mla style term paper

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MLA Style: Basics

Formatting a paper in mla style, formatting specifications.

The MLA Style Center website has a great page that explains how to format a paper in MLA style.  Their page, Formatting a Research Paper , explains how to format margins, text, headers and footers, page numbers, works cited, etc.  Please consult the website and ask your professor to see how you should format your paper.

Sample Paper

The Academic Support Center also created a sample MLA paper This link opens in a new window .

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What is MLA style?

The core elements, works cited: books, works cited: articles, works cited: artwork, works cited: websites, citing generative a.i., works cited: other formats, in-text citations: direct quotations & paraphrasing, formatting: general details, formating: first page, formatting: hanging indent, additional help and handouts.

The  MLA citation style  is a set of writing and citation rules created by the  Modern Language Association . Generally, this style is used by students in the liberal arts and the humanities.

Use the menu at left to quickly find different citation types.

Citations in the 8th edition of the MLA style are all made up of 9 elements, called  core elements .  These are elements common to most citations.  By using the core elements, any item can be cited, regardless of format.  Please play close attention to the punctuation after each element.

When an element is unavailable, it is simply skipped.

A crucial concept for the new MLA style is the concept of  containers . A container is the larger work that includes the source. A chapter is contained in a book; an article is contained in a periodical; an episode of a sitcom is contained in the series, etc.  

Now let's see how these core elements can be used to format the most common types of citations!   Books ,  Articles ,  Websites , and  Other Formats

• How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? The MLA’s method for citing sources uses a template of core elements—standardized criteria writers can use to evaluate sources and create works-cited-list entries based on that evaluation. That new technologies like ChatGPT emerge is a key reason why the MLA has adopted this approach to citation—to give writers flexibility to apply the style when they encounter new types of sources.
• How to cite ChatGPT If you’ve used ChatGPT or other AI tools in your research, describe how you used the tool in your Method section or a comparable area of your paper. You might explain how you used the device in your introduction for literature reviews or other types of essays or response or reaction papers. In your text, provide the prompt you used and any portion of the relevant text generated in response.
• Six Tenets of Postplagiarism: Writing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence Dr. Sarah Elaine Eaton created the six tenets of postplagiarism within the age of A.I.
• One-inch margins should be used on all sides
• Double space your entire paper - header, text, and works cited
• Single space after punctuation marks
• Indent each paragraph five spaces from the left margin (can be done by hitting the tab key one time)
• Use a standard, readable 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial, etc)

Note: Always follow instructions given by your professor, even if they contradict with MLA guidelines

Last Name & Page Number

• Place your cursor in the header area of your document. Select right alignment.

• Use a standard 12-point font (such as Times New-Roman)
• Use standard numerals (1. 2, 3, etc)
• Utilize the Page Number feature (right) within your Word Processor so the pages number themselves consecutively.

Your Name & Course Info

• Place your cursor in the upper left area of your document (below the header area). Select left alignment.
• Set your document to double spacing.
• Enter your full name. Hit enter.
• Enter your professor's name. Hit enter.
• Enter your course name. Hit enter
• Enter your date in the following format: Day Month Year. Hit enter.
• Place your cursor in the line following the date. Select center alignment.
• Type in your title.  Only italicize or use quotation marks if referring to the title or another work within your title. Do not underline. You may write with Standard capitalization or Title Capitalization; do not write in ALL CAPS. 
• Hit enter after your title. Select left alignment. Hit tab once to indent.
• Begin typing your text. Be sure to maintain double spacing and indent with each new paragraph.

Save time by using Microsoft Word to format the hanging indent:

[1] Select the text you would like to format (you can select your entire list of citations, for example, to format all at once)

[2] From the Home tab in Word, select the arrow next to Paragraph

[3] Next, under Special, select Hanging

[4] Click OK.  Your selected text will now be formatted with a hanging indent.

• Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting & Style Guide This site includes the most recent changes to MLA style.
• MLA Quick Guide See what's new with this quick start guide from the Modern Language Association Style Center website.
• How does the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook compare with the eighth edition? "New to the ninth edition are hundreds of additional example citations and visuals; expanded guidance on formatting papers, citing sources, quoting and paraphrasing, and avoiding plagiarism; and entirely new sections on inclusive language, annotated bibliographies, and notes."
• MLA Sample Paper (pdf file) Everything from page format to in-text citations explained in the comments of this sample paper.
• MLA 9th Edition: The Core Elements & Works Cited Page
• MLA 9th Edition: Format a Paper & In-Text Citations
• MLA 8th Edition: The Core Elements & Works Cited Page
• MLA 8th: Format a Paper & In-Text Citations

Looking for help generating MLA citations? Try these websites...

• Citation Builder : MLA tool from North Carolina State University
• RefMe  is a good tool, but r equires creating a free account.
• EasyBib   is an ad-supported website that includes MLA 8, APA 6 and others.
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How to Write a Term Paper in MLA Style

Many newbies experience a lot of stress from having to write a term paper for the first time. In part, these fears are justified because you have to consider many aspects and requirements of your professor. However, one of the main concerns is the MLA format. But let's not panic. These are just a set of citation and formatting guidelines, and you can easily figure out all the basics. So, how to write a term paper MLA style? Here's what you should know first.

• Use standard, white, 8.5 x 11–inch paper.
• 1-inch margins are a must.
• Double-space your paper.
• An 11-point Calibri or Arial is a good choice.
• Use the top margin for every page header.

He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree. This is why you should take a little time to understand all the basic aspects of formatting. Then you won't have any stress while writing your paper. However, there are many more aspects that you should know about.

The Paper Definition

First of all, every beginner should understand what type of assignment is to be done. Any term paper involves a detailed study of an object, subject, or event based on reliable data. In addition, you have to conduct research and confirm or refute your opinion on a certain aspect. Typically, you have to write about 15 pages or about 5,000 words. However, the final amount may differ, especially if your professor decides to give you additional instructions.

This Is Not a Research Paper!

Writing a paper in MLA is not something extraordinary, especially if you know all aspects of the paper. Typically, the main difference between your assignment and the research paper is the time frame. Typically, you need to complete your term paper by the end of the semester. 

On the other hand, any research paper can even take several months. Another main difference is that term paper is a mix of knowledge in a certain area and implementing data. Plus, you don't have to start your research from scratch. It is enough to make certain works of researchers as a basis and draw a conclusion based on the available data.

How to Write MLA Papers?

Let's imagine that your consciousness is a blank slate, and you want to know where you should start in order not to make mistakes and not waste a lot of time. A couple of important aspects will help you meet your professor's requirements and write a great paper.

Be Prepared for Long Research Hours

And here is the first pitfall that occurs in the path of the vast majority of students. Let's say you've received your topic and are ready to start today. What are your initial steps? Most likely, you will immediately start writing your intro and will be partly right. But let's look at the facts. Most likely, you still know practically nothing about the selected topic. So how reliable and valuable will the information you add to your paper be?

Newbies think that only new paragraphs can testify to the successful process of working on such an assignment. However, without preliminary research, your paper is unlikely to be complete. Reserve at least a couple of days to analyze all reliable sources and have a certain scientific foothold.

Create an Outline First

And here is another important aspect. How can you get started without a definite plan and framework for your paper? List all points, sections, and paragraphs. In addition, you can add a couple of sentences to each item so as not to forget the main message and certain aspects of your research. Then you won't have any questions like, "How to start an MLA paper?" Take your time and create your outline based on your professor's requirements. Don't forget that you have a classic format that you must stick to.

• Title page;
• abstract (if needed);
• table of contents;
• main parts;
• conclusion;
• references.

It will be easier to follow the basic structure as you search for important data for your assignment. But your main task is to discuss all the details with the professor in advance and find out what nuances you should pay attention to in the first place.

Come up With a Compelling Intro

It's no secret that your only reader will be your professor. However, this does not mean you should avoid using the hook to grab the reader’s attention or a specific quote. Your intro should be lightweight and informative. This part of the paper is a prelude to the main paragraphs and a starting point for your research. There is nothing wrong if you return to the starting section at the very end. Then you have more data.

