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Everything You Need to Know to Write an A+ Term Paper

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Sample Term Papers

Researching & outlining.

  • Drafting Your Paper
  • Revising Your Paper

Expert Q&A

This article was co-authored by Matthew Snipp, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA . C. Matthew Snipp is the Burnet C. and Mildred Finley Wohlford Professor of Humanities and Sciences in the Department of Sociology at Stanford University. He is also the Director for the Institute for Research in the Social Science’s Secure Data Center. He has been a Research Fellow at the U.S. Bureau of the Census and a Fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences. He has published 3 books and over 70 articles and book chapters on demography, economic development, poverty and unemployment. He is also currently serving on the National Institute of Child Health and Development’s Population Science Subcommittee. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin—Madison. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,237,520 times.

A term paper is a written assignment given to students at the end of a course to gauge their understanding of the material. Term papers typically count for a good percentage of your overall grade, so of course, you’ll want to write the best paper possible. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know to write an A+ term paper, from researching and outlining to drafting and revising.

Quick Steps to Write a Term Paper

  • Hook your readers with an interesting and informative intro paragraph. State your thesis and your main points.
  • Support your thesis by providing quotes and evidence that back your claim in your body paragraphs.
  • Summarize your main points and leave your readers with a thought-provoking question in your conclusion.

what is a midterm paper

  • Think of your term paper as the bridge between what you’ve learned in class and how you apply that knowledge to real-world topics.
  • For example, a history term paper may require you to explore the consequences of a significant historical event, like the Civil War. An environmental science class, on the other hand, may have you examine the effects of climate change on a certain region.
  • Your guidelines should tell you the paper’s word count and formatting style, like whether to use in-text citations or footnotes and whether to use single- or double-spacing. If these things aren’t specified, be sure to reach out to your instructor.

Step 2 Choose an interesting topic.

  • Make sure your topic isn’t too broad. For example, if you want to write about Shakespeare’s work, first narrow it down to a specific play, like Macbeth , then choose something even more specific like Lady Macbeth’s role in the plot.
  • If the topic is already chosen for you, explore unique angles that can set your content and information apart from the more obvious approaches many others will probably take. [3] X Research source
  • Try not to have a specific outcome in mind, as this will close you off to new ideas and avenues of thinking. Rather than trying to mold your research to fit your desired outcome, allow the outcome to reflect a genuine analysis of the discoveries you made. Ask yourself questions throughout the process and be open to having your beliefs challenged.
  • Reading other people's comments, opinions, and entries on a topic can often help you to refine your own, especially where they comment that "further research" is required or where they posit challenging questions but leave them unanswered.

Step 3 Do your research.

  • For example, if you’re writing a term paper about Macbeth , your primary source would be the play itself. Then, look for other research papers and analyses written by academics and scholars to understand how they interpret the text.

Step 4 Craft your thesis statement.

  • For example, if you’re writing a paper about Lady Macbeth, your thesis could be something like “Shakespeare’s characterization of Lady Macbeth reveals how desire for power can control someone’s life.”
  • Remember, your research and thesis development doesn’t stop here. As you continue working through both the research and writing, you may want to make changes that align with the ideas forming in your mind and the discoveries you continue to unearth.
  • On the other hand, don’t keep looking for new ideas and angles for fear of feeling confined. At some point, you’re going to have to say enough is enough and make your point. You may have other opportunities to explore these questions in future studies, but for now, remember your term paper has a finite word length and an approaching due date!

Step 5 Develop an outline for the paper.

  • Abstract: An abstract is a concise summary of your paper that informs readers of your topic, its significance, and the key points you’ll explore. It must stand on its own and make sense without referencing outside sources or your actual paper.
  • Introduction: The introduction establishes the main idea of your paper and directly states the thesis. Begin your introduction with an attention-grabbing sentence to intrigue your readers, and provide any necessary background information to establish your paper’s purpose and direction.
  • Body paragraphs: Each body paragraph focuses on a different argument supporting your thesis. List specific evidence from your sources to back up your arguments. Provide detailed information about your topic to enhance your readers’ understanding. In your outline, write down the main ideas for each body paragraph and any outstanding questions or points you’re not yet sure about.
  • Results: Depending on the type of term paper you’re writing, your results may be incorporated into your body paragraphs or conclusion. These are the insights that your research led you to. Here you can discuss how your perspective and understanding of your topic shifted throughout your writing process.
  • Conclusion: Your conclusion summarizes your argument and findings. You may restate your thesis and major points as you wrap up your paper.

Drafting Your Term Paper

Step 1 Make your point in the introduction.

  • Writing an introduction can be challenging, but don’t get too caught up on it. As you write the rest of your paper, your arguments might change and develop, so you’ll likely need to rewrite your intro at the end, anyway. Writing your intro is simply a means of getting started and you can always revise it later. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
  • Be sure to define any words your readers might not understand. For example, words like “globalization” have many different meanings depending on context, and it’s important to state which ones you’ll be using as part of your introductory paragraph.

Step 2 Persuade your readers with your body paragraphs.

  • Try to relate the subject of the essay (say, Plato’s Symposium ) to a tangentially related issue you happen to know something about (say, the growing trend of free-wheeling hookups in frat parties). Slowly bring the paragraph around to your actual subject and make a few generalizations about why this aspect of the book/subject is so fascinating and worthy of study (such as how different the expectations for physical intimacy were then compared to now).

Step 3 Summarize your argument with your conclusion.

  • You can also reflect on your own experience of researching and writing your term paper. Discuss how your understanding of your topic evolved and any unexpected findings you came across.

Step 4 Write your abstract.

  • While peppering quotes throughout your text is a good way to help make your point, don’t overdo it. If you use too many quotes, you’re basically allowing other authors to make the point and write the paper for you. When you do use a quote, be sure to explain why it is relevant in your own words.
  • Try to sort out your bibliography at the beginning of your writing process to avoid having a last-minute scramble. When you have all the information beforehand (like the source’s title, author, publication date, etc.), it’s easier to plug them into the correct format.

Step 6 Come up with a good title.

Revising & Finalizing Your Term Paper

Step 1 Make your writing as concise as possible.

  • Trade in weak “to-be” verbs for stronger “action” verbs. For example: “I was writing my term paper” becomes “I wrote my term paper.”

Step 2 Check for grammar and spelling errors.

  • It’s extremely important to proofread your term paper. If your writing is full of mistakes, your instructor will assume you didn’t put much effort into your paper. If you have too many errors, your message will be lost in the confusion of trying to understand what you’ve written.

Step 3 Have someone else read over your paper.

  • If you add or change information to make things clearer for your readers, it’s a good idea to look over your paper one more time to catch any new typos that may have come up in the process.

Matthew Snipp, PhD

  • The best essays are like grass court tennis—the argument should flow in a "rally" style, building persuasively to the conclusion. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • If you get stuck, consider giving your professor a visit. Whether you're still struggling for a thesis or you want to go over your conclusion, most instructors are delighted to help and they'll remember your initiative when grading time rolls around. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
  • 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 those hours if you haven't done any homework and you haven't attended class.
  • For papers that are primarily research-based, add about two hours to those times (although you'll need to know how to research quickly and effectively, beyond the purview of this brief guide).

what is a midterm paper

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  • ↑ https://www.binghamton.edu/counseling/self-help/term-paper.html
  • ↑ Matthew Snipp, PhD. Research Fellow, U.S. Bureau of the Census. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
  • ↑ https://emory.libanswers.com/faq/44525
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/planresearchpaper/
  • ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/thesis_statement_tips.html
  • ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/outline
  • ↑ https://gallaudet.edu/student-success/tutorial-center/english-center/writing/guide-to-writing-introductions-and-conclusions/
  • ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26731827
  • ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/writing-an-abstract-for-your-research-paper/
  • ↑ https://www.ivcc.edu/stylesite/Essay_Title.pdf
  • ↑ https://www.uni-flensburg.de/fileadmin/content/institute/anglistik/dokumente/downloads/how-to-write-a-term-paper-daewes.pdf
  • ↑ https://library.sacredheart.edu/c.php?g=29803&p=185937
  • ↑ https://www.cornerstone.edu/blog-post/six-steps-to-really-edit-your-paper/

About This Article

Matthew Snipp, PhD

If you need to write a term paper, choose your topic, then start researching that topic. Use your research to craft a thesis statement which states the main idea of your paper, then organize all of your facts into an outline that supports your thesis. Once you start writing, state your thesis in the first paragraph, then use the body of the paper to present the points that support your argument. End the paper with a strong conclusion that restates your thesis. For tips on improving your term paper through active voice, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Research Method

Home » Term Paper – Format, Examples and Writing Guide

Term Paper – Format, Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

V

Definition:

Term paper is a type of academic writing assignment that is typically assigned to students at the end of a semester or term. It is usually a research-based paper that is meant to demonstrate the student’s understanding of a particular topic, as well as their ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.

Term papers are usually longer than other types of academic writing assignments and can range anywhere from 5 to 20 pages or more, depending on the level of study and the specific requirements of the assignment. They often require extensive research and the use of a variety of sources, including books, articles, and other academic publications.

Term Paper Format

The format of a term paper may vary depending on the specific requirements of your professor or institution. However, a typical term paper usually consists of the following sections:

  • Title page: This should include the title of your paper, your name, the course name and number, your instructor’s name, and the date.
  • Abstract : This is a brief summary of your paper, usually no more than 250 words. It should provide an overview of your topic, the research question or hypothesis, your methodology, and your main findings or conclusions.
  • Introduction : This section should introduce your topic and provide background information on the subject. You should also state your research question or hypothesis and explain the importance of your research.
  • Literature review : This section should review the existing literature on your topic. You should summarize the key findings and arguments made by other scholars and identify any gaps in the literature that your research aims to address.
  • Methodology: This section should describe the methods you used to collect and analyze your data. You should explain your research design, sampling strategy, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques.
  • Results : This section should present your findings. You can use tables, graphs, and charts to illustrate your data.
  • Discussion : This section should interpret your findings and explain what they mean in relation to your research question or hypothesis. You should also discuss any limitations of your study and suggest areas for future research.
  • Conclusion : This section should summarize your main findings and conclusions. You should also restate the importance of your research and its implications for the field.
  • References : This section should list all the sources you cited in your paper using a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
  • Appendices : This section should include any additional materials that are relevant to your study but not essential to your main argument (e.g., survey questions, interview transcripts).

Structure of Term Paper

Here’s an example structure for a term paper:

I. Introduction

A. Background information on the topic

B. Thesis statement

II. Literature Review

A. Overview of current literature on the topic

B. Discussion of key themes and findings from literature

C. Identification of gaps in current literature

III. Methodology

A. Description of research design

B. Discussion of data collection methods

C. Explanation of data analysis techniques

IV. Results

A. Presentation of findings

B. Analysis and interpretation of results

C. Comparison of results with previous studies

V. Discussion

A. Summary of key findings

B. Explanation of how results address the research questions

C. Implications of results for the field

VI. Conclusion

A. Recap of key points

B. Significance of findings

C. Future directions for research

VII. References

A. List of sources cited in the paper

How to Write Term Paper

Here are some steps to help you write a term paper:

  • Choose a topic: Choose a topic that interests you and is relevant to your course. If your professor has assigned a topic, make sure you understand it and clarify any doubts before you start.
  • Research : Conduct research on your topic by gathering information from various sources such as books, academic journals, and online resources. Take notes and organize your information systematically.
  • Create an outline : Create an outline of your term paper by arranging your ideas and information in a logical sequence. Your outline should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
  • Write a thesis statement: Write a clear and concise thesis statement that states the main idea of your paper. Your thesis statement should be included in your introduction.
  • Write the introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention, provide background information on your topic, and introduce your thesis statement.
  • Write the body : The body of your paper should provide supporting evidence for your thesis statement. Use your research to provide details and examples to support your argument. Make sure to organize your ideas logically and use transition words to connect paragraphs.
  • Write the conclusion : The conclusion should summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion.
  • Edit and proofread: Edit and proofread your term paper carefully to ensure that it is free of errors and flows smoothly. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
  • Format and cite your sources: Follow the formatting guidelines provided by your professor and cite your sources properly using the appropriate citation style.
  • Submit your paper : Submit your paper on time and according to the instructions provided by your professor.

