How to write a term paper?

The following guidelines conform to conventions that rest on a broad academic consensus.
The concrete style may differ slightly, though it is important to use one system consistently.
1. Layout
 Font: Arial, Times New Roman
 Font size: 12pt
 Line spacing: 1,5
 Justify
 Indent first line of the paragraph
 Right margin: 3,5 cm
 Left margin: 2,5 cm
 Top margin: 2,5 cm
 Bottom margin: 2,5 cm
 Use design elements (bold, italic, underline) sparingly.
 Bibliography: Alphabetic order, single-spaced, blank line between entries, end with a
full stop
 Header:
Name: Date:
Section Prof.
 First line should be allotted for Title in the middle
 Last page: Bibliography

2. Introduction
With your introduction, you should give orientation to the reader and make them want to read
the rest of the paper.

This part is where you introduce your thesis statement/ topic sentence.

What belongs in the introductory section along with your thesis statament?
 A short description of the issue, a statement of the goal of the paper, questions to be
answered, thesis
Example:

This study explores the effectiveness of task-based instruction in improving the grammar
performance in adjectives of Grade 9 students in Rizal Technological University. The current study aims
to answer the following research questions:

First, what is the current knowledge of the students on both experimental and control group in
Grammar, particularly in Adjectives before the implementation of the task-based approach in terms of
function, types, and sentence construction? Next, what is the performance of the students on both
experimental and control group in Grammar, particularly in Adjectives after the implementation of the
task-based approach in terms of function, types, and sentence construction? Lastly, is there a significant
difference between the performance of both experimental and control group in terms of the pre-test
and post-test? (Macaballug et al., 206)

 Placement of specific topic in the broader context

Task Based Learning has increasingly achieved popularity in recent years and has been recommended
as a way forward in ELT. Various influential experts, Prabhu (1987), Nunan (1989), Willis (1996) and their
definitions for tasks are presented in a chronological order as follows.
 Short overview of current state of research (incl. controversial issues), sources

Not all people are privilege to experience the best things in life like having a good health and well-
being, quality education, zero hunger, gender equality and many more even if there are sources.
 Verbal sketch of method and content, guiding the reader to what lies ahead
 While there are so many things happening around us, we are so busy minding our own tasks, needs,
and desires, there are programs and advocacies funding our society to make it a better place the same
way Michael Jackson had put it. Hence, people should keep in mind that to live means being wise in
consumption—a general goal of every stakeholder there is to eradicate the catastrophes in the world.

 If necessary, clarification of terms / definitions

TBI is viewed as one model of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in terms of regarding real
and meaningful communication as the primary feature of language learning (Richards & Rodgers, 2001;
Willis, 1996).

3. Body
The structure of this part depends on your objective. This part contains several details to support the thesis
statement. It has the aspects: Presentation, Interpretation, and Discussion.
Basically:
 The text is divided into sections / subsections, each presenting a main point in the
argument or relevant information. Within a chapter, the text is divided in sections that
present an argumentative / logic unit. Single sentences are not paragraphs!
 Develop your argument step-by-step and in a comprehensible manner. References to
common knowledge or personal experience are not sufficient. Avoid verboseness and
repetitions. Content /positions from other academic writing must not necessarily be
adopted unquestioned. You can quote a certain position and then disprove it or
contrast it with your own (well reasoned) opinion (“Contrary to x‟s interpretation, it is
reasonable to …, because …”).
 All literature used needs a reference. This applies to literal as well as analogous
quotation of text, ideas and data.
 The composition of your text must be clear and logically comprehensible. Each paragraph should have a
structure.
 Depending on your objectives, the following aspects are to be prioritized accordingly:
interpretation of primary literature / sources, methodological problems, current state of
research, your own standpoint.
 Your own standpoint is important. Do not only summarize texts or collect quotations.
 Give reasons for your ideas, opinions and criticism and weigh them against other
positions.
 Only give information relevant to the comprehension of your issue
4. Conclusion
Refer back to the problem posed, and describe the conclusions that you reached from your work, summarize
observations and interpretations.
 Consider strengths and limitations of your work (fruitfulness of questions, suitability of
method, broader implication of your results, perspectives for future research).

The results revealed, based on the findings, that the traditional method is more effective for the
students. This proves that the supposed outcome, task-based as an effective approach--- is rejected.

To sum up, we can safely claim that teaching and learning adjectives through using an authentic task is
more useful and had noticeable effect on learners, than using a traditional vocabulary list. This proves
that the supposed outcome, task based as an effective approach--- is, unlike the findings of this research,
accepted.

 Do not repeat word for word the introduction or discussion.

 The final chapter should not only give the reader the feeling that it was worthwhile to
read your paper, but it should also stimulate further thinking.

The main agenda of the rise of Environmental era, in celebration of Earth Day also, is to relieve humanity
from severity of the issues that hold up the quality of our lives. It asks humanity to be more mindful as to
 the foundations of our society. There are powerful methods to practice Sustainable Development and
we only need to take the initiative to help promote the preservation of lives and nature.

5. References/ Bibiliography
There are two main and most used types of citation: MLA and APA.
 MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within
the liberal arts and humanities.
 APA (American Psychological Association) style is most commonly used to cite sources within the social
sciences.