Avoid Fluff Words

Fluff words are exactly what kills the value of your paper. You can only write more vague wording if you don't have the time and are forced to compromise. In other cases, you should think about expressing your thoughts and judgments as succinctly and concisely as possible. Imagine that you are a person who writes laws for any country. The lives of many people depend on your formulation and accuracy. Such a trick allows you not to be distracted from work and operate only with facts. Finally, you can ask your professor to lower the word count if you think you can cover your topic faster.

Make Sure to Proofread

Even if you have coped with an assignment and completed the last paragraph, you should not stop. Check every part of your assignment. Take a look at possible errors or inaccuracies. Your paper needs to be polished because only then can you expect high grades. Study each sentence carefully and rewrite the weak parts. Then you can not doubt the result.

How to Write a MLA Essay?

Let's say you already know where to start your term paper. But what about regular essays because this type of assignment is the most common? Don't worry; the formatting rules are identical for most papers. The first thing you need to know is that your essay is divided into three parts: intro, body paragraphs, and conclusion. The script for writing your paper will be no different from the classic 5-paragraph essay.

Picking the Right Sources

And here is the main problem, which is a nightmare for all beginners. How to choose the right sources for your paper? Are there any tips or patterns? How to write a research paper in MLA format and get a high grade? Don't worry; there are a few key things you need to keep in mind. First, you cannot link to regular articles on the Internet. So first, you should focus on the reputation of the source.

Also, pay attention to the author. Perhaps this is a scientist or a famous researcher. One option is to consult with your professor. Specify which books. Articles or websites you can use to find quotes. Then it will be easier for you to cope with your task.

Good Paper Topics to Start Writing

Don't forget that choosing the right topic will help you achieve great results. What if you feel the passion and desire to start your research right now? Then you are on the right track. Here are the best options for getting started writing your paper.

Term Paper Topics on Education

And here is the first list that you should pay attention to. Education plays an important role in the life of every person. First of all, you can concentrate on describing the main nuances of the American educational system . You can also touch on distance learning and social media as a new vector for the comprehension of knowledge.

• How does distance learning affect the level of student knowledge?
• Can plagiarism be avoided when citing sources?
• Should you conduct gender grading in schools?
• How does the social environment affect the quality of education?
• Does social media affect students' knowledge?
• Why is modern education in need of reform?
• Why is discrimination in school a common problem?
• How difficult is it to get an educational grant in the USA?
• Are the changes in the student paper grading system important?
• Should students study abroad?

These are just some of the options that you can take as a basis. Feel free to experiment and touch on sensitive topics. The only condition is compliance with all rules and regulations.

Term Paper Topics on Environment

Here's another great option for those who don't know what to write about. Start exploring the impact of glaciers on world water levels. You can also focus on the consequences of the migration of certain animals or birds. Your main task is to confirm your statements with real data and rely solely on facts.

• Why is humanity still not exclusively using renewable energy sources?
• How can you solve the problem with landfills in megacities?
• What are the main disadvantages of solar energy?
• Do hurricanes affect animal populations in environmental disasters?
• How to get rid of overpopulation in the modern world?
• Can alternative energy be used instead of nuclear reactors?
• How does the environmental situation affect the life expectancy of people?
• Why can the Gulf Stream change its direction of movement?
• Why are science films about ecology so important for new generations?
• How to avoid large-scale fires during a drought?

As you can see, you have tons of options to start your research. Even ordinary aspects such as the influx of people to large cities can be used as a basis for your research. As a last resort, you can combine the two topics if you think this will get a good grade.

Term Paper Topics on Social Issues

Social issues are another option for your paper. The main advantage is that you are not limited to any aspects and can write about absolutely everything. For example, you can raise issues of inequality, segregation, or generational conflicts.

• Why is the death penalty justified in modern society?
• Does every person need religious education?
• Why is gender inequality and discrimination still a problem in our society?
• Why have flash mobs and demonstrations lost their relevance?
• How can you build contact between different generations of Americans?
• Do modern people need to be more tolerant?
• How to avoid global conflicts?
• Can social divisions cause discrimination?
• Does skin color affect integration into modern society?
• Can all social groups be made happy?