Term Paper Example

Here’s an example of a term paper:

Title : The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity

As the world becomes more digitally interconnected, cybersecurity threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Traditional security measures are no longer enough to protect against these threats. This paper explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity, including how AI can be used to detect and respond to threats in real-time, the challenges of implementing AI in cybersecurity, and the potential ethical implications of AI-powered security systems. The paper concludes with recommendations for organizations looking to integrate AI into their cybersecurity strategies.

Introduction :

The increasing number of cybersecurity threats in recent years has led to a growing interest in the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve cybersecurity. AI has the ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate a security breach. Additionally, AI can automate responses to threats, allowing for faster and more effective mitigation of security incidents. However, there are also challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, such as the need for large amounts of high-quality data, the potential for AI systems to make mistakes, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI in security.

Literature Review:

This section of the paper reviews existing research on the use of AI in cybersecurity. It begins by discussing the types of AI techniques used in cybersecurity, including machine learning, natural language processing, and neural networks. The literature review then explores the advantages of using AI in cybersecurity, such as its ability to detect previously unknown threats and its potential to reduce the workload of security analysts. However, the review also highlights some of the challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, such as the need for high-quality training data and the potential for AI systems to be fooled by sophisticated attacks.

Methodology :

To better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with using AI in cybersecurity, this paper conducted a survey of cybersecurity professionals working in a variety of industries. The survey included questions about the types of AI techniques used in their organizations, the challenges they faced when implementing AI in cybersecurity, and their perceptions of the ethical implications of using AI in security.

The results of the survey showed that while many organizations are interested in using AI in cybersecurity, they face several challenges when implementing these systems. These challenges include the need for high-quality training data, the potential for AI systems to be fooled by sophisticated attacks, and the difficulty of integrating AI with existing security systems. Additionally, many respondents expressed concerns about the ethical implications of using AI in security, such as the potential for AI to be biased or to make decisions that are harmful to individuals or society as a whole.

Discussion :

Based on the results of the survey and the existing literature, this paper discusses the potential benefits and risks of using AI in cybersecurity. It also provides recommendations for organizations looking to integrate AI into their security strategies, such as the need to prioritize data quality and to ensure that AI systems are transparent and accountable.

Conclusion :

While there are challenges associated with implementing AI in cybersecurity, the potential benefits of using these systems are significant. AI can help organizations detect and respond to threats more quickly and effectively, reducing the risk of security breaches. However, it is important for organizations to be aware of the potential ethical implications of using AI in security and to take steps to ensure that these systems are transparent and accountable.

References:

  • Alkhaldi, S., Al-Daraiseh, A., & Lutfiyya, H. (2019). A Survey on Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Cyber Security. Journal of Information Security, 10(03), 191-207.
  • Gartner. (2019). Gartner Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2020. Retrieved from https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-top-10-strategic-technology-trends-for-2020/
  • Kshetri, N. (2018). Blockchain’s roles in meeting key supply chain management objectives. International Journal of Information Management, 39, 80-89.
  • Lipton, Z. C. (2018). The mythos of model interpretability. arXiv preprint arXiv:1606.03490.
  • Schneier, B. (2019). Click Here to Kill Everybody: Security and Survival in a Hyper-Connected World. WW Norton & Company.
  • Wahab, M. A., Rahman, M. S., & Islam, M. R. (2020). A Survey on AI Techniques in Cybersecurity. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 11(2), 22-27.

When to Write Term Paper

A term paper is usually a lengthy research paper that is assigned to students at the end of a term or semester. There are several situations when writing a term paper may be required, including:

  • As a course requirement: In most cases, a term paper is required as part of the coursework for a particular course. It may be assigned by the instructor as a way of assessing the student’s understanding of the course material.
  • To explore a specific topic : A term paper can be an excellent opportunity for students to explore a specific topic of interest in-depth. It allows them to conduct extensive research on the topic and develop their understanding of it.
  • To develop critical thinking skills : Writing a term paper requires students to engage in critical thinking and analysis. It helps them to develop their ability to evaluate and interpret information, as well as to present their ideas in a clear and coherent manner.
  • To prepare for future academic or professional pursuits: Writing a term paper can be an excellent way for students to prepare for future academic or professional pursuits. It can help them to develop the research and writing skills necessary for success in higher education or in a professional career.

Purpose of Term Paper

The main purposes of a term paper are:

  • Demonstrate mastery of a subject: A term paper provides an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. It requires students to research and analyze the topic, and then present their findings in a clear and organized manner.
  • Develop critical thinking skills: Writing a term paper requires students to think critically about their subject matter, analyzing various sources and viewpoints, and evaluating evidence to support their arguments.
  • Improve writing skills : Writing a term paper helps students improve their writing skills, including organization, clarity, and coherence. It also requires them to follow specific formatting and citation guidelines, which can be valuable skills for future academic and professional endeavors.
  • Contribute to academic discourse : A well-written term paper can contribute to academic discourse by presenting new insights, ideas, and arguments that add to the existing body of knowledge on a particular topic.
  • Prepare for future research : Writing a term paper can help prepare students for future research, by teaching them how to conduct a literature review, evaluate sources, and formulate research questions and hypotheses. It can also help them develop research skills that they can apply in future academic or professional endeavors.

Advantages of Term Paper

There are several advantages of writing a term paper, including:

  • In-depth exploration: Writing a term paper allows you to delve deeper into a specific topic, allowing you to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
  • Improved writing skills: Writing a term paper involves extensive research, critical thinking, and the organization of ideas into a cohesive written document. As a result, writing a term paper can improve your writing skills significantly.
  • Demonstration of knowledge: A well-written term paper demonstrates your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter, which can be beneficial for academic or professional purposes.
  • Development of research skills : Writing a term paper requires conducting thorough research, analyzing data, and synthesizing information from various sources. This process can help you develop essential research skills that can be applied in many other areas.
  • Enhancement of critical thinking : Writing a term paper encourages you to think critically, evaluate information, and develop well-supported arguments. These skills can be useful in many areas of life, including personal and professional decision-making.
  • Preparation for further academic work : Writing a term paper is excellent preparation for more extensive academic projects, such as a thesis or dissertation.

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What Are Midterm Papers

What Are Midterm Papers

Many professors decide to use midterm papers as a way to assess your understanding of the subjects covered in class. Any student who understands the significance of midterm papers often feels pressure related to an assignment of this nature, and for good reason. They can have a big effect on your grade while demonstrating what you have learned so far.

How to Structure a Common Midterm Paper?

Some students think that writing a midterm paper is a real headache. Actually, most professors assign it just to see what their students have learned during the first half of the course. To demonstrate it, you need to correctly structure your midterm paper. Usually, professors outline their main requirements. Follow them, and you will be able to get a high score for your assignment. A good midterm paper usually consists of:

  • Introduction. All term papers need a good introduction. Otherwise, the impression will be spoiled immediately. Start with some interesting hooks. A midterm paper should also contain the formulation of a research question. Add the reasons you would give for formulating these questions. 
  • Body of the paper. The body of the paper is where students present the most important information. It should be divided into several sections. The information here confirms the statement in the introductory section. That's why it's better to add a few examples here. Then your professor will understand how they relate back to the topic sentence and the claim itself. In this section, it is also important to show correct and logical argumentation within the field of research. Use a comparison of different theories, critical reflection of secondary literature, and presentation of different approaches.
  • The conclusion should not take up more than 10% of your paper. It can be one paragraph in length, and it should restate the thesis statement. This section should also contain some kind of suggested actions: a call to action, a final question, or some final words of wisdom. A short and precise summary of your findings is the most important thing that should be in this paragraph.
  • Documentation and formatting. The use of footnotes and references in the bibliography should be consistent. This will be determined by your college professor. 

The paper must meet at least 3,000 words. The word count doesn’t include the title page, abstract, or references page. There is no word maximum.

Academic Language

The tone used in academic writing is usually formal. This means that you should avoid colloquial speech while writing a midterm paper. If this is difficult for you, try reading books or articles, and see how they use the language.

For example, ‘international business heavyweights’ is too informal. Better wording would be ‘leading international businesses’ or ‘international business leaders’.

General Recommendations

There are a few more tips for writing a high-quality midterm paper:

  • Gather everything you’ll need. Refer to a sufficient number of up-to-date sources. You can only arrive at a well-founded midterm paper if you have consulted a sufficient number of them. Regardless of the paper topic, have all the information on hand. Then it will be easier for you to focus and generate ideas for your work. Once you sit down to write, you don’t want to get up again and lose your focus or spend too much time searching for something.
  • Write the appropriate thesis statement. If you realize that you have little argumentation for a thesis, do not think about it. Choose the option for which you have different sources. Otherwise, searching for information can take a lot of time, and you will break the deadline.
  • If you refer to the works of others in your text, you should use what is known as a parenthetical citation (and not footnotes). Place all the relevant source information in parentheses after a quote or a paraphrase. Use the footnotes only for the information which would be included in your paper, but will disrupt the coherence of your argument.
  • Search for a sample on the Internet. They are usually placed on academic homepages, university websites or writing sites. A good example helps to understand how to write such an academic paper. Other students will often know exactly how frustrated you are feeling and may well be very happy to offer their experiences and give you examples of their past work.

What Are Midterm Papers Services?

While searching for a paper format on the Internet, students also come across the writing services. Indeed, such an option exists. When there is not enough time, they turn to professional writers for help. For example, it is convenient when you have a full-time job or need to look after relatives. You can use any approach — write it yourself or ask for help. If you choose the first option, use the tips from this article, and you will be able to create a worthy paper.

what is a midterm paper

Introduction

CDHE Nomination

AUCC Requirements

Course Description

Sample Policy Statements

Syllabus Sequencing Strategies

Sample Daily Syllabi

Lesson Plans

Reading Selection Recommendations

Assignments

Response Papers and Discussion Forums

Presentations

Discusssion, Group, WTL Questions

Variations, Misc.

Curbing Plagiarism

Additional Teaching & Course Design Resources

Guide Contributors

Midterm and Final Exam Examples

Exams are a great way to reinforce and evaluate students' understanding of the course content and main ideas. There are several different ways to approach exams including an in-class essay, short essays, multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, matching, quote/passage identification, character identification, etc. with plenty of flexibility for what an instructor deems important. Most instructors that choose to assign exams give both a midterm and final, though some just choose a comprehensive final. Of those who do give both, the midterm and final exam often look similar in style and content so students can expect consistency in the testing methods. Many instructors choose to test the first half of the course's information in the middle of the semester through a midterm and the rest of the semester at the final. In other words, the course's information is not cumulative and lets students focus on the most current concepts so they do not need to remember trivial details such as minor characters from the first text at the end of the semester.

Midterm Exams: Midterm exams often come at the midpoint in the semester. As stated previously in the overview, instructors sometimes divide the class into two sections so that the course's information is not cumulative. This strategy emphasizes making the overall picture or most recent concepts most important instead of testing on characters or plot lines from the first text of the semester.

Midterm Exam Examples:

  • Midterm Exam Example
  • Midterm Exam Study Guide Example

Final Exams: Final exams are similar to midterms except given at the end of the semester. Keep in mind that according to university policy,

"Final examination week is part of the regular semester. Student attendance shall be consistent with University policy. The final in-class examination period is intended for the end-of-semester examination. No in-class examination constituting more than 10% of the final course grade may be given in undergraduate courses during the week preceding the final examination period of the semester; laboratory, performance and other alternative classes (e.g., courses in the individualized mathematics program) excluded."

This does not indicate that instructors must give a final, only that they must use the time. If you do decide to give a final, here are a few sample finals to give you ideas for your own. Many of them follow the same format and structure of the midterm exams.

