiming to produce an exceptional piece and secure a top grade, it's essential to plan ahead and allocate dedicated time each day to work on it. Now, let our term paper writing services provide you with some valuable tips to help you on your journey:

start a term paper

  • Hone Your Topic : Start by cultivating a learning mindset that empowers you to effectively organize your thoughts. Discover how to research a topic in the section below.
  • Hook Your Readers: Initiate a brainstorming session and unleash a barrage of creative ideas to captivate your audience right from the outset. Pose intriguing questions, share compelling anecdotes, offer persuasive statistics, and more.
  • Craft a Concise Thesis Statement Example : If you find yourself struggling to encapsulate the main idea of your paper in just a sentence or two, it's time to revisit your initial topic and consider narrowing it down.
  • Understand Style Requirements: Your work must adhere to specific formatting guidelines. Delve into details about the APA format and other pertinent regulations in the section provided.
  • Delve Deeper with Research : Equipped with a clearer understanding of your objectives, dive into your subject matter with a discerning eye. Ensure that you draw from reputable and reliable sources.
  • Begin Writing: Don't obsess over perfection from the get-go. Just start writing, and don't worry about initial imperfections. You can always revise or remove those early sentences later. The key is to initiate the term papers as soon as you've amassed sufficient information.

Ace your term paper with EssayPro 's expert help. Our academic professionals are here to guide you through every step, ensuring your term paper is well-researched, structured, and written to the highest standards.

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Term Paper Topics

Selecting the right topic for your term paper is a critical step, one that can significantly impact your overall experience and the quality of your work. While instructors sometimes provide specific topics, there are instances when you have the freedom to choose your own. To guide you on how to write a term paper, consider the following factors when deciding on your dissertation topics :

choose a term paper topic

  • Relevance to Assignment Length: Begin by considering the required length of your paper. Whether it's a substantial 10-page paper or a more concise 5-page one, understanding the word count will help you determine the appropriate scope for your subject. This will inform whether your topic should be broad or more narrowly focused.
  • Availability of Resources : Investigate the resources at your disposal. Check your school or community library for books and materials that can support your research. Additionally, explore online sources to ensure you have access to a variety of reference materials.
  • Complexity and Clarity : Ensure you can effectively explain your chosen topic, regardless of how complex it may seem. If you encounter areas that are challenging to grasp fully, don't hesitate to seek guidance from experts or your professor. Clarity and understanding are key to producing a well-structured term paper.
  • Avoiding Overused Concepts : Refrain from choosing overly trendy or overused topics. Mainstream subjects often fail to captivate the interest of your readers or instructors, as they can lead to repetitive content. Instead, opt for a unique angle or approach that adds depth to your paper.
  • Manageability and Passion : While passion can drive your choice of topic, it's important to ensure that it is manageable within the given time frame and with the available resources. If necessary, consider scaling down a topic that remains intriguing and motivating to you, ensuring it aligns with your course objectives and personal interests.

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Term Paper Outline

Before embarking on the journey of writing a term paper, it's crucial to establish a well-structured outline. Be mindful of any specific formatting requirements your teacher may have in mind, as these will guide your outline's structure. Here's a basic format to help you get started:

  • Cover Page: Begin with a cover page featuring your name, course number, teacher's name, and the deadline date, centered at the top.
  • Abstract: Craft a concise summary of your work that informs readers about your paper's topic, its significance, and the key points you'll explore.
  • Introduction: Commence your term paper introduction with a clear and compelling statement of your chosen topic. Explain why it's relevant and outline your approach to addressing it.
  • Body: This section serves as the meat of academic papers, where you present the primary findings from your research. Provide detailed information about the topic to enhance the reader's understanding. Ensure you incorporate various viewpoints on the issue and conduct a thorough analysis of your research.
  • Results: Share the insights and conclusions that your research has led you to. Discuss any shifts in your perspective or understanding that have occurred during the course of your project.
  • Discussion: Conclude your term paper with a comprehensive summary of the topic and your findings. You can wrap up with a thought-provoking question or encourage readers to explore the subject further through their own research.

How to Write a Term Paper with 5 Steps

Before you begin your term paper, it's crucial to understand what a term paper proposal entails. This proposal serves as your way to introduce and justify your chosen topic to your instructor, and it must gain approval before you start writing the actual paper.

In your proposal, include recent studies or research related to your topic, along with proper references. Clearly explain the topic's relevance to your course, outline your objectives, and organize your ideas effectively. This helps your instructor grasp your term paper's direction. If needed, you can also seek assistance from our expert writers and buy term paper .

how to write a term paper

Draft the Abstract

The abstract is a critical element while writing a term paper, and it plays a crucial role in piquing the reader's interest. To create a captivating abstract, consider these key points from our dissertation writing service :

  • Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point, around 150-250 words. No need for lengthy explanations.
  • Highlight Key Elements: Summarize the problem you're addressing, your research methods, and primary findings or conclusions. For instance, if your paper discusses the impact of social media on mental health, mention your research methods and significant findings.
  • Engagement: Make your abstract engaging. Use language that draws readers in. For example, if your paper explores the effects of artificial intelligence on the job market, you might begin with a question like, 'Is AI revolutionizing our work landscape, or should we prepare for the robots to take over?'
  • Clarity: Avoid excessive jargon or technical terms to ensure accessibility to a wider audience.

Craft the Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your entire term paper and should engage readers from the outset. To craft an intriguing introduction, consider these tips:

  • Hook Your Audience: Start with a captivating hook, such as a thought-provoking question or a compelling statistic. For example, if your paper explores the impact of smartphone addiction, you could begin with, 'Can you remember the last time you went a whole day without checking your phone?'
  • State Your Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of your paper and its relevance. If your term paper is about renewable energy's role in combating climate change, explain why this topic is essential in today's world.
  • Provide a Roadmap: Briefly outline how your paper is structured. For instance, if your paper discusses the benefits of mindfulness meditation, mention that you will explore its effects on stress reduction, emotional well-being, and cognitive performance.
  • Thesis Statement: Conclude your introduction with a concise thesis statement that encapsulates the central argument or message of your paper. In the case of a term paper on the impact of online education, your thesis might be: 'Online education is revolutionizing learning by providing accessibility, flexibility, and innovative teaching methods.'

Develop the Body Sections: Brainstorming Concepts and Content

Generate ideas and compose text: body sections.

The body of your term paper is where you present your research, arguments, and analysis. To generate ideas and write engaging text in the body sections, consider these strategies from our research paper writer :

  • Structure Your Ideas: Organize your paper into sections or paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of your topic. For example, if your term paper explores the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships, you might have sections on communication patterns, privacy concerns, and emotional well-being.
  • Support with Evidence: Back up your arguments with credible evidence, such as data, research findings, or expert opinions. For instance, when discussing the effects of social media on mental health, you can include statistics on social media usage and its correlation with anxiety or depression.
  • Offer Diverse Perspectives: Acknowledge and explore various viewpoints on the topic. When writing about the pros and cons of genetic engineering, present both the potential benefits, like disease prevention, and the ethical concerns associated with altering human genetics.
  • Use Engaging Examples: Incorporate real-life examples to illustrate your points. If your paper discusses the consequences of climate change, share specific instances of extreme weather events or environmental degradation to make the topic relatable.
  • Ask Thought-Provoking Questions: Integrate questions throughout your text to engage readers and stimulate critical thinking. In a term paper on the future of artificial intelligence, you might ask, 'How will AI impact job markets and the concept of work in the coming years?'

Formulate the Conclusion

The conclusion section should provide a satisfying wrap-up of your arguments and insights. To craft a compelling term paper example conclusion, follow these steps:

  • Revisit Your Thesis: Begin by restating your thesis statement. This reinforces the central message of your paper. For example, if your thesis is about the importance of biodiversity conservation, reiterate that biodiversity is crucial for ecological balance and human well-being.
  • Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points you've discussed in the body of your paper. For instance, if you've been exploring the impact of globalization on local economies, summarize the effects on industries, job markets, and cultural diversity.
  • Emphasize Your Main Argument: Reaffirm the significance of your thesis and the overall message of your paper. Discuss why your findings are important or relevant in a broader context. If your term paper discusses the advantages of renewable energy, underscore its potential to combat climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Offer a Thoughtful Reflection: Share your own reflections or insights about the topic. How has your understanding evolved during your research? Have you uncovered any unexpected findings or implications? If your paper discusses the future of space exploration, consider what it means for humanity's quest to explore the cosmos.
  • End with Impact: Conclude your term paper with a powerful closing statement. You can leave the reader with a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a reflection on the broader implications of your topic. For instance, if your paper is about the ethics of artificial intelligence, you could finish by asking, 'As AI continues to advance, what ethical considerations will guide our choices and decisions?'

Edit and Enhance the Initial Draft

After completing your initial draft, the revision and polishing phase is essential for improving your paper. Here's how to refine your work efficiently:

  • Take a Break: Step back and return to your paper with a fresh perspective.
  • Structure Check: Ensure your paper flows logically and transitions smoothly from the introduction to the conclusion.
  • Clarity and Conciseness: Trim excess words for clarity and precision.
  • Grammar and Style: Proofread for errors and ensure consistent style.
  • Citations and References: Double-check your citations and reference list.
  • Peer Review: Seek feedback from peers or professors for valuable insights.
  • Enhance Intro and Conclusion: Make your introduction and conclusion engaging and impactful.
  • Coherence Check: Ensure your arguments support your thesis consistently.
  • Read Aloud: Reading your paper aloud helps identify issues.
  • Final Proofread: Perform a thorough proofread to catch any remaining errors.

Term Paper Format

When formatting your term paper, consider its length and the required citation style, which depends on your research topic. Proper referencing is crucial to avoid plagiarism in academic writing. Common citation styles include APA and MLA.

If unsure how to cite term paper for social sciences, use the APA format, including the author's name, book title, publication year, publisher, and location when citing a book.

For liberal arts and humanities, MLA is common, requiring the publication name, date, and location for referencing.

Adhering to the appropriate term paper format and citation style ensures an organized and academically sound paper. Follow your instructor's guidelines for a polished and successful paper.

Term Paper Example

To access our term paper example, simply click the button below.

The timeline of events from 1776 to 1861, that, in the end, prompted the American Civil War, describes and relates to a number of subjects modern historians acknowledge as the origins and causes of the Civil War. In fact, pre-Civil War events had both long-term and short-term influences on the War—such as the election of Abraham Lincoln as the American president in 1860 that led to the Fall of Fort Sumter in April of the same year. In that period, contentions that surrounded states’ rights progressively exploded in Congress—since they were the initial events that formed after independence. Congress focused on resolving significant issues that affected the states, which led to further issues. In that order, the US’s history from 1776 to 1861 provides a rich history, as politicians brought forth dissimilarities, dissections, and tensions between the Southern US & the people of slave states, and the Northern states that were loyal to the Union. The events that unfolded from the period of 1776 to 1861 involved a series of issues because they promoted the great sectional crisis that led to political divisions and the build-up to the Civil War that made the North and the South seem like distinctive and timeless regions that predated the crisis itself.

Final Thoughts

In closing, approach the task of writing term papers with determination and a positive outlook. Begin well in advance, maintain organization, and have faith in your capabilities. Don't hesitate to seek assistance if required, and express your individual perspective with confidence. You're more than capable of succeeding in this endeavor!

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What is the Difference between a Term Paper and a Research Paper?

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How to Write a Term Paper: A Complete Guide With Examples

You just got your term paper assignment and have no idea what to do or how to start? This guide will navigate you through every step of the process, from idea formation to final editing and proofreading. We will start with outlining, drafting and brainstorming, and get you through the writing part in no time. So, let’s dive into the question of how to write a term paper.

If you want to know everything you will need about term papers, this guide, written by the writers at the best essay writing service will help you along.

Table of Contents

What is a term paper.

A term paper is an academic milestone more so than anything else. As a student, you are tasked with learning and then transmitting that knowledge to others. A term paper is just that, a way to show what you have learnt, and disseminate the knowledge to others. Unlike other types of academic writing , a term paper is more detailed, requires more research, and is generally seen as the hardest piece of written work aside from a thesis.

what-is-a-term-paper

The aim of a term paper is to showcase your understanding of the subject matter and how well you handle pressure and deadlines. In this context, a term paper proves invaluable. In terms of scope, term papers may zero in on an important historical event – if you’re studying history – a scientific concept, or a contentious argument. The choice hinges on the prompt created by your academic advisor. The typical length of a term paper can stretch to five or seven pages, and is generally the prerequisite to attend end-of-semester examination. But, it is also a part of the weighted grade you’ll receive, which only adds to its importance.

For the average student, writing a term paper takes around two weeks, and is a process many do not fully understand. Term paper starts from a very basic element, a question.

Say your teacher wants you to analyze the arguments for and against US involvement in World War II. How would you start? By asking a question; something like: Why did the US enter the war? Or, why did the US waive its neutrality and entered the war.

This opens the door for you and allows you to find an article or two that then leads to the second step, and so on and so on, until you are done. The problem is many students do not know how the process works, or what skills are needed to get the job done. To write an excellent paper you need to plan carefully, adapt to new conditions, be analytical yet persuasive, and understand how referencing works. In addition, the paper has to be formatted to specifications of your chosen citation style – APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, Harvard, etc. This is a lot of work!

What is the Purpose of a Term Paper

At its core, a term paper serves to test your ability to understand arguments and defend them using written constructs within a pre-determined time period. Put simply, it tests your ability to navigate complex ideas when faced with a deadline – something that comes in handy in almost every job you’ll ever have later in life. If you can understand a complex event, a scientific theory, or a debatable stance, based on the directive from your academic mentor, you can manage pretty much anything that is thrown your way.

A typical term paper will be between five to seven pages, and represents the pinnacle of writing tasks in the semester. The process of term paper writing, even when the topic is prescribed, can be an arduous and time-consuming undertaking. To succeed you need meticulous planning, good composition skills, and scrupulous analysis, structure, and edit

Doing the Basics Right Saves You Time

As Seneca famously said, “Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity.” In short, prepare, prepare, prepare. To create a perfect term paper you need to know, well in advance, how it will look, what will it be about, and how will it be structured. This then allows you to simply fill in the blanks as you go. But, if you start a day before submission, you’re toast – or, you can always ask for help from us J – because the result will be Red Bull frenzy induced compilation of internet’s best hits. And trust me when I say, your teacher has those stored in memory; you’re not the first student to turn a deaf ear on old Seneca….

term-paper-doing-the-basics-right

So, let’s see how to start your term paper:

  • Select your topic – If possible choose something that you’re personally interested in. When you choose early, all the good topics are still free, so keep that in mind.
  • Research your topic – Once chosen, sit at your computer and run through Google Scholar or your University Library for anything that pops up when you type in your exact topic.
  • Create an outline – When you have a basic understanding of the topic, prepare an outline. It’s always going to be fairly standard, so once you get it right, you can re-use whenever you need to in the future.
  • Thesis statement – Now starts the tricky part. Just kidding, this is still the Top Lane, we’re not even close to the Jungle. Thesis statements are always pretty similar. Jolt down your guiding question and then, based on what you’ve read, write a one sentence argument. For example, if writing about solar and wind, you might go with: Solar and wind power are the future of energy production because fossil fuels are unsustainable.
  • Topics, topic sentences, and paragraphs – Every paragraph starts with a topic sentence that describes what the paragraph is talking about. The easiest way to understand is this. If writing a paper about wind and solar, you would need at least three topic sentences – 1)Wind 2)Solar 3)Benefits of using wind and solar. Naturally, a term paper needs much more than just three, but you get the idea.
  •   Conclusion – Once you’ve written down the topic sentences and outlined the paper, note your own expectations of what you’ll find in the conclusion. This will help you understand what is happening, and when you’re actually writing the conclusion it will tell you if you were right or wrong.

