Term Paper Steps
- CHOOSE A TOPIC. It is important you choose something that will hold your interest. Your person must be someone who has made a positive impact on our world. (For example, Jackie Robinson vs. Klay Thompson)
- GATHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION (at least 3 of which are books). Books from the children’s section of the library are often best. Internet sources may be used and must be printed out and stapled.
- CREATE A CLUSTER/WEB FOR YOUR REPORT TOPIC. Identify main topics and subtopics. (see example web)
- CREATE AN OUTLINE. Write a rough outline from the cluster/web. Use Roman numeral, capital letters, and maybe numbers for Topics, Subtopics and Details (see example outline)
- START A BIBLIOGRAPHY. Any book that is going to be used should be written down and numbered 1, 2, 3 etc... The information will be used in the final bibliography and the numbers will be used on your notecards. (see bibliography guideline sheet)
- BEGIN TAKING NOTES. You will be taking notes for each subtopic on index cards which are kept in notecard boxes. Each card should be labeled according to its subtopic from the outline and the number of the book from the bibliography. Take notes using your own short phrases, not complete sentences! 1 note per card unless they are definitely related. (see example notecards)
- Various due dates for certain amounts of cards will be assigned as you go along. When note-taking is over you should have 60+ cards.
- CONVERTING NOTES TO PARAGRAPHS. Using your own words, you will write clear simple paragraphs using the information from the notecards. Having your notecards organized by the outline will make it easy to write well-organized perfect paragraphs! Each section of the outline will have one or more paragraphs.
- WRITING THE REPORT: This final draft will be typed. The writing can be done at school and at home. You will use google docs.
- Write an introduction. (see Term Paper Tips)
- Write a conclusion. (see Term Paper Tips)
- EDIT AND REVISE. What improvements can you make? Have a parent look over it with you.
- MAKE TITLE PAGE by hand or printed out. Add pictures.
- Type a TABLE OF CONTENTS using the outline.
- Write a FINAL DRAFT of the BIBLIOGRAPHY.
- CHECK EVERYTHING, put it in a folder with clips, and turn it in.
- Congratulations!