Writing an Impressive Piece or How to Write a Term Paper

Writing a term paper doesn’t have to be complicated! This guide will help you understand term papers and their key requirements. You'll learn how to format your paper, create a strong outline, avoid common mistakes, and use the right academic language. Plus, we’ll share practical tips to make the process smoother.

So, what is a term paper?

A term paper is an academic assignment completed at the end of a term or semester to evaluate a student’s understanding of the subject. It is written as a research-based report and requires strong writing skills and original research to highlight the student's achievement. A good term paper presents a clear idea supported by a well-structured argument or analysis. Struggling with yours? Turn to professional term paper writers and achieve top grades effortlessly!

Term Papers Vs. Research Papers

Although term papers have many similarities with research papers, and the titles are used interchangeably, they are not the same:

• Term papers are around 3,000 to 5,000 words, but research papers are much longer (5,000 words or more).
• Term papers test students' achievement of a specific topic covered during the term or semester, whereas research papers involve a much broader aspect of a subject and a theoretical question.
• Term papers have a less specific structure.
• Term papers are given after a particular topic has been covered, but research papers can be provided at any time.
• Term papers use scholarly articles, academic papers, textbooks, and other primary sources. Research papers generally use surveys, questionnaires, interviews, and observations.
• Term papers have a shorter deadline.

Term Paper Format

The length of a term paper varies depending on your course and subject, but a standard paper is usually 10-15 pages long. It is typically formatted as:

• Double spaced
• 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
• 1-inch margins on all sides

Before you start, always check your college’s specific formatting guidelines. Common citation styles include:

• MLA (Modern Language Association) – humanities
• APA (American Psychological Association) – social sciences
• Chicago/Turabian – historical research

Recommended Research Sources

When conducting research in the U.S., students are often required to use peer-reviewed sources, such as:

• Google Scholar
• JSTOR
• University Library Databases (e.g., EBSCO, ProQuest)

Follow these term paper format guidelines to ensure it meets academic standards and is properly formatted.

Typical Term Paper Structure

Understanding the basic structure of a term paper will help you stay organized and focused while writing. Below is a standard layout used in most academic settings:

Title or Cover Page

This page should include the following information, centered on the page:

• Your full name
• Course title and code
• Instructor’s name
• Submission date

Abstract

The abstract is a summary of your term paper. It outlines the main issue or purpose, explains why the topic is important, and previews your approach.

• Keep it under one page
• Typically written after the paper is complete
• Acts as a quick overview for readers

Introduction

Your introduction sets the stage for your argument.

• Start with a compelling hook or statement related to your topic
• Introduce the central idea or research question
• Clearly state your thesis — the answer or argument your term paper will explore
• Suggested length: 200–400 words (about 5–10% of your total word count)

Main Body

This is the core of your term paper and should provide depth and analysis. It usually includes:

• Background or context related to your topic
• Detailed arguments supported by peer-reviewed sources
• Different perspectives and critical analysis
• Possible solutions or interpretations based on the research

Tip: The main body typically takes up 60–80% of your total word count (roughly 2,400–3,200 words for a standard paper).

Results or Findings

Here, you interpret the outcome of your research:

• Do your findings support your thesis?
• Did your perspective change based on evidence?
• Explain why your argument holds up (or doesn’t)

Approximate length: 200–400 words.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your term paper and restate your thesis in light of the evidence presented.

• Highlight broader implications or pose a final question for further research
• Suggested length: 10–15% of the total word count

Bibliography

On a new page, list all sources you cited or consulted:

• Organize alphabetically
• Use the citation style required by your instructor (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.)
• This section is not included in the word count

Note: Word count guidelines are approximate. Always check with your instructor for specific requirements based on your subject or department.

How to Write a Term Paper Outline

Even if your instructor doesn't require it, creating a detailed outline before writing your term paper is highly recommended. An outline helps you:

• Organize your thoughts logically
• Ensure you cover all required sections
• Maintain a consistent flow and structure throughout the paper
• Save time during the actual writing process

Tips for Writing an Effective Outline

Example of a Mini Outline

• Introduction: Define "attachment disorder"; state thesis
• Body Section 1: Brief history of attachment theory
• Body Section 2: Effects of insecure attachment on child development
• Body Section 3: Possible treatments and interventions
• Conclusion: Restate thesis, summarize key findings, suggest further research

How to do a Term Paper, Step-by-Step Guide

Writing a solid term paper is much easier when you break the process into manageable steps. Here’s a clear, structured approach recommended by academic experts.

1. Choose and Narrow Down Your Topic

Start with a broad area related to your course material, then narrow it down to a specific, researchable question. Avoid vague topics like “Climate Change” and aim for something focused, like “How Does Climate Change Affect Agriculture in California?”.