Final Exam Examples:

  • Final Exam Example
  • Final Exam Study Guide Example
  • Final Exam Example with Study Guide

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Midterm study infographic

Are you in the throes of Midterm Mania? You’re not alone! It may feel like the stakes are high, but midterms exams don’t have to be stressful. Here’s a roundup of study strategies that will help you prepare for test day.

how to study for midterms

How To Beat Midterm Mania

1. speak up..

Your teachers should your very first stop when getting ready for midterms. Make sure you're asking the right questions to get the information you need about the exam. Here’s a quick list of questions you should confirm for each class:

  • Will the teacher be providing a review packet or holding an in-class review session? Will there be after-school opportunities for more review?
  • Will the midterm test material from the whole year so far or just the most recent material?
  • What is the format of the exam?
  • How many points is the exam worth?
  • What study suggestions does your teacher have?
  • Does your teacher have specific suggestions for upping your grade like turning in extra credit, rewriting a paper, or getting a tutor ?

2. Make a midterm study schedule.

We know it feels as though you’re doing nothing but studying. But you can actually spend less time studying for midterms if you make a plan. Once you know what’s going to be on the exam, make a list of what topics or question types you need to cover and when you’re going to cover them. Make sure you study a little each night from now until the midterm.

3. Ready to study?  Start with your notes and tests.

While you’re at it, gather up any handouts or worksheets. If your midterm exam covers material from the whole year, then your previous tests will help you see what your teacher thinks is important. (Plus, you can learn from your past test mistakes).  If the quality of your notes is less than stellar, vow to change your ways!

Read More: Last-Minute Tips for Acing Your Midterm Exams

4. Form a study group.

If your note taking skills really are subpar, it’s a great idea to partner up with a classmate who has got this skill down. In exchange, offer to help transfer his or her notes to flash cards or to take on another part of a group project.  Study groups can also help you study more efficiently—dividing and conquering a chapter outline, for example, can help all of you prepare.

5. Study smarter.

Did you know that you have access to your very own study assistant? At The Princeton Review, our online tutors are experts in over 40 subjects and AP courses. We can help with tricky concepts or overall study skills—whatever you need, 24/7.

6. Understand each subject is different.

Practice problems may work for geometry , but what’s your strategy going to be for English ? A tutor can help you find the best study method for each course you’re taking.

7. Mix it up.

If you’re beginning to get sick of your own handwriting, try asking a friend to quiz you in biology , putting history dates to music, or recording yourself practicing your French vocab.

8. Change the scenery.

Breaks are essential to retain what you’ve learned and keep your focus. No matter how hard you’re working be sure to take some time to grab a snack from the kitchen or go for a quick run. It also helps to switch up your study space when reviewing for exams. Try studying in the public library, at a coffee shop, or at a study buddy’s house for a change.

Read More: Study for Your Midterms with an Online Tutor

9. Don’t skimp on sleep.

You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but a good night’s sleep is key to your success. Start a healthy sleep routine in the weeks leading up to your exam, so you can reap the benefits of a fresh mind on test day. (But if you do happen to need some study help in the wee hours, our tutors are there for you.)

10. Stay positive.

Test anxiety is real. A smart plan, focused studying, and a calm morning are your best plan of attack.

It’s crunch time now, but the end is in sight! Check out our homework advice articles for more study tips and strategies.

Stuck on homework?

Try an online tutoring session with one of our experts, and get homework help in 40+ subjects.

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How To Write a Term Paper: A Guide That Works

30 June, 2020

16 minutes read

Author:  Mathieu Johnson

Once you’ve started your university career, you are going to be asked to present a term paper. What’s the difference between a term paper and a research paper? How can you write a good term? What’s the best way to structure it? Where can you find some tips to make the writing process faster? In this article, we’ll discuss a few tips to help you prepare a term paper quickly and professionally.

term paper

What Is a Term Paper… And What Is The First Step?

A term paper is a critical and analytical report on the topic or subject that you covered within the course of studies. It usually consists of two separate but equally important aspects: your own thoughts about the topic and a demonstration of your understanding of the existing literature. The main goal of this assignment is to summarize the material you learned and showcase your understanding of the topic. This aspect makes the term paper a universal instrument for assessing a student’s proficiency. It also explains why term papers cost so many points of your course grade.

We usually associate a term paper with a research paper , but although the concepts are quite similar, a research paper requires a more academic approach and a deeper investigation into the literature of your field of study.

To write an outstanding college term paper, you must understand that your professor has requested it in order to test your analytical thinking skills. You must collect relevant data, analyze it, and then make a summary or solve a particular problem. Such skills are highly relevant to the business world, so this type of the task is as practical as it is educational.

So, let’s start the preparation!

Before you begin writing

Dip into the topics and make a research

Unfortunately, there is no magical recipe that allows you to get everything done fast. You will need to choose the best way forward in whatever situation you find yourself, but here are some tips to help you prepare for the assignment.

To begin with, take the research stage seriously . Sometimes, when students are really interested in a topic, they only want to present their personal ideas about the problem. Unfortunately, if you’re not completely familiar with all the data from the various sources, you will need to reinvent the bicycle.

Term paper writing was never an easy ride. Well, not for our expert writers. Place an order with our term paper writing service and secure yourself an “A!”

In the initial stages of your research, investigate everything you can find on the topic . This may sound like a tall order, but you’ll find that it doesn’t actually entail that much reading. At this point you are only compiling the research, so you will be skimming through numerous prospects rather than reading them completely. Bear in mind that your aim is to get acquainted with the various aspects of your problem. The term paper summarizes the knowledge you gained within a course and requires to familiarize yourself with the research that other people have already made on your topic.

Thinking that your opinions are completely original and unique is quite egocentric, and it can get you into trouble. So, “your” thoughts about the problem are usually just somebody else’s statements that you have rephrased (or even a well-established academic concept!). Remember that your professor will be familiar with all the literature surrounding the issue: if you merely rewrite someone else’s thoughts and present them as your own (even if you don’t realize doing it), be prepared for criticism!

Applying a Structure To Your Term Paper

Term paper structure

Once you have read all the leading authors and their approaches to your problem, it’s time to create a structure for your work. This is not yet an outline; you just need to decide what to write about. Sketch out the topic for the theoretical portion of your work and think about practical aspects and how you can approach the research in the best possible way.

At this point, you really need to call or email your supervisor . Your professor will have seen hundreds of term papers like yours (i.e., they have not yet been written, but a definite idea exists!) and will be prepared to give you feedback and advice. He or she will tell you what literature you have omitted, offer suggestions about what you should read, and give you feedback about your paper. It may well be that your approach has already occurred to somebody else, in which case there is no need to repeat it.

Choosing a Topic: Easy as Riding a Bike?

When you choose your topic, make sure you choose something that you are interested in . That’s our advice if you want a painless term paper. If you prefer to investigate a field that you’ve never really explored before, you can challenge yourself to do that, too. That might be sophisticated, but why not?

If you decide to investigate a topic or a problem that you are pretty familiar with, your writing will be more fluid. You will focus your attention on a specific aspect of the chosen field and expand your knowledge within that scope. On the contrary, choosing an unfamiliar subject matter can wash out your expertise.

Be prepared to change the topic if you find out that your research isn’t going anywhere. It might occur that you presuppose that your topic has a potential but somewhere at the stage of initial research, you find that it just won’t work. It’s always a good idea to consider two or three topics when you kick off the term paper writing – even if they are just different ways of examining the same problem. By doing this, you will be able to choose the best version, which may not be the one you started with at all!

Related Post: 100 Persuasive essay topics

Formulating a Thesis statement

Term paper thesis statement

Writing a proper thesis statement can also be challenging. To begin with, write down a couple of prominent ideas or concepts, then try to make rough drafts of them to see how they’ll work in the structural framework. You will probably find that one idea fits your style, interests, and knowledge base: you can choose that one as your thesis statement.

Remember that the thesis statement is the skeleton, the central concept of your paper. It is the elemental attribute of almost any academic paper – from master’s thesis to a simple five paragraph essay. If you do a thorough job on it, you will find that writing (and defending!) your argument is much easier.

Be aware that all of these stages are parts of a procedure – one leads to another. When writing a term paper, you should collect the material and wrap it up at the same time.

Planning – The Key To Success

Some people claim that they can write a term paper without any planning. In our opinion, this is impossible. If you don’t have a postgraduate degree and you aren’t a certified genius, you need to prepare an outline for your project. It may come as a surprise, but even people who claim otherwise actually prepare outlines – in their heads. But if you don’t have that much experience, use a pencil and your notebook to ensure that you don’t forget anything.

Don’t procrastinate on your College or University papers anymore. Get professional help with our essay writer !

That’s when we get to preparing your first draft . There’s only one thing to add here: do as many drafts as you need in order to achieve your goal. Understand that your aim is to create an excellent term paper and keep working at it until you are satisfied.

Term Paper Outline: Write Everything In The Proper Section!

Term paper outline

In the Introduction , state the topic that you are going to investigate and the context of your work. This is the critical ‘selling’ moment of your work. In a nutshell, your introduction combined with a conclusion should give a sneak peek into what the whole paper is about. If your introduction is well-prepared, it will be quite complacent about the body of your project. The introduction must include an abstract that presents your thesis statement . You should explain your motivation (why should the reader be concerned about this problem?) , your methods (what scientific tools did you use?) , and the results (what you achieved) .

The Literature Review totally corresponds to its name – it is here to review the literature you compiled. Your professor will double check it to make sure that you understand the context of your argument. One more thing to add is: collect all the information you can! Ideally, you should read or at least glance through every book and author that you can find on the topic. Think of your task as a fascinating journey: if you approach it like that, reading hundreds of pages won’t seem like that much of a challenge.

In the Discussion , you must present the interpretations of the problem. Be honest, explain what you pieces of data you don’t agree with and what ideas and concepts you support. This section connects the dots between theory and practice when writing a term paper. Wherever possible, provide several interpretations of the subject matter, then choose the one(s) that are most relevant to the case you are presenting.

In the Body , focus on those arguments that prove your thesis statement. This section must be absolutely logical. If you have chosen a more complicated topic, use heading and sub-headings to improve the appearance of this section. While writing the body, keep your target audience (your professors) in mind. In other words, don’t just record the obvious causes/effects/solutions but also showcase your own findings – what you have discovered and how that proves your thesis statement. Demonstrate that you are familiar with the details and you will stun your readers with the prolific mastery of the topic.

Now, the Conclusion   is her to summarize both the content and the purpose of the paper. The most challenging part is not to make it too dry. Reiterate your thesis statement and briefly show how your results justified your proposition. At the very end, you can suggest a call to action or pose a rhetorical question or statement that leaves your reader wanting more.

What to do next?

When you have finished, reread your work a couple of times. You will almost certainly find a few faults, whether they are contextual, factual, syntactical, grammatical, or even simple spelling mistakes. A very useful tip is to wait for two or three days after writing your final draft to proofread it afterward. Your brain will have time to process the information, and you’ll be able to look at it with a fresh view.

How to write a good term paper

When proofreading, take care to polish the structural problems. The skeleton (the logic and the thesis statement) should make sense. If they don’t, try to approach the problem from another perspective. The changes may take some time, but bear in mind that your objective is to produce professional work. Be patient!

After that, print the term paper. The human eye processes information differently on the paper than on a computer screen; that’s why you need to print it and take one final look for any possible mistakes. Even if you don’t see any serious defects, pay attention to formatting, punctuation, and synonyms. It’s an academic text, so make it shine!

Term Paper Sample

Be sure to check the sample of a term paper, completed by our writers. Use it as an example to perfect your own writing. Link:  Term Paper Sample: Consumer Buying Behavior .

The Do’s and Don’ts of Term Paper Writing

There you have the most important tips to help you succeed in writing a term paper. Now it’s up to you to stop reading and start writing!

