It doesn't matter if you are enrolled in a traditional or an online degree program, you will need to be able to write lengthy term papers along the way. But, writing good papers is easier than it may first seem if you follow a few rules.
Generally, students have a wide choice of topics when they are asked to write a paper. By choosing a topic of interest to themselves and the professor who assigned the paper, it is likely to be better researched, better written, and worthy of a high grade.
After selecting a topic, do enough preliminary research to determine the general content and direction of your paper. That should guide your choice of research materials and the extent to which you will utilize each of them.
Next, put together a comprehensive outline. The outline needs to be a roadmap for the beginning, the middle, and the end of your paper. Like the paper itself, your outline may need frequent revisions as you move forward.
Now comes the tough part, the actual writing. The key is to begin with strong topic sentences that generalize about the statements and subjects to come. If you have constructed a good outline, you should be OK.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when writing a paper is to back up and save everything you do, including the outline. And, keep all of your papers on your hard drive or a jump drive, even after you turn them in.
By all means read your paper critically as you write it and after it has been completed. But, bear in mind that we are seldom good critics of our own efforts. Therefore, ask at least one or two people with solid writing skills to read and critique your papers. You'll be amazed at how much help that can be.
Writing a term paper really doesn't have to be difficult. If you leave yourself enough time and follow the suggestions above, you may well learn to view term papers as a welcome opportunity to raise your grades.
Generally, students have a wide choice of topics when they are asked to write a paper. By choosing a topic of interest to themselves and the professor who assigned the paper, it is likely to be better researched, better written, and worthy of a high grade.
After selecting a topic, do enough preliminary research to determine the general content and direction of your paper. That should guide your choice of research materials and the extent to which you will utilize each of them.
Next, put together a comprehensive outline. The outline needs to be a roadmap for the beginning, the middle, and the end of your paper. Like the paper itself, your outline may need frequent revisions as you move forward.
Now comes the tough part, the actual writing. The key is to begin with strong topic sentences that generalize about the statements and subjects to come. If you have constructed a good outline, you should be OK.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when writing a paper is to back up and save everything you do, including the outline. And, keep all of your papers on your hard drive or a jump drive, even after you turn them in.
By all means read your paper critically as you write it and after it has been completed. But, bear in mind that we are seldom good critics of our own efforts. Therefore, ask at least one or two people with solid writing skills to read and critique your papers. You'll be amazed at how much help that can be.
Writing a term paper really doesn't have to be difficult. If you leave yourself enough time and follow the suggestions above, you may well learn to view term papers as a welcome opportunity to raise your grades.
About the Author:
J.M. Patin is a university honors graduate who writes on higher education topics like online degree programs and online colleges.
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