There are a lot of ways to write a bad term paper and you probably know or may have already practiced some of them. But what about the ways to write a term paper that can get you really good results? This article is focused exactly on that.
Read it till the end and you will know how to write a term paper like a real expert
Choose the right topic
You have a huge advantage if you were given the opportunity to choose the topic on your own, because you can get creative and select the topic that you’re really interested in. The more engaged you will be with the topic that you have selected the easier it will be for you to work on it. What are the questions that you want to find the answers to? If there are many questions like this, then choose the most interesting ones. If the topics that you have selected are too broad than try to narrow them down to something that you can work with within the limitations of the term paper. In case you weren’t that fortunate and the topic was chosen for you, then you should think about the most interesting angle that you can look from. Whatever the topic or the angle on the topic you have chosen, you should make sure that it’s insightful, original in approach and something that readers will be fascinated with. Here are some additional tips on choosing the right topic for the research paper:
- Ask questions about the topic from the very beginning and till the end of your work, throughout all the stages. This will help you to look on the topic like on a hypothesis, rather than conclusions, which will definitely increase the quality of the term paper. If you utilize this approach, you should be ready to change your opinion as you’re writing.
- Reading opinions and comments of other people on the topic. You may find out that the further research is required or you may discover unanswered questions. In both cases, it would mean that you can make a contribution.
Do your research
Inability to do the research makes many people buy term papers online. On the other hand, people don’t buy term papers if they know how to do the research and this is what we will teach you. Research is the stage of writing work where you start understanding the background of the topic and identifying the areas where further research is necessary. Don’t follow the temptation to write everything that you already know about the topic and leave yourself limited to that, because this way, you will learn nothing new. Start doing your research with a sense of openness and adventure and be willing to learn new things and discover new solutions to the old problems. Make sure to use primary (interviews, legal cases, original texts, experiments, documents, etc.) and secondary (interpretations of other people) sources. Discussing the topic with like-minded students on the campus or on the online forum would be a good idea.
Polish your thesis statement
When you have completed the research it’s time for reflection. What is the strongest point or idea that you want to discuss and that you believe you can prove and defend throughout the whole paper? This idea will become your thesis statement and you should make sure that your thesis is both engaging and thought-provoking. Otherwise, you will leave your readers bored and you don’t want it, do you?
It is highly advisable to leave some space for flexibility. As you will be working on your term paper, you will discover new ideas, and this may lead you to reshaping your thesis statement a little bit. But don’t go to the extremes of constantly changing the thesis statement as you’re working on your term paper, because it will lead you nowhere. When you feel that your thesis statement is strong enough and takes into consideration all points of view on the investigated issue – you can stop improving it. Enough is enough!
Create an outline
There are people who skip this step, but skipping it is exactly what stands in a way of writing excellent essays. Outline helps you to remember where you are heading and what points you should visit until you reach the destination point. The outline is also a subject to changes, but even though it can be changed, it gives you a sense of structure and direction and this is very helpful for the end result. Outline is basically the skeleton of your paper, which you should fill with flesh, bones and skin, or in other words – necessary details. Here are the basic elements of the outline:
- Introduction, discussion section and summary.
- Explanatory or descriptive paragraphs, which should follow the introduction and set the theme or background.
- Argument paragraphs and analyses. Write main ideas for each paragraph.
- Questions you’re unsure about yet.
Compose a killer introduction
Once you’re done with the outline, you can proceed to writing a draft of your essay. Start with the introduction. Among all other elements of your term paper, this one is the most likely to be rewritten. For this reason many experienced students advise not to start writing the paper with the introduction but rather with body paragraphs and write the introduction in the end. The most important thing about the introduction is this: it should be the most engaging part of your term paper, because it sets the stage for what’s to come on the following pages. If it’s dull, no one is going to continue reading your term paper! Whenever you decide to write introduction, use HIT method:
- Hook your audience by using a catchy quote or a thoughtful question.
- Introduce the topic. Be straightforward, clean and succinct.
- Thesis statement. You already know how to write a good one from the previous point.
Remove reader’s doubts in body paragraphs
While your readers are reading the introduction, different questions may pop up in their minds. In the body paragraphs, you should make sure to address all these questions. Each paragraph should address one argument and back it up with sufficient and solid evidence. In order for your term paper to run smoothly, the last sentence of your paragraph should serve as a transition to the next paragraph.
Write a strong conclusion
Strong conclusions are easy to write if you know the ROCC What’s this? Let’s take a look:
- Restate the thesis statement.
- One crucial detail, which is often mentioned in the last paragraph.
- Conclude – what’s the outcome?
- Clincher – leave readers with some food for thought.
Don’t forget about formatting
One of the elements of answering the question “how to write a term paper?” is this – do the right formatting. Even if you have an excellently written work, you can still get an average grade if your paper has poor formatting. If you’re unsure which formatting style you should use for your paper, clarify this question with your professor or department. Pay special attention to formatting quotes in accordance with the necessary style. Here are a couple of tips in terms of style that you should follow:
- Don’t simply copy-paste the ideas of other people. Readers want to know your opinion.
- In order to avoid the last minute scramble, sort the bibliography from the very beginning.
Build muscles
You may have written a lot of sentences, which convey your ideas. But is it really the best way to convey your ideas or you can improve it somehow? Examine all sentences in your term paper and replace vague language with strong words. All “to-be” verbs should be replaced with stronger “action” verbs. Instead of “I was writing my dissertation” use “I wrote the dissertation.”
Proofread scrupulously
Your job won’t be finished until you proofread your paper carefully a couple of times. Unfortunately, you can’t write a perfect paper without taking the time to polish it. If your professor notices little mistakes here and there, which your spell-checker hasn’t noticed, you won’t get an A+ for your term paper. Decent grammar, punctuation and spelling should be a must.
Congratulations!
Now you know how to write a term paper like a pro!