Try to find research, reputable sources, and writers with expert opinions. Then you won't have any problems with your paper. But first, you should think about making sure your topic isn't too provocative.

Useful Tips For Beginners

Do not hurry.

Hurrying is the worst decision for those newbies who decide to write a term paper . It is best to reserve enough time to write a draft and edit any weak points in advance. The fact is that each topic can have redistributed nuances and a different amount of data for research. Do not delay the moment of writing the paper. Otherwise, you risk getting a low grade.

Organize Your Research

Take at least 30 minutes to organize all your research processes. Find trusted sources and create your outline. Any beginner needs to have a clear sequence of actions in order not to make typical mistakes. Try to organize all the data so as not to drown in the flow of information.

Don't Be Afraid to Delete Some Parts of Your Paragraphs

Sometimes students pay too much attention to secondary details, moving away from the main essence of the chosen topic. That is why you should not be afraid to delete some of the text if it does not help you in any way to support your thesis. Instead, be consistent and logical, especially if your topic involves scrutinizing certain processes.

Talk to Your Professor

Many students mistakenly think that paper is some kind of test worth going through alone. This is partly true, but your professor is interested in you gaining experience and knowledge. So don't be afraid to ask for obvious details or clarify the format of your paper. As a general rule, you shouldn't have a problem clarifying some details.

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How to Write a Term Paper in MLA Format

Most students rush to look for content at the last minute for their term papers, but forget the importance of the formatting style specification. Among the mostly applied styles in term paper assignments is the MLA format. Due to the rush that the majority of college students make having been caught up by the begging of a new semester, a few tips on how to write a term paper in MLA format become handy. The importance of the format conversance is the free marks awarded for meeting the format specification in the assignment. Generally, term papers carry vital marks and dropping some of them on simple format issues should be avoided. Since students are aware of these facts, some of them will raise question on how to write term papers in MLA format.

Having gathered the necessary information to include in the main body of the term paper, students need to demonstrate their MLA formatting prowess. Some of the elements of term papers written in MLA will range from the page setup to the indentation till the last page containing works cited. The first thing to be noted is the header that is usually right flushed with a surname of the student near the page number. Secondly, the main headings in the MLA paper are centred while sub-headings are flushed left. Thirdly, paragraphs are indented at 0.5 inches for the first line, with the exception of the last page of the paper which is centre-titled “works cited” and a hanging indentation used. Fourthly, the spacing of the lines should be double in the majority of MLA papers, unless otherwise specified.

The question on how to write a term paper in MLA format goes further than that to cover the referencing style. While the in-text citation requires just the surname of the author and the page containing the used information, the list of sources used includes much more detail of the specific work. The author(s) complete names beginning with the surname are included, followed by the title, place of publication, the publisher, year of publication and publication medium. With such information, a student can be assured to be in the know on how to write a term paper in MLA format. If you need professional MLA term paper writing assistance – feel free to contact our company any time.

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Last Updated: Aug 09, 2023 Views: 3225

The MLA Style Center is a great resource on how to format your research paper.  Their page " Formatting a Research Paper This link opens in a new window " explains the most common formatting questions.  SNHU's OWC also has a great sample paper This link opens in a new window . 

The library provides access to resources like books, eBooks, and websites that can help you format a paper in MLA style.

More Information

• MLA Guide  (Shapiro Library) 
• MLA Style Center This link opens in a new window (MLA)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to format papers in your class assignments and projects.

Campus Students

To access academic support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

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To access help with citation and more, visit Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:

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MLA General Format 

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

MLA Style specifies guidelines for formatting manuscripts and citing research in writing. MLA Style also provides writers with a system for referencing their sources through parenthetical citation in their essays and Works Cited pages. 

Writers who properly use MLA also build their credibility by demonstrating accountability to their source material. Most importantly, the use of MLA style can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism, which is the purposeful or accidental uncredited use of source material produced by other writers. 

If you are asked to use MLA format, be sure to consult the  MLA Handbook  (9th edition). Publishing scholars and graduate students should also consult the  MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing  (3rd edition). The  MLA Handbook  is available in most writing centers and reference libraries. It is also widely available in bookstores, libraries, and at the MLA web site. See the Additional Resources section of this page for a list of helpful books and sites about using MLA Style.

