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Term Papers

  are a staple of college courses, so get ready to type. Whether it's sociology, history, music, or education, your grade will depend on your paper-writing prowess. Any questions? Of course you have them -- and Mark Alan Stewart, author of Real A+ College Term Papers (Arco, 2000), has the answers. Read some of them below, and then check out the 50 term paper samples in his book to reap report rewards.

How am I supposed to know what to write about?

Choosing a topic is often the biggest challenge for a college paper. Some research may be required before you even do so, just to be sure there are enough legitimate sources on the subject. "If you can't find at least 10 sources," notes Stewart, "you probably need to revise your topic."

Also, talk to your professor during the topic-choosing phase, urges Stewart. It's a great way to show you're interested in the assignment, plus he/she can steer you in the right direction if you're way off.

I've never had to find my own sources or create a bibliography before... what do I do?

First off, don't panic. Most colleges require freshmen to take introductory writing classes, in which you'll learn the ins and outs of college paper-writing.

That being said, a good starting-off hint, suggests Stewart, is hitting the library reference area to find guides and indexes by subject, like the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature. Or, simply ask the librarian for help.

Once you've piled up the books and journal articles, arm yourself with a pocketful of change and photocopy your findings. "If the source material has potential, photocopy all pertinent pages -- immediately. Don't skimp on the dimes," says Stewart. Hint: See if your college's library offers a pre-paid photocopy card.

All these notes are overwhelming. How do I break them down?

Organize your research the techie way. Create a database and categorize your must-use quotes and citations. When you're ready to write, you can quickly find, copy, and paste your information right into your paper. "Don't even think about organizing the material the old-fashioned way: By shuffling papers or 3"x5" notecards," says Stewart.

When you do sit down to write, an outline will help keep you focused on which points you want to make and when. Within the paper, Stewart says, a good blend of summaries, quotes, and paraphrasing will keep the flow interesting. Simply typing in a page-long quote won't teach you anything, and your prof' will hardly be impressed. It's how you're able to interpret and explain why you're using a particular quote that your professor will be interested in, Stewart explains. On the other hand, don't be tempted to go on long, opinionated tirades without backing them up with research.


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Dawn Papandrea is the Managing Editor of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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