Pro tip: If all of this is too much for you, there is always the possibility of asking professionals for help. Our team of term paper writers are here to help, so feel free to reach out!

Structure of a Term Paper

As you’ve probably guessed by now, every paper has to have a specific structure. In general, you can expect to have at least three parts – introduction, body, and a conclusion. However, longer papers may need several sub-sections, perhaps even an abstract or a summary, and a page dedicated to bibliography.

A typical term paper has three to five body paragraphs that form the backbone of your arguments and analytical discourse. A bibliography is always needed, even if your sources predominantly comprise course materials or excerpts from consulted textbooks. Depending on the chosen style, you will need either a Works Cited page (MLA), a Reference page (APA) or a Bibliography (Harvard, Chicago). Given its pivotal role in determining your final course grade, make sure to adhere to the highest writing and editing standards.

Term Paper Outline

  • Title page – this is where you enter your name, teacher name, school, class, and date. The formatting will depend on your chosen style
  • Introduction – Introduction sets the stage for your arguments. This is where you present statistics, define helpful terms, and finally present your thesis statement. IMPORTANT: Thesis statement is always the last sentence in the introduction.
  • Body 1: Historical setting or development
  • Body 2: Current state of knowledge about the problem
  • Body 3: Main argument and potential implications
  • Body 4: Argument for
  • Body 5: Argument against
  • Body 6: Summary
  • Conclusion : Bring all of the body arguments together and restate your thesis statement.
  • Bibliography : Provide references for all sources cited in the term paper using the style of your choice

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty of the writing process.

Topic Selection – In most cases teachers or instructors will provide students with a list of pre-approved topics to choose from. But, in some cases you will get the opportunity to choose for yourself. This is both a blessing and a curse, because it can lead you into a deep pit of despair if you are not careful.

Length – Every paper will have an assigned length. You should never go under the minimum or the maximum word/page count, as that will take points away from your final score. If the prompt asks for 10 pages, write that.

Sources – Consult your school library, Google Scholar, and any other database that has access to journals and books on your topic.

Simplify – While it is admirable to be able to write in a high-brow voice, it’s much better to use plain language as much as possible, but staying within the confines of academic jargon. No don’t’s, couldnt’s, or should’ve. If something is too complicated to explain simply, you do not understand it properly. Ask for clarification.

Do not be afraid to wander – Choosing a common topic may be a safe bet, but your teacher will grade you higher if you take a topic nobody else even though about. Brownie points are there for the taking. Just make sure you know what you’re talking about!

Don’t overextend – While the entire combined histories of all monastic orders may seem like an interesting topic (well, to us at least), it is waaaaaaay too broad to cover in 5 or 10 pages. Heck, that would probably take an entire compendium with multiple volumes. In short, don’t be a megalomaniac and choose a topic that fits in 5 pages.

How-to-Write-a-Term-Paper-The-Writing-Process

How to Write a Term Paper: The Writing Process

Before starting your write up, the teacher will expect a proposal. This is a very short summary of the topic, your thesis statement, and a few sources. The goal is to present a topic that you can defend and ask the teacher to approve it.

So how do you write a proposal? Start by writing down your thesis statement and guiding question. Then identify three to four sources and jolt down key statistics and pieces of information that are linked to your thesis statement. The goal is to show you’ve done the work. The proposal will generally have a full outline (see above) so that the teacher knows what you are planning to do. If you explain what the topic is and why it is important in writing , the teacher will accept the proposal.

Introduction, well, Introduces the Term Paper

Your essay has to start strong, which is why 99.99%  of all introductions start with a hook that captivates the audience. A hook can be anything, a statistic (like 40% of people in the US have no savings whatsoever, which means around 140 million people are completely broke – now that’s a hook, line, and sinker).

Once you know the reader is hooked, you present a brief overview of the topic you will discuss. This is where you bring statistics, data, and broader theories or concepts that may relate.

The end of the introduction is always reserved for the thesis statement, which is the last sentence of the introduction.

Try to be concise – not more than ¾ of a page (cca 200-250 words), but detailed enough so that the reader understands what the paper is about.

Writing the Body Sections

When you are certain you can understand the concepts and arguments presented in the literature, it’s time to write your body paragraphs.

The goal is to provide the reader with enough context and argumentation to prove your point. So, if you’re writing about the advantages of nuclear energy, you have to provide evidence from the literature as well as a thorough analysis of all benefits and drawbacks. The goal is to be as objective as possible, while ensuring your results are accurate.

Do not dwell on too much detail, you cannot fit all of the information in a 5 – 10 page paper. Isolate the most important pieces of evidence, maybe 3-4 and focus on those.

As a rule of thumb, you will aim for 4 – 5 body paragraphs minimum, but in most cases you will need more. The first section should be the literature review, where you analyze state-of-the-art of the topic you are writing about.

Following the literature review is your analysis, which draws from the information you’ve collected. It’s important to note, do not try and make up new stuff, or draw conclusions in this section. Simply analyze and summarize the findings in your own voice.

The last paragraph of the body section can be your own summary, where you present a different opinion. Be concise and do not go into too much detail, simply note if you think there are any discrepancies in the literature.

Remember : Always start your paragraphs with a topic sentence and try to contain the information within the paragraph to the topic.

Writing the Conclusion

Conclusion is the most important part of the term paper, even though many do not give it enough attention. This is where you put everything you’ve written together and summarize key findings.

Important : Conclusion is not the place to add new information or knowledge!

To write a good conclusion keep in mind your initial research question and thesis statement. The goal of the term paper is to answer the question and prove your thesis statement is correct. Has your paper done this? Write it down and explain why or why not your initial proposal was correct. A thesis statement can be wrong, and you must acknowledge this in your conclusion.

In the conclusion:

  • Summarize your findings
  • Discuss implications for future reseasrch

Editing and Finalization

The final word of the conclusion has been written, references added and alphabetized, the paper and the title page formatted. You are finally done. Or, maybe not! Now is the time for the final edit.

Teachers, above everything else, hate reading papers with spelling mistakes and poor grammar. To make sure your paper does not annoy the teacher (you don’t want a lower grade), make sure it is completely free of any errors.

The best way to do this is by using a machine learning tool combined with close reading on your own. The machine will weed out the glaring errors, and you will finish the job.

Read through the draft carefully. Remove any fluff or excess words that add nothing to the argument. You will likely find several sentences you will want to change. Do this now. Once done, start the second read-through.

In this read-through you will hone in on the arguments. Do they make sense? Are statistics properly cited, and do you sound coherent? If the answer is no, you will want to fix the mistakes until satisfied.

Now, finally, you are done! Congratulations. Pat yourself on the back. Oh, wait, we forgot about the abstract!

Abstract Comes First, or Last

In no uncertain terms, do not write the abstract before you’ve completed the term paper. This is always the last part of the writing process, but strangely enough the one your paper starts with. Go figure.

When you do get to this stage, use our secret formula. Well, it’s not really secret but we like to think so. The abstract needs three parts to work well, the introduction, the method/procedure, and the conclusion/findings. Depending on the topic these will vary slightly but you will always find them in an abstract.

Introduce your topic and what you plan to do in two to three sentences.

Describe what method you will use – such as literature review, an experiment, or something else. Two to three sentences.

Define the results you obtained after using the method. Two to three sentences.

Remember : The abstract should be between 120 and 200 words in length, no more is needed.

No, they are not. A research paper is an original piece of writing that comes after some type of original research has been done. Maybe you’ve found a new civilization during a dig, or a new chemical element. The research paper is meant to publicize this finding so other scientists can critique, refute, or confirm its validity. A term paper is a much simpler version that requires no original research. But, a term paper is your preparation for writing a research paper later in life.

This will depend on your teacher. In many cases, you will get a pre-defined format to follow, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. If not, we recommend using APA or Harvard, as they are relatively simple to learn and have a ton of resources to help you along.

It is important to remember you are not writing a book, so keep the topic narrow. For example, if writing about renewable energy, choose only one type of energy or just one region. Do not try to cram everything into 5-10 pages; it won’t work.

Writing a term paper is certainly a challenge, but it is also manageable if you dedicate yourself to the process. Prepare well in advance, read a lot, and do not be afraid to ask for help if you get stuck. Your teachers are paid to help you, so email them if you get stuck. Above everything, make sure you are interested in the topic, as that will make the process so much easier.

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How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

Writing a term paper proposal requires a topic, a working title and a clear intention of the paper you are planning to write. The purpose of the proposal is to present a working title and detailed description of the paper so that an instructor can give corrections and adjustments for the final paper. Doing enough prep work for the proposal will get you started on writing a draft of your eventual paper.

Pick a topic that is familiar or of interest. Make sure that the topic meets the assignment guidelines before you begin.

Write a brief description of the paper. Be sure to include the paper title even if it is a tentative one.

Outline the parts of the paper and a brief description of what each part will cover. A sample outline might include a "Background" section about the topic, and a "Purpose" section which covers the questions to be answered by the term paper. Include a "Results or Findings" section, describing how the paper would fulfill the questions. Write a "Significance" section describing why the results are important. Finally, include a "Conclusion" section, providing a summary of the paper, the results and any thoughts on future work for the topic. Be as brief as possible because you are only providing an idea of what readers can expect to see in the final draft.

Explain the significance of the topic and what contribution the paper will make to knowledge about the topic. For example, you might write how your paper will give the reader more insight on a specific topic or confirm a pre-declared hypothesis. If this is a research paper, give a discussion on the intended results even though you have not gone through the research yet.

List planned references for the paper. If references are primary sources, such as interviews, explain how you will gather the data and present it.

  • “A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations”; Kate L. Turabian; 1996
  • Purdue University Online Writing Lab: Writing a Research Paper

Patricia Smith Michaels has been writing business and technology articles online since 2010. She has written instructional manuals and white papers for corporations and has more than 20 years of experience as a researcher and consultant in the areas of health care, education and management. She holds a Master of Business Administration in management and a Bachelor of Science in computers from St. John's University.

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  • How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

Structure of a research proposal

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

  • Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

  • Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
  • Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

  • The proposed title of your project
  • Your supervisor’s name
  • Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

  • Introduce your topic
  • Give necessary background and context
  • Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

  • Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
  • How much is already known about the topic
  • What is missing from this current knowledge
  • What new insights your research will contribute
  • Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

  • Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
  • Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
  • Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

  • Improving best practices
  • Informing policymaking decisions
  • Strengthening a theory or model
  • Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
  • Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

  • Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
  • Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
  • Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

  • Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
  • Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
  • Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

  • Sampling methods
  • Simple random sampling
  • Stratified sampling
  • Cluster sampling
  • Likert scales
  • Reproducibility

 Statistics

  • Null hypothesis
  • Statistical power
  • Probability distribution
  • Effect size
  • Poisson distribution

Research bias

  • Optimism bias
  • Cognitive bias
  • Implicit bias
  • Hawthorne effect
  • Anchoring bias
  • Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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How to Write a Term Paper 101: A Tutorial to Takeover

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As the end of the semester draws closer, many students are losing their sleep over the thought of writing a term paper. But you’re worrying pointlessly because  PaperPerk  has brought expert help to your doorstep! 

Our comprehensive guide on how to write a term paper is sure to help you with every step. So read this article thoroughly because we cover everything from definition to steps on composition and templates with examples.

Table of Contents

What Is a Term Paper?

A term paper is a written project required at the end of a semester. It is designed to evaluate a student’s knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. Typically, it takes the form of a discussion or analysis of an assigned topic. 

But it can also resemble a scientific report,  reflective essay , or even a research paper. As an essential component of a student’s academic journey, a term paper is characterized by its in-depth exploration of a specific subject matter.

Key Characteristics

One of the key features of a term paper is that it requires a significant amount of research , as it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic. This research-intensive nature of the term paper sets it apart from other academic assignments. 

Additionally, term papers demand technical writing skills, as they need to be well-organized, structured, and adhere to specific formatting requirements. A high-quality term paper should be well-written, thoroughly researched, and analytical. 

It should demonstrate critical thinking and provide valuable insights into the subject matter. With an Impactful term paper, a student showcases their ability to synthesize and analyze information, ultimately contributing to their overall academic success.

How to Write a Term Paper: A Comprehensive Guide

The biggest step in learning how to write a term paper is to understand the importance of creating a term paper outline. This  research paper outline  is the beacon that will guide through your writing process. The following part of this post contains steps on composing an outline and its component. 

How to Write a Term Paper: Outlining a Term Paper

Below are the essential components of an outline. Once you gather your information, you’ll incorporate it within these compartments to avoid creating a chaotic cluster of random data. 

Introduction

Let’s look at these a bit more closely and understand how to use these elements in the best way. 

Also known as the  title page , the cover page of a term paper is the first impression of the paper. It provides all the necessary information about the paper along with a neat and professional look. It should include the following information:

  • Title of the paper
  • Course name and code
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date of submission

Steps to compose a cover page:

  • Centrally align the title of your paper in the middle of the page.
  • Add your name, course name, and number below the title.
  • Include your instructor’s name and the date of submission at the bottom.

You might be required to add more than these common elements if your professor asks you to. Many students additionally write the name of the university, department or other relevant details. 

The abstract is a brief summary of your term paper, usually between 150-250 words. It should highlight the main points, including the research question, methods, results, and conclusions. 

Using an  abstract  optimally allows readers to quickly grasp the main points and significance of your term paper. The abstract is usually placed at the beginning of the paper, right after the cover page. 

Steps to compose an abstract:

  • Write a concise summary of your paper’s purpose and research question.
  • Briefly describe the methods used in your research.
  • Summarize the main findings or results.
  • Conclude with a brief statement of your paper’s implications or significance.

Ensure that all the information you incorporate within your abstract accurately reflects the content and findings within your paper. Double-check that there is consistency between the abstract and the main body of the paper in terms of the research objectives, methodology, and conclusions. 

The  introduction  sets the stage for your term paper. It provides background information, states the research question, depicts the purpose of the study and explains the paper’s significance. 

Steps to compose an introduction:

  • Begin with a hook to capture the reader’s attention.
  • Provide background information on your topic.
  • Clearly state your research question.
  • Explain the significance of your research and its contribution to the field.

The body of your term paper is where you present your arguments , evidence, and analysis. It should be organized into sections or subheadings, each focusing on a specific aspect of your research.

Steps to compose the body:

  • Organize your content into logical sections or subheadings.
  • Present your arguments and support them with evidence from your research.
  • Analyze the evidence and explain its relevance to your research question.
  • Use appropriate citations to acknowledge the sources of your information.

The results section presents the outcomes and the findings of your research study. It should be clear, concise, and focused on the data collected during your study.

Steps to compose the results section:

  • Summarize the data collected during your research.
  • Use tables, charts, or graphs to visually represent your findings.
  • Describe any patterns, trends, or relationships observed in the data.
  • Ensure that your results are relevant to your research question.
  • Avoid repetition of any information. 

The  discussion section  interprets the results of your term paper and explains their implications. It should also address any limitations of your research and suggest areas for future study.

Steps to compose the discussion section:

  • Interpret your results and explain their significance.
  • Discuss any limitations or weaknesses in your research.
  • Compare your findings to previous studies and explain any differences.
  • Suggest areas for future research based on your findings.

The  conclusion  brings your term paper to a close by summarizing the main points. This final section of your paper also restates the significance of your research.

