How to Write a Term Paper That Wins You an A+

You’ll face many assignments throughout the semester. These usually include essays, research papers, discussion posts, and the like. At the end of the course, students usually get a term paper into work. What is this task about, and how to nail it?

According to an official definition, term papers are final assessments of the student’s progress at the end of the semester. So, what is the difference between a term paper and a research paper? It stands somewhere between a research paper and a thesis. This assignment summarizes all knowledge obtained during the course. Thus, it may be related to a topic broader than that covered in a research paper.

Given the specifics of writing, the project may turn into a challenge for many. Here, we cover all the ins and outs of composing a correct, highly-rated term paper in line with academic conventions. You will get useful tips for jumpstarting the writing process and components of the correct term paper format. We also share outlining suggestions and interesting term paper ideas.

How to Start a Term Paper – Useful Tactics

Many students are anxious about how to start a term paper so that the process goes smoothly. We have a couple of tips to speed up your work.

Start with an idea. You should always begin with brainstorming (if you’re not given a concrete topic). This way, you will collect as many potentially interesting ideas as possible. Next, you will refine them and choose the one that speaks to you.
Research the subject. Once you have narrowed the study scope, it’s time to do some background research. You may study academic databases and collect some evidence. Based on those sources, you may move on to develop your arguments.
Make an outline. After clarifying the main aspects of your analysis, you need to structure it. Make an outline to break down the topic into manageable sections. Your writing will go smoother and faster with such a roadmap.
Focus on the thesis. It’s also important to develop a certain thesis statement. It’s a guiding idea that will determine the line of your reasoning.

Nuances of a Correct Term Paper Format

How to write a term paper supercharged for the highest grade? The secret is in following the proper structure and format. Here are the main elements you should have.

Title page
Abstract
Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
References
Appendices (optional)

The main body section is the largest portion of your project. As a rule, it should contain the following subsections:

Introduction, with research questions.

Literature review.
Methods and data.
Results.
Discussion.
Conclusion.

These nuances of the format lay the basis for your concise term paper outline.

Step-by-Step Guide to Composing a Term Paper Outline

As you can see, every term paper has three main components: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Now that you have a better idea of term paper structure, it’s time to proceed to outlining. Use the following generic template to create a workable outline covering each of the three parts mentioned above.

Introduction

General introduction to the topic.
Background data and statistics that point to its significance.
Problem statement.
Thesis statement.
Research goals and questions.

Body of the paper

Overview of relevant research (literature review)
Description of the methods you applied to collect and analyze data.
The actual analysis of data.
Comparison of your findings with those from prior research on the subject.

Conclusion

Restatement of thesis statement.
Summary of main findings.
A broader assessment of the study’s significance and value.

10 Exciting Term Paper Topics You May Explore

Choosing a thought-provoking topic that gives you space for in-depth analysis is also a vital step in term paper writing. Here are a couple of term paper topics you may find valuable.

The role of female spies in the American Civil War.
Social effects of technology and AI on human interactions.
Why is populism so widespread in 21st-century politics?
How is universal basic income related to national welfare?
The degree of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest area and its implications for local environmental health.
Why are adolescents the most vulnerable population group in terms of social media effects?
What dystopian themes from 20th-century literature came true?
AI advancements: are fully autonomous systems a reality?
How has the common spread of online education affected educational outcomes?
What can the global community learn from COVID-19?

How Long Is a Term Paper – Word Count for Various Study Levels

Many students fear this assignment because they don’t know exactly, “How long is a term paper?” The good news is that it’s not necessarily a lengthy project. The page count depends on your study level and the depth of analysis required. For instance, at a high school or junior college level, you may have a 5-page term paper. As soon as you reach the graduate level of study, your term papers may be up to 20 pages long.

If you’re thinking of how many hours you need for a term paper, page count should be your roadmap. Evaluate the assigned length of the project and plan the writing time accordingly. You may need one full day to compose a term paper 5-10 pages long. Projects over 10 pages may require 2-3 days of intense working time. On the first day, you will collect scholarly data and outline the text. On the second day, you may complete all the writing. On the third day, you will polish the draft and compile the referencing page, running all final checks. Don’t forget to reserve an additional day for editing and proofreading, as it’s an important stage before submission.

Need help?

If you still feel confused about this academic assignment or need more practical help with it, welcome to TermPaperWriter. Our team is always on standby, ready to help you with tasks at all complexity levels, topics, and deadlines. With our reliable assistance, you can plan your study time more effectively and stop fearing low grades.