What Is a Term Paper? How Term Papers Differ from Research Papers
Oct 29, 20249 min read
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How to Write a Term Paper and Get a Good Grade
A term paper is a long-ish research paper students write toward the end of a term to show their understanding of a specific topic from the course. It usually includes detailed research, analysis, and a well-organized structure with an introduction, main arguments, and a conclusion. Research papers are typically at least 10+ pages long, and the stakes are higher regarding their impact on students’ academic performance.
Regular research paper
- Can be assigned at any point in the academic year or for independent study.
- Explores a broader topic that may go beyond classroom discussions.
- Involves research that often contributes new knowledge or perspectives and goes way beyond the class material.
Term paper
- Normally assigned at the end of an academic term or semester.
- Focuses on a topic covered in the course.
- Primarily meant to demonstrate that the author has a good grasp of the course material.
- Often—although not necessarily—longer than a regular research paper.
What Is a Term Paper in College? What’s the Structure?
As discussed, a term paper is one of the largest assignment types most students face. It’s an in-depth paper typically given at the end of an academic term or semester, when all course topics have already been covered, and students can demonstrate that they’ve successfully mastered what they’ve been learning.
We’ll discuss this in more detail below, but structure-wise, a term paper isn’t all that different from a typical research paper. Here’s what’s expected from a term paper structure-wise:
- A title page
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Literature review
- Main body (with or without a methods section detailing the methodology, results, and interpretation of the results)
- Conclusion
- Bibliography.
Also, unlike a standard research paper (often on new or unexplored topics, sometimes chosen by a student), a term paper usually revolves around class discussions, lectures, and assigned readings. It is less about conducting groundbreaking research and more about showcasing knowledge of the course.
What Is Term Paper Meaning? Why Are Students Assigned Those?
What are the defining characteristics of a term paper? What makes it different from other assignment types?
- It’s course-centric. A term paper is closely tied to the specific course material. Unlike general research papers, it’s designed to show the student’s grasp of topics covered during the term.
- It reflects academic growth. A term paper serves as a culminating project, demonstrating the progress made by the student throughout the course.
- It’s instructor-focused. Term papers are primarily for the instructor; they are the intended audience. Unlike research papers, term papers may focus more on applying class theories and frameworks to specific cases or questions (rather than exploring entirely new ground).
Whats a Term Paper Word Count? Is It Long?
A common reason for students' confusion is the target word count of a term paper. Most professors specify this in the instructions when they assign a term paper. Sadly, not everyone does; some decide to leave it at student discretion, which doesn’t always end well.
So, how long should your term paper be (unless otherwise specified)?
- Undergraduate level: 1,500 to 3,000 words (5-10 pages)
- Graduate level: 3,000 to 5,000 words (10-20 pages)
- Master’s or PhD level: Can go beyond 5,000 words, especially for advanced research topics.
However, please remember that this isn’t a rule set in stone. Ideally, we recommend emailing the professor to ask about the expected word count if the instructions contain no such information. Trust us, it’s way easier to draft a quick email than to rewrite your paper later.
What’s a Term Paper Formatting? Is It Standard?
Term paper formatting typically follows specific academic guidelines and is standard. A professor will often mention which citation style they expect students to use (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). Hopefully, you are already well aware of this, but every style has its rules, especially regarding in-text citations and the bibliography page.
If your professor failed to mention which citation style they expect to see, we recommend contacting them (this is always the best option) or choosing based on your major. For example, most STEM classes use APA, whereas MLA is more common in the humanities. You could also ask your peers; perhaps they know which one’s expected.
How Does a Term Paper Look Like? Term Paper Structure
Now, let’s discuss what goes into each of the sections of a term paper.
- A title page is standard and includes the paper's title, the author’s name, the course, the instructor’s name, and the submission date.
- Abstract. It’s a brief sneak peek into the entire paper (around 150-250 words long). It comes at the beginning of the paper and should briefly summarize everything that follows.
- An introduction previews the topic you’re covering in the term paper. It offers helpful background and context to the research.
- A literature review summarizes and critiques what’s been written on your topic so far. It also identifies any research gaps that you’re trying to fill with yours.
- Main body. This is where you develop your arguments and present evidence to support your thesis. This section may include Methodology (how the research was conducted), Results (your findings), and Discussion (interpretation of the findings and their implications.
- Conclusion. The “so what?” of your paper.
- A bibliography lists all sources you’ve referenced in your paper. It’s formatted according to the relevant style guidelines (MLA, APA, etc.).
How Do You Pick a Topic for a Term Paper?
Most professors give their students a list of course-related topics for term papers, and the students get to choose which one is appropriate. However, some skip this step and trust their students to pick the topics themselves (but they still have to be related to the course content—that’s a non-negotiable for term papers).
If that’s the case, follow these steps:
- Think about subjects covered in the course and identify what interests you.
- Do a quick search to check if your topic is well-researched enough for you to have sufficient material for reference.
- Pick a specific angle that hasn’t been overly researched and narrow down the particular lens of your term paper.
- Get in touch with your professor to have them approve the topic.
A Wrap-Up: What Is Term Paper and How to Write One?
A term paper is a detailed academic assignment usually assigned at the end of a course to evaluate what you’ve learned.
To write one, select a topic that you find interesting, but relevant to the course. Then, gather enough literature to cover your topic and have evidence for your arguments.
Organize your thoughts into a clear outline: start with an engaging introduction, follow with the main body where you present your ideas (with the methodology described if necessary), and finish with a compelling conclusion.
If you are unsure of anything in the instructions, never hesitate to contact your professor. College isn’t where “better safe than sorry” works.
Frequently asked questions
A term paper is a longer, high-stakes academic assignment that students typically receive at the end of a semester. It requires them to take a course-related topic and show a deep, critical understanding. The goal is to demonstrate subject knowledge and the ability to work with relevant literature.
Yes, a term paper isn’t the same as a research paper. While both involve research, a term paper focuses on topics covered during a specific course. It’s supposed to show the knowledge students have gained throughout the term. In contrast, a research paper often explores new topics and doesn’t always involve the course materials.
A term paper is a high-stakes written assignment that shows how well-familiar a student is with the course material. It does have a specific structure—normally a title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, main body, conclusion, and bibliography. The main body may or may not include the methodology, results, and discussion sections.
A term paper usually ranges from 1,500 to 5,000 words, depending on the academic level and course requirements. It often falls between 1,500 and 3,000 words for undergraduate courses, while graduate-level papers can be longer. However, these numbers are just for reference; some professors set different word count requirements.