What is a term paper?

Let’s first of all, understand the term paper definition before we highlight the processes of writing a compelling term paper.

A term paper is an academic form of writing where students do research on a given topic during an academic term. The term paper is quite significant in a student’s academic life as it contributes to the final grade.

Again, you can describe a term paper as a written assignment for a college or school course to show the student’s progress during the active term.

Parts of a term paper

A good term paper should have different sections, with each section presenting useful information in a presentable manner. The following are the basic sections of a term paper.

1. Cover page

On the cover page, include your name, course number, tutor’s name, and deadline date, all centered.

2. Abstract

The abstract’s main purpose is to describe your work, showing the reader the direction of your paper and why the topic is of significance to the point you decided to do research.

3. Introduction

Begin with a statement topic in the introduction, explaining the importance of the problem you need to research and how you plan to find solutions to the problem.

4. Main body

The main body of the term paper should have relevant points from your research, in every point, including information about the topic for the reader to comprehend what you are discussing.

5. Results

Under the results section of a term paper, explain to the reader why you believe the points you’ve addressed in your paper concerning the topic. Include your perception about the topic after you’ve done the research. Has your perception about the matter changed or remained the same? In any case, give reasons based on what you included in the introduction.

6. Discussion

This is the final part of a term paper. Here, you simply summarize and conclude the topic. Start with an opening question, or include a statement directing the reader to do more research about the problem in question.

How long should a term paper be?

Having described the parts of a term paper, you may wonder about the required length for a term paper.  

While the length of any research paper varies based on the complexity of the topic and the tutor’s guidelines, an average term paper should be between 10 and 15 pages long, including references, about 7 to 12.

How to write a term paper: pro tips

In this segment, you will learn how to start a term paper to make it captivating and to draw the reader’s attention into reading to the end. Such tips include:

1. Read the guidelines

Before you consider starting the research, make sure you read and understand the guidelines set by your teacher to ensure everything falls in place.

2. Choose a researchable topic

The basis of a good term paper is the topic you choose. Therefore, based on your subject or course, select a topic you can get good research materials.

3. Create a term paper outline

An outline is a roadmap describing what you should include in the different sections of a research paper. Creating an outline will save you more time and enable you to include all the relevant sections without forgetting any crucial information

4. Understand the term paper format

Usually, the requirements will state the format to use. However, consider the length and citation style. The citation can be in the form of MLA or APA. APA is common for social science papers, and it includes the author’s name, the title of the book, publication year, publisher, and location.

The MLA includes the publication name, the date, and the location. APA is common in humanities and liberal art papers.

Conclusion

Are you in the process of writing a term paper? Be sure to review the insights highlighted in this guide for a compelling paper.

What is ASA format?

ASA, better known as American Sociological Association, is one of the most regarded citation style for many academic papers. Students majoring in sociology often use the ASA research paper format for their academic work.

Just like any other formatting style, ASA style paper changes based on the original source of research materials.

ASA research paper format

While you can master the ASA formatting style, there could be some changes based on the source of materials. That is why even if you have an automation tool that can automate the citation process, it is significant to learn the basics and understand the ASA guidelines as outlined below:

• The title page should be separate with the details including the following: paper title, author’s names (all), total word count (should include footnotes & references), and footnote title (must include names of the authors, their addresses, credits, grants, & acknowledgment).
• Every text must begin on a new page with the manuscript’s title as the headings
• No less than one-inch margins on all sides
• Double-spacing of texts with a size 12 font, including the references and footnotes.
• There should be a separate abstract page with 200 words headed with the title.

The structure of your ASA style paper will have the following sections:

• Title page
• Abstract
• Body – each point should begin on a new page with the respective title, along with headings & subheadings after a short introduction.
• Notes – include footnotes & endnotes in the text with superscripted numbers. Footnotes can be typed at the page’s bottom or in a section for endnotes or notes. You can only opt for one option and not both. Every endnote should start with a superscript number.
• References – these are simply the sources or resources you used to gather your research information. Make sure you list the references alphabetically in the section specified for references.
• Appendices – appendices must have titles. If you have more than one appendix, make sure you label them well, like Appendix A, and Appendix B, in that order.

How to do ASA citation

If you are formatting your academic paper the ASA way, use the following guidelines in every section:

ASA title page

The ASA title page should have the following details:

• A shortened title – running head
• The complete title for the paper
• Author’s details – name and institution (if authors are more than one, each author’s details should be on different lines).
• Total word count

An Example of ASA format title page:

The shortened title – running head

Complete article title: Capitalize the subtitle after the colon

Author’s full names

Name of the institute

Total word count

ASA heading

When writing the heading while using the ASA format style, you will have different-level headings. Therefore, make sure you consider the following:

• First-level headings – they should be capitalized and aligned to the left. You can only use these headings after the introduction.
• Second-level headings – these headings should be aligned to the left, put in italics, and capitalized (only conjunctions and prepositions don’t need to be capitalized)
• Third-level headings – these headings should be indented, italicized, and end with a period. The first word, along with proper nouns, needs to be in caps.

ASA subheadings

Apart from the rules applied to different level headings in ASA format, all subheadings should never be in bold, and all subheadings should always follow left alignment. In any case, the other rules remain as described above.

ASA page numbers

Unless stated otherwise by the tutor or based on the institute’s guidelines, all pages, including references, should have numbers in a consecutive manner, such as 1, 2, 3, and so on. Again, every page with a number should begin with a title page.

Conclusion

When asked to format your paper using ASA style, the guidelines and rules of ASA are quite easy to follow. Do not struggle, thinking it is a hard task to accomplish. Make this guide your reference point, and everything else will fall in place.