Writing an English term paper is like writing any other kind of paper in that it relies on structure and clarity of thought for success. It should represent at least the level of knowledge and skills expected of students in the course being taken. English courses vary quite widely in their subject matter, and writing a successful English term paper depends on following the directions provided for the class. If there is any confusion concerning what is expected in the paper, a student should consult his or her instructor. Once the student knows what is expected, writing an English term paper is as simple as meeting those requirements.
A good place to start with an English term paper is research. While coursework will provide a significant amount of information, a term paper is usually more specialized. During the course of the semester, it is a good idea to take note of subjects that prove particularly interesting and to conduct additional research on those topics most promising. Keeping detailed records of possible topics will usually prove very useful later on.
If the term paper involves an analysis of a specific text or group of texts, as English papers often do, it is a good idea to do a detailed reading of the documents in question. This will likely include making copious notes on the language, themes, ideas, and other literary tropes used in the text. Outside resources may help with analysis of the text, and information about the period and author may help make sense of certain aspects, but it is important to have a solid grounding in the actual content of the document before pursuing more complex issues.
To begin writing the paper, a student should first create an outline. This outline should include a thesis statement that will guide the rest of the paper and its arguments. While a general outline is sometimes sufficient, a sentence outline is preferable because it leads directly into writing the paper. If the student finds it difficult to organize his or her thoughts into an outline, it is possible to start with a brainstorm and then organize and connect the thoughts produced that way in an outline.
Actually writing the paper is largely a manner of formulating ideas in logical sentences. A term paper does not need to be an example of highly elegant writing. It merely needs to communicate ideas smoothly and clearly. While everyone has a different writing style, an academic voice should be used for term papers. Also, while it may seem time consuming, it is usually worth writing several drafts for added clarity and decreased typos and grammatical errors.
There are a few considerations to keep in mind when finishing writing an English term paper. For example, making sure all citations and the bibliography are in the appropriate style is very important. Proof reading is absolutely essential to obtaining a satisfactory grade. Reading over the term paper will help to make sure that ideas are logical and that the writing is free of grammatical errors. It is important to remember that even brilliant papers can receive poor grades if care is not taken to present them in a professional manner.
