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Choose the ideal topic and write quality term paper

June 26, 2019 03:51 PM

Many students dread the term paper. Term papers have an impact on final grades so it requires some strategic work to achieve success in it. Some teachers will provide the topic for the assignment, but many will let the students decide the topic for their term paper. The topic you choose will determine how difficult your work is going to be ahead.

 Characteristics of a good research topic

When selecting a topic for your term paper, you need to keep in mind that some characteristics define a good topic. A good topic is vital for a good quality term paper.

The topic should let users know what the research paper is about. The reader should be able to look at the title and predict the contents of the research paper. On top of that, it should also be interesting. A good topic should ignite interest from the reader. It should compel them to want to read the term paper right till the end. 

Finally, it should match the tone of writing. There are different writing tones; you could be writing with a professional academic tone or a relaxed, funny tone. The tone you choose should be reflected in your topic/title for your term paper. It might bore the reader or not match the expectations of the reader if the writing tones for the topic and term paper don’t align.

Writing a good term paper can be difficult as it requires knowledge of grammar and lexis. Not every student knows this and so it makes writing a term paper a difficult job. If you lack skills, feel free to buy term paper from an online writing service. Not only term papers, but you can also get your college assignments, thesis, resume and cover letters and dissertation done with the help of writing experts.

 To ease the process for you, we have identified the key aspects that you need to keep in mind when selecting a topic for your term paper. Here are the tips for choosing the ideal topic for your term papers.

1. Understand your assignment

Sometimes your teacher provides free rein in terms of requirements for your term paper. In this scenario, it’ll be easier to come up with a research topic. Most of the times, there are always requirements that you’ll need to meet and guidelines with the term paper. 

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You should take the time to understand these guidelines and requirements. They’ll help point you towards what needs to be done. If you’re having trouble understanding them, feel free to go talk to your teacher to ask for some clarification. Understanding your assignment is key to formulating your topic and completing your term paper the right way. 

2. Have a brainstorming session

The crucial first step to finding your ideal topic is to have a brainstorming session with your colleagues, friends or even family. Brainstorming should work and if somehow it does not, think about things that interest you the most. You can also watch TV and read magazines to see what’s happening around the world. 

You can use information from the news to get an idea of what a good topic to write on. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone. A gem of a topic could be waiting for you there. What you need to do now is to write down a list of possible topics for selection. 

 3. Do Your Research

You have brainstormed for some topics for the term paper. You have plenty of ideas and now have a list that you want to use. The best next step is to research and read about the top 2 or 3 topics that you have chosen. Don’t do in-depth research yet, this is not the time for it. 

What you’re doing now is reading general background information on the topic. Use search engines like Google to find information about your topic, read an encyclopedia, read as much information on the topic as you can. 

 The main aim here is to get a general overview of the topic and see how the topic relates to narrower and broader issues around it.   

4. Get super specific

Now that you have a broad topic for the research paper, you need to get specific. This will help you know early on whether the topic you selected has depth and whether you should put more effort into fleshing it out. You need to know that this step is not quick; it’s going to take you some time as you try different topics to see their viability. 

 You can also use a series of questions to help guide you in selecting your topic. Think about who your target audience is, where can the information for your research topic be found? What’s your opinion about the topic? What has been researched about this topic? Having an answer to these questions can help guide you as you make the topic niche. 

 Let's take a good example of how this would work. Say, you have a topic regarding football pay. Take it deeper by adding football pay and performance. Get even more specific by adding say location; “How football pay can affect a player's performance in the UK.” Or it could be ‘’How football pay is a motivator for young people to take up the sport.’’ You have a topic to delve deeper into. Simple as that! 

 5. It’s time to have a research question 

Your topic isn’t useful if you can’t develop a term paper around it. After looking at the general background information, develop a research question. This question is, what will guide as you write your term paper. 

The research question will guide you on where and how to do more in-depth research for your term paper. 

 6. Formulate a thesis statement

The next step is to formulate a thesis statement. Thesis statement answers your research question and forms the basis in developing a thesis

 When making a thesis statement, you need to make sure it’s short; one or two statements on tops. It should inform the audience of what the research is going to be about. Also, note that your thesis statement should be supported by some good research. 

 7. Create an outline

The final step of the process is to create an outline. The outline will help guide you as you write the term paper. The outline that you’ll use will be guided by the research that you have been doing to this point. Forming an outline is the last part and you should be on your way to finalizing your term paper. 

 Conclusion 

Writing a term paper is not easy and requires a bit of research and understanding the assignment at hand. The topic is the first stage of writing your term paper. Get the topic right and you’ll have made the rest of the work a lot easier for yourself. Make good use of these tips to write the best term paper in your class.

Author Bio:

Alvin Franklin is a career counselor and life coach helping students, their parents and the teachers to formulate, process and execute plans that can help students realize their career dreams. His students have been highly successful in their careers and hold top positions, whether it’s corporate sector or sports or arts or entrepreneurship. In his free time, he loves to write blogs, watch latest flicks on TV and go out for swimming. 

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