Home / Blog / Everything You Need to Know About Term Papers

If you've recently enrolled in university and have heard about this term before, welcome to this exciting new phase of your education! University is more than just cramming from lots of books. Additionally, it should ideally encourage critical thinking, educate you on how to effectively explain your arguments, and support the growth of your research abilities. And in order to produce a fantastic term paper, you'll need all three of these! But wait for a second: What are term papers?

Term Paper Definition

A term paper is more like a research paper that students write at the end of the session or semester. Professors evaluate the student's understanding level with the help of term papers. Term paper is an assignment that teachers assign to students at the end of the semester.

Writing a term paper can be frustrating and can cause stress. But fret not! Nerdpapers has a team of experts who are available 24/7 to assist your 'write my term paper' needs.

Difference between term papers and research papers

Many students are confused about these two types of assignments. However, a few aspects show their differences:

Term Papers Research Papers
Term papers assess students' knowledge of a subject they have studied over the term or semester. They include a theoretical question and much broader aspects of the subject.
They are assigned at the end of the year or semester after a certain topic has been covered. They can be assigned at any time during the semester, start or end.
Term papers often involve the use of scholarly publications, academic papers, and textbooks.

Research papers use questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and observations.

They have a specific structure.

Their structure is not specific.
The deadline for term papers is shorter. They take more time to complete, even months or years.

 

☑️Reading suggestion: How to write a research paper

How long is a term paper?

There is no universal standard for the term paper length that you should follow. It totally depends on the requirements of your teacher or institution. If you conduct an Internet search for this information, you will observe that many sources provide different information. One website specifies a 10-page document requirement, while another specifies 45 pages. That's why it's crucial to read your professor's instructions thoroughly.

The college term paper volume determines your writing style. For instance, if your paper is brief, you must convey your ideas in a concise manner, getting right to the point. If it is lengthy, attempt to conduct in-depth research and consider the problem from various perspectives rather than stuffing the pages with junk.

Term Paper Outline

The term paper outline is the main element that makes your term paper excellent. Irrespective of length, the term paper outline must follow the specific criteria. In other words, term papers must have an engaging introduction, an in depth body paragraph, and a strong conclusion.

Introduction

The term paper introduction section should briefly cover the topic and tell its significance to society. Don't include specific details and facts in this part. 

Following that, you should start delving further into the topic covered in the body sentences. In doing so, the topic is narrowed, increasing the information's clarity for the reader. Finally, the last sentence of the Introduction, also known as the thesis statement, is the core of the whole paper, which you must defend. This is typically an undiscovered claim in term papers that needs to be supported by evidence, also known as research and analysis.

Body

The term paper body paragraphs are commonly known as the 'meat' of the paper. There are several reasons behind this name. This part is strictly dedicated to explaining and proving your thesis statement. The number of pages in the body paragraphs of a term paper can vary from 1 to 100, depending on the length of the assignment . It also depends on the depth of the thesis statement you have written. Break up your body paragraphs into smaller parts because your main idea (thesis statement) should be strong enough to make sense when looked at from different angles.

In addition to supporting your thesis statement, consider incorporating a literature review within your body paragraphs. A literature review provides context and support for your argument by examining existing research on the topic.

Conclusion

In conclusion, firstly, restate your thesis statement confidently. This shows to the reader that you fully believe what you have written and that it makes perfect sense! Next, summarize your essential points in a few sentences. In other words, summarize each of your arguments in just a phrase. This will give your reader a summary of the points you made throughout your essay. Finally, make a general closing statement.

✅Here is a term paper outline example:

✔️Introduction

    • Define topic purpose
    • Thesis statement

✔️Body

    • Methodology
    • Facts and figures
    • Results
    • Discussion
    • Recommendations and limitations

✔️Conclusion

    • Summary of main points
    • Restate thesis statement
    • A summative statement

What is the structure of term papers?

It is very important to know about term paper structure. Different subjects have specific requirements. For some term papers, it may be required to write an abstract or to use illustrations and diagrams. Other term papers won't require you to include an abstract and will ask you to utilize as few images as feasible.  

The following are the common elements of college term paper format:

term_paper_structure

Title or Cover Page: This page contains your name, course title, course code, instructor name, and submission date. Align this information in the center. 