Steps to compose a conclusion:

  • Restate your research question and summarize the main points of your paper.
  • Emphasize the significance of your research and its contribution to the field.
  • Offer recommendations or suggestions for future research.
  • End with a strong closing statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

By following this comprehensive guide, you can write a well-structured and impactful term paper that demonstrates your understanding of the subject and contributes valuable insights to the field.

How to Write a Term Paper Proposal: A Tutorial

A term paper proposal serves as a blueprint for your research. It helps in organizing your thoughts and ideas. Lets focus on the essential features of a term paper proposal and understand steps on how to compose each part.

Essential Features of a Term Paper Proposal

Relevance and importance.

The title of your term paper proposal should attract your readers and provide them with a clear idea of your work. It should be clear, concise, and accurately reflect the subject of your research.

Steps to compose a title:

  • Identify the main topic or theme of your research.
  • Choose relevant keywords that represent the key concepts of your research.
  • Combine these keywords to create a clear and informative title.
  • Ensure that your  title  is not too long or overly complex.
  • Consider your audience’s ability to understand your title.

The objectives section outlines the specific goals of your research. These goals should be clear, measurable, and achievable within the scope of your term paper.

Steps to compose objectives:

  • Begin by stating the general purpose of your research.
  • Break down this purpose into specific, measurable objectives.
  • Ensure that your objectives are achievable within the timeframe and resources available for your term paper.
  • Keep your objectives focused and relevant to your research question.

The relevance and importance section demonstrates the significance of your research within the context of your field of study. It should explain why your research is necessary and how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.

Steps to compose the relevance and importance section:

  • Explain the context of your research by providing background information on the topic.
  • Identify gaps or limitations in the existing literature that your research aims to address.
  • Explain how your research contributes to the field by offering new insights or perspectives.
  • Emphasize the potential impact of your research on the broader academic community or society as a whole.

Putting It All Together: Writing a Term Paper Proposal

Now that you clearly understand the essential features of a term paper  proposal , it’s time to put it all together. Follow these steps to create a well-structured and compelling proposal:

  • Begin by writing a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the subject of your research.
  • Compose a brief introduction that overviews your research topic and its significance. This introduction should also include a clear statement of your research question.
  • Outline the specific objectives of your research, ensuring that they are clear, measurable, and achievable within the scope of your term paper.
  • Explain the relevance and importance of your research by demonstrating its significance within your field of study. Highlight the gaps or limitations in the existing literature that your research aims to address.
  • Provide a brief overview of your research methodology, including the methods you plan to use for data collection and analysis.
  • Include a tentative timeline for your research, outlining the milestones and deadlines for each project stage.
  • Conclude your proposal with a summary of the main points and a restatement of the significance of your research.

By following these comprehensive steps, you can create a well-structured and persuasive term paper proposal that demonstrates the importance of your research and sets the stage for a successful term paper.

How to Write a Term Paper: Formatting

A term paper format refers to the set of rules and standards that dictate the structure and presentation of a term paper. Formatting is essential to learn how to write a term paper as it ensures consistency, enhances readability, and maintains a professional appearance. 

A proper structure allows readers to concentrate on the content rather than the presentation. Several formatting styles are used in term papers, with the American Psychological Association (APA) style and the Modern Language Association (MLA) style being the most common.

Using APA Style in a Term Paper:

  • Choose a standard font, such as 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 12-point Times New Roman.
  • Apply double-spacing throughout the paper, including the abstract, main text, quotes, tables, figures, and references.
  • Create a title page containing the paper’s title, author’s name, affiliated institution, and a running head.
  • Organize the content using headings that adhere to  APA guidelines for different heading levels.
  • Incorporate the author-date citation method for in-text citations and format the reference list according to APA guidelines.

Using MLA Style in a Term Paper:

  • Opt for a standard font, such as 12-point Times New Roman.
  • Double-space the entire paper, including the main text, quotes, and the Works Cited page.
  • Include a header with the last name of the author and page number on the top right corner of all pages.
  • Use parenthetical citations within the text and format according to  MLA guidelines .
  • Follow MLA guidelines for formatting headings and subheadings, if applicable.

Adhering to the appropriate style guide when formatting term papers is crucial for maintaining academic integrity and ensuring that your work is easily comprehended and properly cited.

Choosing the Perfect Term Paper Topics

Writing a term paper can be a daunting task, but choosing the right term paper topics can make all the difference. In this part, we will provide you with some useful tips and tricks to make the process as smooth as possible.

The Starting Point

In most cases, students are assigned term papers by their professors. These topics are related to course outline to assess pupil’s understanding of the course material. As well as their ability to think critically and conduct research on a specific subject. 

Other times, teachers provide students a chance to choose a topic of their liking. But before you go on and pick a topic for your term paper, put the following concerns at the forefront. 

  • The course objective 
  • Your own interest. 

The Course Objective

Your term paper is essentially assigned to assess your command on the subject. Prioritize your course outline or objective before picking your  research paper topics . This will ensure that your paper is relevant and reflects what you have learnt so far about the subject. 

Your Interests

Your personal interests play a significant role in the success of your term paper. When you choose a topic that genuinely interests you, you are more likely to engage in  writing a research paper . This enthusiasm will not only make the writing process more enjoyable but also result in a higher quality term paper. 

Before picking a specific topic, make sure to conduct thorough research and align your personal liking to your course objective. The following tips on how to pick the perfect term paper topic will assist you in acing your grade.

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Term Paper Topic

While picking a topic for yourself, be mindful of certain things:

Adjusting Topic Length

Consider if the topic would adjust your required length for a term paper. Suppose you’re to write a  10-page research paper , what kind of topic would adjust within those 10 pages? Registering the narrowness or broadness of the topic can help.

Authentic Resources

The second thing you need to consider is the resources of your information. Check if the source you’re working with is authentic. Reliable  sources for a research paper  include academic journals, books, think tanks, and reputable websites.

Complexity of the Subject

To ensure the clarity of your topic, consider its complexity. It is important that the chosen subject can be effectively presented to your audience. Additionally, ensure that you have a solid understanding of the subject matter yourself.

By considering the length, resources, and complexity of your chosen topic, you can ensure that your term paper is engaging, informative, and well-researched. So, take the time to select the perfect topic and get ready to ace your term paper!

How to Write a Term Paper: A Template With Example

This template also contains examples that are highlighted in a different color. 

Title Page 

Abstract .

  • Remember to never exceed the abstract more than 250 words.

1.1 Background

1.2 problem statement, 1.3 objectives, 2. literature review, 3. methodology, 5. discussion, 6. conclusion, 7. references.

  • The references section uses the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).

8. Appendices

  • If necessary, this section includes additional material such as raw data, survey questionnaires, interview transcripts, or any other supplementary information that supports the research.

This guide on how to write a term paper must have been helpful to you. But we understand that wrapping your head around something so detailed can be difficult when you’re stressed out. And most students are stressed out by the end of the semester due to multiple deadlines.  That’s why we have brought you our  term paper writing service  so you can relax and focus more on your upcoming exams. Our experts are dedicated to helping students excel academically with quality content and on-time submission. Check us out today and bid goodbye to academic worries!

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How to Write a Term Paper in 5 Steps

Matt Ellis

Term papers are a key way to test a student’s knowledge and research skills, but they can be difficult to write. In this guide, we explain the best methods to write a term paper, including the proper term paper format and even how to choose a term paper topic.

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What is a term paper?

A term paper is a piece of academic writing in which a student demonstrates their knowledge of a topic of study. Term papers constitute a large portion of the final grade, making them a serious assignment. There is typically no more than one term paper assigned each term, although how long a term lasts depends on the school system.

Keep in mind that a term paper is one specific type of academic paper. It is more intensive than a standard writing assignment but is not as in-depth as a thesis paper or dissertation.

How long is a term paper?

There is no standard length for a term paper; each subject, course, and professor has their own preferences. Term papers can be as short as five pages or as long as twenty pages, but they usually fall somewhere in the middle.

What’s the difference between a term paper and a research paper?

Technically speaking, a research paper is a paper that argues its main point with original data and evidence. However, the term research paper is used informally to refer to any paper that requires research, even when collecting data and evidence from other preexisting sources. So in that sense, a term paper can be a research paper if the student must research other sources to complete it.

The terms term paper and research paper are often used interchangeably. However, term papers are generally assigned once per term, whereas a teacher or professor can assign as many research papers as they wish.

What’s the difference between a term paper and an essay?

An essay is any writing that asserts the author’s opinion or perspective, whether for school, publication, or just the author’s personal enjoyment. Unlike research-oriented term papers that draw from data and evidence, essay writing is based only on the author’s experience or viewpoint.

Essays are usually shorter than term papers and more casual in tone. Keep in mind that term papers are strictly academic, whereas essays can be written for various audiences.

How do I write a term paper?

Writing a term paper still follows the standard writing process but with some extra focus in certain areas.

1 Developing ideas

The first step of writing a term paper is brainstorming to come up with potential topics and then selecting the best one. Sometimes your topics are assigned, but often you’ll have to choose one yourself.

In addition to picking a topic that you’re personally interested in, try to settle on one that has sufficient depth. Avoid topics that are too broad because you won’t be able to cover everything, and stay away from topics that are too specific because you may not find enough information to fill the required paper length.

If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our list of term and research paper topics .

2 Preparation (research)

The preparation stage is when you determine your main point and the parts of your topic you’re going to discuss. For most term papers, that requires research. If you’re not conducting your own research, then you’re finding and reviewing sources to use instead.

A good place to start is by writing your thesis statement , a single sentence that sums up the main point(s) your paper tries to make. Your thesis statement determines what evidence and counterarguments you’ll need to discuss. Deciding on these early can help streamline your research.

Once you establish what you want to include in your term paper, you can start putting it in order by writing an outline . Think of the outline as the blueprint of your term paper, mapping out each part of your topic, paragraph by paragraph.

Be sure to follow the term paper format for the assignment. This means adhering to the guidelines and planning enough content to meet the length requirement.

4 First draft

Writing the first draft is easier if you follow your outline. Although this stage can be the most labor-intensive, remember that everything doesn’t need to be perfect. You can still go back later to revise and optimize your wording, but for the first draft, just focus on getting all your ideas down on paper.

This isn’t always easy. If you’re having trouble or get stuck at certain points, go back to the fundamentals and revisit your first-year writing skills. If you have writer’s block, don’t be afraid to take a break and try again later—your brain could just be too tired to come up with ideas.

5 Editing and proofreading

After you have completed a first draft, it’s time to begin the editing process. This is when you correct the mistakes in the first draft and detect other issues that need revising. If a section seems weak or inadequate, you can revise the wording or even rewrite it entirely. You may find that something is missing from your first draft, so now is the time to add it.

We recommend rereading your term paper twice—once to correct the wording and structural mistakes and another time to proofread . Revising it twice allows you to better focus on particular issues instead of trying to address everything at once. If you’re trying to determine the right word choice , spending time on spelling and grammar might be a distraction. It’s better to separate the tasks and do them one at a time.

Term paper FAQs

How do i write my term paper.

Writing a term paper still follows the standard writing process, but goes deeper into certain areas. Start by brainstorming topics that you find interesting before selecting one that has ample source material. Then begin your research. When you’re ready to start writing, create an outline, then a first draft, and finally revisions.

There is no standard length for a term paper; every teacher or professor has their own requirements. Term papers can be as short as five pages or as long as twenty pages, but they usually fall somewhere in the middle.

Technically speaking, a research paper supports its thesis with original data and evidence. However, the term research paper is used informally to refer to any paper that requires research, even when collecting data and evidence from other preexisting sources. So in that sense, a term paper can also be a research paper if the student relies on other sources to complete it.

proposal term paper example

Best Tips on How to Write a Term Paper

Best Tips on How to Write a Term Paper

Writing a Term Paper: What You Need to Know

If you've landed here by searching on Google for tips on how to write term paper, you're in the right spot! You can be upfront about your deadline and share the number of pages you need to complete with us.

This article will analyze and cover every aspect of the term paper writing process. Here, you can learn how to create an outline, structure every paragraph, and what to include in each section. After finishing the article, you can create a perfect paper yourself. But if you prefer a professional to write it instead of you, just use the magic words ' write my term paper ,' and it'll be done perfectly for you.

To write it yourself next time, let's dive in to learn every aspect of writing academic papers.

Understanding What is Term Paper

The first question we must answer to start our article is - what is term paper?! According to the definition, a term paper is a research paper you write at the end of a semester or academic year. This task will evaluate your understanding of the course material and assess your proficiency in the curriculum's essential components.

In addition to its primary goal, writing a term paper also has other purposes. It enhances your critical, analytical thinking, and writing abilities, which are valuable not only during your academic journey but also in your professional career beyond university. As you work on the parts of the document, you delve further into the subject matter and familiarize yourself with its key issues and complexities.

Depending on the course content, your professor may assign you a particular topic to write about. On other occasions, you may be free to choose a topic of your own or select a narrower theme from a more extensive list of options.

Term Paper Format

It’s imperative to grasp the meaning of a term paper format when delving into the realm of academic paper writing. A crucial initial step in formatting your paper is to consult your professor regarding specific requirements. Notably, certain term papers necessitate the inclusion of visual aids such as pictures and diagrams, as well as an abstract, while others may prefer a minimalist approach with minimal to no visual elements and no separate abstract.

The fundamental and prevalent components of the format encompass the following:

Title Page : This section contains essential information, including the author's name, the course name, the date of submission, and the instructor's name.

Abstract : An encapsulation of the paper's content, offering a concise overview.

Literature Review : This segment involves an analysis of prior research conducted by others, providing context for your study.

Methodology : In this section, the paper discusses the methods and approaches employed in the student's research.

Results : The substantive portion of the term paper, where the findings and their implications are thoroughly discussed.

Future Recommendations : This segment offers insights and guidance for those intending to pursue further study in the same field.

References List : This section compiles all the sources utilized in the research. It is essential that these sources have a correct MLA or APA format citation listed alphabetically for easy reference.

Term Paper Outline

To make any term paper writing process easier, outlining is your way out. When your term paper format is created, including writing the title page, you can start outlining your thoughts and ideas. Brainstorm the theme you're exploring, look for different ideas from various sources, further research the topic, and organize them all together.

outline

Introduction

Starting is always challenging, and beginning the writing of a research paper is no exception. Many students, and sometimes even professionals, often face difficulties with how to start a term paper or any kind of writing. Fortunately, this brief guide will explain the purpose of the term paper format and its introduction and offer helpful tips for creating a strong one.

The introduction of the term paper is where you should set up your topic and approach for your audience; it must include the following:

Introduce the topic - The intro's initial goal is to communicate the topic's significance and interest to the reader, usually with a catchy hook .

Analyze the background - Provide some background information about the theme you're exploring and why this specific topic is essential.

Define the Problem - This part specifies how your research fits in and what problem it aims to solve.

State the Thesis Statement - The introduction should end with a thesis statement, representing the position you'll provide evidence and arguments for.

Considering these tips, you can create a perfect paper, but if you don't have time and deadlines are approaching, just text us - ' write my research paper for me ' and consider it done.

In term paper writing, body paragraphs are your central part. The worth of your entire paper depends on the information you present in these sections. When you start creating your term paper outline, always remember to include these parts in your body paragraphs:

Literature Review - This part examines scholarly articles, relevant books, and other sources related to a specific issue, research area, or theory. It presents a detailed overview, assessment, and summary of these works concerning the research problem being investigated.

Methodology Section - In this section, you should describe how you conducted the research. This information enables readers to verify the accuracy and reliability of your approach. An effective methodology can increase the reader's confidence in the validity of your findings.

Results - Here, you provide what you found while analyzing the data and answer the question posed in the introduction using the data collected.

Discussion - This section involves your analysis, description, and interpretation of your findings. They explain the significance of the results and connect them back to the research question.

