Term papers are a key way to test a student’s knowledge and research skills, but they can be difficult to write. In this guide, we explain the best methods to write a term paper, including the proper term paper format and even how to choose a term paper topic.
What is a term paper?
A term paper is a piece of academic writing in which a student demonstrates their knowledge of a topic of study. Term papers constitute a large portion of the final grade, making them a serious assignment. There is typically no more than one term paper assigned each term, although how long a term lasts depends on the school system.
Keep in mind that a term paper is one specific type of academic paper. It is more intensive than a standard writing assignment but is not as in-depth as a thesis paper or dissertation.
How long is a term paper?
There is no standard length for a term paper; each subject, course, and professor has their own preferences. Term papers can be as short as five pages or as long as twenty pages, but they usually fall somewhere in the middle.
What’s the difference between a term paper and a research paper?
Technically speaking, a research paper is a paper that argues its main point with original data and evidence. However, the term research paper is used informally to refer to any paper that requires research, even when collecting data and evidence from other preexisting sources. So in that sense, a term paper can be a research paper if the student must research other sources to complete it.
The terms term paper and research paper are often used interchangeably. However, term papers are generally assigned once per term, whereas a teacher or professor can assign as many research papers as they wish.
What’s the difference between a term paper and an essay?
An essay is any writing that asserts the author’s opinion or perspective, whether for school, publication, or just the author’s personal enjoyment. Unlike research-oriented term papers that draw from data and evidence, essay writing is based only on the author’s experience or viewpoint.
Essays are usually shorter than term papers and more casual in tone. Keep in mind that term papers are strictly academic, whereas essays can be written for various audiences.
How do I write a term paper?
Writing a term paper still follows the standard writing process but with some extra focus in certain areas.
1 Developing ideas
The first step of writing a term paper is brainstorming to come up with potential topics and then selecting the best one. Sometimes your topics are assigned, but often you’ll have to choose one yourself.
In addition to picking a topic that you’re personally interested in, try to settle on one that has sufficient depth. Avoid topics that are too broad because you won’t be able to cover everything, and stay away from topics that are too specific because you may not find enough information to fill the required paper length.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out our list of term and research paper topics.
2 Preparation (research)
The preparation stage is when you determine your main point and the parts of your topic you’re going to discuss. For most term papers, that requires research. If you’re not conducting your own research, then you’re finding and reviewing sources to use instead.
A good place to start is by writing your thesis statement, a single sentence that sums up the main point(s) your paper tries to make. Your thesis statement determines what evidence and counterarguments you’ll need to discuss. Deciding on these early can help streamline your research.
3 Outline
Once you establish what you want to include in your term paper, you can start putting it in order by writing an outline. Think of the outline as the blueprint of your term paper, mapping out each part of your topic, paragraph by paragraph.
Be sure to follow the term paper format for the assignment. This means adhering to the guidelines and planning enough content to meet the length requirement.
4 First draft
Writing the first draft is easier if you follow your outline. Although this stage can be the most labor-intensive, remember that everything doesn’t need to be perfect. You can still go back later to revise and optimize your wording, but for the first draft, just focus on getting all your ideas down on paper.
This isn’t always easy. If you’re having trouble or get stuck at certain points, go back to the fundamentals and revisit your first-year writing skills. If you have writer’s block, don’t be afraid to take a break and try again later—your brain could just be too tired to come up with ideas.
5 Editing and proofreading
After you have completed a first draft, it’s time to begin the editing process. This is when you correct the mistakes in the first draft and detect other issues that need revising. If a section seems weak or inadequate, you can revise the wording or even rewrite it entirely. You may find that something is missing from your first draft, so now is the time to add it.
We recommend rereading your term paper twice—once to correct the wording and structural mistakes and another time to proofread. Revising it twice allows you to better focus on particular issues instead of trying to address everything at once. If you’re trying to determine the right word choice, spending time on spelling and grammar might be a distraction. It’s better to separate the tasks and do them one at a time.
Term paper FAQs
How do I write my term paper?
Writing a term paper still follows the standard writing process, but goes deeper into certain areas. Start by brainstorming topics that you find interesting before selecting one that has ample source material. Then begin your research. When you’re ready to start writing, create an outline, then a first draft, and finally revisions.
How long is a term paper?
There is no standard length for a term paper; every teacher or professor has their own requirements. Term papers can be as short as five pages or as long as twenty pages, but they usually fall somewhere in the middle.
What’s the difference between a term paper and a research paper?
Technically speaking, a research paper supports its thesis with original data and evidence. However, the term research paper is used informally to refer to any paper that requires research, even when collecting data and evidence from other preexisting sources. So in that sense, a term paper can also be a research paper if the student relies on other sources to complete it.