Abstract: An abstract is a summary of the whole term paper and includes its goal, problem, and significance. Normally, it is a few paragraphs long but shorter than a page.

Introduction: A good term paper introduction starts with a hook statement about the topic. It then describes how the problem will be discussed, along with possible solutions. There is no set number of words for the introduction. However, it will typically be longer than the abstract. An approximate range for its word count is 5–10% of the paper's overall word count, or 200–400 words.

Term Paper Main Body: A brief history of the idea, arguments, or problem is written first to provide context for the reader. The key elements of the idea, argument, or problem are then supported with references. Also, their impact and effects are discussed, along with potential solutions. The reader is presented with various subject viewpoints as well as an analysis of research findings. This portion, which is the longest in the essay and has 2400-3200 words, will make up roughly 60–80 % of the entire word count.

Results: This section discusses why the research results suggest a solution or answer the question. It is usually between 200 and 400 words in length (5 to 10% of the total word count). This is comparable in length to the introduction.

Conclusion: The conclusion contains a brief summary of the main facts and conclusions regarding the answer or solution to the question or problem. This part should normally be around 10-15% of the total word count.

Reference List: On a new page, make an alphabetical list of all the materials used throughout the term paper. It won't count towards the word count. It must be prepared in accordance with the citation style specified by the instructor.

Note: Word counts given in this blog post are general and approximate. To get precise information on word counts, speak with your instructor at school or in college.

How to write a term paper?

Have you ever wondered how to start a term paper and could not figure out the initial step? Don’t worry! You are not alone in this difficulty. It becomes discouraging and terrifying for you when you start to write a term paper for the first time. Your frustration may even urge you to get help in writing term papers, which is cool. But isn't it more cool to learn how to write a term paper on your own? 

✔️Do brainstorming & make an outline

When writing academic papers, this is the actual research. Write down the first idea or thought that comes to your mind. Choose the most innovative yet creative topics. For reliable scholarly research, consult sites like Jstor. Sometimes, professors assign topics to students. In this case, conduct detailed research on your topic and make an outline.

✔️Write a convincing introduction

Start your introduction with a strong opening statement. Try to engage your audience from the first line of your term paper. Write a precise description of the topic or issue which you are going to address in your term paper. Then, write your thesis statement in a clear and concise way.
Keep in mind that the term paper introduction should be inviting and concise. Avoid adding irrelevant information or excessive examples.

✔️Body Paragraphs

An efficient writing method for the body paragraphs is to begin by creating topic sentences based on your outline. Then, develop those topic sentences into whole paragraphs by adding relevant information to support your claims.
The length and number of paragraphs in your term paper body section depend on the specific topic and your professor's instructions. Start each paragraph with a well-crafted topic sentence. It is a very helpful tip for maintaining clarity and coherence. 

✔️Craft the Conclusion

When you've finished the main body of your term paper example, it's critical to give a thorough and concise conclusion. This conclusion should include a summary of the data you've presented and a discussion of the larger implications of your study. Remember the following point when writing your term paper conclusion:

  • Do not introduce any fresh information in this section.
  • Define your research's end results.
  • Explain the consequences for upcoming research.

At the end, wrap everything up with a strong and memorable closing statement.

What are the possible term paper formats?

When writing a term paper, your teacher may ask you to follow specific writing formats. For instance, the most typical formatting styles are Chicago/Turabian, MLA, and APA. Each style has its own special rules you need to follow.

Term Paper APA Format

APA is an American Psychological Association format commonly used in social sciences. An APA title page, abstract, introduction, methodology, findings, discussions, and references are all included in the APA format term paper. Here is how you can style your term paper in APA format.

  • Write content on A4 white paper with 8.5’’x 11" elements.
  • Time new Roman font 12 points.
  • Use double spacing throughout the paper.
  • 1" margin on all sides of the paper.
  • Use the tab button on your word processor to set the passage indentation to ½ inches.
  • Include a header and page number on your term paper title page. 