Before moving on, define:

• A central research question
• A working thesis statement — your main argument or hypothesis

Examples of the right topic ideas:

• The influence of diversity on team effectiveness
• How can developed countries support developing countries?
• How does immigration affect the economy?
• Can solar power replace traditional energy sources?
• The impact of globalization on national politics

2. Conduct Preliminary Research

Gather peer-reviewed sources to support your thesis. Use credible academic databases. As you research, start building your bibliography using the required citation style.

3. Note Key Facts in Your Own Words

Avoid copying directly from sources. Instead, paraphrase key ideas and data that support your thesis. This helps you understand the material better and avoid plagiarism.

4. Create an Outline

Draft a rough structure for your term paper. Start by organizing the main body — the core section with your arguments and supporting evidence. Then, build the introduction, conclusion, and other components around it.

5. Write the First Draft

Begin writing based on your outline. Use clear academic language, logical transitions, and strong citations to back up each point. Focus on getting your ideas down — perfection can wait until editing.

6. Revise and Edit

Set aside time to revise your draft:

• Reorganize sections if needed
• Strengthen weak arguments
• Improve clarity and flow

Editing tools like Grammarly can help spot grammar and style issues, but don’t rely on them entirely.

7. Proofread Carefully

After editing, do a final proofread to catch spelling, punctuation, and formatting errors. Pay attention to:

• Citation formatting
• Page layout
• Typos or awkward phrasing

8. Ask for Feedback

Get a fresh perspective! Ask a friend, family member, or classmate to read your term paper. A second pair of eyes can catch mistakes you might miss — or give you ideas for improvement.

Pro Tip: Professors often recommend breaking the writing process into these stages:

• Pre-writing (research, thesis development, outlining)
• Drafting (writing the first version)
• Revising & Editing (improving structure, content, and clarity)
• Proofreading (final polish for grammar, citations, and formatting)

Term Paper Language

Formal

A term paper is an academic text, so it should be written formally, avoiding colloquialisms, idioms, slang, cliches, everyday abbreviations, contractions, and gender-biased language.

Also, avoid job-specific jargon that will likely be unknown to the reader, such as ‘atrial fibrillation,’ ‘bucketize,’ ‘synergy,’ and ‘thermodynamics.’ Jargon can look impressive, but if the reader does not understand, it is pointless.

Objective

Academic writing generally needs to be written objectively. When expressing a standpoint, it should be based on facts and measurable or quantifiable information. Exaggerations are not objective either, so do not use statements such as ‘A ridiculous number of dogs are euthanized in the US.’ To remain objective, state ‘670,000 dogs are euthanized in the U.S. each year’.

Impersonal

Unless you are told otherwise, using an impersonal tone in a term paper is best. You can do this by refraining from using the first person (‘I,’ ‘my,’ ‘me,’ ‘myself,’ ‘we,’ ‘us,’ ‘our’). Instead, use the third person (‘they’, ‘Dr. Williams’, it, ‘herself’, ‘their’, ‘Sigmund Freud’, etc.).

Simple

Professors require clear and definitive language. This helps reduce the risks of errors or misconceptions. Look at the following sentences. They both mean the same and are grammatically correct, but the latter is clearer and more direct.

For example:

Useful tips

Use only reliable academic sources to support your arguments. These include scholarly books, peer-reviewed journals, textbooks, and academic databases. Websites ending in .gov, .edu, or .ac are also considered credible in most academic contexts.

Avoid using non-academic or unreliable sources such as Wikipedia, personal blogs, social media posts, general news websites, and domains ending in .com, .org, or .net, unless they are affiliated with reputable institutions.

If you're unsure about formatting or structure, ask your professor whether they can provide a term paper sample for reference. Some may offer examples or templates to help you get started. Additionally, you can use a paper writing service, which can be helpful if you are short on time.

Follow the formatting style your institution requires and apply it consistently throughout the entire document, including in-text citations and the reference list.

Eliminate unnecessary or repetitive words during the editing stage. Clarity and conciseness are highly valued in academic writing.

Finally, read your paper aloud as part of the proofreading process. This can help you catch awkward phrasing, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies that may not be obvious when reading silently.

5 Common Term Paper Mistakes

1. Lack of focus: Before you start writing your term paper, make sure you have a precise question that you are attempting to answer. Keep reminding yourself of this question throughout the paper. It can be easy to lose focus when producing a large piece of writing, so glance back at the title regularly and ask yourself if everything you have written is relevant.
2. Poor Structure: A well-written term paper will flow or link from one sentence to the next sentence and from each paragraph to the next. A new paragraph is usually needed for each new point.
3. Reader-unfriendly: Remember that the readers of your term paper are only familiar with your topic so explain why you are providing them with details of an aspect of your chosen topic and examples of its importance.
4. Failing to effectively wrap up: The thesis needs to be restated in the conclusion, and the main points of the term paper need to be reviewed.
5. Formatting, spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors: Check that you have consistent spacing and consistent styles, fonts, and sizes of headings and sub-headings. The term paper will look more professional if consistency is achieved. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors are very easy to miss (even for professional writers), so take a break before thoroughly proofreading.