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Ethical Research Paper Topics

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

  • General Information

COS448: Innovating Across Technology, Business & Markets

Jaswinder singh, midterm paper.

The midterm paper is the first major step toward your final project. You will produce the first layout of your business model and product offering, both of which will evolve throughout the semester as you try to validate your initial hypotheses. See ( http://bit.ly/sb_cust ) for more details on what that means. For the second half of the semester, we will ask you to interact with real customers, partners, providers etc to evaluate your business model, in addition to developing your product offering.

We don't want you to write a lot. But we want you to think and research a lot. Please read the questions below, and then think hard about them in very specific terms with regard to your company/situation. We encourage you to do research thinking about your business model and your offering. Your choices here will be a major determinant of how well you satisfy some of the below criteria, and hence of your grade. A great paper will have spent a relatively small amount of time writing relative to the amount of time spent thinking and researching.

The paper will be graded based on the following criteria:

  • Crisp writing: crisp, to the point writing is very important; don't caveat too much, and don't try to be polite or complete in covering all bases
  • Quality, Creativity, Originality and Clarity of Thought: choice of company/product in light of questions asked, thinking out of the box, coming up with interesting, original solutions and ideas and non-textbook points of view, clear thinking and exposition
  • Judgment: The choice of company/offering, and especially the richness of the issues it exposes per the questions below. So please think hard about that up front: a company that exposes interesting tradeoffs will stand you in good stead
  • Realism: The realism of the company's situation and the issues you examine. All companies have challenges and opportunities, and they are usually very specific to the company itself
  • Domain knowledge in technology and business: demonstrating deep understanding of technical and business issues. You are strongly encouraged to do research on the Web to acquire this knowledge
  • Choice and exposition of tradeoffs: the section on design and technical tradeoffs will carry more weight than other sections, so we encourage you to spend more time on it -- we are looking for specific trade-offs that are important to the business/product and that don't have an obvious answer
  • Language: good writing in general
  • References: citing relevant material, including online resources you use

Apart from the paper, we want you to fill out a business model canvas in order for you and us to keep track of the evolution of your business model. Specifically we will be using Alexander Osterwalder’s business model canvas as our layout. It can be downloaded here . For explanation of the canvas, it is strongly recommended to watch Steve Blank’s Udacity lectures. They are available here . We don’t mean to endorse one philosophy over another, but this canvas is useful for our purposes. You may also want to take a look at the books Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and The Startup Owner’s Manual by Steve Blank. Most importantly, talk to us about the details, show us your prototype, and ask us questions. We are available to you and want to help you create a great artifact. Many of the questions below are closely related to how you should be filling your canvas, and are structured in a way to guide you through the process.

  • Why are you starting this company?
  • What change do you want to achieve in the world, or what do you want the world to look like as a result of your startup?

B. Customers and Market

  • Estimate the overall size of your target market. Use the metric you deem most appropriate - eg. number of users, dollar spent, page views etc.
  • What percentage of market share can you hope to achieve? Why? In what time frame?
  • Who are your customers? How would you segment them?
  • For each segment, what is the value proposition to them - why would they buy or use your product/service? Is your offering a pain-killer (a must-have) or a vitamin (a nice-to-have) for the customer?
  • Within the broad group of customers to which your offering is applicable, what are segments of non-customers, i.e. people who are unlikely to buy or use your offering in the near term? Why are they non-customers?

C. Competition

  • Who are your competitors? What is the basis of the competition? e.g. price, market size.
  • What are your strengths? What is your competitive advantage?
  • What are the current barriers to entry? e.g. distribution channels, high fixed costs
  • Who might your future competition be? What barriers to entry can you raise to prevent them from entering? e.g. intellectual property

D. Strategy

  • What is your product strategy? What are the characteristics of your initial product and how will they evolve over time?
  • What is your go-to-market strategy? What segment of customers are you planning to target first, and how will your customer-base evolve over time?
  • Does your product have potential for network or viral effects? If so, how do you plan to exploit this potential?

E. Product and Design

  • Who are the users of your product (may or may not be the same as the customers)? Identify the major segments.
  • For each segment, what are the primary use cases?
  • How well do existing products serve these use cases? How will your product better serve them?
  • What is your “Minimum Viable Product”? What key features/services should you build first?
  • What are the important Metrics or Key Performance Indicators that are most important for your company? How do you plan to measure them and how will they influence your future product decisions. (For more information on metrics, refer to Dave McClure’s “Startup Metrics for Pirates”)

F. Customer Acquisition

  • How are you going to create initial demand? What are your initial customer/user acquisition strategies? Make sure to explain for every customer archetype, if different.
  • What distribution channels would you use to get your product to customers/users?
  • What is your customer acquisition cost for each of the above approaches? For each channel, explain the channel economics.
  • Conduct a survey and/or talk to potential customers. How many people have heard of your product so far (awareness)? What percentage of them are interested in your product (interest)? What percentage of these actually thinking of buying your product (consideration)? What percentage of them actually have bought the product (purchase)? Talk to at least 20 customers for physical products and talk to at least 100 customers for virtual products.

G. Revenue and Pricing

  • How do you make money, and from whom? What are the major revenue streams?
  • How are you going to price your product? What is the pricing strategy for each revenue stream and why? Value pricing, volume pricing, negotiated pricing, auctions, freemium, leasing etc.
  • How much are customers currently paying for alternatives or substitutes to your product?
  • Which approach are you planning to take: a “user growth first” approach or a “revenue first” approach, or a “quick path to profitability” approach? Why?
  • Draw the payment flow diagram (see an example here   http://bit.ly/payment_flow )
  • What is your key sources of fixed cost?
  • What are your key sources of variable cost?
  • What are the biggest drivers of cost in your business model? How can you reduce them in the future?
  • If your costs are primarily fixed, in what timeframe can you reach breakeven? If your costs are primarily variable, what is your operating profit margin?

I. Raising Money

  • Do you need to raise money? If so, how much do you plan to raise and in what timeframe, and why? What do you plan to use it for?
  • What kind of investor do you plan to raise from, if any and why would you choose this over other forms of funding? e.g. Angel, VC, Incubators
  • Have you been in touch with any potential investors? If so, describe your conversation. If not, how do you plan to get in touch with them and pitch?

Answer the next questions assuming the role of CTO

A. Product Design and Development:

1. When designing and developing new products and/or services, what are the most important technical decisions you would take into account early on versus later on ? What are the steps that you consider important in taking an idea from design to implementation? Please make sure to communicate the high level principles, while talking about the specific examples from your company.

2. Differentiation, in terms of technology and product capabilities, technical barriers to entry (if any) in the specific market that the company is operating in. If there aren't any real technical barriers, clearly state that.

3. What are the next three top development priorities in the product area, and why. Explain in some depth, and again in the specific context of your business and offering.

B. Product and/or Technical Trade-offs:

A description of three major technical design decisions (technology or product related) that will need to be made by the company in the near future. For each, state the major options and their pros and cons, and then state your proposed option and explain why you plan to choose it and what the risks with it are. Explain in some depth, and again in the specific context of your business and offering. You need to be specific enough and give sufficient technical and business related details, and yet keep your target audience (non technical board of directors) in mind.

C. Strategic Trade-offs:

A description of three major strategic trade-offs or decisions that you made or will need to make in the near future. For each, state the the major options and their pros and cons, and then state your proposed option and explain why you plan to choose it and what the risks with it are. For example, you can talk about decisions related to your target customers, business model, monetization strategy, customer acquisition strategy or strategic partnerships.

What to Submit

One submission per group, please.

Midterm Paper:

  • single pdf file
  • at most 10 pages (excluding cover page)
  • font size of at least 11
  • one of the following fonts: Arial, Times New Roman or Calibri
  • at least 1 inch margin on every side

Business Canvas

  • single separate pdf file
  • containing only keywords / phrases
  • preferably colored

Where to Submit

When to submit.

Submit by 11:59pm on Wednesday 3/26

You will not get any credit for late submissions. We will grant extensions only in the case of illness (with a doctor's note) or extraordinary circumstances. Extracurricular activities and heavy workloads in other classes don't count as "extraordinary", no matter how unexpected or important or time-consuming. Please let us know ahead of time if illness or an extraordinary circumstance will cause you to submit a writeup or paper late, then you should discuss the matter with your instructor as soon as possible.

what is a midterm paper

How to Write a Term Paper From Start to Finish

what is a midterm paper

The term paper, often regarded as the culmination of a semester's hard work, is a rite of passage for students in pursuit of higher education. Here's an interesting fact to kick things off: Did you know that the term paper's origins can be traced back to ancient Greece, where scholars like Plato and Aristotle utilized written works to explore and document their philosophical musings? Just as these great minds once wrote their thoughts on parchment, you, too, can embark on this intellectual voyage with confidence and skill.

How to Write a Term Paper: Short Description

In this article, we'll delve into the core purpose of this kind of assignment – to showcase your understanding of a subject, your research abilities, and your capacity to communicate complex ideas effectively. But it doesn't stop there. We'll also guide you in the art of creating a well-structured term paper format, a roadmap that will not only keep you on track but also ensure your ideas flow seamlessly and logically. Packed with valuable tips on writing, organization, and time management, this resource promises to equip you with the tools needed to excel in your academic writing.

Understanding What Is a Term Paper

A term paper, a crucial component of your college education, is often assigned towards the conclusion of a semester. It's a vehicle through which educators gauge your comprehension of the course content. Imagine it as a bridge between what you've learned in class and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world topics.

For instance, in a history course, you might be asked to delve into the causes and consequences of a significant historical event, such as World War II. In a psychology class, your term paper might explore the effects of stress on mental health, or in an environmental science course, you could analyze the impact of climate change on a specific region.

Writing a term paper isn't just about summarizing facts. It requires a blend of organization, deep research, and the art of presenting your findings in a way that's both clear and analytical. This means structuring your arguments logically, citing relevant sources, and critically evaluating the information you've gathered.

For further guidance, we've prepared an insightful guide for you authored by our expert essay writer . It's brimming with practical tips and valuable insights to help you stand out in this academic endeavor and earn the recognition you deserve.

How to Start a Term Paper

Before you start, keep the guidelines for the term paper format firmly in mind. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to reach out to your instructor for clarification before you begin your research and writing process. And remember, procrastination is your worst enemy in this endeavor. If you're aiming to produce an exceptional piece and secure a top grade, it's essential to plan ahead and allocate dedicated time each day to work on it. Now, let our term paper writing services provide you with some valuable tips to help you on your journey:

start a term paper

  • Hone Your Topic : Start by cultivating a learning mindset that empowers you to effectively organize your thoughts. Discover how to research a topic in the section below.
  • Hook Your Readers: Initiate a brainstorming session and unleash a barrage of creative ideas to captivate your audience right from the outset. Pose intriguing questions, share compelling anecdotes, offer persuasive statistics, and more.
  • Craft a Concise Thesis Statement Example : If you find yourself struggling to encapsulate the main idea of your paper in just a sentence or two, it's time to revisit your initial topic and consider narrowing it down.
  • Understand Style Requirements: Your work must adhere to specific formatting guidelines. Delve into details about the APA format and other pertinent regulations in the section provided.
  • Delve Deeper with Research : Equipped with a clearer understanding of your objectives, dive into your subject matter with a discerning eye. Ensure that you draw from reputable and reliable sources.
  • Begin Writing: Don't obsess over perfection from the get-go. Just start writing, and don't worry about initial imperfections. You can always revise or remove those early sentences later. The key is to initiate the term papers as soon as you've amassed sufficient information.

Ace your term paper with EssayPro 's expert help. Our academic professionals are here to guide you through every step, ensuring your term paper is well-researched, structured, and written to the highest standards.