Paper Format

The preparation of papers and manuscripts in MLA Style is covered in part four of the  MLA Style Manual . Below are some basic guidelines for formatting a paper in  MLA Style :

General Guidelines

• Type your paper on a computer and print it out on standard, white 8.5 x 11-inch paper.
• Double-space the text of your paper and use a legible font (e.g. Times New Roman). Whatever font you choose, MLA recommends that the regular and italics type styles contrast enough that they are each distinct from one another. The font size should be 12 pt.
• Leave only one space after periods or other punctuation marks (unless otherwise prompted by your instructor).
• Set the margins of your document to 1 inch on all sides.
• Indent the first line of each paragraph one half-inch from the left margin. MLA recommends that you use the “Tab” key as opposed to pushing the space bar five times.
• Create a header that numbers all pages consecutively in the upper right-hand corner, one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor may ask that you omit the number on your first page. Always follow your instructor's guidelines.)
• Use italics throughout your essay to indicate the titles of longer works and, only when absolutely necessary, provide emphasis.
• If you have any endnotes, include them on a separate page before your Works Cited page. Entitle the section Notes (centered, unformatted).

Formatting the First Page of Your Paper

• Do not make a title page for your paper unless specifically requested or the paper is assigned as a group project. In the case of a group project, list all names of the contributors, giving each name its own line in the header, followed by the remaining MLA header requirements as described below. Format the remainder of the page as requested by the instructor.
• In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text.
• Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks. Write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
• Use quotation marks and/or italics when referring to other works in your title, just as you would in your text. For example:  Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas  as Morality Play; Human Weariness in "After Apple Picking"
• Double space between the title and the first line of the text.
• Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number. Number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin. (Note: Your instructor or other readers may ask that you omit the last name/page number header on your first page. Always follow instructor guidelines.)

Here is a sample of the first page of a paper in MLA style:

The First Page of an MLA Paper

Section Headings

Writers sometimes use section headings to improve a document’s readability. These sections may include individual chapters or other named parts of a book or essay.

MLA recommends that when dividing an essay into sections you number those sections with an Arabic number and a period followed by a space and the section name.

MLA does not have a prescribed system of headings for books (for more information on headings, please see page 146 in the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing , 3rd edition). If you are only using one level of headings, meaning that all of the sections are distinct and parallel and have no additional sections that fit within them, MLA recommends that these sections resemble one another grammatically. For instance, if your headings are typically short phrases, make all of the headings short phrases (and not, for example, full sentences). Otherwise, the formatting is up to you. It should, however, be consistent throughout the document.

If you employ multiple levels of headings (some of your sections have sections within sections), you may want to provide a key of your chosen level headings and their formatting to your instructor or editor.

Sample Section Headings

The following sample headings are meant to be used only as a reference. You may employ whatever system of formatting that works best for you so long as it remains consistent throughout the document.

Formatted, unnumbered:

Level 1 Heading: bold, flush left

Level 2 Heading: italics, flush left

Level 3 Heading: centered, bold

Level 4 Heading: centered, italics

Level 5 Heading: underlined, flush left

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Term Paper Outline

Your term paper outline is your reliable compass throughout the writing process. Here, you arrange all the points that you are going to discuss in your term paper. Mostly you do it for yourself.

It will always help you stay focused and stick to the main points in your paper. However, a tutor, teacher, or professor may ask you to submit your working-term paper outline before you start writing. He or she will check the ways that you are going to develop your thesis and can suggest some improvement areas.

You may revise and restructure this version of your outline once you come across new material or find new ideas to be included in your term paper.

Don't make haste writing your paper. Think carefully about your topic and main points as well as evaluate the material you have found. Subdivide all the relevant material into groups and then name each group. These names will serve as headings and subheadings in your outline.

Our paper writing service would like to remind you that every term paper, regardless of the subject, has the following sections:

• Introduction or purpose of the paper. This opening part suggests acquainting the reader with the problem and stating the thesis.
• Heading 1: History of the Problem. You may include past attempts at solutions.
• Heading 2: Extent of the Problem. Who is affected? What impact has it had?
• Heading 3: Effects of the Problem.
• Heading 4: Possible Future Solutions.
• Conclusion : Sums up the points made in the term paper and gives a strong answer to the thesis.