Researches use APA. There is a required format for your entries in the bibliography using APA:

Beginning Text
1. Only the year of publication is indicated in parentheses if the author’s name appears in the textual
discussion. Below is an example of an author-date beginning text citation.
Bank’s (2005) statement on poverty affirms that poor housing and overcrowding cannot only
seriously impede the child’s homework but even his opportunity to learn more.

You may use:

According to Bank (2005),

In Bank’s (2005) statement,
2. If the sentence construction does not require the name of the author, his/her name and year of publication
as cited as end-text parentheses, separated by comma.
The use of computers in teaching increases interest of the students and allows them to think
logically and learn at their own rate. (Felipe, 1997)
3. No further reference is required when both the year and the author’s name are given in the text. If the book
is a classic in the field and where its publication is considered a landmark, this form of reference citation
should not be employed.

In 2001, a study was done by Kumar to prove that the use of interactive multimedia courseware in
Education gives the students the provision to engage in deep cognitive processing.
4. When specific information is given, insert the page number. Because material within a book is often difficult
to find. Give page numbers to assist reader.

To produce unaggressive, respectful, obedient, and self-reliant individual, parent and child must
primarily possess excellent interpersonal skills in relation to authority figures and peers. (Medina, 2003,
p.21)

* When direct quotations are used to acknowledge sources, the following should serve as guidelines in the
citation.
Citing of two or more sources

1. For works with two authors (in alphabetical order)

(Garcia and Hernandez, 2008) – end- text
According to Garcia and Hernandez (2008), - beginning text
It was only then that in 2008, Garcia and Hernandez…

For works with 3 or more:

Aquinas, Baylon, and Cruz (2008) said… (if used for the first time)
Aquinas, et.al (2008) said… (if used subsequently)
2. If there is no author, use the first two or three words of the entry in the reference list.
In the first group, the students are found out to be more visual than auditory (Psychology, 2004, p.27).
3. Two or more works of the same author are cited in chronological order separated by commas. The
suffixes a,b,c, etc. are used for works published in the same year.
Recent studies (Franklin, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005a, 2005b) show…
 4. If many authors are cited at the same point in text, author’s surnamed are arranged alphabetically,
separated by semi-colon, and enclosed in one pair of parentheses
Recent studies (Cruz, 2001; Francis, 2003; Gordon, 2004; Loran, 2005) have shown…

Short Quotation

It consists of three lines or less, with quotation marks, and it runs into the text.
a. Quotation marks should be used if the quoted matter is somewhere in the middle of a sentence. The source
which is parenthesized is stated before the sentence is continued. Unless the sentence requires it, no other
punctuation mark is used,
“The computer can integrate the various components of language (Richmon, 2005)- listening,
speaking, reading, and writing.”
b. Quotation marks should also be used if the quotation is at the end of the sentence. Give the source in
parentheses. End the sentence with a period or other punctuation marks.
“Globalization, the emerging information/ knowledge society and the shifting economic profile of
the region...” (Pefianco, 2004)
Long Quotation

a. If it is four or more lines, it should be singles-spaced and indented to the left. It is written in a new paragraph
and no quotation marks used. The source is parenthesized after the final period.

Computer cannot replace teachers or they they will take humans out of humanities and the
arts out of language arts. Thus, teachers must always be on hand to explain, to provide background
materials, to manage student’s use of computers and to facilitate student’s experiences with
computers. The success or effective therefore, in using computers and other multimedia as learning
tools depends on the capacity of the teachers and those who manipulate them for instructional
purposes (Kumiran, 2007)
Format for APA

Bibliography is an alphabetical list of source materials that relate to the topic of your research.
References should be on one-to-one correspondence with the authors or works mentioned in your study.
Books: Author. (Publication Date). Title. Place of Publication: Publisher
1. One author – Alindada, C.R. (1995). Compilation of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 23.
Manila: Accounting Standards Council.
2. Two authors – Anton, R, & Freece, J. (2002). Accounting Text and Cases. Illinois: Richard D. Irwin, Inc.
3. Three authors – Campbell, W.G, Vaugham S., & Slade, C. (199). Forms and Style: Theses, Reports, Term
Papers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
4. Four or more authors—Franc, A.L et al. (2004). Fundamentals of Probability and Statistics for All. Bulacan,
Philippines: Trinity Publishing Inc.
Theses and Other Paper
Sangcay, L. (2005). Most Admired Qualities of Principals as Perceived by the Elementary and Secondary School
Teachers. M. A. Thesis, Cavite State University
Electronic References
1. David, C.W., Glenn, C., & Abrahamsen, R. A (1992). ARCHIE (IL) Manual, [Online] Available PFP, FTP nptn org.
Directory: ARCHIE/DOC File: ARCHIE..MAN.TXT
2. Kasap, B. (2005). THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TASK-BASED INSTRUCTION IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF LEARNERS’
SPEAKING SKILLS. Retrieved from: http://www.thesis.bilkent.edu.tr/0002848

References:
Allam, A.S. (2015). Effective Written Communication for Academic and Technical Courses. SJDM City: Rizmarc.
Erasmus (n.d.). How to Write a Term Paper?. Retrieved form: http://gesi.sozphil.uni-
leipzig.de/fileadmin/media/Global_Studies/Download_Content_EMGS/EMGS_Program/Essay_guidelines.pdf
Purdue (n.d.). APA and MLA. Retrieved from:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_style_introduction.html