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Term Paper Topics

Selecting the right topic for your term paper is a critical step, one that can significantly impact your overall experience and the quality of your work. While instructors sometimes provide specific topics, there are instances when you have the freedom to choose your own. To guide you on how to write a term paper, consider the following factors when deciding on your dissertation topics :

choose a term paper topic

  • Relevance to Assignment Length: Begin by considering the required length of your paper. Whether it's a substantial 10-page paper or a more concise 5-page one, understanding the word count will help you determine the appropriate scope for your subject. This will inform whether your topic should be broad or more narrowly focused.
  • Availability of Resources : Investigate the resources at your disposal. Check your school or community library for books and materials that can support your research. Additionally, explore online sources to ensure you have access to a variety of reference materials.
  • Complexity and Clarity : Ensure you can effectively explain your chosen topic, regardless of how complex it may seem. If you encounter areas that are challenging to grasp fully, don't hesitate to seek guidance from experts or your professor. Clarity and understanding are key to producing a well-structured term paper.
  • Avoiding Overused Concepts : Refrain from choosing overly trendy or overused topics. Mainstream subjects often fail to captivate the interest of your readers or instructors, as they can lead to repetitive content. Instead, opt for a unique angle or approach that adds depth to your paper.
  • Manageability and Passion : While passion can drive your choice of topic, it's important to ensure that it is manageable within the given time frame and with the available resources. If necessary, consider scaling down a topic that remains intriguing and motivating to you, ensuring it aligns with your course objectives and personal interests.

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Term Paper Outline

Before embarking on the journey of writing a term paper, it's crucial to establish a well-structured outline. Be mindful of any specific formatting requirements your teacher may have in mind, as these will guide your outline's structure. Here's a basic format to help you get started:

  • Cover Page: Begin with a cover page featuring your name, course number, teacher's name, and the deadline date, centered at the top.
  • Abstract: Craft a concise summary of your work that informs readers about your paper's topic, its significance, and the key points you'll explore.
  • Introduction: Commence your term paper introduction with a clear and compelling statement of your chosen topic. Explain why it's relevant and outline your approach to addressing it.
  • Body: This section serves as the meat of academic papers, where you present the primary findings from your research. Provide detailed information about the topic to enhance the reader's understanding. Ensure you incorporate various viewpoints on the issue and conduct a thorough analysis of your research.
  • Results: Share the insights and conclusions that your research has led you to. Discuss any shifts in your perspective or understanding that have occurred during the course of your project.
  • Discussion: Conclude your term paper with a comprehensive summary of the topic and your findings. You can wrap up with a thought-provoking question or encourage readers to explore the subject further through their own research.

How to Write a Term Paper with 5 Steps

Before you begin your term paper, it's crucial to understand what a term paper proposal entails. This proposal serves as your way to introduce and justify your chosen topic to your instructor, and it must gain approval before you start writing the actual paper.

In your proposal, include recent studies or research related to your topic, along with proper references. Clearly explain the topic's relevance to your course, outline your objectives, and organize your ideas effectively. This helps your instructor grasp your term paper's direction. If needed, you can also seek assistance from our expert writers and buy term paper .

how to write a term paper

Draft the Abstract

The abstract is a critical element while writing a term paper, and it plays a crucial role in piquing the reader's interest. To create a captivating abstract, consider these key points from our dissertation writing service :

  • Conciseness: Keep it short and to the point, around 150-250 words. No need for lengthy explanations.
  • Highlight Key Elements: Summarize the problem you're addressing, your research methods, and primary findings or conclusions. For instance, if your paper discusses the impact of social media on mental health, mention your research methods and significant findings.
  • Engagement: Make your abstract engaging. Use language that draws readers in. For example, if your paper explores the effects of artificial intelligence on the job market, you might begin with a question like, 'Is AI revolutionizing our work landscape, or should we prepare for the robots to take over?'
  • Clarity: Avoid excessive jargon or technical terms to ensure accessibility to a wider audience.

Craft the Introduction

The introduction sets the stage for your entire term paper and should engage readers from the outset. To craft an intriguing introduction, consider these tips:

  • Hook Your Audience: Start with a captivating hook, such as a thought-provoking question or a compelling statistic. For example, if your paper explores the impact of smartphone addiction, you could begin with, 'Can you remember the last time you went a whole day without checking your phone?'
  • State Your Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of your paper and its relevance. If your term paper is about renewable energy's role in combating climate change, explain why this topic is essential in today's world.
  • Provide a Roadmap: Briefly outline how your paper is structured. For instance, if your paper discusses the benefits of mindfulness meditation, mention that you will explore its effects on stress reduction, emotional well-being, and cognitive performance.
  • Thesis Statement: Conclude your introduction with a concise thesis statement that encapsulates the central argument or message of your paper. In the case of a term paper on the impact of online education, your thesis might be: 'Online education is revolutionizing learning by providing accessibility, flexibility, and innovative teaching methods.'

Develop the Body Sections: Brainstorming Concepts and Content

Generate ideas and compose text: body sections.

The body of your term paper is where you present your research, arguments, and analysis. To generate ideas and write engaging text in the body sections, consider these strategies from our research paper writer :

  • Structure Your Ideas: Organize your paper into sections or paragraphs, each addressing a specific aspect of your topic. For example, if your term paper explores the impact of social media on interpersonal relationships, you might have sections on communication patterns, privacy concerns, and emotional well-being.
  • Support with Evidence: Back up your arguments with credible evidence, such as data, research findings, or expert opinions. For instance, when discussing the effects of social media on mental health, you can include statistics on social media usage and its correlation with anxiety or depression.
  • Offer Diverse Perspectives: Acknowledge and explore various viewpoints on the topic. When writing about the pros and cons of genetic engineering, present both the potential benefits, like disease prevention, and the ethical concerns associated with altering human genetics.
  • Use Engaging Examples: Incorporate real-life examples to illustrate your points. If your paper discusses the consequences of climate change, share specific instances of extreme weather events or environmental degradation to make the topic relatable.
  • Ask Thought-Provoking Questions: Integrate questions throughout your text to engage readers and stimulate critical thinking. In a term paper on the future of artificial intelligence, you might ask, 'How will AI impact job markets and the concept of work in the coming years?'

Formulate the Conclusion

The conclusion section should provide a satisfying wrap-up of your arguments and insights. To craft a compelling term paper example conclusion, follow these steps:

  • Revisit Your Thesis: Begin by restating your thesis statement. This reinforces the central message of your paper. For example, if your thesis is about the importance of biodiversity conservation, reiterate that biodiversity is crucial for ecological balance and human well-being.
  • Summarize Key Points: Briefly recap the main points you've discussed in the body of your paper. For instance, if you've been exploring the impact of globalization on local economies, summarize the effects on industries, job markets, and cultural diversity.
  • Emphasize Your Main Argument: Reaffirm the significance of your thesis and the overall message of your paper. Discuss why your findings are important or relevant in a broader context. If your term paper discusses the advantages of renewable energy, underscore its potential to combat climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Offer a Thoughtful Reflection: Share your own reflections or insights about the topic. How has your understanding evolved during your research? Have you uncovered any unexpected findings or implications? If your paper discusses the future of space exploration, consider what it means for humanity's quest to explore the cosmos.
  • End with Impact: Conclude your term paper with a powerful closing statement. You can leave the reader with a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a reflection on the broader implications of your topic. For instance, if your paper is about the ethics of artificial intelligence, you could finish by asking, 'As AI continues to advance, what ethical considerations will guide our choices and decisions?'

Edit and Enhance the Initial Draft

After completing your initial draft, the revision and polishing phase is essential for improving your paper. Here's how to refine your work efficiently:

  • Take a Break: Step back and return to your paper with a fresh perspective.
  • Structure Check: Ensure your paper flows logically and transitions smoothly from the introduction to the conclusion.
  • Clarity and Conciseness: Trim excess words for clarity and precision.
  • Grammar and Style: Proofread for errors and ensure consistent style.
  • Citations and References: Double-check your citations and reference list.
  • Peer Review: Seek feedback from peers or professors for valuable insights.
  • Enhance Intro and Conclusion: Make your introduction and conclusion engaging and impactful.
  • Coherence Check: Ensure your arguments support your thesis consistently.
  • Read Aloud: Reading your paper aloud helps identify issues.
  • Final Proofread: Perform a thorough proofread to catch any remaining errors.

Term Paper Format

When formatting your term paper, consider its length and the required citation style, which depends on your research topic. Proper referencing is crucial to avoid plagiarism in academic writing. Common citation styles include APA and MLA.

If unsure how to cite term paper for social sciences, use the APA format, including the author's name, book title, publication year, publisher, and location when citing a book.

For liberal arts and humanities, MLA is common, requiring the publication name, date, and location for referencing.

Adhering to the appropriate term paper format and citation style ensures an organized and academically sound paper. Follow your instructor's guidelines for a polished and successful paper.

Term Paper Example

To access our term paper example, simply click the button below.

The timeline of events from 1776 to 1861, that, in the end, prompted the American Civil War, describes and relates to a number of subjects modern historians acknowledge as the origins and causes of the Civil War. In fact, pre-Civil War events had both long-term and short-term influences on the War—such as the election of Abraham Lincoln as the American president in 1860 that led to the Fall of Fort Sumter in April of the same year. In that period, contentions that surrounded states’ rights progressively exploded in Congress—since they were the initial events that formed after independence. Congress focused on resolving significant issues that affected the states, which led to further issues. In that order, the US’s history from 1776 to 1861 provides a rich history, as politicians brought forth dissimilarities, dissections, and tensions between the Southern US & the people of slave states, and the Northern states that were loyal to the Union. The events that unfolded from the period of 1776 to 1861 involved a series of issues because they promoted the great sectional crisis that led to political divisions and the build-up to the Civil War that made the North and the South seem like distinctive and timeless regions that predated the crisis itself.

Final Thoughts

In closing, approach the task of writing term papers with determination and a positive outlook. Begin well in advance, maintain organization, and have faith in your capabilities. Don't hesitate to seek assistance if required, and express your individual perspective with confidence. You're more than capable of succeeding in this endeavor!

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Daniel Parker

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

what is a midterm paper

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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How to structure a common midterm paper

Writing a midterm paper does not have to be a headache. Most instructors will assign midterm papers so their students can show what they have learned during the first half of the course. If you keep in mind that you are simply showing what you have learned, writing the midterm paper should be more accessible. In order to show that you have learned, you do need to know how to structure your paper. As always, you should structure your midterm paper according to your instructor’s requirements.

Introduction: All term papers, regardless of the time they are written, need a good introduction. The beginning of your paper should include a topically appropriate and interesting hooks. The middle of the introduction should include background information about your topic. The middle details should not also connect the introduction to the claim that you will be making. Since most midterm papers are persuasive, the claim will need to be arguable.

Body of the paper: The body of the paper is where the most important information needs to find it home. This section needs to have several paragraphs that are dedicated to highly focused topics that support the claim in the introductory section. Each paragraph should have the same features including a topic sentence that relates back to the claim. The paragraphs also need to have at least three supporting examples that are explained so the reader knows how they relate back to the topic sentence and the claim itself.

Conclusion: The end might not seem vitally important, but it really is an important part of any term paper. The conclusion is the last place to remind the reader about the main point of the paper. This section should be at least one paragraph in length and it should restate the claim, review the most important support for the claim. The conclusion should also contain some kind of suggested actions for the reader. Some will include a call to action, a final question, or some final words of wisdom.

Documentation and formatting: This will be determined by the course and your instructor. Unless you are instructed otherwise, you should assume that every midterm or term paper will need to have sources that are documented in the actual text itself as well as on a works cited page. You might have to use MLA, APA, Chicago Style, or another documentation style that is keyed to your curricular area of study.