Writing a term paper conclusion can often be tricky. It should be clear and summarize what you've already presented in previous sections. Every term paper needs a concluding paragraph, so let's analyze what you should include there:

Restate the research topic - A concise statement can effectively reiterate the topic, but it's essential to explain why this topic is important.

Restate the thesis statement - Write your thesis statement in different words and make it just one sentence long.

Summarize the main points of the research - Include the main arguments and facts presented in your writing and remind the reader of the significance of your topic.

Concluding sentence - Create a thought-provoking concluding sentence to make an impression on readers and leave them with something to think about.     

Many students consider restating the thesis statement to be one of the most challenging parts of writing a conclusion. So, we prepared an article on how to write a thesis statement where our experts shared their tips and personal tricks of the trade.

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How to Write a Term Paper?

Prior to immersing yourself in the process of research and writing, it is imperative to prepare a term paper proposal. Essentially, it serves as a means to present and substantiate your chosen topic to your instructor, a crucial step before commencing the actual manuscript.

In your proposal, it is vital to incorporate recent studies or research findings pertaining to your selected topic, along with appropriate references to support your assertions. Clearly articulate the relevance of your chosen topic to the course through the submission of a concise article. Additionally, delineate your objectives and adeptly structure the progression of your ideas, facilitating your instructor's comprehension of the trajectory you intend to pursue in your writing.

Should you require assistance, consider the option of procuring a term paper from our proficient writers as an alternative solution!

Start with the Abstract

In the initial section addressing the art of writing term paper, your primary objective revolves around elucidating the essence of your research. However, it is advisable to compose this section after completing all subsequent components. Ensure to highlight the principal discoveries of your research, making them accessible to readers unacquainted with the subject matter. Simplicity and informativeness are key considerations.

An effectively structured abstract should encompass the following elements:

Introduction: Introduce the problem you are tackling in your paper and elucidate the significance of your chosen topic. Furthermore, expound on the practical, scientific, or theoretical objectives of your research.

Body: Emphasize the core aspects of your research and outline your investigative approach. Provide an overview of the nature of your findings.

Conclusion: Elaborate on the practical applications or implications of your results.

When composing a term paper abstract, revisit your paper and identify pivotal statements related to your research objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions. Extract these sentences, and you will have the initial draft of your abstract.

PRO TIP: Adhere to the assignment instructions, ensuring your abstract falls within the prescribed word limit of 120-250 words.

What sets the introduction apart from the abstract? The abstract encapsulates the essence of your paper, succinctly presenting its key elements and encompassing results and conclusions. Conversely, the introduction provides contextual information about the topic, introduces the proposition (or thesis statement), and outlines the primary issues to be explored in the paper.

Write an Introduction

Prepare to captivate your readers right from the outset with a compelling term paper introduction. A robust beginning can create a compelling inertia, making it difficult for them to divert their attention from your paper. So, how can you arouse their interest and sustain their engagement?

  • Seize attention: Commence with a captivating fact, a startling statement, or a thought-provoking paradox that underscores the significance of your subject matter. Initiate their curiosity from the very first sentence in your term paper.
  • Offer an overview: Provide a succinct delineation of the issue you are tackling and articulate the principal objective of your paper. Additionally, elucidate how your specific topic interconnects with broader contexts, establishing the framework for a more profound exploration.
  • Formulate the thesis statement: Express the fundamental argument or central question that your paper will address. Provide a glimpse of what lies ahead without divulging all the intricacies.

It's essential to bear in mind that the term paper introduction should be both inviting and concise. Avoid excessive examples or superfluous details that may obscure the initial impact.

Proceed to the Main Body

Once you have gathered your research results and notes, it's time to conduct a meticulous examination of your findings. Capture the essential outcomes of your research while eliminating any superfluous materials, thereby streamlining your work.

To write term paper body sections, an effective approach involves initiating the process by formulating topic sentences based on your outline. Subsequently, expand these topic sentences into full-fledged paragraphs, incorporating pertinent supporting details to reinforce your arguments.

The number of paragraphs required for your body section can vary, contingent on the specific topic and the instructions provided in the assignment. In many instances, a term paper's body entails a literature review followed by the presentation of your research results.

Here's a valuable tip for maintaining coherence and lucidity: Initiate each paragraph with a well-crafted topic sentence. This serves as a clear introduction to the central idea of the paragraph, ensuring a seamless progression of ideas throughout your paper. By employing this technique, your term paper will exhibit a well-structured organization and will be easily comprehensible for your readers.

Finish with a Conclusion

As you draw the main body of your term paper to a close, it is paramount to deliver a considerate and succinct conclusion. This conclusion should serve to recapitulate the information presented and explore the broader ramifications of your research. Here are key considerations for shaping your conclusion:

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

  • Avoid introducing any novel information in this section.
  • Summarize the final outcomes of your research.
  • Articulate the implications for future investigations.

Now, take a moment to assess your research findings by reflecting on the following inquiries:

What significance does my research hold?

How does my chosen topic intersect with other relevant subjects or domains?

Ultimately, bring all these elements together with a potent concluding sentence that leaves a lasting and resonant impression.

Upon successfully completing your initial draft and finding yourself with some remaining time, it's crucial to recognize the significance of proofreading your text. Devoting a moment to reviewing paper can yield remarkable results. After all, many professors perceive misspellings, punctuation errors, and grammatical inaccuracies as reflections of negligence, potentially overshadowing your original ideas and substantial findings. Let's elevate the quality of your text!

Begin by meticulously perusing your first draft and considering how to refine your paper for greater clarity and persuasiveness. Identify ideas that may not seamlessly fit the context and either eliminate or adapt them accordingly. Additionally, pinpoint areas where more comprehensive support is needed. To enhance the fluidity of your paper, incorporate transitional phrases or words to ensure a smooth connection of ideas.

Subsequently, once your content is logically structured, it's time to rectify any errors. Thoroughly address all grammatical, punctuation, and spelling mistakes with care.

Lastly, ensure that your paper adheres to the correct format (e.g., Chicago style format ) and layout. Verify the accuracy of page numbering and make certain that any visual elements, such as images, tables, and diagrams, are appropriately numbered and titled. Just as you do when finalizing your term paper, devote the same level of attention to these details during the proofreading process. Your dedication will culminate in a polished and impressive final paper.

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Term Paper Writing Tips

You can create the best term paper by considering all the tips and structures we provided for you, and you must now be able to craft a term paper template that can impress your professor.

To better immerse how to write a term paper, we have some additional tips you can use to practice your writing skills and make the writing process easier:

tips

  • Implement Mind Mapping Strategies - Develop 3-5 main ideas and use a mind mapping strategy to connect them and choose the one you'll explore in your paper.
  • Use Case Studies - Case studies can not only help in writing your paper, but they can also help to create a term paper proposal to make the significance of the theme more plausible.
  • Choose a Doable Topic - Pick a subject you can effectively address within the given time frame. Narrow down a topic that is captivating and inspiring to you.
  • Avoid Being Wordy - Are your sentences concise? Evaluate each one and determine if you've used a minimum number of words necessary to convey meaning.
  • Double-check and Proofread - Run a spelling-checker to eliminate errors in your paper. Ask someone else to read it for you and listen to their feedback. You can also use AI to make it read your paper and listen to how every word and sentence sounds and if anything needs to be corrected.

How to Choose Sources for Citing in Your Term Papers

Prioritizing the search for the most effective sources is of utmost importance when you write a term paper. Before delving into the writing process, it is imperative to assemble all the sources you require, as they will serve as the foundation for constructing the Literature Review chapter. But how do you discern the most credible and influential sources?

Rely on reputable databases: Look to trusted databases such as JSTOR and Google Scholar as exemplary sources of credibility. These repositories host the latest peer-reviewed articles, expediting your research process.

Verify the site's address: Pay close attention to the website's URL. Links with .gov, .org, and .edu domains typically offer reliable and authoritative information. Conversely, steer clear of sources such as news portals, blogs, and Wikipedia, as they often contain personal opinions without substantial evidence.

Do impartial research: Authors frequently imbue their work with their personal political and social beliefs. In the context of your article, prioritize sources with minimal bias. Investigate the author's background and assess their trustworthiness.

Seek most recent sources: Given the dynamic nature of many research fields, aim for sources not exceeding five years. This is particularly crucial if your paper pertains to the sciences, where up-to-date studies are paramount.

Stay on topic: Remember that your term paper essay must adhere closely to the chosen subject. Even if a source appears impressive, it is incompatible with your paper if it slightly relates to your topic.

Use Our Academic Help

Now, you have all the information to begin writing your first draft for a successful term paper. But if writing a term paper definitely isn't a thing you want to be doing right now, you can text us and your assignment will be perfectly done with no further effort on your behalf.

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How to Write a Term Paper With Examples and Tips

11 December 2023

last updated

Students in higher learning institutions must submit their term papers at the end of each semester. Basically, these papers play a crucial role in evaluating the learner’s knowledge of a specific subject. In this case, scholars should engage in adequate preparation before writing a complete term paper. Then, some of the essential steps include defining a topic, finding credible sources, creating and revising a paper’s outline, and drafting a term work. Moreover, an outline of a term paper differs from that of other essays since it must include subsections. Further on, writers should ensure that all the subtopic relates to a thesis statement. Besides, each body paragraph must contain a topic sentence, supportive proof, appropriate descriptions, and a concluding and transitioning statement. In turn, the term paper’s conclusion should include a concise summary of the main points discussed in such work. Hence, students need to learn how to write a term paper to pass their academic goals.

Definition of a Term Paper

Students must prepare research papers for them to succeed in their studies. For example, a term paper refers to a serious research paper that a student should submit at the end of a semester. In this case, professors use these works to track and evaluate their learners’ knowledge about the area of expertise. Moreover, the process of organizing a term paper involves comprehensive research and methodological writing skills. Then, outstanding term papers contain analytical and organized structures. Besides, they have well-researched evidence that supports significant claims. In turn, learners in higher educational institutions prepare term papers when reflecting on their knowledge in a specific study area.

How to write a term paper

Possible Topics for Term Papers

Students in higher learning institutions may come across different topics for writing their term papers. In practice, term paper themes vary from one subject to another and require one to engage in detailed research. Hence, possible topics for writing a term paper that one may come across are:

  • Is there a cancer epidemic due to industrial chemicals in the environment?
  • Should federal courts be bound by the “original intent” of the framers?
  • Do foreign investments threaten U.S. economic independence?
  • Should morality and human rights influence foreign trade policy?
  • Do rich nations have a responsibility to help developing countries?
  • Partnership benefits at state and federal institutions.
  • Same-sex adoption and access to reproductive technologies.
  • Execution of juveniles.
  • The lengthy appealing process for death row inmates.
  • The Constitutional question of “cruel and unusual punishment.”

Term paper topics have a broad scope. Basically, term paper themes given above show that a writer must carry out extensive research to provide a comprehensive response. Also, students decide on the content that they must include in their term papers to give a comprehensive analysis of a subject.

Step-by-Step Guide for Writing a Term Paper

A student must prepare a term paper to achieve desired grades and complete a study course. Basically, adequate preparation allows scholars to gather relevant evidence and draft a term paper effectively. Hence, the necessary steps in writing a term paper that one should take to organize an academic piece are:

Step 1: Preparation

A. defining a topic for a term paper.

Defining a specific subject for a term paper is the first and most crucial activity that a writer must consider. For instance, describing an issue allows scholars to understand their course prompts and understand key ideas required to complete a term paper. In this case, one must understand the meaning of essential terms with the paper’s context. Moreover, students should use resources, like a dictionary and thesaurus, to obtain the necessary definitions. In turn, writers may opt to seek help from peers and lecturers when defining a topic for a term paper.   

B. Preparing Ideas

Preparing ideas for a term paper leads to outstanding works. For example, writers should identify all the relevant ideas and points needed to be covered before engaging in the actual writing process. Unfortunately, many learners fail to consider preparing thoughts as an essential step when writing a term paper. As a result, they prepare low-quality papers and achieve low grades. In turn, students need to redo their papers to pass their classes. Hence, writers should prepare ideas for writing a term paper by using acceptable methods.

C. Brainstorming

Scholars should consider brainstorming as an acceptable method to prepare ideas for a term paper. For example, brainstorming helps learners to come up with fresh and new facts. In this case, students think of the ideas that relate to their research topics. Moreover, the process generates unique ideas that can make one’s work to stand out. Hence, some ideas for brainstorming that one may use when preparing concepts and thoughts for term papers are:

  • Come up with bad ideas first – Learners should think about research concepts related to their topics. In this case, successful students do not consider raising positive thoughts during brainstorming. Instead, they should present both good and bad ideas concerning their subjects. Also, writers should not feel stupid for raising bad ideas since the strategy helps identify weaker and more robust ideas. Then, one should allow ideas to flow during the brainstorming strategy. Besides, scholars should focus on raising positive opinions after exhausting throwaway thoughts. Hence, authors should increase both bad and good ideas that relate to their research topics.
  • Breaking and building ideas – One of the most effective strategies of turning a few ideas into many is to break them down. Basically, learners should identify general themes that relate to a term paper and break them into smaller details. In this case, the process helps authors to see if some narrower ideas branch from main themes. Alternatively, one may combine different ideas to create a broader subtopic for a term paper. Hence, writers should break down more general concepts while combining narrow ones.
  • Play word games – Outstanding term papers contain original and unique ideas. For example, word games are instrumental tools that prevent learners from producing generic and unoriginal ideas. In this case, word games motivate some out-of-box thinking. Moreover, “word storm” is an excellent method for a student to generate related ideas. In turn, this method allows authors to create thoughts naturally without overthinking.
  • Creating a mood board – Learners should rely on methods that motivate them to generate fresh and unique ideas related to a research topic. For instance, combining imagery, color, and visual-spatial elements evoke emotions and feelings that spark fresh and new thoughts. In this case, students manage to recall some concepts acquired during learning by improving the term paper’s quality.
  • Doodling – Successful students spur creativity insights and increase attention when generating essential ideas for a term paper. Basically, doodling allows a learner to engage with visuals that spark new thoughts. Also, practical doodling approaches help authors to break out of the traditional brainstorming approaches that rely on reading and talking. In this case, learners should break visual objects into small objects or combine unrelated items. Hence, these approaches motivate the brain to generate unique ideas for supporting a central theme.
  • Changing a physical environment – Ordinary motivation plays a crucial role in the generation of new ideas. For example, students should change the physical environment to avoid boredom. In this case, enriched and attractive environments affect how the human brain works and speeds up how one generates new ideas and thoughts. In turn, a successful learner must select the location for brainstorming effectively. 

Reading is an appropriate method that students may consider when generating ideas for term papers. For instance, reading is a traditional method that writers use to raise arguments related to a specific topic. In this case, scholars should identify credible sources that relate to a research topic and read them to understand an assigned subject better. Also, this strategy plays a crucial in raising viable and accurate ideas about the term paper’s topic. However, scholars must take the necessary precautions since extensive reading is a tedious and monotonous process.   

E. Considering an Academic Audience

Different scholars read term papers for specific reasons. Basically, students must consider the target audience as academic readers to ensure that term papers meet their needs. In most cases, writers must use the official language when expressing thoughts. Moreover, formal language suits academic documents because it reveals professionalism and academic excellence.

Step 2: Setting Up the Stage

A. researching for sources.

Terms papers must contain credible evidence obtained from academic sources . Basically, scholars must gather adequate evidence from different reliable sources , like books, journal articles, financial and laboratory reports, credible websites, and magazines. As a ground rule, all sources must provide adequate and irrefutable evidence to support the main arguments. Also, one should find scholarly sources published in the last ten years because they contain the latest evidence and facts on research issues. Hence, writers should look for credible sources to support the main arguments in their term papers.

