Things to Keep in Mind While Writing a Term Paper

  • Eschew obfuscation! Don't write anything you don't understand. Don't fake it and don't force it. Understand first—then write.

  • Make the focus and organization of your paper clear to the reader. Don't ramble from one thing to another aimlessly.

  • Decide what level of understanding your intended reader has, and choose the language and style to suit. Never attempt to write to a reader whose understanding and knowledge of this subject is greater than your own. If you don't understand it, you can't help your readers to understand it.

  • Find your natural style—don't imitate the writing style of others. Would you speak this way? If your professor gave a pop-quiz, would you write this way? One way to avoid this is to sit down at typewriter or word processor without any books, and simply put down your own thoughts on the matter. Then use your notes to fill in specifics, references, quotes, etc., but change the style and structure only if it is obviously inappropriate or clumsy.

  • Avoid imitating the language or style of your scholarly sources, for if you do it reasonably well, the result will have all the appearance of plagiarism. If you do it badly, you'll look ridiculous.

  • If you copy anything word-for-word from a source, set it in quotes (if short) or in an indented paragraph (if longer), and always reference it.

  • A paper should be more than a scrap-book or a compilation of notes. You must put your personal stylistic stamp on it: a point of view, a method of selection, a central theme.

  • Most students should avoid philosophical style, since at this stage of their education they probably don't have enough information or understanding to do it well. Stick to a clear and direct style, and stick with what you (and your readers) can understand. A good writer always tries to educate the reader, not merely pander to the reader's prejudices.


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