The Four Parts of an Academic Term Paper 1. Introduction The term paper writer should identify the topic and explain why it is important. The introduction must be adequately informative, yet easy to follow. It should state the problem as simply as possible, taking into account the broader view of the discipline as a whole. The writer should not overestimate the reader's familiarity with the topic. The Introduction will be read by those who are somewhat acquainted with the general area, but not all readers will be specialists in the particular topic. The term paper writer should write in an intelligent, logical, concise manner, but the Introduction should be presented in such a way that one who knows little of the literature or particular topic will gain a solid understanding of the writer's purpose and subject matter. The Introduction must be interesting, as well. If the reader becomes bored while reading the first section of the term paper, he or she is unlikely to regain interest in the following sections. In fact, the reader may stop reading altogether! To prevent such disaster, tradition allows text in the first few paragraphs that is less dry than the literary, formal, or scientific norm. 2. Body The body is the general text of a paper (paragraphs, sections, chapters, etc.). Everything after the introduction and before the conclusion is "body." 3. Conclusion The conclusion may be the most important part of a term paper. The writer must not merely repeat the introduction, but explain in expert-like detail what has been learned, explained, decided, proven, etc. The writer must reveal the ways in which the paper's thesis might have significance in society. A conclusion should strive to answer questions that readers logically raise: "Why is the writer telling me this?" "Why does the writer think that I need to understand his/her main point?" The conclusion may place term papers in a larger context, serve as a call for action, set forth a warning or hypothesis, intentionally complicate the issues already introduced, raise a question or questions, introduce a relevant quote, or tell an appropriate anecdote. Again, the writer should not depend on the conclusion to sum up the body paragraphs. Paragraphs should flow naturally into one another and connections should be made among them. Summary can be an important function of a conclusion, but this part must be brief; readers know what they've just read. The writer should point out the importance or implications of the research on an area of societal concern. The writer could also mention the lack of conclusion in the field. This demonstrates understanding of the subject's complexity. The writer may choose to propose what may be the natural next step to take in light of what the argument is attempting to convince. The conclusion should not end with a quotation or statement that could very well be the subject of another paper. The former deflects attention away from one as writer and thinker; the latter deflects attention from what the writer is conveying in the term paper. 4. Bibliography and/or Works Cited The bibliography lists books, articles, or other works consulted in preparing the term paper. It must be included even if endnotes or footnotes are used. The arrangement of the bibliography and the information in each entry is determined by the chosen style (MLA, APA, Harvard, Turabian, Chicago, etc.). In the Works Cited section, all cited sources should be listed in alphabetical order. These sources may include books, articles, magazines, newspapers, electronic resources, audio-visual materials, etc. Within the text of the term paper, parentheses should show readers where the writer found each piece of cited information. These textual citations allow the reader to refer to the Works Cited page(s) for further information.
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