6s can get you to graduate, but only 9th term papers earn a spot on Grandma's fridge or yours. Have you always gone out of your way to only get mediocre grades? Well, tell Grandma to make the magnets - follow these tips, and make your term papers the best in class.
Steps
Part 1 of 1: Writing your thesis
Step 1. Choose a topic
Try to be as original as possible; if you can choose one yourself, take advantage of this possibility. Choose something that interests you in a particular way because it will be easier to write; in particular, try to select a topic based on pressing questions you already know where to look for answers. Once the topic is established, be sure to focus on it only; often a subject is initially too large to deal with, making it difficult to write it in a specific number of pages. Refine the topic so that it can be treated consistently within the space limits of the essay. If you've been given a topic, start exploring unique angles that can make your dissertation stand out from the mundane approaches others might be using. Finally, whatever turn your work takes, it should still be original and witty, something that engages and fascinates the reader.
- Be careful not to pick a topic and then be so focused on expecting what your term paper should look like that you close yourself off to new ideas and pathways while you're working on it. In academic circles this attitude is called "premature cognitive engagement". It can ruin a valid term paper because the result that's already fixed in your head, no matter what discoveries you may make along the way, will shape the result to align with that idea, not giving importance to a genuine analysis of the findings made. Instead, keep asking yourself questions about the topic at every stage of your research and writing, and see the topic as a 'hypothesis' rather than a conclusion. That way, you'll be ready to take on challenges and even change your opinion about them as you work on your term paper.
- Reading other people's comments, opinions, and criticisms on a topic can often help you refine yours;
- Especially those comments where it is said that further research is needed or where questions are asked that are not answered.
Step 2. Do your research
There's no point in starting writing before you've done some research. You need to understand the basics of the topic and current thinking, and discover some future research is needed in that area of study. While it may be tempting to recycle information you already know well, avoid doing it or you won't learn anything from researching and writing your paper. Begin your research with a sense of adventure and an openness to learning new things, and with a readiness to discover new ways to look at a problem. While in this stage use primary sources (original texts, documents, legal cases, interviews, experiments, etc.) and secondary sources (other people's interpretations or explanations of the primary sources). There is also a place to discuss with other students or even the ability to find online discussions on a given topic if you are comfortable with these environments and they can help you share ideas, but they are not resources you can cite.
- Take notes from a textbook
- Take notes better
Step 3. Refine your thesis
After doing your research, think about your chosen topic. At this point, it is essential to highlight the main idea that you are going to discuss, the assertion that you believe you can defend throughout the head and that makes it clear to the reader what they are about to learn and where you will end up with the conclusion. Your theory is the central part of the essay, the idea you will defend in the following paragraphs. Serve it half raw and the feeling it will leave your writing will be smoky and inconsistent. Build a thesis that your research has proven and that you find interesting - that way supporting it won't be boring. Once you are satisfied and your argument is solid and clear, proceed to draft your first draft.
Remember that the search does not end there. Neither is your thesis. Leave room for flexibility as you continue to work on both research and writing, because you may want to make changes that align with the ideas in your head as you discover new things. On the other hand, be careful not to put too much meat on the fire without at least fixing a central idea to carry on. At a certain point you will have to say: "This is enough for me to prove my thesis!". If you are so into a topic, you can always consider studying it at university later, but remember that an essay has a certain number of words and a due date
Step 4. Develop the structure of the essay
Some people manage to work on a term paper by skipping this step; they are few and often have little time. It's definitely better to have a lineup so you know where you are going, just as a map can tell you how to get from A to B. Like the essay itself, the lineup is not immutable, quite the opposite. In any case, it gives you a sense of structure and a frame of reference when you lose the thread of your thesis, plus it also acts as a skeleton, while everything else is just additional details. There are several approaches to developing a lineup and you can have your own, whichever you prefer. As a general guideline, some key elements of a lineup should be:
- Introduction, discussion paragraphs / sections and conclusion or summary.
- Descriptive or explanatory paragraphs after the introduction, which establish the basis or topic.
- Paragraphs / sections of analysis. Using your research, write down the main idea in each paragraph.
- Any relevant questions or issues you are not sure about yet.
- Read this article for more details on how to write a draft.
Step 5. Describe your idea in the introduction
The introductory paragraph is a challenge, but avoid turning it into an obstacle. Of all the text, this is the part that is rewritten multiple times as you work on the rest, and is edited according to changes in direction, style and result. For this, see it as a way to break the ice, and above all consider that it can always be modified. This approach leaves you the freedom to review everything and make changes when needed. Also use it as an opportunity to help you when you are struggling with the general organization of the term paper and need to explain the weaknesses of the theory, something the reader should be aware of from the start. Try these tips for writing a well-structured introduction:
- Hook up the reader with a question or quote. Or refer to a curious anecdote that will only make sense to the reader in the middle of your dissertation.