B. Making Notes for a Term Paper

Taking notes is a crucial step when writing term papers. Basically, scholars should read all the sources critically. In this case, the strategy allows one to understand the major concepts and ideas that relate to a research topic. Moreover, students should consider writing short notes to avoid unnecessary misunderstanding of the main messages made by authors of credible sources. Then, successful scholars take notes and revise them to ensure that they obtain the most substantial evidence that supports their research work. In turn, improving research notes involves breaking broader ideas into smaller ones and combining others to make them stronger and sensible. Therefore students should take the necessary points to support the main arguments in their term papers.    

C. Developing a Term Paper Outline

Organizing thoughts play a crucial role in preparing a quality paper. Basically, one should combine research notes obtained from scholarly sources and those gathered during brainstorming and put them into developing a term paper outline. Basically, an essay outline helps writers to connect ideas. However, a term paper outline should contain a research topic with the main thoughts and concepts needed to be covered. Besides, clear outlines have smaller ideas that relate to the main ones. In turn, the strategy allows one to see direct connections between the main ideas and leads to an organized term paper. Hence, students should follow the basic steps below to create a clear term paper outline:

  • Organize notes and relevant evidence into groups of related ideas.
  • Review a thesis statement to determine if it communicates the intended message.
  • Identify the main points that support a working thesis statement or research hypothesis .
  • Include ideas and thoughts that support the main points.
  • Match supportive ideas with relevant sources obtained through research.
  • Organize all the ideas to achieve a unique flow of information logically.
  • Identify if some of the points presented need more research and where thoughts require development.
  • Revise points and ideas to enhance the overall quality of a term paper.

D. Writing an Annotated Bibliography for a Term Paper

Successful scholars prepare annotated bibliographies that contain relevant and irrefutable research. Basically, each entry in an annotated bibliography for a term paper should include citation information with a short description and analysis. In this case, scholars should follow accepted citation styles, depending on instructions given by professors. Besides, an annotated bibliography must focus on a research topic of a term paper. The scholar should ensure that all sources remain relevant to the topic. However, one should remember that the annotated bibliography requirements may vary depending on the topic and term paper’s requirements. In turn, a useful annotated bibliography should help learners to keep track of research readings and gain a sense of a literature review . Hence, one should prepare an annotated bibliography for a term paper when conducting research.

Step 3: Start Writing a Term Paper

A. organizing a first draft of a term paper.

Drafts of the term papers help one to organize ideas in a good flow. Basically, students should use their outlines and annotated bibliographies to write the first draft of a term paper. In this case, scholars should focus on presenting all the ideas in this draft. Moreover, an appropriate draft enables one to test an outline and elaborate theories to support the central argument. In practice, good drafts resemble complete term papers. Also, good drafts should contain a title page, abstract or executive summary , introduction, body, and conclusion with a reference page.

B. Putting Everything Together

A scholar should put all the ideas together into a complete term paper. For example, learners should ensure that a written document contains a logical flow of ideas. In this case, the strategy enables students to identify some research gaps in the presented concepts of a term paper. Besides, putting everything together helps authors to identify some points that require more investigation.

C. Finding New Sources or Deleting Old Ones

Term papers must contain compelling ideas and arguments. For example, learners must review their drafts to determine if all sources provide relevant and credible evidence. In practice, scholars must change some sources that offer weak arguments. Besides, writers should remove previous scholarly sources that provide weak points of view or are irrelevant to a study since a research hypothesis may be changed during writing the first draft. Hence, one must change credible sources where necessary.

D. Altering an Outline

Learners should change their outlines of the term papers to make such pieces more substantial and compelling. For instance, one must use the first draft and new scholarly sources to make relevant changes in a term paper’s outline. Besides, the primary goal of this strategy is to strengthen study arguments and improve their clarity.

E. Creating a Working Thesis

Compelling term papers must contain well-organized thesis statements by considering research hypotheses and rationales. Basically, scholars must develop a working thesis statement that includes the claim and significant points that scholars try to make. In this case, writers should create a sentence that explains their positions taken on topics in question based on their hypotheses and rationales. Also, lecturers evaluate all the body paragraphs and how they relate to the thesis and research question. In this case, one should use a revised outline, draft, and annotated bibliography to create the working hypothesis and ensure that it meets the necessary quality.

Step 3: Wrapping It Up

A. revisions.

Outstanding term papers contain minimal or no flaws. Basically, learners must revise their drafts to remove all the mistakes. For example, some of the factors that one must consider are spelling and grammatical errors, various writing technicalities, and idea flow. In this case, revisions play a significant role in improving the term paper’s overall quality and ensuring that readers develop the motivation to evaluate all its sections. Hence, students must revise the term paper’s draft to remove unnecessary mistakes.  

Editing is an important task that helps authors to make term papers compelling. In particular, students must focus on enhancing the readability and relevance levels of a term paper. Hence, when writing a term paper, one must consider:

  • Scholars should change the order of words during the editing process. In this case, the primary purpose of enhancing the term paper’s euphony is to improve the rhythm and other dynamics. Also, students should replace weak expressions to remove clichés and conversational style.
  • Effective editing helps authors to enhance the brevity of statements and claims made throughout a term paper. In turn, short and concise words sound better than long or wordy statements.
  • An effective editing process improves the honesty of claims made and evidence presented throughout a study work. In this case, term papers should include proven facts in each paragraph. Moreover, one should specify scholarly sources of any data used in supporting topic sentences.
  • Students should edit their term papers to improve the quality of their literacy levels. For instance, one must proofread the work to remove punctuation, spelling and syntax mistakes, and typos. Also, this process requires reading a term paper several times to identify all errors and correct them accordingly.

C. Topic Sentences

Every paragraph in the body of a term paper must begin with a topic sentence. For example, learners must ensure that each section dwells on a single point related to the thesis statement. Moreover, one should reread the work to ensure that all paragraphs have the necessary opening statements.

E. Concluding Sentences

Every paragraph of a term paper should end with a concluding sentence. In this case, students should summarize covered ideas in a section. Besides, last sentences of paragraphs should include a summative claim that brings all the concepts and thoughts into a unique closure.  

F. Transitions

All ideas presented in a term paper must have a unique transitioning of ideas. For example, writers should use the necessary phrases to transition sentences and paragraphs. In particular, the approach improves the overall readability and flow of ideas in a research paper. As a rule, each paragraph’s last sentence must act as a transition to the next section. Hence, readers must find connections between all the paragraphs in a term paper.

G. Formatting

Any learning institution requires students to follow specific formatting rules. In this case, learners must follow such guidelines when writing their term papers. Also, marking rubrics are useful tools that each learner must use to format their works.

H. Peer Reviewing

Peer review is an essential step in enhancing the term paper’s quality. Basically, one should identify scholars who are familiar with a study subject to read a term paper. Also, qualified scholars help students to identify some mistakes that may undermine the term paper’s readability. Besides, peers provide positive criticism that allows students to make the necessary changes to their works.

Step 4: Writing a Final Draft of a Term Paper

The term paper’s final draft must include all the changes made during revisions, editing, formatting, and peer review. In this case, scholars should focus on submitting flawless documents that do not contain any forms of plagiarism. Besides, the final draft must capture all the aspects covered during a research study with results , discussion, recommendations, limitations, and information for further research.

Basic Outline Template of a Term Paper Format

Cover Page with a Title of a Term Paper

Abstract (150 words)

Outline (if needed)

I. Introduction

A. Relevance of research.

B. The purpose of a term paper or a discussed problem.

C. Personal reaction to a study subject.

D. Hypothesis and Rationale

E. Short descriptions of methodology and key findings.

F. Principal conclusions and thesis statement.

A. Literature Review

  • Topic sentence.
  • Explanation.
  • Concluding sentence and transition.

B. Methodology

D. discussion.

E. Recommendations and Limitations (if needed)

III. Conclusion

A. Summary of the main points.

B. A strong response to the thesis statement.

C. A summative statement.

The outline of the term paper appears different since it contains different sections. For example, a term paper includes various subheadings that relate to the main topic. Each subheading may have several body paragraphs. However, each paragraph must contain a topic sentence, a supporting example, and a relevant explanation.

Explanations for Key Aspects of a Term Paper’s Outline Format

1. introduction part of a term paper.

The introduction must state the primary purpose of a term paper. Basically, scholars should ensure that the first part of the work acquaints readers with a problem under discussion. Besides, one must include a compelling and robust thesis statement in this section. As a rule, the introduction should not take up a large part of the entire paper. Hence, the introduction should provide an overview of the whole work in a straightforward and precise manner.

The term paper’s body should have different headings and subheadings that connect to the topic. In this case, scholars must ensure that the process of dividing a term paper into different sections enhances the clarity of the message. Moreover, the strategy should not distract readers from appreciating the intended message.

3. Conclusion

The closing paragraph should restate the thesis statement included in the introduction. Basically, students must sum up the ideas presented in all the body paragraphs. Also, the most effective strategy that one may use is to restate all the topic sentences. Besides, authors must provide a concluding statement that brings the entire work into a unique closure.

How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

A term paper proposal outlines the structure of the future work that scholars must complete. Basically, practical recommendations provide crucial elements that support the research included in the actual term paper. In this case, term proposals aim to constrict a wide area of interest into a complicated or specific topic. Moreover, writers define the intention to discover a study issue and base the decision on the need to make changes, improve the condition of the matter, or advance scholarly knowledge in the specific area of interest. In turn, one should select essential parts of a term paper and put them together in a unified format. Besides, one should briefly describe each section and tie key details to a chosen topic. Hence, a good term paper proposal should include the following parts:

  • Title – A term paper should have a concise and brief title. In practice, this title should resemble that of the actual term paper.
  • Objectives – Term paper proposals should state the research goals of a study. In this case, one must include the intended purpose of the research.
  • Research question – An outstanding proposal must state research questions that scholars intend to answer through adequate research.
  • Thesis statement – Term paper proposals should include a clear thesis statement that responds to the research question directly. In this case, a suitable thesis should be factual, clear, and subjective. Besides, one must ensure that the central claim is a verifiable statement.
  • Methodology – Research proposals should state study methods used to gather and evaluate the relevant data. Moreover, students should use appropriate and proven methods to conduct their research.

Possible Writing Formats for Term Papers

Different educational institutions require learners to use writing formats when preparing term papers. For example, the most common formatting styles that one may come across include MLA 8, APA 7, Harvard, and Chicago/Turabian. In turn, each of these formats has specific guidelines that one must observe.

Term papers formatted in MLA 8 do not require a cover page unless specified. In particular, writers must include a header that contains surnames and page numbers. Moreover, one must flush these details to the right margin of the page. In turn, all in-text citations should have the author’s last name and the exact page containing the evidence used.

Term papers formatted in APA 7 should contain a title page that includes the relevant heading and identifies the student, date, and relevant institution. In this case, each page must contain a header that consists of a shortened title of the term paper and the specific page. However, the first page should have the phrase “running head” preceding the shortened title. In turn, in-text citations should contain the author’s last name and publication date.

Term paper formatted in Harvard style must contain a title page that includes the title and other details identifying the student, professor or tutor, and the relevant institution. Also, one must write the title in capital letters. Then, the header should contain the title and page number. However, one must flush these details to the right margin. As a result, in-text citations should include the author’s surname, publication date, and the page containing the relevant evidence.

4. Chicago/Turabian

Term papers formatted in Chicago/Turabian should contain a title page that has the title and identifies the author. Basically, one must capitalize all the letters in the heading. Moreover, page numbers should begin on the second page and must appear on the top right side. In turn, in-text citations should appear as footnotes that contain full bibliographic details of sources.    

Sample of Writing a Simple Term Paper

Research Topic: Is the “war on terror,” a global civil war?

Scholars develop different conceptions of the term “war on terror.” Basically, some scholars argue that the United States uses the war on terror to control the weaker nations. In this case, the current research examined whether the war on terror is a civil war. Then, a review of relevant literature was an effective method of gathering the necessary data. In turn, study results show that the United States uses the war on terror to protect citizens’ rights, which proves the alternative hypothesis to be a valid statement.

Keywords : War on terror, hypothesis, and review of literature

I. Sample of a Term Paper’s Introduction

The term war on terror became standard after the extremist attacks of September 11, 2001. Basically, President George W. Bush’s government confirmed a global campaign that involved open and secret military actions, new security lawmaking, and determinations to block extremism’s sponsoring, among other factors. In this case, the movement rallied for support from other countries, which willingly joined in the fight against terrorism. Although most scholars argue that the war on terror is an American strategy to control other countries, civil war theories prove otherwise.

Hypotheses:

H 0 – The United States uses the war on terror to control other countries.

H 1 – The United States uses the war on terror to protect the rights of its citizens.

II. Example of Body Paragraphs for a Term Paper

Different theories of civil wars prove that persistent rebel groups that engage in criminal activities. For example, some of the civil war philosophies include motivation and feasibility, ideas of rebellion, organization of the uprising, and evidence of the causes, among other factors (Kimbrough & Sheremeta, 2019). In turn, these theories prove that civil war results from the emergence and persistence of a rebel army. Moreover, motivation and feasibility theories argue that rebels with excessive power engage in terrorism. Hence, persistent rebel groups engage in terrorism as a way of addressing their interests.

A review of relevant literature is a suitable method for gathering the necessary data for the essay. According to Reale et al. (2017), a literature review is an effective method for gathering information for research papers in history and other social sciences. Therefore, reviewing scholarly sources related to civil war and terrorism will contribute to gathering the necessary data.

Standard game theory shows that economic grievances lead to terrorism. According to traditional game theory, economic dissimilarities in the community motivate some people to engage in crime (Kimbrough & Sheremeta, 2019). In this case, the less productive but healthy groups tend to participate in violence against industrious but weak groups. Besides, such conflict levels undermine fairness, equity, or coercion, depending on the analyst’s political standpoint. Hence, economic grievances motivate some groups to engage in terrorism.

Study findings show that the United States targets specific terror groups since their predatory behavior in a country or region leads to adverse economic and social outcomes. In this case, militant groups lead to redistribution through violence when productive and weak agents engage in defensive actions. Moreover, militant groups engage in activities that cause other people to reiterate. In turn, research results from such activities include reciprocated hatred that inflicts harm to innocent citizens. Hence, the United States participates in peacekeeping missions that can lower the negative impacts of such conflicts.

III. Conclusion Sample in a Term Paper

Most scholars argue that the war on terror is an American strategy to control other countries. In this case, different theories on civil wars prove that terrorism results from grievances and economic interests of some specific groups. Moreover, such activities destabilize the economic and social welfare of ordinary citizens. Thus, citizens focus on such terror groups intending to protect citizens of the affected countries. 

Kimbrough, E. O., & Sheremeta, R. M. (2019). Theories of conflict and war. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization , 159 , 384–387. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2019.02.007

Reale, E., Avramov, D., Canhial, K., Donovan, C., Flecha, R., Holm, P., Larkin, C., Lepori, B., Mosoni-Fried, J., Oliver, E., Primeri, E., Puigvert, L., Scharnhorst, A., Schubert, A., Soler, M., Soòs, S., Sordé, T., Travis, C., & Van Horik, R. (2017). A literature review on evaluating the scientific, social, and political impact of social sciences and humanities research. Research Evaluation , 27 (4), 298–308. https://doi.org/10.1093/reseval/rvx025

Summing Up on How to Write a Good Term Paper

Term papers refer to a research assignment completed by learners toward the end of educational semesters. In this case, students must ensure that research papers meet the necessary quality since they track and evaluate one’s knowledge. Hence, when writing a term paper, one should remember:

  • rely on comprehensive research and methodological writing skills.
  • include analytical and organized structures;
  • present well-researched evidence that supports significant claims;
  • consider various formatting strategies as required by learning institutions. 