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How To Plan and Execute a Midterm Exam

Feb 26th, 2018 by Catherine

Midterm season is fast approaching (if it hasn’t arrived already) and you may now face the challenge of designing one or more exams that will fit the students, the material, and the goals of the class. You probably touched on some of these elements when designing the course or creating the syllabus, but the actual work of crafting a satisfactory exam can still be a daunting prospect. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you plan:

  • Consider the exam in light of course objectives. How will you describe this test to your students in terms of the overall goals of the course? Maybe it is a tool to measure how much content they remember at this point in the semester. Or it can be a chance to draw out students’ creative abilities by encouraging new ideas and new applications of the material they’ve learned by this time–as long as everything on the test is material they have already covered. This is not a time for surprises! In either case, use this midterm as an opportunity. It can be more than a routine checkup; it can actually work toward achieving some of the goals of the course.
  • Use appropriate methods of assessment. Depending on what you hope your students will gain or demonstrate through this exam, you will want to choose the format of the test carefully. Multiple choice and true or false questions are work well if you need your students to demonstrate knowledge of discrete technical terms or other data retrieval. It is possible to measure more complex thinking with multiple choice questions, but it requires a high level of effort and skill on the teacher’s part to create these kinds of questions. (See here for more information on creating good multiple choice questions.) Typically, if you need your students to establish their ability to construct and defend arguments, essay questions demand the more complex level of thinking needed.
  • Think ahead to grading . It’s never too early to start building a grading rubric! As you go over your questions, break the desired answers down into their component parts so you can decide how many points to award for each part. This will make it easier to give partial credit to an answer that still falls short. Once you make your decisions about how many parts and how many points go with each questions, distribute this rubric to the students. While this rubric should not give away any answers, it can guide their study. Not only will it help them prepare for the exam, it will make grading far quicker and easier.
  • Consider how long it will take to finish . It is important to design exams that can be reasonably completed within the set time limit. There can be a disconnect sometimes between what an expert in the field can do or answer and what a student should be able to do in the same amount of time. You might consider taking your own midterm to see how long it takes you; then double or triple the time you needed to get a sense of what your students will need. Give your students a sense of how long they should spend on each section by letting them know the number of points they can earn per question. For example, if the short answers are worth 5 points each and the essay questions are worth 15 points each, they will have the information they need to manage their time effectively.
  • Ask a colleague or a friend to read through the exam. As with other writing projects, it’s easy to miss mistakes or misjudge how well an exam is constructed without some outside feedback. Asking someone else in your discipline to review your questions will help you judge if the exam is an adequate and accurate tool to measure student progress. Even getting a friend a from another field to look it over can help you ensure the exam is unambiguous in what is asks of the students.

Here is a good resource for different types of grading rubrics that can prompt you ask specific kinds of questions.

We have previously talked about how to design a final exam here .  There are many similar points to be made, and you may find the perspective of the final helpful here as well.

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Your guide to midterm exams

With the right study plan, students can master their course material and make the grade

what is a midterm paper

Midterm exams are not the only opportunity for a student to showcase their knowledge and understanding of a particular course, but they are often the first indicator of how well a student is absorbing, processing and retaining the class material.

For students, midterms can offer an accurate barometer for judging if your current study strategy is effective, or if changes are required.

Do all classes have midterm exams?

All courses at Brandeis International Business School are either two or four credits. Four-credit courses last the whole semester and are more likely to have midterms, while two-credit or module courses are a half-semester long and typically do not. While final exams vary in four-credit courses, as some may have final projects or capstones instead, the norm for these classes is to have at least one midterm exam.

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When are midterm exams and what should I expect?

Midterm exams are typically held, unsurprisingly, in the middle of the semester. During the fall semester, which runs from late August to early December, midterms typically occur in October. During the spring semester, which starts in January and ends at the beginning of May, midterms are typically administered in March.

Unlike final exams, which are scheduled by the university’s Registrar, midterm exams are typically scheduled during class time by the professor. Some classes may have two midterm exams, in which case they are spread further throughout the semester. Professors outline these exams in the course syllabus, so they will not come as a surprise. The weight of each midterm exam on the final grade is also usually provided in the course syllabus. Many instructors are open to telling students about the format of the midterm exam, as well as the topics or themes that the exam will cover.

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What is the best way to prepare for a midterm and what resources are available to students?

The most effective way to feel prepared for a midterm exam is to first attend each class, and complete all of the homework assignments in a timely manner. One should also take advantage of the professor’s and the teaching assistant’s office hours when the class material is challenging or unclear. It is easier to correct these issues before a minor struggle becomes seemingly insurmountable.

It is smart to review previous homework assignments, go through the course’s slides and materials, and consult notes taken during each class. Typically, teaching assistants and professors hold additional office hours during the midterm period to allow students to raise their concerns and to get clarifications they might need on class material. It is also useful to know the duration and the format of the questions — whether they will be short answers, problems to solve out, multiple choice questions, etc. — so that students can cater their study guides and process to match.

How do you proceed after the midterm?

After the midterm exam, students who did well can be reassured that they have mastered the material. They should continue to work at the same pace on the material that follows to prepare for the final exam or project. They should also make sure that they understand any mistakes, to ensure they do not repeat them. It’s also a good idea to see if there were any gaps in their study strategy.

If students did not do as well on the midterm as they hoped, there are still ways to ensure success moving forward. Most professors will hold a review of the exam, and students should take advantage of one-on-one time with their professor and teaching assistant to make sure they fully grasp the material. The sooner this is done the better, as the pace of the course may pick up as the term progresses.

Sometimes it also helps to connect with friends in the class who may have done better on the exam, just to get a different perspective on the material. Students may also seek out a tutor to work with them on the material they are struggling with, but the important thing is that they do something. The ultimate goal is that they have a tailored study plan to ensure they will not repeat their mistakes. This is also important because the final exam might be cumulative, meaning it might cover the material from the beginning of the course, which includes the material on the midterm. Therefore, preparation is key. 

If after a conversation with the professor and a student’s academic advisor, they still feel like the course will pose an insurmountable challenge, they may elect to drop the class and take it in a later semester, or, depending on the timing, elect to take the course pass/fail, or switch to auditing the class.

What is the impact of the midterm exam on the final grade?

The impact of the midterm exam depends on the weight it is assigned by the professor. Generally speaking, this can be between 20 to 35%, leaving 65 to 80% of a student’s final grade on other components, such as homework assignments, class participation, final projects, etc. Receiving a bad grade on the midterm may not be an indicator that a student will do poorly overall. Students who did not do well on the midterm, however, will have to work harder to ensure they grasp the new material while addressing the concerns raised by their midterm performance. While this requires dedication and a lot of commitment, it is certainly possible to come out on top.

Student Insights features blog posts and videos produced by current students and recent graduates of Brandeis International Business School. The views, thoughts and opinions expressed here belong solely to the author.

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Midterm Paper Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is for you to explore a specific element of management, and to research the impact that the concept has on organizational outcomes.   Perhaps this is the first true midterm you have ever written, in which case I will give you a guideline for essay writing that you can use throughout the rest of your management education.  The essay must meet the following requirements:

The paper must meet at least 3,000 words.  The word count does not include the title page, abstract, or references page.  There is no word maximum.

The entire paper should be written in APA formatting.  If you have never used APA format, this is your time to learn.   A template is provided so that you can see what it looks like.   Review this website for more clarifications on APA format.

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html

Peer Reviewed Articles

The paper must contain at least five peer reviewed articles.  A peer reviewed article is one that is published by a journal that sends papers out to scholars to give feedback to authors prior to publishing.  It is a process that helps ensure research is done well, and right.  When you look for articles in the library database, there is a box you can check that will populate “peer review only”.  Peer reviewed articles come from journals that have a volume and issue number.

Academic language

There is a difference in the way we speak and in the way we write academic papers.  You should use professional language and avoid colloquial speech.  If you are new to academic writing, I would encourage you read articles, or textbooks and see how they use language, or how the authors make transitions between paragraphs and ideas.  For example, when you are citing an article, you should use the last name and year.   “Lloyd (2020) found that . . . .”  You should avoid use of language like “The article talked about. . . .” etc.  Finally, this is an academic paper, and should focus ONLY on what the research has to say.  There should be no personal stories or personal opinions.  Avoid completely the use of the pronouns I or me.

Adequate Description of the Organizational Outcomes

Now comes the heart of the assignment.   Your task is to research a specific element or tool of management by seeing what the research shows as the organizational outcomes.   You will choose a concept from the list below and then see what the academic research has found.  The outcomes might be positive or negative.   When you research the concepts you should be asking the question, what happens when this concept or tool is done well in organizations?  What happens when this concept is done poorly?  Your findings can be a mix of both positive and negative if you find research to support it.   For example, one of the concepts is conflict management.   As you research this concept, you should find research that sees what happens when an organization manages conflict well.  What happens when they do it poorly?  You might find outcomes such as the impact on turnover, loyalty, customer service quality, profitability, employee retention, etc.   The list provided is a blend of management characteristics, tools, or general concepts within management.  Whichever you choose, your task is to figure out what the impact is on the organization.  The outcomes will vary and probably come from different contexts, and you might find one article that discusses the outcomes in one industry, and outcomes from a different industry for the other two.  This is fine.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Here is a step by step guide.  I am using “emotional intelligence” as my concept.  This concept is not on the list, and therefore not available for you to use.  I chose it to illustrate how to write the mid-term.

Choose a concept from the list.

  • Relevance – The introduction should be around two paragraphs. In the first paragraph, tell me why the topic is important or relevant.   Give general background.
  • Transition – You have described the subject at a high level and given me the overarching theme. You need a transition sentence to lead your reader to the thesis statement.    For example, if you are writing about emotional intelligence’s impact on managerial outcomes you would start your essay by describing emotional intelligence – what we know about it, why its important, all at a high level.   Then to start your second paragraph you need to transition.   “Emotional intelligence is relevant to a wide scope of fields, and research shows that it can have a profound impact on managerial practice.”
  • Thesis – Then you can begin your thesis. I recommend the following formula for the thesis:

The purpose of this paper is to describe how X leads to outcome 1, outcome 2, and outcome 3. 

For example, a thesis might look like this:

The purpose of this paper is to describe how emotional intelligence in management can lead to lower levels of turnover, increased teamwork, and higher levels of job satisfaction in direct reports.

To support the argument that emotional intelligence leads to these positive outcomes, you need to find research to support it.   Go to the library database and type in various keywords to find peer-reviewed articles that support each of the three outcomes.  I typed “emotional intelligence + organizational outcomes.”  If this yields no results, try to guess as to what the outcomes might be, and type that in as a keyword.  To build your thesis, you need to have already done this step to ensure that there is adequate support for the argument.   Let’s go back to the case we are building.   I found the following articles to support each pillar:

Lower turnover:

Glodstein, D. (2014). Recruitment and retention: Could emotional intelligence be the answer. Journal of New Business Ideas and Trends, 12 (2), 14-21.

Increased teamwork:

Farh, C., Seo, M., Tesluk, P., & Kozlowski, Steve W. J. (2012). Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork Effectiveness, and Job Performance: The Moderating Role of Job Context.  Journal of Applied Psychology,97 (4), 890-900.

Job Satisfaction:

Shi, M., Yan, X., You, X., & Li, J. (2015). Core Self-evaluations, Emotional Intelligence and Job Satisfaction in Chinese Soldiers. Social Indicators Research, 124 (1), 221-229.

These articles are peer-reviewed and support the ideas in each outcome.   To make an easy roadmap, make your headings the same as each pillar from your thesis.

Make a recommendation, give advice, recount main points, and express what research can be taken next in the field.  Make it interesting and give me closure.  One of the most common errors students make in the conclusion is to use second person “you” to make general statements. While second person should always be avoided in academic writing, the most important reason not to use it in the conclusion is that it almost always changes the entire focus of the paper.

Good tips to follow for academic writing

  • Do not use statements like “The article talks about”
  • Do not use statements like “The book talked about”
  • Do not use statements like “I will use peer-reviewed articles to cover…”
  •  Lloyd (2018) found that . . . .
  • A study conducted by Lloyd (2018) found that . . . .
  • Shermerhorn (2016) offers that management. . . .
  • “Emotional intelligence leads to higher levels of autonomy and improved communication” (Lloyd, 2018, p. 4)

The Four Functions of Management Copyright © 2020 by Dr. Robert Lloyd and Dr. Wayne Aho is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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MACS 101: Mid-Term Paper

Using this guide, mid-term paper guidelines.