- Introduce your topic. Be clear and concise.
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Hypothesis. This should have been explained in the previous step.
Don't forget to define the words contained in the question! Words like globalization have different meanings and it is important that you clarify which one you are implying in your thesis within the introduction
Step 6. Convince the reader with your middle paragraphs
Make sure each paragraph supports your idea in a new way. Not sure if your paragraphs have achieved their purpose? Try to isolate the first sentence of each of them; together, they should be a list of evidence that corroborates your thesis.
Try to connect the subject matter with a potentially related topic you know. Build your paragraph around the central topic and then make comparisons with the more topical one
Step 7. Conclude with conviction
Use this method:
- Redefine thesis.
- Highlight an important detail, usually from the last paragraph.
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Conclude.
Use a closing sentence.
- Leave it pending - give your reader something to think about once they have finished reading.
Step 8. Show some style
The reference bibliography is important; ask your professor how he prefers it. Putting citations here and there in the text is a good way to support your thesis.
- Don't overdo the quotes or you will give the impression that other authors have done all the work, and that you are simply "copy & paste". The reader is interested in what you think about that subject, not what the illustrious thinkers have said.
- It is helpful to write a bibliography at the beginning, so that you don't have to rush it and hurt it at the end.
Step 9. Eliminate unnecessary parts
Space is vital in every essay, so find a way to cut out too many words without losing the general sense of the text. Are your sentences well structured? Go through them one by one and decide if even using as few words as possible they still make the idea that you wanted to pass.
Replace "weaker" verbs with more impactful verbs
Step 10. Don't be lazy
Starting the spell checker of the writing program is only the first step of the revision. The spell checker will not detect meaning errors, or double words (unless you are using MS Word, which can be configured to detect these inconsistencies as well). Small mistakes like this won't impress your professor, but if you don't put enough effort into reviewing your thesis then there's a chance you haven't even done enough to write it. Cut the bull's head: have it read to a friend, asking him to write down all the errors he finds.
Using decent grammar is the minimum. You should have a teacher who gives you the benefit of the doubt if he doesn't correct a wrong apostrophe. Too many such mistakes and the message gets lost due to the irritation that such inaccuracies trigger
Step 11. Think of a good headline to grab the reader's attention, but one that is neither too short nor too long
For some writers, the title is clear from the start, while for others it only comes to mind after they have completely written the thesis. If you're still stuck, try brainstorming with a friend or family member - it might surprise you how a fresh mind, not immersed in the topic, can find the perfect title in no time!
Advice
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Give yourself enough time to finish the essay. Obviously, the sooner you start the better, but if you start later than the minimum draft time, you don't have a great chance of success. Usually the minimum drafting times are these:
- At least 2 hours for 3-5 pages.
- At least 4 hours for 8-10 pages.
- At least 6 hours for 12-15 pages.
- Double your hours if you haven't done homework or haven't taken classes.
- For research-based term papers, add about two hours for this (although you'll need to be able to conduct focused, short research, and it's beyond the scope of this article).
- Anticipate what the teacher would like you to say. You have to try to understand his personality, what he finds interesting and (very important) what kind of leeway he leaves for the student's interpretation. It will be a bit like testing his "thermometer" for small talk. The mildest teachers are those who also accept small talk as witty points of view. These classes are a breeze. If the teacher seems unusually intelligent, there won't be much room for smoky concepts within your term paper.
- If you get stuck, try interviewing your teacher. Whether you are still building your thesis or are nearing the conclusion, many professors are happy to help and will remember your initiative when it comes time to graduate.
- The best papers are like tennis court grass - smooth and pointing straight to a solid conclusion.
- The printer suddenly breaks, the library closes earlier. It is the karma of the procrastinator: if you wait until the last minute, something always goes wrong. Fight that trend; avoid predictable disasters - and unnecessary hindsight thinking - by starting your thesis well in advance!
Warnings
- Remember that term papers are an important part of your school career. Put the page numbers, the table of contents, the paper itself and the page with the references and the bibliography.
- Don't forget to check the final version to avoid errors or omissions. These things can lower your grade if there are too many mistakes.
- If you use resources without citing them, you are cheating (and plagiarizing). You will get a bad grade and you could be in trouble. Don't cheat; There is no point in losing the opportunity to continue studying, nor does it help you develop that critical and analytical sense that you will need more and more in your school career. Make an effort now, so that your knowledge will grow without too much effort over time.
- Do not deliver a written essay for one subject to the professor of another subject. The only time it is allowed is if you have asked for permission and you do so in full transparency. Remember that the professors talk to each other and have seen a lot of them.
