Term Paper Help for Students: 10 Best Suggestions
It’s the end of you first semester and the dreaded final assignment will soon be due. This, of course, is the infamous term paper. Writing one of these papers isn’t an easy task, but it’s something everyone must learn if they want to survive college. To save you hours of wasted time staring at a blank computer screen, here are some tips to get your started.
- Understand what your professor wants. Your professor did not assign this paper just for fun. Trust me, nobody really enjoys grading 50 written papers! Your professor has assigned the paper for one reason – it is the best test of what you have learned. Look at your syllabus and look again at the course objectives. You should be fulfilling these when writing your paper.
- Follow the rules, no matter what. Sometimes professors will add rules to these paper assignments just to check who is paying attention. Some things to look for in these style paper instructions are:
- Font style and size
- Size of margins
- Spacing: Single, or 1.5 are the most typical
- Look for a word count or page minimum
- Start with an outline. Writing is easier – and faster – when you organize your ideas first. Write a simple outline using one sentence for each section of the assignment. Usually, these papers include one introductory paragraph, two or three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph.
- Do your research! Spend at least a couple hours gathering information for your topic by researching online, in the library, or using your class reading. Lecture notes can also be used as sources in an assignment.
- Cite your sources. Include formatting that shows where you got your information. These could be in the form of footnotes or end notes. Always include a reference page in the style suggested by your professor.
- Choose the correct voice. Is this supposed to be objective or subjective? Think about the desired style and tone of your assignment when writing.
- If you’re stuck, find an example. While plagiarism is wrong, and doesn’t help you learn, seeing an example can help you learn the correct writing style.
- Write a second, third, even fourth draft. Never feeling satisfied will land you a higher grade on your projects. Put in the effort to make some edits before you turn it in.
- Proofread your papers. Never submit an assignment to the teacher without first proofreading it for grammatical, spelling, and general word choice errors.
- Submit your paper correctly. If you submit a physical copy of your project, but your professor asked for an electronic one, not only will you lose face, but your professor will remember you in a negative light. Always read the instructions before submitting!
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