  • Choosing Concepts
  • Choosing Media
  • Finding Outside Sources
  • Citing Sources
  • Writing Help

Communications Library

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This guide is intended to help you complete your MACS 101 mid-term paper. Each tab located on the left-hand side of the guide will provide you with information and resources on the main elements of your paper. If you have any questions related to finding resources please contact the Communications Library by email, [email protected], or use "Ask a Librarian" chat on the Communications Library website . For more information on specific requirements for this assignment, please contact your instructor.

Description

For your mid-term writing assignment, you are asked to select three concepts from the text book from the following list:

  • space-time compression
  • structure & agency
  • political economy of the media
  • symbolic annihilation of women, racial/ethnic minorities, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals
  • representation of women, racial/ethnic minorities, and/or LGBTQ+ individuals

You are then asked to apply each of these concepts to a piece of media of your choice in order to create a cohesive paper of at least five (5) pages. The paper should analyze that piece of media through each of these frames. While you are not restricted in your choice of media, nor in the particular medium in which that piece of media is created, you are encouraged to select something in which you are interested, and within which you can find ways to apply each of your chosen concepts. The piece of media that you choose may not be something that you have covered for a previous assignment.

Within this assignment, you are expected to adhere to all existing writing guidelines; you must have an introduction, a conclusion, and a body paragraph that are well-organized and that form a coherent argument. Additionally, you are expected to do some research into the media that you are examining, and are to provide proper citations, in APA format, for all sources, including the textbook , that you use in crafting your essay. You should have as least four outside sources, not including the textbook or the piece of media you are examining. The paper is due on April 4th.

You are also expected to turn in a rough draft of the paper. This draft will receive instructor feedback, which you must incorporate into your final mid-term paper; this draft is due on March 21st ; you will receive feedback by March 28th . Failure to turn in this draft will result in a significant reduction to your final grade.

Grading Criteria

You will be graded based on the presence of the following criteria:

  • Demonstration of understanding of and engagement with the three concepts you have chosen
  • Successful application of those concepts to the media that you are examining
  • A thesis that relates all three concepts that you have selected to each other within the context of the piece of media that you're examining
  • Writing that is expository and demonstrates deep engagement with course concepts
  • An introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion that together form a cohesive whole
  • Transitions between all sections and concepts
  • Presence and citation of all sources
  • Presence of revisions as suggested in comments of your draft
  • Adherence to all writing guidelines as they apply throughout the course
  • Next: Choosing Concepts >>
  • Last Updated: Mar 11, 2024 10:50 AM
  • URL: https://guides.library.illinois.edu/macs101midterm

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the best college essay length: how long should it be.

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College Essays

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Figuring out your college essay can be one of the most difficult parts of applying to college. Even once you've read the prompt and picked a topic, you might wonder: if you write too much or too little, will you blow your chance of admission? How long should a college essay be?

Whether you're a terse writer or a loquacious one, we can advise you on college essay length. In this guide, we'll cover what the standard college essay length is, how much word limits matter, and what to do if you aren't sure how long a specific essay should be.

How Long Is a College Essay? First, Check the Word Limit

You might be used to turning in your writing assignments on a page-limit basis (for example, a 10-page paper). While some colleges provide page limits for their college essays, most use a word limit instead. This makes sure there's a standard length for all the essays that a college receives, regardless of formatting or font.

In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

College essay prompts usually provide the word limit right in the prompt or in the instructions.

For example, the University of Illinois says :

"You'll answer two to three prompts as part of your application. The questions you'll answer will depend on whether you're applying to a major or to our undeclared program , and if you've selected a second choice . Each response should be approximately 150 words."

As exemplified by the University of Illinois, the shortest word limits for college essays are usually around 150 words (less than half a single-spaced page). Rarely will you see a word limit higher than around 650 words (over one single-spaced page). College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words. Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all!

body-scale-cc0

Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

How Flexible Is the Word Limit?

But how flexible is the word limit? What if your poignant anecdote is just 10 words too long—or 100 too short?

Can I Go Over the Word Limit?

If you are attaching a document and you need one or two extra words, you can probably get away with exceeding the word limit by such a small amount. Some colleges will actually tell you that exceeding the word limit by 1-2 words is fine. However, I advise against exceeding the word limit unless it's explicitly allowed for a few reasons:

First, you might not be able to. If you have to copy-paste it into a text box, your essay might get cut off and you'll have to trim it down anyway.

If you exceed the word limit in a noticeable way, the admissions counselor may just stop reading your essay past that point. This is not good for you.

Following directions is actually a very important part of the college application process. You need to follow directions to get your letters of recommendation, upload your essays, send supplemental materials, get your test scores sent, and so on and so forth. So it's just a good general rule to follow whatever instructions you've been given by the institution. Better safe than sorry!

Can I Go Under the Word Limit?

If you can truly get your point across well beneath the word limit, it's probably fine. Brevity is not necessarily a bad thing in writing just so long as you are clear, cogent, and communicate what you want to.

However, most college essays have pretty tight word limits anyways. So if you're writing 300 words for an essay with a 500-word limit, ask yourself: is there anything more you could say to elaborate on or support your points? Consult with a parent, friend, or teacher on where you could elaborate with more detail or expand your points.

Also, if the college gives you a word range, you absolutely need to at least hit the bottom end of the range. So if you get a range from the institution, like 400-500 words, you need to write at least 400 words. If you write less, it will come across like you have nothing to say, which is not an impression you want to give.

body-writing-computer-orange-write

What If There Is No Word Limit?

Some colleges don't give you a word limit for one or more of your essay prompts. This can be a little stressful, but the prompts generally fall into a few categories:

Writing Sample

Some colleges don't provide a hard-and-fast word limit because they want a writing sample from one of your classes. In this case, a word limit would be very limiting to you in terms of which assignments you could select from.

For an example of this kind of prompt, check out essay Option B at Amherst :

"Submit a graded paper from your junior or senior year that best represents your writing skills and analytical abilities. We are particularly interested in your ability to construct a tightly reasoned, persuasive argument that calls upon literary, sociological or historical evidence. You should NOT submit a laboratory report, journal entry, creative writing sample or in-class essay."

While there is usually no word limit per se, colleges sometimes provide a general page guideline for writing samples. In the FAQ for Option B , Amherst clarifies, "There is no hard-and-fast rule for official page limit. Typically, we anticipate a paper of 4-5 pages will provide adequate length to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Somewhat longer papers can also be submitted, but in most cases should not exceed 8-10 pages."

So even though there's no word limit, they'd like somewhere in the 4-10 pages range. High school students are not usually writing papers that are longer than 10 pages anyways, so that isn't very limiting.

Want to write the perfect college application essay?   We can help.   Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will help you craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. We learn your background and interests, brainstorm essay topics, and walk you through the essay drafting process, step-by-step. At the end, you'll have a unique essay to proudly submit to colleges.   Don't leave your college application to chance. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now:

Implicit Length Guideline

Sometimes, while there's no word (or even page) limit, there's still an implicit length guideline. What do I mean by this?

See, for example, this Western Washington University prompt :

“Describe one or more activities you have been involved in that have been particularly meaningful. What does your involvement say about the communities, identities or causes that are important to you?”

While there’s no page or word limit listed here, further down on page the ‘essay tips’ section explains that “ most essay responses are about 500 words, ” though “this is only a recommendation, not a firm limit.” This gives you an idea of what’s reasonable. A little longer or shorter than 500 words would be appropriate here. That’s what I mean by an “implicit” word limit—there is a reasonable length you could go to within the boundaries of the prompt.

body-coffee-cc0

But what's the proper coffee-to-paragraph ratio?

Treasure Hunt

There is also the classic "treasure hunt" prompt. No, it's not a prompt about a treasure hunt. It's a prompt where there are no length guidelines given, but if you hunt around on the rest of the website you can find length guidelines.

For example, the University of Chicago provides seven "Extended Essay" prompts . You must write an essay in response to one prompt of your choosing, but nowhere on the page is there any guidance about word count or page limit.

However, many colleges provide additional details about their expectations for application materials, including essays, on FAQ pages, which is true of the University of Chicago. On the school’s admissions Frequently Asked Questions page , they provide the following length guidelines for the supplemental essays: 

“We suggest that you note any word limits for Coalition or Common Application essays; however, there are no strict word limits on the UChicago Supplement essays. For the extended essay (where you choose one of several prompts), we suggest that you aim for around 650 words. While we won't, as a rule, stop reading after 650 words, we're only human and cannot promise that an overly wordy essay will hold our attention indefinitely. For the “Why UChicago?” essay, we suggest about 250-500 words. The ideas in your writing matter more than the exact number of words you use!”

So there you go! You want to be (loosely) in the realm of 650 for the extended essay, and 250-500 words for the “Why UChicago?” essay.

Help! There Really Is No Guidance on Length

If you really can't find any length guidelines anywhere on the admissions website and you're at a loss, I advise calling the admissions office. They may not be able to give you an exact number (in fact, they probably won't), but they will probably at least be able to tell you how long most of the essays they see are. (And keep you from writing a panicked, 20-page dissertation about your relationship with your dog).

In general, 500 words or so is pretty safe for a college essay. It's a fairly standard word limit length, in fact. (And if you're wondering, that's about a page and a half double-spaced.) 500 words is long enough to develop a basic idea while still getting a point across quickly—important when admissions counselors have thousands of essays to read!

guy-with-magnifying-glass

"See? It says 500 words right there in tiny font!"

The Final Word: How Long Should a College Essay Be?

The best college essay length is usually pretty straightforward: you want to be right under or at the provided word limit. If you go substantially past the word limit, you risk having your essay cut off by an online application form or having the admissions officer just not finish it. And if you're too far under the word limit, you may not be elaborating enough.

What if there is no word limit? Then how long should a college essay be? In general, around 500 words is a pretty safe approximate word amount for a college essay—it's one of the most common word limits, after all!

Here's guidance for special cases and hunting down word limits:

If it's a writing sample of your graded academic work, the length either doesn't matter or there should be some loose page guidelines.

There also may be implicit length guidelines. For example, if a prompt says to write three paragraphs, you'll know that writing six sentences is definitely too short, and two single-spaced pages is definitely too long.

You might not be able to find length guidelines in the prompt, but you could still hunt them up elsewhere on the website. Try checking FAQs or googling your chosen school name with "admissions essay word limit."

If there really is no word limit, you can call the school to try to get some guidance.

With this advice, you can be sure you've got the right college essay length on lockdown!

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Hey, writing about yourself can even be fun!

What's Next?

Need to ask a teacher or friend for help with your essay? See our do's and dont's to getting college essay advice .

If you're lacking in essay inspiration, see our guide to brainstorming college essay ideas . And here's our guide to starting out your essay perfectly!

Looking for college essay examples? See 11 places to find college essay examples and 145 essay examples with analysis !

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

Ellen has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. She received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and is currently pursuing graduate studies at Columbia University.

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  • A Research Guide
  • Writing Guide
  • Assignment Writing

How to Write a Term Paper

  • Purpose of a term paper
  • How to start a term paper
  • Structure and outline

Step-by-step writing guide

Standard term paper format.

  • Term paper examples
  • Writing tips

What is the purpose of a term paper?

How to start a term paper correctly.

  • Choose your topic by focusing on what inspires you unless you are already given a topic.
  • Take time to research and analyze your subject.
  • Start with a term paper outline (see our templates in the next sections).
  • Come up with a strong thesis statement before writing anything for body paragraphs.
  • Provide topic sentences and practical examples.
  • Provide a strong lesson in the conclusion if it suits the subject you write about.
  • Edit and proofread available information for trustworthiness.