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How to Write a Topic Proposal for a Term Paper

How to Write a Topic Proposal for a Term Paper

Student life is interesting from various perspectives, even in terms of assignments their professors provide them with. Young people learn how to cope with all possible challenges, keep an eye on detail and meet strict deadlines. Written assignments are one of the most common yet sometimes complicated things they have to deal with. 

Young people have to consider many things when working on their paperwork to get high grades since every aspect plays a certain role. When it comes to a term paper, they have to demonstrate analytical, writing, and researching skills. College teachers pay special attention to its accomplishment since it helps evaluate and track students' knowledge in the course. To complete this assignment, young people should do a great deal of work that starts with choosing a proper title. Hence, if you don't know how to write a topic proposal for a term paper, it is high time to fix it.

What Is a Proposal Paper?

Well, the very name already gives you a clue on what you are dealing with. You propose an idea and do everything possible (provide evidence) to persuade the target audience to share your opinion. The idea can be either a good or bad one, and you should make it clear why it is so. Even though people are used to thinking that proposals are connected only with a business area, it is not the case. 

Students write proposals for their college classes and many professional fields. For instance, you should summarize your proposed research coherently and concisely if it is about a research proposal. You should highlight the key issues and questions that you want to examine. In this case, you should outline the broad area of study your research belongs to, referring to present knowledge and recent discussions within the theme. Your proposal shows the uniqueness of the proposed research.

What Is the Term Paper?

The definition is the key, which will open doors. Therefore, the learner who is getting ready to accomplish the term paper for the first time should get detailed information about the paper type first.  

A term paper is defined as a research paper and is commonly required at the end of the school term. The main goal of the assignment is for the student to highlight the writing skills, knowledge, and qualifications within the field. Irrespective of the topic and the objective of the project, technical writing expertise and an ability to process much information are inevitable. 

Writing the best term paper may take more than a few hours, so you should be ready to focus on the assignment and make maximum effort to detect various aspects of the question. At this point, one should remember that the choice of the theme is fundamental and can either help you obtain the desired success or prevent you from the necessary outcomes. 

Striving to accomplish the task fast and effectively, the learners frequently underestimate the significance of the properly selected topic , making too many mistakes at the initial stages.

How to Write a Paper Proposal?

Since we are talking about a term paper today, it seems reasonable to make it clear how to write a term paper proposal. Many rookies get confused when they face such an assignment since they cannot get why a teacher cannot just provide them with a ready-made topic . Why do they need to complicate everything? You enroll in college to gain knowledge and new experience. Writing a term paper proposal is aimed at developing your academic writing skills. Even though many things will depend on your major and chosen sphere, the chances are high that you will face a need to write a proposal at least once in a lifetime.

It is especially important for students who want to become researchers. You will have to write a proposal to get a job and maintain it. Moreover, pay attention that you will not do without an outstanding proposal every time you apply for a grant. So, let's find out how to start a proposal paper and make it stand out.

Consult Your Professor

A top-notch paper meets the requirement of a target audience. Thus, before you proceed to write your essay, you should find out what your professor expects to get from you. While some teachers prefer to provide their students with proposal examples to show them what direction they should move in, others give only detailed guidelines. If you have neither got an example nor guides, you should turn to your professor to clarify key moments. You may decide to consult the internet instead, but such an approach may result in a dead-end. The web forums are not the most reliable and credible information source. Besides, it is a bad idea to take someone's proposal and pretend it's yours. This saved time may cost you too much in the end.

Define Your Target Audience

If you want your proposal to achieve the desired result, you should know your audience better to reach out to them. A proposal paper represents your attempt to convince your readers that your idea is worth both attention and development or that they should stay away from the subject. But how can you do that if you don't know who you are dealing with? Your professor may ask you to create a proposal for a certain category of people, and you should get to know them better to influence them. For example, people in business can be more interested in the financial side of the question.

Decide on the Topic

Even though we'll focus more on how to write a topic proposal for an essay a bit later, it is important to emphasize that picking up a theme for your paper is a responsible step. You should take it seriously since it sets the tone for your further research and the scope of work you will have to deal with. Pay attention to topics you are passionate about since your interest will become a fuel and driving force. When you have at least a small idea about the subject, it will be much easier to work on it.

Make a Brief Outline

It is always great to have a plan in front of your eyes since it helps you stay on track and do everything gradually. You can find more detailed variants of a proposal outline on the internet, but its basic version will involve the following points:

  • title page;
  • introduction;
  • methodology;
  • desired outcomes;
  • resources required;
  • conclusion;
  • bibliography. 

Do Research

When you decide on the key points involved in your proposal, it is time to go deep down the question. You should arrange research to have enough information to back up your idea. It is crucial to utilize only credible and robust sources, so you can be sure that all data you've collected is not a soap bubble. If you search for all the information on the internet, it will not be superfluous to double-check everything and take notes, specifying all the cited information according to the chosen topic proposal format .

Write an Introduction

This part of your proposal paper can either make your work appealing to your readers or boring, so they will hardly waste time on reading it till the end. It should involve an attention grabber that will make your target audience get interested in your further proposal. You can summarize a proposed project involving justification for the research, presentation of specific objectives, and potential research significance. Besides, it is worth providing your readers with some background information to help them better understand the proposal and its value in the long term.

Present Your Proposal

It represents a thesis statement , the main purpose of your writing. Therefore, you should make it concise and powerful so everyone understands what your actual proposition is without further ado. It can be only a few sentences long if your proposal is quite short by itself. Resist a temptation to present your thoughts about possible solutions since you should devote a separate paragraph to this part.

Present Methodology

After you have presented your proposal, it is worth discussing how you will achieve the desired result. You should provide detailed information about the experimental procedures you will utilize and the means you will use to analyze and interpret data. If possible, you can present a new methodology and empathize its advantages over already available ones. You can mention potential technical issues connected with the interpretation of the results and available alternative solutions. 

It is important to show that you have a good idea and that you are the right person to perform it. Even though your target audience shouldn't get bored with numerous technical nuances, you should make it clear that you know how the process will work. You can present charts and figures with legends to show the proposal's feasibility.

State Desired Outcomes and Resources Required

It is clear that your proposal suggests a certain outcome you want to achieve, and it is time to state what your goals are. Even though it may seem that this point repeats all the benefits of such a project once again, you should highlight all these moments since they are of great importance. Besides that, you should specify what things you lack to implement your project. It can be about financial sources, hi-tech devices, human sources, or just time.

Write a Conclusion

Even if you decide to mention some background moments of your proposal, you shouldn't rewrite your introduction here. Instead, it is worth paraphrasing your proposal and providing some arguments to support your idea once again. The conclusion should become a cherry on the pie of your proposal paper.

Bibliography

None written assignment can do without a reference list that involves all sources cited throughout the text when it comes to the academic environment. Therefore, your paper proposal should have a well-crafted bibliography. Include only sources you have used to write it. There is no need to clog it with numerous points just to make it look more impressive. Besides, double-check that you have cited all the sources in the text properly to the required citation format.

How to Write a Topic Proposal for Your Paper

Since now you know how to write an essay proposal, it is time to focus more on a topic. It may happen that your professor will ask you to provide a written proposal that highlights certain aspects of the future project you will work on. Usually, it involves the topic, methodology, reasons behind the selected theme, and stuff. Even though a topic proposal doesn't often exceed one page, many young people feel overwhelmed because of this assignment, get stressed and give in to procrastination. It can be hard to start something when you don't have enough experience under the belt. However, you can fix it in a few simple steps, following the next tips.

Create a List of Topics You Are Interested In

A term paper proposal involves four key elements, and the very first of them is just stating what you would like to write about. Take your time to think about topics you are passionate about. If you are indifferent to something, you will hardly achieve any incredible results. You should keep your ideas narrow not to get overwhelmed with information or have issues doing research. On the other hand, your topic should provide you with an opportunity to find information on the subject. Finally, don't forget that such an assignment requires using only credible sources.  

State Reasons for Your Interest

Another thing you should do is to inform your professor why you have chosen the topic and why you are interested in it. Usually, such assignments take about half of the year to complete, so you should pick up a topic that does not make you get annoyed and bored right at the very start. Pay attention to spheres of study that are suitable for answering certain questions. The likelihood of getting the approval of the topic provided goes up if you can demonstrate that you will work in the relevant area that hasn't been yet explored enough.

Describe Your Methodology

Your professor would like to see how you are going to cope with the topic , so you should state your plans in this regard. For example, some majors require conducting studies in the laboratory, while others are focused more on surveys in the sphere. If you study literature , for example, you will have to spend most of your time over books. It doesn't really matter what methodology you will choose, you should just be precise and clear about it, so your teacher doesn't have to ask leading questions to sort things out.

Involve Works on the Topic

The fourth point is about the necessity to create a list of sources you are going to consult. It will show your professor how serious you treat the assignment and whether you are sure about the chosen topic . Besides, they can make some corrections, providing you with some tips on useful sources. It may turn out that some information is outdated and unsuitable.

The Most Common Mistakes Made When Choosing a Term Paper Topic

Writing an impeccable paper worth the highest grade is an exacting task that requires much time, effort, skills, and determination. However, in the overwhelming majority of instances, learners who work on term papers should care for the appropriate topic of the project, which will predetermine the further route of the work. If you fail to select a relevant and up-to-date theme that is interesting for readers, poor are your chances to submit an appealing and reflective text. 

No matter if you are working on a similar assignment for the first time, or you have produced dozens of them, you need to pay due attention to the basics that can advance the quality of your writing to a new level. Do you know how to title an article in a paper? The learners who start the work with this question have little chance to prosper. Instead, it is indispensable to dive into the research and find a helpful guide on how to select the appropriate theme.  

Main Mistakes to Avoid

Writing a proposal paper involves a huge scope of work, and it is important to eliminate mistakes that can spoil the outcome and lower your grade. Pay special attention to the following things:

  • inability to stay concise;
  • inability to determine the contextual frames of your research;
  • inability to provide powerful and holistic arguments for the research;
  • poor grammar and lack of editing and proofreading ;
  • too much unnecessary information.

Term Paper Topic Selection: Top 3 Factors to Consider 

As mentioned by most students, instructors provide learners with the term paper topics that are related to the course. Nonetheless, in some instances, the professors give complete freedom to make this choice independently. While some learners relish this chance, others consider it to be an extra struggle. Anyway, that is the challenge that should be accepted, as it may predetermine the success of your writing. 

If you have no idea how to come up with a title for a story you are working on, you can always search the web looking for beneficial options. Check out the examples of similar tasks to get inspired. Analyze the typical themes to single out the one that has not been revealed before. Avoid trivial topics that have been discussed hundreds of times, but rather focus on the compelling and intriguing subjects worth attention. 

Apart from your personal interest, there are three other factors that should be taken into consideration as you pick the topic for the term paper:

  • Length of the work. It may sound surprising for inexperienced writers, but the length of the assignment may influence the topic. Just imagine that you need to provide 10-15 page work, and your theme is exceptionally shallow and can be revealed in 5 pages. Therefore, you should mind the paper requirements before you immerse yourself in the writing process. 
  • Resources. This is another point you should mind selecting the paper title. Even if the topic is interesting and compelling, you need to make sure you can find valid and relevant sources of information to reference for the project. 
  • Complexity. No matter how exciting and unexpected the central finding of your research is, you need to explain the whole theme. Feel free to contact your professor if you have any questions or issues considering the topic you have selected. If you fail to acknowledge the basics even after detailed explanations, you should better opt for a simpler alternative. 

Common Mistakes Students Make in the Title of an Article in a Paper

The title of the term paper can be compared to the shop window. In the overwhelming majority of instances, you enter only the stores that seem interesting and catchy from very first sight. The same happens to the academic projects, as the instructors and other readers make certain conclusions about the whole work by just reading the title. Therefore, the selection of the term paper theme is an exceptionally responsible process that requires attention, determination, and concern. 

Irrespective of the unlimited number of guidelines and instructions on how to pick an appealing theme for the project, most learners keep making the same mistakes again and again. 

What is one of the most common mistakes made when choosing a term paper topic ? In fact, their quantity is much larger, so it may be hard to single out only one issue that can prevent you from the desired success. Check out the key issues instructors meet and specify in the students’ works: 

  • The topic does not describe the results of the research. Every college student should remember that the research paper title is not a teaser but rather an introduction to the subject. Therefore, it should emphasize the objective of the research, making the audience eager to continue reading. 
  • Too many details are included in the title. A meaningful and well-structured title is exactly what you aim for. Nonetheless, it is critical to avoid too long headings, staffed with facts and information. 
  • The heading is too long. Such titles are boring, and that is the worst characteristic your text can get. Make sure the heading is informative, logical, concise, and easy to comprehend. 
  • It is too general. The main task of the learner is to narrow down a general topic and develop one idea that seems to be the most appealing. Therefore, it is inevitable to make the title not only short but also specific, highlighting the specifications of the research. 
  • The title does not meet the requirements. Learn the requirements mentioned by your professor before you start working on the assignment. It is critical to adhere to the basic guidelines, as it will help you advance the quality of your writing to an exceptionally new level. 

Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of possible issues, so you should be attentive and responsible accomplishing the task.

What Is a Debatable Topic for a Term Paper

The debate can be defined as a game of argumentation. Accordingly, the debatable topic is a statement that you should prove to a person or a group of people that have a controversial opinion. When it comes to term papers , your task is to prove to your readers your opinion by doing your study and mentioning scientists that have researchers that correspond to your thoughts. 

For example, some researchers provide evidence that social media makes people’s lives better. Then, you can read a piece of work that mentions that social media is evil for humanity. Both studies give controversial proof. So we can consider that the topic How Social Media Impacts Human Behavior is debatable. 

Keep in mind that sometimes people say ‘argumentative’ as a synonym of the word ‘debatable.’ 

Factors That Make It So

So you know the definition of such a theme. Let’s clarify the question of what makes a topic debatable:

  • two controversial points of view; 
  • proofs of such points of view; 
  • the ‘eternity’ of the theme. It means that it can be discussed endlessly. 

Debates are practiced in middle and high school to improve students’ speaking skills. However, you can face debates not only on such lessons at school as argumentative essays always have a debatable topic . So be sure that such a theme in a term paper is the same as at school. But the main difference is that you should prove it in your paper, not by speaking. 

Does a Debatable Topic Have to Be Yes or No?

Yes, it always has the single-valued answer: yes or no. Let’s see two examples. 

In some countries, people can’t decide if it is worth getting vaccinated or not. And such a topic has two controversial opinions:

  • Yes, we have to get vaccinated.
  • No, it isn't worth it or is unnecessary. 

And the second instance. Let’s explore the topic : Is Higher Education a Necessary Factor of a Person's Financial Success in the Future? As you know, in 2021, the opinions on such a statement are different. Some people believe that it’s a necessary step to people’s financial success. But some young freelancers demonstrate that education in colleges or universities isn’t as vital as someone thinks. 

How to Write About a Debatable Topic

When writing a research paper on an argumentative theme, you have to follow a standard plan of any term paper. Let’s explore it in detail. 

Conclusion requires to say more about itself. You can demonstrate the scenario when the problem of your work is solved. Or another option: you can say that there is another point of view, and there are many studies that confirm it. By doing so, you’ll show professors that you understand that we don’t have insurance for making mistakes. 

