Term Paper Writing Guide
How to Prepare A Term Paper:
A term paper is a written report (about 3 to 15 pages long), on a selected topic for the course you take during a term. To prepare a paper, you should find a topic about which there is some interest, question or controversy, gather facts and opinions about the issues, analyze this information and present a reasoned conclusion to the topic. In short, there must be a thorough examination of all aspects of your topic.
1. Choice of Topic
Choose a topic (or question) that is interesting to you, that you know something about, and that is timely and significant to study. Sometimes your instructor will give you a list of possible topics; at other times you are allowed to choose anything you want. Avoid overly elementary topics. If you have a strong opinion or bias about your topic, be especially careful to write a balanced and accurate paper. Topics may be derived from past and current events, people, and geographical areas. For instance, the topic for a history paper may be selected from labor history, intellectual history (ideas, thinkers, etc.), social history, African-American history, and other areas.
If the topic is too broad, limit its scope. The topic can be narrowed down to a particular period of time, a specific aspect within the topic, or some combination of both. To ensure thorough discussion of your topic, you must have enough data - books, articles, government documents, etc. If you have insufficient materials, it is wise to consider changing topics as soon as possible. Remember that the library staff is willing to help you, but you should always talk to your instructor, he/she is in a position to help you by identifying potential problems involved in your topic including those of data collection.
2. Survey the Literature
The major research tools used for collecting material on your topic are:
a) Online Catalog (Books + articles)
b) Periodical Indexes (print, online, +CD-ROM)
c) Internet Sources
Consult with a librarian on how to access and retrieve information from the above mentioned research tools. Other materials and information on your topic can also be obtained through subject bibliographies, sources of statistical information, government documents, and professional organizations that may deal with the subject.
3. The Outline
Make an outline based on preliminary readings. Your preliminary reading may start with articles from encyclopedias (either general or subject specific). The outline is the framework of a paper. It includes the purpose, hypothesis, and major points to develop in your paper. It will be a guide that gives direction to your thinking, reading, and writing.
At the stage of preliminary reading, you normally arrive at a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a point that you wish to prove or disprove. It is the backbone of a paper. It should not be trivial or obvious; it should be somewhat controversial. A hypothesis is the thesis or theme of a paper. A proved or disproved hypothesis becomes the conclusion of the paper.
4. Notes for Draft
Read sufficiently and jot down the main ideas that you think belong in your paper. You may make an exact copy of the passage, from a source that you would like to incorporate, and rephrase the passage for indirect quotation. Remember that taking statements or ideas from other sources without attributing them to those sources is plagiarism. If your professor finds out you have done this, you run the risk of a failing grade no matter how good the other parts of your paper are. Your notes may be made on cards (3"x5" or 5"x7"), or arranged in a notebook, making sure to include all appropriate bibliographical information. Be sure to arrange your notes in a logical sequence before writing. Be sure to include a "working bibliography" - a list of all sources used in researching/writing the paper.
5. First Draft
Write a draft and be sure to keep to your theme. During the period of writing, you may have to return to your sources or do additional research and reading. The contents of a paper usually consist of three parts:
Introduction: includes an opening statement of what is to be discussed and why.
Main Body: specific questions or points on the topic are discussed and answered with evidence, e.g., ideas, facts, examples, interpretations, etc.
Conclusion: a summary of discussions and findings with or without recommendations.
6. Review of Draft
Prepare the documentation. Each citation, whether you quote it directly, or put it into your own words, must be documented. The source corresponding to each footnote may be provided at the bottom of the same or listed at the end of the paper. If you are in doubt, check with your professor to find out what style documentation you should use. The bibliography, or alphabetical list of all materials consulted, goes at the very end of the paper. Note that the following section on How to Write Footnotes & Bibliographies' may assist you in formatting your footnotes and bibliography in an accepted style.
7. Final Draft
Type a final copy of your manuscript. After reviewing, rewriting, and/or having someone read it for content and errors in style and grammar, type a final copy, following the instructor=s guidelines for spacing and margins. Make sure you have included all components that your instructor has requested: title page; table of contents, if any; introduction; main body; conclusion; appendix(ex), if any; footnotes if they are needed at the bottom of the page, and a bibliography.
If you are in doubt as to whether you have met the requirements of the assignment, check with your instructor in advance of the due date.
Sources available in the Paul Meek Library
How to Write Footnotes & Bibliographies
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 6th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. Call #: LB2369.T8 1996 (Behind Reference Desk)
Gibaldi, Joseph MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 4th ed. New York: Modern Language Association of New York, 1995. Call #: LB2369.G53 1995 (Behind Reference Desk)
Publication Manual of the American Psychology Association. 4th ed. Washington: American Psychology Association, 1994.Call #: BF76.7.P83 1995 (Reference & Behind Reference Desk)
University of Chicago Press. The Chicago Manual of Style: For Authors, Editors and Copywriters. 14th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993. Call #: Z253.U69 1993 (Reference)
Owmby, Raymond L. Psychological Reports: A Guide to Report Writing in Professional Psychology. Brandon, VT.: Clinical Psychology Pub. Co., 1992. Call #: BF76.8.O86 1992(2nd Floor)
Baugh, Sue L. How to Write Term Papers and Reports. Lincolnwood Ill.: NTC Business Books, 1992. Call #: LB1047.3.B38X
Pitsco's Launch to Citing WWW Addresses. Link: http://www.pitsco.com/pitsco/cite.html
Selected References for Further Reading & Ideas
AA Guide to Writing Skills,@ The World Book Encyclopedia. Vol. 22. Chicago: World Book-Childcraft International, 1966, pp.8-21. Call #: AE5.W55 1996 (Reference)
Senn, J.A. What Should I Write My Report On? 400 Thematic Research Ideas for Reports. New York: Scholastic Professional Books, 1993. Call #: LB1575.8.S46 1993 (LRC-Gooch)
Flesch, Rudolf & Lass A.H. The Classic Guide to Better Writing. New York: Harper Perennial, 1996.Call #: PE1408.F478 1996 (2nd Floor)
Infonautics Corporation"s Idea Directory. Link: http://www.researchpaper.com/
Potential Sources for Background Information
Sources about People:
Abridged Biography and Genealogy Who's Who in America Current Biography
Master Index. CT214.A27 1995 V.1-3 E663.W56.19XX (Reference) CT100.C8 (Reference)
Sources on Current Events:
The CQ Researcher. Facts-on-File
H35.C672 1997 (Reference) D410.F3 (Reference)
Books about Facts, Lists, Statistics, etc.:
City and County Data Books. The World Almanac and Book of Statistical Abstract of the
HA202.A35 (Reference) Facts. AY67.N5.W7 1997 (Behind United States. HA202 Reference Desk) .19XX (Reference)
Don't forget about the Writing Lab
located in Room 209 - Humanities Building
telephone number - 7277
PAUL MEEK LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AT MARTIN