Term Paper Writing

You haven’t got yourself admitted in the college for just a mediocre degree to get mediocre jobs in your life, have you? Sure, even getting a C or D would get you that degree but why bother settling for less when you can get an A+?

As a student, you must have familiarity with the term papers. A lot of students think that great term paper writing requires Shakespeare level writing skill. However, in reality, above average writing skill is enough to write a striking term paper – all you need to be is strategic and organized.

So, do you want to know the secret recipe of writing a remarkable term paper that can help you get the ever-eluding A+? Just go through the whole guide, and you will get the gist.

What is a Term Paper?

Let’s start with the term paper definition. By definition, a term paper is a type of research-based writing assignment that a student has to submit to his or her teacher at the end of an academic term. Typically, a student tries to discuss elaborately on a topic that was assigned to him or her. The topic could be an event description, a case study, a concept, or an argument. It is mandatory that the paper has to be unique – plagiarism is not allowed.

An average term paper is about several pages in length. There is no fixed length, and often the corresponding teacher has the authority to impose structure and length for writing. In such a case, a student must adhere to the teacher's instructions.

However, the commonly accepted length of such paper is about 5,000 words. With the single line spacing, single column, 12pt font, and 1inch margined general term paper format; it should be about 15 pages. We will talk about the structure and formatting style later.

Differences between Term Paper and Research Paper

Students often confused between these two different types of papers. The first difference between them is the time frame – a term paper has to be submitted by the end of the semester or a term while a research paper may need months even years to complete.

Even the task was given out in a different timeline. Generally, the teacher asks the students to work on their research paper at the beginning of the academic semester. A term paper, on the other hand, is tasked somewhere in the middle of the semester.

Another major difference between them is the purpose. The purpose of a research paper is to find a viable solution to a problem while a term paper is the reflection of knowledge of student on a particular topic – in common cases, a description.

Moreover, a research paper has a hypothesis, to begin with, by the end, it either supports the hypothesis or rejects it with feasible data. A term paper is much simpler in nature and tries to support an existing thesis paper in most cases. That’s why a research paper has a significantly longer length.

Despite a research paper being more crucial, it doesn't affect a student’s final grade while a term paper strongly controls the grades.

The Basics of Term Paper Format: What are the Parts of a Term Paper?

A term paper has a fixed format, but it differs from course to course. For example, a Computer Science course will have a different format of writing when compared to an Architecture course. You must ask your teacher about how to outline a paper – he or she can guide you the best.

Just check out the most common format that could help you outlining a term paper.

How to Write a Term Paper?

There are a few simple ideas you can follow in crafting up a brilliant piece of writing. Here are some effective ideas for you.

Be prepared for LONG research hours

Research is a must for writing a term paper. Some students make a mistake by starting to write right away. This is a rookie mistake. Although it seems that there is no progress as not a single word is being written, research would make your writing phase much faster and fluent. Moreover, you could come up with a better approach and idea if you thoroughly research topic first. Think of it as the investment for writing the paper.

Create an outline first

Creating an outline prior to writing gives you a sense of control. You can how much time it would take to complete the whole piece and which part would take more time. At the same time, you would render a smoother reading experience, and everything would be in some kind of chronological order.

Come up with a compelling introduction

"Dawn shows the day!" If you have an impelling introduction, the reader will get more interested in reading through and eventually favor you and your grades. If you lose the grip in the introduction, no matter how good your content is, your reader will give it average feedback.

Avoid fluff words

Fluff words are attention killers. Especially, when you are writing formal academic writing, the reader would seek constructive information all along the writing. You don't need to unnecessarily blabber about anything as long as you are talking about something relevant.

Conclude with the ROCC method

The conclusion is just as much important as the introduction. A great way of writing an impactful conclusion is following the ROCC method. ROCC stands for Restating your standpoint, having One vital and strong gist, Concluding tone, and leaving a Clincher for a reader to think about.