Term Paper Proposal Example

cooperation

Impact of the Reverse Discrimination on the Societal Well-being in the US.

Objectives:

  • To examine the issue of the reverse discrimination in the United States;
  • To analyze the impact of the reverse discrimination on the societal well-being;
  • To provide the solutions on the possible means of conquering the issue.

Research Question:

Does reverse discrimination pose an issue for compliance, feeling of belonging, and inclusiveness in the society?

Thesis Statement:

Reverse discrimination has become a major social issue in the United States by influencing negatively the majority of people in terms of their freedom and opportunities, deteriorating the social well-being of the nation, forcing people to feel emotionally weak and alienated from the society. In the process of fighting discrimination against minorities, the nation has reached an unprecedented level of injustice and immorality towards the majority. There is a burning need to look for the new ways of renovating the social clay in order to maintain the society safe and comfortable for all people involved.

Methodology:

The majority of information will be taken from scholarly databases, such as Google scholar, JSTOR, Ebscohost, and others. However, this will not be only a scholarly discussion but rather a research, which provides the empirical evidence to the topic addressed. In order to attain such goal, the range of practices will be involved, including quantitative analysis though the survey of the chosen sample of people in the particular town in the United States. The amount of literature on the topic is vast to present a valid and credible term paper on the topic of the reverse discrimination in the United States.

  • Introduction.
  • Theoretical background on the concept of the reverse discrimination.
  • The reverse discrimination as a negative social phenomenon in the United States:

3.1. The history of the reverse discrimination at the workplace; 3.2. The legislative base that outlines the reasons for the existence of the reverse discrimination in the US; 3.3. The impact of the reverse discrimination on the social inclusiveness.

  • The recommendations to solve the issue of the reverse discrimination:

4.1. The international experience of tackling the issue; 4.2. The update of the social policies to solve the reverse discrimination problem across the country.

  • Conclusion.

Keep in mind, ThePensters.com is a paper writing service designed to make students’ life a little bit easier. Here, you can buy custom term paper at affordable price and impress your professor with a well-written original paper.

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Everything You Need to Know to Write an A+ Term Paper

Last Updated: February 19, 2024 Fact Checked

Sample Papers

  • Starting Your Paper
  • Writing Your Paper
  • Revising Your Paper

Expert Q&A

This article was co-authored by Matthew Snipp, PhD . C. Matthew Snipp is the Burnet C. and Mildred Finley Wohlford Professor of Humanities and Sciences in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University. He is also the Director for the Institute for Research in the Social Science’s Secure Data Center. He has been a Research Fellow at the U.S. Bureau of the Census and a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. He has published 3 books and over 70 articles and book chapters on demography, economic development, poverty and unemployment. He is also currently serving on the National Institute of Child Health and Development’s Population Science Subcommittee. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,219,171 times.

A term paper is a written assignment given to students at the end of a course to gauge their understanding of the material. Term papers typically count for a good percentage of your overall grade, so of course, you’ll want to write the best paper possible. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to write an A+ term paper, from researching and outlining to drafting and revising.

Quick Steps to Write a Term Paper

  • Hook your readers with an interesting and informative intro paragraph. State your thesis and your main points.
  • Support your thesis by providing quotes and evidence that back your claim in your body paragraphs.
  • Summarize your main points and leave your readers with a thought-provoking question in your conclusion.

proposal term paper example

Starting Your Term Paper

  • Think of your term paper as the bridge between what you’ve learned in class and how you apply that knowledge to real-world topics.
  • For example, a history term paper may require you to explore the consequences of a significant historical event, like the Civil War. An environmental science class, on the other hand, may have you examine the effects of climate change on a certain region.
  • Your guidelines should tell you the paper’s word count and formatting style, like whether to use in-text citations or footnotes and whether to use single- or double-spacing. If these things aren’t specified, be sure to reach out to your instructor.

Step 2 Choose an interesting topic.

  • Make sure your topic isn’t too broad. For example, if you want to write about Shakespeare’s work, first narrow it down to a specific play, like Macbeth , then choose something even more specific like Lady Macbeth’s role in the plot.
  • If the topic is already chosen for you, explore unique angles that can set your content and information apart from the more obvious approaches many others will probably take. [3] X Research source
  • Try not to have a specific outcome in mind, as this will close you off to new ideas and avenues of thinking. Rather than trying to mold your research to fit your desired outcome, allow the outcome to reflect a genuine analysis of the discoveries you made. Ask yourself questions throughout the process and be open to having your beliefs challenged.
  • Reading other people's comments, opinions, and entries on a topic can often help you to refine your own, especially where they comment that "further research" is required or where they posit challenging questions but leave them unanswered.

Step 3 Do your research.

  • For example, if you’re writing a term paper about Macbeth , your primary source would be the play itself. Then, look for other research papers and analyses written by academics and scholars to understand how they interpret the text.

Step 4 Refine your thesis statement.

  • For example, if you’re writing a paper about Lady Macbeth, your thesis could be something like “Shakespeare’s characterization of Lady Macbeth reveals how desire for power can control someone’s life.”
  • Remember, your research and thesis development doesn’t stop here. As you continue working through both the research and writing, you may want to make changes that align with the ideas forming in your mind and the discoveries you continue to unearth.
  • On the other hand, don’t keep looking for new ideas and angles for fear of feeling confined. At some point, you’re going to have to say enough is enough and make your point. You may have other opportunities to explore these questions in future studies, but for now, remember your term paper has a finite word length and an approaching due date!

Step 5 Develop an outline for the paper.

  • Abstract: An abstract is a concise summary of your paper that informs readers of your topic, its significance, and the key points you’ll explore. It must stand on its own and make sense without referencing outside sources or your actual paper.
  • Introduction: The introduction establishes the main idea of your paper and directly states the thesis. Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing sentence to intrigue your readers, and provide any necessary background information to establish your paper’s purpose and direction.
  • Body paragraphs: Each body paragraph focuses on a different argument supporting your thesis. List specific evidence from your sources to back up your arguments. Provide detailed information about your topic to enhance your readers’ understanding. In your outline, write down the main ideas for each body paragraph and any outstanding questions or points you’re not yet sure about.
  • Results: Depending on the type of term paper you’re writing, your results may be incorporated into your body paragraphs or conclusion. These are the insights that your research led you to. Here you can discuss how your perspective and understanding of your topic shifted throughout your writing process.
  • Conclusion: Your conclusion summarizes your argument and findings. You may restate your thesis and major points as you wrap up your paper.

Writing Your Term Paper

Step 1 Make your point in the introduction.

  • Writing an introduction can be challenging, but don’t get too caught up on it. As you write the rest of your paper, your arguments might change and develop, so you’ll likely need to rewrite your intro at the end, anyway. Writing your intro is simply a means of getting started and you can always revise it later. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
  • Be sure to define any words your readers might not understand. For example, words like “globalization” have many different meanings depending on context, and it’s important to state which ones you’ll be using as part of your introductory paragraph.

Step 2 Persuade your readers with your body paragraphs.

  • Try to relate the subject of the essay (say, Plato’s Symposium ) to a tangentially related issue you happen to know something about (say, the growing trend of free-wheeling hookups in frat parties). Slowly bring the paragraph around to your actual subject and make a few generalizations about why this aspect of the book/subject is so fascinating and worthy of study (such as how different the expectations for physical intimacy were then compared to now).

Step 3 Summarize your argument with your conclusion.

  • You can also reflect on your own experience of researching and writing your term paper. Discuss how your understanding of your topic evolved and any unexpected findings you came across.
  • 4 Write your abstract. Because the abstract is a summary of your entire paper, it’s usually best to write it after you complete your first draft. Typically, an abstract is only 150-250 words, so focus on highlighting the key elements of your term paper like your thesis, main supporting evidence, and findings. Avoid lengthy explanations and jargon or technical terms a casual reader might not understand. [13] X Research source

Step 5 Create your bibliography page and cite your sources.

  • While peppering quotes throughout your text is a good way to help make your point, don’t overdo it. If you use too many quotes, you’re basically allowing other authors to make the point and write the paper for you. When you do use a quote, be sure to explain why it is relevant in your own words.
  • Try to sort out your bibliography at the beginning of your writing process to avoid having a last-minute scramble. When you have all the information beforehand (like the source’s title, author, publication date, etc.), it’s easier to plug them into the correct format.

Step 6 Come up with a good title.

Revising & Finalizing Your Term Paper

Step 1 Make your writing as concise as possible.

  • Trade in weak “to-be” verbs for stronger “action” verbs. For example: “I was writing my term paper” becomes “I wrote my term paper.”

Step 2 Check for grammar and spelling errors.

  • It’s extremely important to proofread your term paper. If your writing is full of mistakes, your instructor will assume you didn’t put much effort into your paper. If you have too many errors, your message will be lost in the confusion of trying to understand what you’ve written.
  • If you add or change information to make things clearer for your readers, it’s a good idea to look over your paper one more time to catch any new typos that may have come up in the process.

Matthew Snipp, PhD

  • The best essays are like grass court tennis—the argument should flow in a "rally" style, building persuasively to the conclusion. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If you get stuck, consider giving your professor a visit. Whether you're still struggling for a thesis or you want to go over your conclusion, most instructors are delighted to help and they'll remember your initiative when grading time rolls around. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • At least 2 hours for 3-5 pages.
  • At least 4 hours for 8-10 pages.
  • At least 6 hours for 12-15 pages.
  • Double those hours if you haven't done any homework and you haven't attended class.
  • For papers that are primarily research-based, add about two hours to those times (although you'll need to know how to research quickly and effectively, beyond the purview of this brief guide).

proposal term paper example

  • If you use outside sources and do not credit those sources, you have cheated (plagiarized). You will fail and possibly get kicked out of school. Do not cheat; it's not worth it, and it's hardly useful for helping you retain the knowledge and develop the analytical understanding you'll need to apply for the rest of your career path. Put the effort in now, so that you’ll have an easier time later. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Never hand in a paper written for one subject to another subject. The only time this is permissible is when you've asked for permission and have the all-clear to do so. Remember that your professors or lecturers do talk to each other and they've seen everything before. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Do not forget to check the final draft for mistakes and omissions. If there are too many errors, your instructor will likely reduce your grade. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Write a Comparative Essay

  • ↑ https://www.binghamton.edu/counseling/self-help/term-paper.html
  • ↑ Matthew Snipp, PhD. Research Fellow, U.S. Bureau of the Census. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
  • ↑ https://emory.libanswers.com/faq/44525
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/planresearchpaper/
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
  • ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/outline
  • ↑ https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/writing/guide-to-writing-introductions-and-conclusions/
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26731827
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/writing-an-abstract-for-your-research-paper/
  • ↑ https://www.ivcc.edu/stylesite/Essay_Title.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.uni-flensburg.de/fileadmin/content/institute/anglistik/dokumente/downloads/how-to-write-a-term-paper-daewes.pdf
  • ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185937
  • ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

Matthew Snipp, PhD

If you need to write a term paper, choose your topic, then start researching that topic. Use your research to craft a thesis statement which states the main idea of your paper, then organize all of your facts into an outline that supports your thesis. Once you start writing, state your thesis in the first paragraph, then use the body of the paper to present the points that support your argument. End the paper with a strong conclusion that restates your thesis. For tips on improving your term paper through active voice, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

If you’ve ever been asked to write a term paper proposal, you’ve likely had to figure out a sample of the document to help you get started. This guide will help you learn the structure of the document and what to include in the bibliography. Additionally, it will show you how to avoid common mistakes that students make when writing term paper proposals. Read on to learn more! After all, the process of writing a term paper proposal isn’t that difficult.

Structure of a term paper proposal

If you are looking for a sample of a term paper proposal, you should know how to structure it. A term paper proposal should include an introduction, which should explain the purpose of the paper. The body of the term paper should contain the primary information, such as the results of the research. After that, it should have a conclusion, which summarizes what has been written and gives insight into possible future research projects.

A term paper proposal must contain the following elements: topic, working title, references, and summary. The topic should also be outlined clearly. This is the first step of the proposal writing process, as it presents the topic and important aspects of the paper. The proposal should be able to convince the instructor to give you the go-ahead for the paper draft. Also, it should fit the guidelines of the assignment, so make sure it’s interesting and relevant.

Choosing a topic for a term paper

Before deciding on a topic for your term paper proposal sample, you should know the requirements of your teacher. What type of word count is expected? What sources can you rely on for the research? Where can you find relevant materials? It is advisable to check the local library and the internet for resources. If necessary, consult handbooks and other reference materials that will help you with your research. This will help you avoid plagiarism and ensure that your term paper proposal sample is of the highest quality.

Generally, you should choose a topic that you are familiar with because it will be easier for you to research and write. Also, choose a topic that is multifaceted. The broader your topic, the better. Moreover, you should avoid picking a topic that is too narrow or too broad. The more general your topic, the more chances you will have of a good grade. For example, if you have to write a term paper on the topic of global warming, you should choose a subject related to science or global warming.

Including a bibliography in a term paper proposal

Include a bibliography in your term paper proposal sample if your supervisor requires one. The bibliography lists all the sources used in the proposal, as well as other works relevant to the research question. Your bibliography should be concise and logically organized, acting as a road map for your project. You should follow the standard formatting for your discipline, with a separate heading for “References.” Be sure to list all the sources you’ve used to gather information for your term paper or project. The bibliography should also be annotated with information about how each source helped you in your research.

A bibliography is an alphabetized list of all sources used in writing an academic paper. It is essential for all academic papers, and using a term paper proposal sample can help you learn what to include and how to write it. Listed sources should include the author’s last name, as well as the publication date and location. The format of your bibliography should reflect your research paper style, including any citation styles. Including a bibliography in your term paper proposal sample will show the reader that you are serious about your research.

Avoiding common mistakes in writing a term paper proposal

One of the most important things to remember while writing a research paper proposal sample is to do adequate research. It is important to conduct adequate research on your topic because it will open up a world of ideas and make your argument more powerful. However, if you do not conduct your research sufficiently, you will end up undermining your proposal. In this article, we’ll go over a few common mistakes students often make when writing a proposal.

In addition to referencing sources correctly, you should make use of a term paper proposal sample. By using a term paper proposal sample, you can avoid committing common mistakes when writing your own term paper. Using an outline will make your writing process easier. It will also allow you to get help from a professional editor. Lastly, make sure that your proposal sample is written well. By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your term paper proposal will be a great success.

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DEAN’S BOOK w/ Prof. CONNIE GRIFFIN

Honors291g-cdg’s blog.

How to Write a Paper Topic Proposal & Thesis Statement

•    PART 1 OF THE ASSIGNMENT: PAPER TOPIC PROPOSAL The formal research paper or honors thesis will provide you with an opportunity to more fully develop the background and implications of one of the topics presented during the semester or explore a related topic not covered. Your paper topic proposal requires research in order to make your proposal as close to your paper topic as possible. I strongly suggest you come to office hours to discuss your topic proposal with me, because I will review all proposals for viability and reject any inappropriate or undoable topics. The written proposal must include the following 2 things: 1.    Your proposed paper topic: This part of the proposal is one sentence. Keep your paper topic narrow (but not so narrow that there are no scholarly sources available on the topic). 2.    Why the topic is interesting and important: Address how you will focus the topic. If you choose a topic that is not of interest to you, it will show in your paper. This topic must remain of interest to you for two semesters, so give it some serious consideration. As we cover topics in class, undoubtedly something will come up that you want to learn more about. This would be an ideal paper topic. This part of the assignment requires that you include two to three paragraphs about why this topic is interesting and important. Why should the reader care about Roger Williams’s relationship with the Narragansett Indians? If you simply retell the story of his exile from Massachusetts and what he thought of the Narragansett religious beliefs and practices, that’s a book report, not an honors level research paper. However, if you explore the significance Narragansett religion had on Williams, his writings, and his life, you have the makings of an interesting and important research paper. It would require research pertaining to the role of missionaries in the American colonies, research of the Puritan philosophy and why Williams was banned from Massachusetts Bay Colony, and research of Narragansett beliefs and religious views and how they were impacted by the English and Dutch.

