Writing a term paper can be difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience with this kind of assignment. The most important thing is not to panic. A term paper may be a bit harder to handle than an ordinary essay, but with the following tips, you will be able to write it in no time:
Don’t start with the introduction.
You will be able to write a much better introduction after you complete the body of the paper. This way, you will know exactly what to put in the initial paragraph.
Even if you have a plan, the flow of the paper may change when you begin writing. This is why it’s always best to write the conclusion and introduction last, as both of these paragraphs must include a short summary of the main text.
Make an outline.
An outline is the plan of your paper. If you manage to develop a good detailed outline, the process of writing will become much simpler, as you will only need to expand the listed points.
Remember, even if you do have an outline, it is not set in stone. You can deviate from the original plan if you come up with some more interesting ideas after you start writing.
Adding changes to the outline will help you see what other points need to be corrected to fall in with the new pattern.
Be concise and formal.
A term paper is an important piece of academic writing, and it’s imperative for it to be written in the formal style. You need to study some guides in order to understand what this style entails, and use a dictionary to help you choose the most fitting words.
Bear in mind that you will be assigned a certain format for your paper (usually, it’s either APA or MLA styles). You will have to research the format and learn its requirements.
Revise and edit the paper thoroughly.
It takes at least three editing sessions to really polish an academic paper, so be sure to allocate enough time for this in your writing plan.
The first editing stage is revision. At this point, you need to reread the paper and focus on improving its content.
The second stage is grammar editing. You need to focus on one mistake at a time and go over the paper several times to eliminate all of them.
The last step is spellcheck. It requires attention and a clear mind, so it’s best to allow yourself a day of rest before you sit down to put the finishing touches on your term paper.
Ask someone else to read your paper and offer you some criticism.