Select a citation style

Proper formatting or following a citation style is a must while writing a research paper or a term paper. Following the MLA or the APA format is a wise decision. However, make sure you are sticking to either MLA or APA, a mix between these two looks really shabby.

Make sure to proofread

Yes, you have worked really hard writing up the whole term paper, and you aren't not feeling proofreading the whole paper. Although it sounds really painful to proofread, you might correct A LOT OF misspellings and simple grammatical mistakes. You don't want your grades gone to ashtray just because you feel lazy, do you?

Term Paper Topics

A term paper is known to be one of the most important papers in your study. That's why picking the right topic for your paper is critical. Moreover, a lot of students fail their term papers because of the wrong formatting. So, our team decided to help with the first step in writing a term paper and give you some tips on how to cite it correctly.

50 original topics from our term paper writing service 

All these topics are creative ideas from our writing team. We are tired of writing student's orders on abortion and other common topics, so we decided to share our ideas with you. Your professor will be impressed by your creativity. These topics are completely original and should help you to boost your grades. Moreover, if you stuck with such a topic, our academic writing service is ready to help you!

Whether you are looking for a college term paper or the university one – these picks will apply to both. We divided our list into five main categories, like education, environmental issues, family issues, social issues, and the political ones. So, enjoy the list, and don't forget to ask for help from our team!

Term paper topics on education 

If you got stuck with the education topic for your term paper, we are here to help you. Our top picks will definitely surprise your supervisor and give you more chances to get the higher grade. These topics can be reworked or widened. So here are our ten topics our team created for you:

• Pros and cons of distance learning in college.
• The consequences of plagiarism in a student's paper.
• Why should students have continuous sex education?
• Reasons for installing metal detectors in schools.
• How do social networks influence school life?
• How can modern technologies change the way we learn?
• Bullying at school and college and how to take action?
• Why do we need a multilingual education?
• Is it worth investing in a child's education?
• How to solve sex discrimination issues in schools?

 Term paper topics on environment 

Environmental issues topics are vast, they are covering a lot of disciplines in natural sciences fields. It is hard to pick the right one because of so many choices out here. So, our online term paper writing team decided to take a step and pick the top ten grade-boosters for you:

• Why do a lot of people thinking that global warming is a hoax?
• Why is recycling highly important for the environment?
• How to overcome water lacking issues and help everyone on the Earth?
• The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy?
• Wildfires conservation – are there more environment-friendly alternatives?
• Is it possible to manage overpopulation?
• Can we predict hurricane impacts and get prepared?
• What are the types of alternative energy can save Earth natural resources?
• Should we film more movies about environmental issues?
• Way to reduce smog in the megalopolises?

Term paper topics on family issues 

Family is the basis of our society. Yet, not all of them are healthy. This topic set we created is devoted to family issues, and you should try to focus on the solutions. Our team wrote a lot of term papers on this topic for students studying social sciences, so we know how to pick the perfect one:

• The consequences of battered woman syndrome.
• Child abuse at home and possible resolutions.
• Divorce reasons and US statistics: why happy couples are breaking up?
• Domestic abuse and possible legal actions.
• Children in divorced families: how do parents living separately influence life?
• Toxic relationships and the ways to break-up with a toxic partner.
• How to overcome the loss of a family member: the psychology of children and adults?
• Generation gap: start understanding your beloved ones.
• Mentally challenged family member: how to live normally and care of your beloved one.
• Ageism: why an older family member is not always right and how to influence the situation.

Term paper topics on Politics 

Politics vector changes each year. Politicians are making right or wrong decisions changing the relationship inside and outside of the country. You might agree or disagree with them, and this term paper is a chance to share your thoughts. Here are our top picks for this set:

• Controversial political decisions that saved millions of people
• Totalitarianism: is it now exist? How are people fighting with it?
• How to solve the corruption issues in politics?
• Are elections important for politics?
• What is the difference between the US and the UK political systems? Which one is better?
• What is the ideal political system and how to build it?
• What is the role of public relations and media in politics?
• What causes revolutions? Is it a political failure?
• How does politics influence cultural development?
• What is a democracy and how it is different from socialism?