Term paper structure and outline

  • Introduction. This is where you talk about the subject and a problem you are researching. It helps to introduce your thesis statement and explain the objectives that have been set.
  • Body Paragraphs. As a rule, in writing college term papers, one must write down several subheadings and headings to divide ideas and arguments into several (at least four) paragraphs. As done below, each body paragraph should contain one idea and a strong topic sentence.
  • Heading 1: History of the argument and background.
  • Heading 2: Extent of the problem that you write about.
  • Heading 3: Effects of the problem and possible causes.
  • Heading 4: Possible solutions and outcomes.
  • Conclusion. The final part should represent a strong summary and a response to your thesis statement.

Step 1: Data collection

Step 2: explaining research relevance, step 3: introducing your subject, step 4: literature review preparation, step 5: offering results and conclusions, step 6: structural term paper evaluation, step 7: check your citations and references.

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Helpful term paper examples

  • Term paper examples that earned an A grade from the University of Delaware
  • Sample term paper offered by the Justus-Liebig Universitat Giessen
  • Purdue Owl Lab Citation Formats Database
  • Simon Fraser University Sample Term Paper

Term paper writing tips

  • Choose a topic that inspires you if you have an opportunity. If you have been given an already existing prompt to write, research your subject online and ask about the use of course materials. It will help you to narrow things down and already have source materials for referencing purposes.
  • If you can choose a subject to write a final paper for your course, think about something you can support with statistical data and some practical evidence.
  • Most importantly, keep your term paper relevant to the main objectives of your study course.
  • Keep your tone reflective and natural as you write.
  • Double-check your grading rubric regarding limitations and obligatory requirements that must be met.
  • Always proofread your term paper aloud!
  • If you have an opportunity, consider editing your term paper with the help of a friend or a fellow college student.

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How to Write a Midterm Essay

Problems faced when writing a midterm essay :

  • requires time and effort;
  • is required at any academic level: College, University, etc;
  • midterm papers are written for various subjects;

A burden devolves upon the shoulders of most of the students when it comes to writing a midterm paper. Such writing requires a fundamental preparation and comprises a lot of knowledge. Moreover, midterm papers are assigned to students attending various classes, for instance MATH, LITERATURE, FINANCE, PHYLOSOPHY, etc. What extends the trouble is that you have midterms every year at College, University or working at your Master’s degree. However there are tips on how to write a midterm essay which will help you to complete a great term paper.

Tips and guidelines to write a great midterm essay:

  • effective time management;
  • structure and outline the main points;
  • great midterm essay needs several drafts;

Here are some guidelines that will tell you how to write a midterm essay. First and vital step towards a great midterm essay is effective time management. If you schedule your calendar putting priority on writing a midterm paper, you are halfway to having the best midterm essay. In addition, try to structure and outline your paper which will help you to focus on main points. The key guideline on how to prepare good midterm essay is to make several drafts before finalizing your writing. Never stop brainstorming. A great midterm paper is composed out of several drafts written previously which help you to include the best ideas in your final essay.

Seeking assistance online:

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In some cases performing a good midterm paper becomes very hard and students start seeking assistance online. Our professional writers know how to prepare a good midterm essay and will be glad to help you with any of your questions. We can write a custom midterm essay for you, on any topic and discipline.

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You can get online help using Course Discussion Forum link on Canvas .

Prerequisites

ECE 110 and PHYS 212, credit or concurrent registration in MATH 285 or MATH 286

Topics: Calculus, concurrent registration in DiffEQ, physics-based treatment of electricity and magnetism, introductory exposure to circuit analysis

E. Kudeki and D.C. Munson, Analog Signals and Systems , Prentice Hall, 2009. Corrections to the textbook (errata) [ Amazon ]

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Academic integrity.

Students are expected to abide by the University of Illinois Student Code .

Any academic integrity violations will result in a FAIR report . Furthermore, the penalty will be as follows:

A score of 0 (zero) on the assignment or exam where the academic integrity violation occurred.

A second offense results in a grade of F for the course.

Note that the standard of proof for a finding of infraction is “more likely than not”. This means I only need to show with 51% certainty that you committed the offense for the allegations to go on your record.

The following is a partial list of academic integrity violations for this course:

Copying homework or lab solutions from other students (working together and discussing is acceptable)

Copying homework or lab solutions from past solutions

Using websites such as Chegg or Course Hero while completing any course assignments or exams

Using unauthorized materials during exams

Communicating with any person during exams

Discussing the exam with any person within 24 hours of exam completion

Not an academic integrity violation: Distributing any course material without authorization. This includes uploading homeworks/solutions and exam solutions to web sites, or sharing these documents with people not enrolled in the course.

Although not an academic integrity violation, it is a violation of the law and I will refer you to U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution under The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

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COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Term Paper: Step-by-Step Guide With Examples

    4. Write your abstract. Because the abstract is a summary of your entire paper, it's usually best to write it after you complete your first draft. Typically, an abstract is only 150-250 words, so focus on highlighting the key elements of your term paper like your thesis, main supporting evidence, and findings.

  2. PDF THE A s: STUDYING FOR MIDTERM EXAMS AND PAPERS

    Midterm period is a difficult time, but even this difficult time is an opportunity to look after yourself and others -- a cheerful word, some encouragement, a cookie -- ... Read midterm paper instructions carefully. Begin early. Ask your teacher or TA any questions you might have about the topic or the format of the paper before you begin

  3. Term Paper

    Term Paper. Definition: Term paper is a type of academic writing assignment that is typically assigned to students at the end of a semester or term. It is usually a research-based paper that is meant to demonstrate the student's understanding of a particular topic, as well as their ability to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.. Term papers are usually longer than other ...

  4. How to Study for a College Midterm Exam

    4. Create a Study Schedule. A study schedule helps students block off time to prepare for a midterm. Start studying at least 1-2 weeks before the midterm. From the first week of class, try setting aside an hour at the end of each week to review your lecture notes and reading assignments.

  5. What Are Midterm Papers

    A good midterm paper usually consists of: Introduction. All term papers need a good introduction. Otherwise, the impression will be spoiled immediately. Start with some interesting hooks. A midterm paper should also contain the formulation of a research question. Add the reasons you would give for formulating these questions. Body of the paper.

  6. Midterm and Final Exam Examples

    Midterm and Final Exam Examples. Exams are a great way to reinforce and evaluate students' understanding of the course content and main ideas. There are several different ways to approach exams including an in-class essay, short essays, multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, matching, quote/passage identification, character identification, etc. with plenty of flexibility for what an ...

  7. 10 Ways to Study for Midterms

    Read More: Study for Your Midterms with an Online Tutor. 9. Don't skimp on sleep. You might be tempted to pull an all-nighter, but a good night's sleep is key to your success. Start a healthy sleep routine in the weeks leading up to your exam, so you can reap the benefits of a fresh mind on test day.

  8. » Guidelines for the midterm paper

    Guidelines for the midterm paper. 1. Selection of sources. Selecting the appropriate sources for your research topic will be critical to your paper's success. You may have to go through a lot of material before you find the relevant sources for your topic. Many times we have had the experience of thinking that an article or book is going to ...

  9. Term Paper: Outline, Format and Writing Tips HandMadeWriting

    The Do's and Don'ts of Term Paper Writing. Do's: Don'ts: Write down every idea you have, even if there's no structure to them. Just record any phrases, tips, quotes or thoughts you come across. This is an outstanding way to collect a lot of material. Follow your outline, but don't be a slave to it.

  10. Midterm Paper

    Midterm Paper. The midterm paper is the first major step toward your final project. You will produce the first layout of your business model and product offering, both of which will evolve throughout the semester as you try to validate your initial hypotheses.

  11. How to Write a Term Paper From Start to Finish

    A term paper is typically given at the conclusion of a course, serving as a comprehensive summary of the knowledge acquired during that term. It follows a structured format and may delve into specific topics covered within the course. On the other hand, a research paper delves deeper, involving original research, thorough analysis, and the ...

  12. Organizing A Midterm Paper

    The beginning of your paper should include a topically appropriate and interesting hooks. The middle of the introduction should include background information about your topic. The middle details should not also connect the introduction to the claim that you will be making. Since most midterm papers are persuasive, the claim will need to be ...

  13. How To Plan and Execute a Midterm Exam

    Midterm season is fast approaching (if it hasn't arrived already) and you may now face the challenge of designing one or more exams that will fit the students, the material, and the goals of the class. You probably touched on some of these elements when designing the course or creating the syllabus, but the actual work of crafting a ...

  14. PDF The Structure of an Academic Paper

    The paper opens at its widest point; the introduction makes broad connections to the reader's interests, hoping they will be persuaded to follow along, then gradually narrows to a tight, focused, thesis statement. The argument stays relatively narrow and focused on the thesis throughout the body, or the middle

  15. Your guide to midterm exams

    The impact of the midterm exam depends on the weight it is assigned by the professor. Generally speaking, this can be between 20 to 35%, leaving 65 to 80% of a student's final grade on other components, such as homework assignments, class participation, final projects, etc. Receiving a bad grade on the midterm may not be an indicator that a ...

  16. Midterm Paper Assignment

    Midterm Paper Assignment. The purpose of this assignment is for you to explore a specific element of management, and to research the impact that the concept has on organizational outcomes. Perhaps this is the first true midterm you have ever written, in which case I will give you a guideline for essay writing that you can use throughout the ...

  17. How to Write a Good Term Paper (Updated for 2021)

    2. Gather Research on Your Topics. The foundation of a good term paper is research. Before you start writing your term paper, you need to do some preliminary research. Take your topics with you to the library or the Internet, and start gathering research on all of the topics you're interested in.

  18. Getting Started on Your Paper

    The paper is due on April 4th. You are also expected to turn in a rough draft of the paper. This draft will receive instructor feedback, which you must incorporate into your final mid-term paper; this draft is due on March 21st; you will receive feedback by March 28th. Failure to turn in this draft will result in a significant reduction to your ...

  19. The Best College Essay Length: How Long Should It Be?

    In the simplest terms, your college essay should be pretty close to, but not exceeding, the word limit in length. Think within 50 words as the lower bound, with the word limit as the upper bound. So for a 500-word limit essay, try to get somewhere between 450-500 words. If they give you a range, stay within that range.

  20. Term paper

    A term paper is a research paper written by students over an academic term, accounting for a large part of a grade. Merriam-Webster defines it as "a major written assignment in a school or college course representative of a student's achievement during a term". Term papers are generally intended to describe an event, a concept, or argue a point. It is a written original work discussing a topic ...

  21. How to Write a Term Paper Step-by-step Guide with Examples

    Body Paragraphs. As a rule, in writing college term papers, one must write down several subheadings and headings to divide ideas and arguments into several (at least four) paragraphs. As done below, each body paragraph should contain one idea and a strong topic sentence. Heading 1: History of the argument and background.

  22. Exam

    A test may be administered verbally, on paper, on a computer, ... A midterm exam, is an exam given near the middle of an academic grading term, or near the middle of any given quarter or semester. Midterm exams are a type of formative or summative assessment. Final examination.

  23. How to Write a Midterm Essay

    Problems faced when writing a midterm essay: requires time and effort; is required at any academic level: College, University, etc; midterm papers are written for various subjects; A burden devolves upon the shoulders of most of the students when it comes to writing a midterm paper. Such writing requires a fundamental preparation and comprises a

  24. Spring 2023 Mid Term Examinations: Paper Pattern

    Spring 2023 Mid Term Examinations: Paper Pattern. The Mid semester examinations (Spring 2023) will carry a Maximum/Total of 38 marks and total duration of the paper will be 60 minutes. Section A (Objective) will contain 27 MCQs out of which best 22 MCQs will be considered for grading. Section B (Subjective) will contain two types of subjective ...

  25. ECE 210/211

    ECE 210 is the first mathematically oriented course in the electrical and computer engineering curricula. The course begins by building on the circuit analysis concepts you learned in ECE 110 and then progresses into the more abstract world of Fourier and Laplace transforms. Much of what we will do will rely on your background in calculus.

  26. India election 2024: What next after voting ends?

    The winners of India's April 19-June 1 general election are expected to form a new government by the middle of June after votes are counted on June 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to ...