Term Paper Format: Simple Guide to Write a Professional Term Paper

Term papers are common across institutions and usually have to be submitted before the end of the semester. While they make up a large part of the final grade, these assignments require extensive research and a deep understanding of the syllabus- making them hard to write from scratch.

When grading the paper, a professor will examine whether the set question has been answered and if sufficient research has been undertaken. The references will also be checked to ensure they have been used appropriately.

Without following the correct term paper format, the presented content will lack consistency and organization. Knowing how to use the requested formatting style and structure will ensure you present a quality term paper.

In this post, we will cover the definition of a term paper, the format expected by your professor, and the easiest way to write this academic paper.

What Is a Term Paper?

Term papers are academic research papers assigned at college or university. The deadline for the task is usually at the end of the academic term or semester and contributes to the final grade in that subject or course.

The purpose of the term paper is to gauge whether the student has understood what was taught in that course. Thus putting your best effort and showcasing analytical, research, and writing skills can be the difference between failing and passing that class and proceeding to the next academic level.

How Many Pages Is a Term Paper?

The length of a term paper can be between 7 to 15 pages. But there is no specific or fixed length, and often it depends on your professor. Looking at a well-written term paper sample is a great way to learn the length expected and structure.

Term Paper Format

Students have to use the correct style guide to format their work. That is why it is essential to read all provided instructions before writing a term paper.

This is should also be done to ensure adherence to all the formatting instructions given. Furthermore, a clear structure allows the flow of information and ensures all main points are covered. So what are the parts of a term paper?

Cover Page

The term paper cover page should contain the student’s name, course number, professor’s name, and deadline date. All the information on a cover page should be centered.

Abstract

This section should give a brief overview of the paper. It should not exceed a page.

Table of Contents

This section provides a map or plan for your term paper. It includes headings and subheadings with a brief statement on what they cover and their designated page numbers.

Introduction

This term paper chapter explains why the topic is relevant and includes the hypothesis and definitions of variables.

Literature Review

Use this term paper chapter to discuss related research that made it possible for you to come up with a hypothesis.

Methodology

Give a detailed, accurate description of the research methods or experimental approaches used. Use a step-by-step procedure to explain.

Results

Explain in detail whether the hypothesis stated in the introduction was true or false.

Recommendation

Based on the topic and results obtained, give your views for future research.

Reference or Works Cited List

Depending on the citation format requested, list all the sources in a specific order. Most citation styles require full sources to be listed alphabetically.

How Do You Write a Term Paper?

Here is a simple guide on how to write a professional term paper.

1. Read the Instructions

Each term paper will have different instructions. The key to writing a professional term paper is to follow all the specifications, including citation style, font type, font size, questions that need to be addressed, and maximum word count or pages.

2. Conduct Extensive Research

Even if you have background knowledge on the topic, to produce a quality term paper, you still need to find additional information that acts as evidence or supports your claims. While doing research, note down quotes, page numbers, and significant information that you will use in your paper.

3. Create an Outline

Term paper outline act as a plan or framework around which you will build your work. It also makes it easier to gauge how much time it will take to complete the whole piece. So how do you write a term paper outline?

• Come up with several main points and arrange them in chronological order.
• Designate in which paragraph each main point will go into.
• Divide the paper into three main sections: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Use a term paper outline example from a reputable site to learn how to create a road map for your content. With a good outline, you will stay on track and have guidance for the writing process.

4. Write the Term Paper

Now that you know how to write a term paper outline, the next step is to start writing. Follow the term paper format and be consistent in using in-text citations. That way, you can avoid mixing two or more citation styles. Often students wonder how to start a term paper.

The trick is to come up with a compelling introduction to capture the professor’s attention and keep them interested in reading through the whole piece. Make sure the introduction states the goal of the paper and ends with a thesis statement. Use the body section to provide concrete evidence from scholarly sources and end with a convincing conclusion.

5. Proofread

Set enough time aside to proofread and correct spelling and grammatical mistakes. Check the structure and ensure there is flow.

Writing a term paper from scratch will not be easy for every student. If you use unreliable or outdated sources, you will receive a low score. Failing to proofread the paper properly means submitting content with errors that lower the quality of your writing.

Lack of ample time to conduct extensive research and average writing skills can leave any student frustrated. Luckily, with a trusted term paper writing service, you can meet the deadline and submit an impressive term paper. Our experts can help you complete term papers for any subject, format, or topic. We can also edit your draft and ensure you submit a polished term paper. Contact us today and give our writers a try.