Term paper topics on Social issues 

Social issues related to society. Cultural, moral and ethical aspects influence them. So, while picking the topic for your paper, you should be thinking about the cultural aspect of an issue. Our team has collected ten amazing social issues topics you may consider for your next big thing:

• What are the reasons for country-wide strikes and protests?
• Worldwide flash mobs and why people participate?
• Can virtual reality and communities substitute the real world? What are the consequences?
• The ways to fight racism in the country.
• Why should the Church and the state remain separate?
• Women and trans people rights: how to avoid discrimination?
• Why may we need a death penalty?
• Humanitarian missions: are they effective?
• How beauty standards influence mental health?
• HIV/AIDS people social isolation and how to influence the issue?

APA formatting – how to format your term paper right

If you are studying psychology in college or university, your papers should be styled following APA guidelines. Here is a brief must have a list for this complicated style:

• The text should be typed on A4 white paper with the dimensions of 8.5" x 11".
• You need to use a 12pt Times New Roman font since it is easy to read.
• Use double spacing throughout the paper.
• Margins of 1" should be set on all sides, i.e. at the left, right, top and bottom of your paper.
• Set paragraph indention to 1/2 inch, it can be easily done with the Tab button in your word processor.
• You need to create a first page header which consists of the page number and as well as capitalized running head you have on your title page.

MLA formatting rules for a term paper

According to our  term paper writing service  experts MLA is the most chosen paper formatting directive. That's why it's highly important to understand its rules and follow all the guidelines. So here are several things about this formatting style for your paper:

• You should use 12-point Times New Roman font.
• Your paper should be double-spaced. Make sure that there no extra spaces or single spacing throughout your paper.
• At the upper left corner of your first page, you need to list your name, instructor's name, class, and the date. All should be at the new row.
• You should have a one-inch margin on each side of your paper.
• Your last name and page number should be added to the upper right corner of each page, including the first one.
• You should have a title of your paper which is centered and appear under your heading details. The title is formatted like the rest of your paper. Never underline your title, don't use bold or italics, as well as quotation marks.
• Indent each paragraph to the right. Indentation should be set to 1/2 inch.
• Align all your text to the left.

Now, you have everything needed for term paper writing. If you need help, don't hesitate to contact our team. Our writing experts are ready to help you!

If you are determined and focused enough, you can write great term papers all by yourselves. You cannot neglect your term paper as it carries a significant amount of weight that can either give you a great grade or destroy it! So, we hope you know what is a term paper now and how you can write a great one.

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term paper about MLA style as a manual a style for researching

As the title indicated the term paper is bout “MLA style as manual style for researching”, MLA style is the style recommended by the Modern Language Association for preparing scholarly manuscripts and student research papers. It concerns itself with the mechanics of writing, such as punctuation, quotation, and documentation of sources The objective of the study is to answer all the question that will face a researcher during writing a research paper, to indicate the steps of in-text citation in MLA style, how can we organize the manuscript of the papers of our research paper, how work cited is done in MLA style, these are all done by giving examples and sample papers. The hypothesis is to clarify and show the format of MLA style as an interesting and simple style for researching. The methods of data collection is compiling from books, websites, and also magazines. The scope of the study is restricted to teaching MLA style in methods of research. This term paper consists of six sections: section one defines what is MLA style, why we should use it, and who should use it. Section two defines some plagiarism, paraphrase, quotation, summary and work cited. Section three gives advices for how to write notation style, when, where, and how to use quotations, and using abbreviation. Section four indicates the steps of doing in-text citation with examples and for different sources. Section five explains the steps of formatting Work Cited list, and Work Cited for different sources. Section six discusses the manuscript formatting for MLA style with giving sample papers for title page, MLA paper, and Work Cited paper. The conclusion throughout this paper is that MLA style could solve most of the problems that face any researcher such as: All entries in a Works Cited list, whether they are print or electronic, must now include the medium in which they have been published (Print, Web, DVD, Television, etc.). Many sources do not have a date, publisher or pagination. MLA advises to write n. pag. for those sources without page numbers, n.d. for no date, and n.p. if name of the publisher or place of publication is omitted.

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