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A
good term paper contains many interesting ideas backed up
with an adequate number of pertinent examples. Successful
writing depends on invention, the generation of relevant ideas.
Many people have trouble getting started, so begin the process
of brainstorming early. Just write, no matter how nonsensical.
Be prepared to throw away a lot of useless words. You will
be surprised at how many really good ideas will remain. Very
shortly into the writing experience identify a hypothesis,
a tentative focus for your argument. Expect to modify this
hypothesis many times as you gather data and clarify your
thought.
A
good paper should be focused and consistent. Organization
helps prevent repetition of an idea in various parts of your
paper. Multiple exploratory outlines will lead to clarity
of thought. Let a little time elapse between outlines to enhance
objectivity. At the end of this process, you will have a powerful
thesis and an orderly final outline. Rigorously eliminate
all unnecessary material. A short incisive paper will impress
a reader far more than a long rambling term paper, for padding
suggests fuzzy thinking.
A
paragraph states and develops a single idea. It is recommended
to put the topic sentence (the controlling thought) at the
beginning of each paragraph. Check your first sentence of
each paragraph to be sure that you are expressing your own
idea rather than simply presenting an example. The next sentence
might restate or clarify this initial sentence. Whereas repetition
merely reiterates the same idea using different words, restatement
comes at the thought from a different perspective. The following
section of the paragraph might present some concrete example--some
data, quotation, or statistic. Finally, since examples only
illustrate rather than prove, you need to analyze your example
to clarify its relevance to your topic sentence.
Polish your prose. Tighten up the sentences; two clauses are
usually enough. Be careful about sentence fragments; many
people find them automatically offensive. Choose words carefully,
and be concise. Use strong nouns and verbs; avoid the forms
of the verb "to be." Avoid passive voice like the
plague--not only does passive voice contain a "to be"
verb but also this form takes action away from the subject.
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