MLA Term Paper Format

MLA is a Modern Languages Association format often used in the humanities, arts, and literature. It includes proper formatting of citation sources. You need to include the publication date, name, and location for proper referencing. The MLA format for your term paper is as follows:

  • Use Times New Roman text style and 12-point font size.
  • Double-space all text.
  • List your name, professor name, date, and class at the upper left corner of your first page.
  • Term paper has one inch edge on each side of your paper.
  • Add your last name and page number to the upper right corner of each page.
  • Your term paper title should be centered under the heading details. Never underline your paper title. Moreover, don't apply bold or italic as well as quotation marks
  • on your term paper title.
  • Set passage indent to ½ inches.
  • Align all your content to the left side of the paper. 

Chicago/Turabian Format

Chicago format style is used in case of law assignments. Requirements of this format style are:

  • Times New Roman font 12 points.
  • Apply margins of 1’’ on all sides.
  • Double-spacing.
  • Text is justified to the left, with a ragged right edge.
  • The first sentence of each paragraph should be indented by ½ inches.
  • In the upper right corner, include page numbers.

By following the appropriate format and citation style, you’ll ensure that your term paper is well organized. Always pay close attention to the requirements specified by your professor. 

How do you choose sources for term paper writing?

When you start writing a term paper, your top priority is to search for effective sources. Before writing a term paper, you should compile an annotated bibliography of all the sources you require. They will help you alot in term paper writing. But the question here is how to find reliable sources.

Only use credible databases: Google Scholar and Jstor are examples of reliable sources you can consider while writing a term paper. They both speed up your research while containing the most recent peer reviewed papers.

Pay attention to the website's URL: Links ending in .gov, .org, and .edu are trustworthy sites from which you can gather the data. Avoid sources like blogs, Wikipedia, and news portals. They frequently include personal ideas but lack proper justification. 

Attempt to conduct unbiased research: The authors usually express social and political opinions in their writings. You require the least biased source for your term paper samples. Check out the background information of the author before deciding to use that resource.

Look for sources that are no more than five years old:  The research field is ever-evolving. But if you are writing a term paper for science subjects, you should pick the most recent research. 

Stick to term paper topic: Keep in mind that the topic you choose for term paper writing must be discussed. This way, your paper may be great. But it's not a good fit for your paper if the source only talks a little bit about the topic. 

Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Term Paper

Lack of focus: Before you begin writing your term paper, make sure you have a clear question that you're trying to address. You should also keep coming back to this question as you write. When writing a lengthy post, it can be easy to lose concentration, so check the title regularly and consider whether everything you have written is still relevant.

“DIY” attitude: Term paper writing can be difficult, especially if it's your first one. When you are stuck on your term paper, do not hesitate to contact your instructor for assistance. 

Plagiarism: You will consult a variety of sources for your future research. To prevent plagiarism, make sure you cite all of your sources. 

Poor Term Paper Structure: A poorly structured term paper can undermine the quality of your work and negatively impact your grades. To avoid this problem, you need to know what makes a term paper structure bad and how to fix it.

Tips for Writing a Killer Term Paper

Let's have a look at some guidelines that will help you to write a term paper successfully and avoid mistakes.

  • If you get a chance to choose a topic for a term paper, then choose a topic of your interest.
  • Make sure that you have enough time for term paper writing. It is an effort and time consuming task.
  • Don't add irrelevant information to the term paper. Try to maintain relevancy to the course for which you are writing a term paper.
  • Use a reflecting and neutral tone.
  • Always proofread your term paper thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the term paper example pdf?

Typically, a term paper has an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. It also contains a thesis statement, an analysis, and facts. Term paper formats and structures may vary based on the academic institution and your instructor's requirements. It is vital that you follow the specified guidelines. 

What is the fastest way to write a term paper?

If you have a limited amount of time, you must act rapidly. Starting early is the key to writing a term paper quickly. You must successfully manage your time. You can also divide your task into smaller, more doable pieces. Concentrate on writing the entire paper, and make sure to proofread and edit for typos.

How many pages should a term paper be?

The length of a term paper may differ widely based on your educational background, the topic, and the precise guidelines set forth by your instructor or institution. Term papers often range in length from five to twenty pages or more. 

Final Thoughts

We know that writing a term paper can be challenging. Lack of time, missed deadlines, and tons of homework may spoil the writing plan. But there is no need to worry when there is a reliable write my essay for me service in hand. Seek guidance if required and express your unique perspectives confidently. You can do this. Happy writing!