What should your paper topic be?  Select a course-related topic. I suggest you write about an area that most interests you and in which you might already have some background knowledge. What do you want to learn more about? What are you interested in? Avoid choosing a topic that bores you. Sustained interest in your topic is important, as a topic that bores you makes for a boring paper. It is unlikely you will be able to fool the reader into believing you liked a topic that you didn’t actually like.

Now, narrow down your topic:  Once you’ve chosen a topic, ask yourself if it’s narrow enough for you to tackle in the paper or honors thesis you will be writing. Narrow topics generally result in the best papers. One important consideration is the availability of material. Therefore, before making a final decision on your topic, do some initial research to find out the type, quality, and quantity of information available. Finally, how much time do you have to write your paper? The earlier you begin your paper, the more thorough the treatment your topic will receive. If you can’t begin your paper early in the semester, consider limiting your topic so you can deal with it adequately.

•    PART 2 OF THE ASSIGNMENT: THESIS STATEMENT What is a thesis statement?  A thesis statement is “a proposition stated as a conclusion which you will then demonstrate or ‘prove’ in your paper.”  It is the focal point around which your research will revolve. It is usually stated in the form of an assertion or statement you resolve through your research. It’s not a question; it’s an answer, such as: “Key decisions in large U.S. cities are made by a handful of individuals, drawn largely from business, industrial, and municipal circles, who occupy the top of the power hierarchy.” “Cigarette smoking harms the body by constricting the blood vessels, accelerating the heartbeat, paralyzing the cilia in the bronchial tubes, and activating excessive gastric secretions in the stomach.” A thesis takes a position on an issue. Because you must take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement in your research paper. It is different from a topic sentence in that a thesis statement is not neutral. It announces, in addition to the topic, the argument you want to make or the point you want to prove. This is your own opinion that you intend to back up. This is your reason and motivation for writing. A thesis statement: i)    tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. ii)    is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. iii)    directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel. iv)    makes a claim that others might dispute. v)    is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation. After you have done some preliminary research and reading on your narrowed-down topic, you should formulate a single-sentence thesis statement.

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion – convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is the purpose of the thesis statement?  The thesis statement guides you, enabling you to focus your research paper and outline what you will write. It allows you to clarify your thinking and determine what is relevant and irrelevant as you do your research. Your research paper must be thesis-driven. A high school level “report” will not receive a passing grade. The thesis must pull together the analysis that follows. Your thesis statement must be specific – it should cover only what you will discuss in your research paper and must be supported with specific evidence. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper. Early in your paper I should be able to locate the thesis statement. If I ask you “Where is the thesis statement?” you should be able to point to it immediately.

How do you come up with a thesis statement?  A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process and careful deliberation after preliminary research. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading a writing assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis,” a basic main idea, an argument that you think you can support with evidence but that may need adjustment along the way. Your topic may change somewhat as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.

Thesis Statement Samples: 1)    The non-thesis thesis: You must take a stand or you’ll end up with a “non-thesis thesis.” a)    Bad Thesis 1: In his article, Stanley Fish shows that we don’t really have the right to free speech. b)    Bad Thesis 2: This paper will consider the advantages and disadvantages of certain restrictions on free speech. c)    Better Thesis 1: Stanley Fish’s argument that free speech exists more as a political prize than as a legal reality ignores the fact that even as a political prize it still serves the social end of creating a general cultural atmosphere of tolerance that may ultimately promote free speech in our nation just as effectively as any binding law. d)    Better Thesis 2: Even though there may be considerable advantages to restricting hate speech, the possibility of chilling open dialogue on crucial racial issues is too great and too high a price to pay. 2)    The overly broad thesis: A thesis should be as specific as possible, and it should be tailored to reflect the scope of the paper. It is not possible, for instance, to write about the history of English literature in a five-page paper. In addition to choosing simply a smaller topic, strategies to narrow a thesis include specifying a method or perspective or delineating certain limits. a)    Bad Thesis 1: There should be no restrictions on the First Amendment. b)    Bad Thesis 2: The government has the right to limit free speech. c)    Better Thesis 1: There should be no restrictions on the First Amendment if those restrictions are intended merely to protect individuals from unspecified or otherwise unquantifiable or unverifiable “emotional distress.” d)    Better Thesis 2: The government has the right to limit free speech in cases of overtly racist or sexist language because our failure to address such abuses would effectively suggest that our society condones such ignorant and hateful views. 3)    The incontestable thesis: A thesis must be arguable. And in order for it to be arguable, it must present a view that someone might reasonably contest. Sometimes a thesis ultimately says, “people should be good,” or “bad things are bad.” Such thesis statements are redundant or so universally accepted that there is no need to prove the point. a)    Bad Thesis 1: Although we have the right to say what we want, we should avoid hurting other people’s feelings. b)    Bad Thesis 2: There are always alternatives to using racist speech. c)    Better Thesis 1: If we can accept that emotional injuries can be just as painful as physical ones we should limit speech that may hurt people’s feelings in ways similar to the way we limit speech that may lead directly to bodily harm. d)    Better Thesis 2: The “fighting words” exception to free speech is not legitimate because it wrongly considers speech as an action. 4)    The “list essay” thesis: A good argumentative thesis provides not only a position on an issue but also suggests the structure of the paper. The thesis should allow the reader to imagine and anticipate the flow of the paper, in which a sequence of points logically proves the essay’s main assertion. A list essay provides no such structure, so that different points and paragraphs appear arbitrary with no logical connection to one another. a)    Bad Thesis 1: There are many reasons we need to limit hate speech. b)    Bad Thesis 2: Some of the arguments in favor of regulating pornography are persuasive. c)    Better Thesis 1: Among the many reasons we need to limit hate speech the most compelling ones all refer to our history of discrimination and prejudice, and it is, ultimately, for the purpose of trying to repair our troubled racial society that we need hate speech legislation. d)    Better Thesis 2: Some of the arguments in favor of regulating pornography are persuasive because they ask pornography proponents to ask themselves whether such a profession would be on a list of professions they would desire for their daughters or mothers. 5)    The research paper thesis: In another course this would be acceptable, and, in fact, possibly even desirable. But in this kind of course, a thesis statement that makes a factual claim that can be verified only with scientific, sociological, psychological, or other kind of experimental evidence is not appropriate. You need to construct a thesis that you are prepared to prove using the tools you have available, without having to consult the world’s leading expert on the issue to provide you with a definitive judgment. a)    Bad Thesis 1: Americans today are not prepared to give up on the concept of free speech. b)    Bad Thesis 2: Hate speech can cause emotional pain and suffering in victims just as intense as physical battery. c)    Better Thesis 1: Whether or not the cultural concept of free speech bears any relation to the reality of 1st amendment legislation and jurisprudence, its continuing social function as a promoter of tolerance and intellectual exchange trumps the call for politicization (according to Fish’s agenda) of the term. d)    Better Thesis 2: The various arguments against the regulation of hate speech depend on the unspoken and unexamined assumption that emotional pain is trivial.

How do I know if my thesis is strong?  If there’s time, run it by a professor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback (http://www.umass.edu/writingcenter/index.html). Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft of your working thesis, ask yourself the following: 1)    Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. 2)    Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument. 3)    Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”? 4)    Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is, “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue. 5)    Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary. 6)    Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Jane M. Smith Honors ____ [Date] Paper Topic Proposal and Thesis Statement Proposed paper topic: [One sentence.] Why the topic is interesting and important: [Two to three paragraphs.] See details above on what is required of this section. Thesis statement: [One sentence.]

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How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

A proposal is the most essential part of writing a term paper, since the decision that the review board makes concerning the topic you have chosen depends on the quality of this document. Take this matter seriously and commit to the guidelines for term paper proposal writing accepted by your college or university.

The first issue that may arise when you star writing (or even before that) your proposal is coming up with a catchy working title. It should grasp the readers attention, encouraging to read your word, but it should also stay on topic and present your work in the best light and describe what you are going to talk about. Mind that it is called a working title for a reason, since you will be able to change it while working on your term paper.

Writing a term paper proposal is all about outlining your future work and you have to make sure your are doing it consistently. A term paper proposal is not an easy task, since you have not yet started writing the actual paper. That is why you have to take a very close look at the issue you want to discuss in your paper, and lay out everything in a very transparency manner to explain the audience what your work is about, and to understand yourself what you need to focus on while writing your paper.

The foremost part of your term paper proposal is the thesis statement which you have to state first thing after the title. Your thesis statement is an answer to a question about the issue you are going to research in your term paper. A good thesis statement succinctly presents your whole term paper and prepares your audience, so they know what to expect.

The next step is to explain why you have chosen your particular topic, why you want do research your chosen issue and how this research can be useful. Then, you want to describe the methods that you intend to use in your work. The last but one part of your term paper proposal is the actual outline of your future work. You can present the outline in a form of listed sections and subsections of your future term paper.

The last part of your term paper proposal should consist of Bibliography and References Cited. The difference between these two is that References are the sources that you actually cited, whereas Bibliography is a list of all books and other types of source material on the subject.

When you are done with your term paper proposal, remember to proofread your work, to impress the review board even more, and edit it according to the accepted standards.

At MidTerm.us you can get professional help with term paper writing online. Academic writers will write a custom term paper within your deadline.

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  1. Sample Academic Proposals

    Sample Academic Proposals Select the Sample Academic Proposals PDF in the Media box above to download this file and read examples of proposals for conferences, journals, and book chapters.

  2. PDF How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

    You find that you are interested in the problems of crack babies, babies born to mothers addicted to crack cocaine. You start out with a thesis statement like this: Crack babies. This fragment isn't a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject.

  3. How to Write a Term Paper From Start to Finish

    How to Write a Term Paper: Short Description In this article, we'll delve into the core purpose of this kind of assignment - to showcase your understanding of a subject, your research abilities, and your capacity to communicate complex ideas effectively. But it doesn't stop there.

  4. PDF Research Paper Proposal

    Research Paper Proposal with student samples Research Paper Proposal For JURI495 and 496, the research issue that you select must encompass at least two disciplines, law and a liberal arts discipline such as history, philosophy or political science.

  5. Term Paper

    Here's an example structure for a term paper: I. Introduction A. Background information on the topic B. Thesis statement II. Literature Review

  6. How to Write a Term Paper: A Complete Guide With Examples

    Topics, topic sentences, and paragraphs - Every paragraph starts with a topic sentence that describes what the paragraph is talking about. The easiest way to understand is this. If writing a paper about wind and solar, you would need at least three topic sentences - 1)Wind 2)Solar 3)Benefits of using wind and solar.

  7. PDF How to Write a Paper Proposal

    The purpose writing a paper proposal is to give your professor, TA, and/or peers an opportunity to provide feedback on your topic, argument, and research goals. Perhaps most importantly, a paper proposal requires you to narrow your topic and begin formulating the argument you'll make.

  8. How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

    Step 1 Pick a topic that is familiar or of interest. Make sure that the topic meets the assignment guidelines before you begin. Step 2 Write a brief description of the paper. Be sure to include the paper title even if it is a tentative one. Step 3 Outline the parts of the paper and a brief description of what each part will cover.

  9. How to Write a Research Proposal

    How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023. A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it's important, and how you will conduct your research.

  10. Understanding the Basics: How to Write a Term Paper

    Steps to compose a cover page: Centrally align the title of your paper in the middle of the page. Add your name, course name, and number below the title. Include your instructor's name and the date of submission at the bottom. You might be required to add more than these common elements if your professor asks you to.

  11. How to Write a Term Paper in 5 Steps

    Matt Ellis Updated on December 4, 2023 Students Term papers are a key way to test a student's knowledge and research skills, but they can be difficult to write. In this guide, we explain the best methods to write a term paper, including the proper term paper format and even how to choose a term paper topic. Cite your sources with confidence

  12. How to Write a Proposal Essay/Paper

    Sep 15, 2023 10:04 PM EDT This article will go over how to write an effective proposal essay and provide a sample that was actually submitted and implemented. What Is a Proposal Essay? A proposal essay is exactly what it sounds like: It proposes an idea and provides evidence intended to convince the reader why that idea is a good or bad one.

  13. How to Write a Term Paper: Outline, Format, & Writing Tips

    Raymond Miller May 4, 2023 Writing a Term Paper: What You Need to Know If you've landed here by searching on Google for tips on how to write term paper, you're in the right spot! You can be upfront about your deadline and share the number of pages you need to complete with us.

  14. How to Write a Term Paper With Examples and Tips

    For example, a term paper refers to a serious research paper that a student should submit at the end of a semester. In this case, professors use these works to track and evaluate their learners' knowledge about the area of expertise. Moreover, the process of organizing a term paper involves comprehensive research and methodological writing skills.

  15. How to Write a Good Term Paper (Format, Structure, Outline)

    How to Write a Term Paper Proposal. Even before you start researching a topic and writing, you need to prepare a college term paper proposal. This is a document that will help you defend your idea in front of the professor. Even before starting the main work, you will submit this proposal to get approval.

  16. How to Write a Topic Proposal for a Term Paper

    A term paper is defined as a research paper and is commonly required at the end of the school term. The main goal of the assignment is for the student to highlight the writing skills, knowledge, and qualifications within the field. Irrespective of the topic and the objective of the project, technical writing expertise and an ability to process ...

  17. Sample papers

    The following two sample papers were published in annotated form in the Publication Manual and are reproduced here as PDFs for your ease of use. The annotations draw attention to content and formatting and provide the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.. Student sample paper with annotations (PDF, 4.95MB)

  18. Term Paper Proposal Example

    Term Paper Proposal Example 13 December, 2023 , by Jane Copland A term paper is a regular assignment for students to research a specific topic of interest. The purpose of the term paper proposal is to outline the structure of the future term paper, providing the key elements that will support the research.

  19. How to Write a Term Paper: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

    4. Develop an outline for the paper. Some people can work on a term paper skipping this step; they're a rare and often time-pressed breed. It is far better to have an outline sketched out so that you know where you're headed, just as a road map helps you to know where you're going from A to B.

  20. How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

    A term paper proposal must contain the following elements: topic, working title, references, and summary. The topic should also be outlined clearly. This is the first step of the proposal writing process, as it presents the topic and important aspects of the paper. The proposal should be able to convince the instructor to give you the go-ahead ...

  21. How to Write a Paper Topic Proposal & Thesis Statement

    1. Your proposed paper topic: This part of the proposal is one sentence. Keep your paper topic narrow (but not so narrow that there are no scholarly sources available on the topic). 2. Why the topic is interesting and important: Address how you will focus the topic. If you choose a topic that is not of interest to you, it will show in your paper.

  22. How to Write a Term Paper Proposal

    A proposal is the most essential part of writing a term paper, since the decision that the review board makes concerning the topic you have chosen depends on the quality of this document. Take this matter seriously and commit to the guidelines for term paper proposal writing accepted by your college or university. The first

  23. PDF Example Term Paper Format

    Example Term Paper Format ECON 460 November 19, 2011 Abstract The following paper is an example of the appropriate stlyle, layout and format for an term paper or essay in an economics course. All papers should have a title page that contains the following: 1. Title of the Paper 2. Course Number and Instructor 3. Your name and student number 4. Date