Writing A Quality Term Paper - The Essentials

Blank and confused about where to start your term paper and how? Well, this is the tragedy most students face when it comes to crafting quality term papers. But why? Let’s take it from the very start. A term paper is basically an academic assignment that students have to submit at the end of the semester or term. However, the submission is not just a formality here. Rather, these papers are assigned for particular purposes. According to the research article in Sage Journals, “Term  papers  are  commonly  used  to  evaluate  a  student’s understanding of academic writing principles.” Similarly, another expert defines term paper writing as a means to check students' understanding of the subject and their research abilities.

So, when students sit to write this paper, they are anxious. Why? Because this paper makes up a large part of their overall term grading. Thus, students are overly conscious of its quality and accuracy. However, students can easily tackle this challenge by staying calm and with proper management. For any guidance or info, our comprehensive guide on term paper writing is here to assist you. Let’s see what it entails:

Writing A Term Paper - Important Factors

Term Paper Outline

An outline is among the foundational factors of any academic writing. It helps students organize and structure their papers overall. This mapping not only helps them complete the writing part efficiently but also ensures coherency in all sections. The general outline for a term paper includes:

Title

In the title page, add: 

• Paper’s title
• Student’s name
• Course name
• Instructor’s name
• And submission date

Abstract

It is a short summary of the paper of about 150 to 250 words but with comprehensive information. Here, students should add:

• Main points about the paper 
• The aspects it will talk about
• Paper findings 

Introduction

It is the first main section that thoroughly introduces the topic and provides a bit of study context. Here: 

• Introduce the topic
• Provide background information
• And state the thesis statement

Literature Review

The outline of the literature review should include:

• A summary of key studies related to the topic at hand
• And what context do they provide for the term paper topic

Methodology

Here, explain the research methods used (if applicable).

Discussion & Analysis

In this section, students:

• Present arguments, findings, and critical analysis.

Conclusion

The conclusion should: 

• Summarizes main points 
• And restate the thesis with final thoughts

References

Lists all sources cited in the paper.

Term Paper Format

The formatting of a term paper depends upon the institute guidelines and what your professor requires. However, the general standards are these:

Font

Times New Roman, 12-point size

Spacing

Double-spaced

Margins

1-inch on all sides

Page Numbers

Usually in the top-right or bottom-center

Citations

Follow a specific style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)

Term Paper Based On Academic Disciplines
 

Term papers and their focus vary with different academic fields. What you perform in the term paper of a business field would be highly unique from the one you will do in nursing subject. Let’s have a look at a few examples:
 

Business Term Paper

In a business term paper, you will focus on business problems, case studies, or market analysis.

You will use data-led insights and include financial models or SWOT analyses.

Example topics include corporate social responsibility, market trends, or business strategy.
 

Nursing Term Paper

In this term paper, you will discuss patient care strategies, case studies, healthcare policies, etc.

You will use evidence based practice to support your arguments. 

Example topics include patient safety, nursing ethics, healthcare management, etc.
 

Marketing Term Paper

Here, students assess consumer behavior, advertising strategies, or digital marketing trends.

They support their arguments using surveys, focus groups, or market data.

Example topics include brand loyalty, social media marketing, etc.
 

Social Sciences Term Paper

Social sciences term paper requires a focus on cultural studies, social challenges, human behavior, etc. 

Students utilize relevant research sources and philosophies to add strength to their points. 

Example topics include human experiences, social relationships, public policies, etc.

Term Papers Based On Academic Levels
 

High School

Here, term papers are shorter and focus on summarizing the existing information.

The topics are broad, with no specific element in focus.

They require clear structure and simple language.
 

College

It goes a bit deeper and asks for the insights of the students at the college level.

High accuracy in citations and clarity of the arguments are requirements here.
 

University

The term paper at the university level requires in depth research, critical analysis, and original insights.

Topics are highly specialized here for the research-intensive process.

It may involve field studies, experiments, or case studies.

Term Paper Writing Tips
 

Choose a Relevant Topic

The first and foremost part is choosing a perfect topic. Whatever you choose, it must align with your interests and match your course objectives.

Do Proper Research

Go deeper and try to understand the topic from various perspectives using reliable and relevant research studies, books, journals, and online material.

Create an Outline

The outline will act as the building block of your term paper. So, it is important that you have it at hand when you start writing. In the outline, mention all the essential aspects you are going to input in the paper and how you will carry out their details. You can either do that roughly by just adding half written lines in para form or by following proper outline structure. The proper outline works by an alphanumeric system.

Write Clearly and Concisely

On the basis of your outline, start writing the draft. Use clear, concise, and professional language. Do not add unnecessary terminologies and filler content just to increase the length.

Proofread and Edit

Once the writing part is completed, take a break for about a day or hours. After the break, edit and proofread your document. Review your whole paper with a keen eye and remove all errors related to grammar, language, formatting, and citations.

Follow Citation Guidelines

Cite all sources used in your paper and ensure highly accurate referencing of each. Cross-check in-text citations with the sources at the end of the list.

Term Paper Citation Styles

When writing your term paper, citations are an essential part of the development. This is because of the authenticity and reliability they offer to your assignment. Therefore, it is important that you cite all the sources used accurately and with adherence to the style guide preferred by your institute.

These style guides vary from field to field. However, generally, specific citation styles are applicable to these disciplines:

APA (American Psychological Association)

Researchers use it in psychology, education, and social sciences.

MLA (Modern Language Association)

Common in humanities and literature.

Chicago/Turabian

Often used in history and business.

Harvard

Popular in economics and social sciences.

However, many times, students do not have any specific guidance related to citation style. In that scenario, they could get help from their peers or a professional term paper writing service available online. 

The Wrap!

Term paper is an opportunity for students of all educational levels to enhance their academic writing skills and subject knowledge. These skills not only boost their academics but are also valuable for their professional lives to come. From writing clarity to citation accuracy, each and every aspect of the term paper holds equal weight in significance.

So, do not let minor hurdles stop you from getting the grades you deserve. Follow our guide and craft a paper that meets the standards and your expectations perfectly.