Dwight Said:

What are some tips for writing better term papers for college?

We Answered:

Big question, I'll try to be brief in answering. :)

There are two areas to focus on in writing better papers: content and form. Content means quality of ideas and form means quality of writing. You have to have both to successfully articulate your ideas - so don't underestimate the value of spell check and peer revision!

Content:
* Choose topics you can research and are comfortable with. If you're developing your own talk out your ideas with your professor or a peer - this will help you find direction and maybe a new perspective on your idea. If you're assigned a topic ask questions if you need to in order to understand what you're doing.
* Research - including the old-fashioned way: books! Find quality resources using your college's academic resources - they are likely to subscribe to a number of online databases for academic research. You pay for them and they can help you a lot - so use them! Ask a librarian or your professor for any special resources they know of relating to your course and/or topic.
* Do free-writes just to develop your ideas. I couldn't believe how much this helped me. Just write for 7-8 minutes without stopping (or longer if needed) to get your ideas on paper. It helps you to get the wheels turning and writing in a low-stakes environment you're less likely to dismiss an idea for being too "this" or not enough "that" - so write it all down and you'll get ideas if not exact phrases to incorporate into your final draft.
* Have somebody read your paper and specifically address the content, not the placement of your commas or use of a semi-colon. Did you quotes to support your ideas? Do you have credible sources that support what you're saying? Are your ideas presented in an order that makes sense and helps you develop your paper? Are your ideas easily identified?


Form:
* Always ALWAYS do a spell check. Spell checks don't necessarily catch words being used incorrectly (like using the wrong kind of "there") so be sure to print a copy of your paper and edit it yourself, too.
* Have someone look at it for you. A friend, a classmate, your brother, someone in the writing center. It's always good to have an outside perspective because you know what you're trying to say and they can tell you if they're understanding it the way you meant it.
* Try to begin each sentence within the same paragraph with a different word - and try to avoid "it." Seems easy enough and it creates a better flow to your paper than if you start every sentence with "the" or "it."
* When revising, try reading each paragraph backwards: read the last sentence first and work your way to the beginning. That way you're not reading your paper the way you think it, you're reading it the way it is on the page. This helps you catch simple mistakes and make sure all your phrases are related to the topic.
* Be academic in your writing, but don't use words you don't understand or that sound "smart." You don't want to sound conversational, but you also don't want to sound too lofty or inexperienced. Choose a tone that's appropriate for your assignment and choose words appropriate for your tone.
* Use appropriate words. Sure, throw in a few flashy words - as long as you know you're using them properly. If you have a somewhat stale verb like "said" or even "is" try to replace it with a more dynamic one like declared, stated, asserted, or reported. (It's harder to suggest replacements for "be," but use the context of the verb to find a more vibrant one). If you write with confidence and a strong vocabulary you will stand out from your peers and may earn a better grade even if your content isn't as strong as it could be.
* I know this seems obvious, but it's hard to do in practice - don't wait till the last minute! Write your paper with at least one full day between its completion and its due date. The day before it's due re-read the paper and you can catch awkward phrases, mistakes, or areas for improvement. Even if you write better in a stress or pressure environment, don't wait so late that your paper (and grade!) suffers.

Ok - hope that helps. Good luck! :)

Mabel Said:

Why do people procrastinate while writing sociology term papers?

We Answered:

8 Steps to defeat procrastination:

1. Pick one area in which you find procrastination most annoying (homework, studying for tests)
2. Begin small and progress as you experience success. Be patient. Establish your own deadlines. Be realistic in setting a timetable.
3. Break the project into smaller parts. Chip away at it in small bites. Don’t wait for that “big chunk” of time.
4. Set a definite beginning time. Yuu must break the inertia of inactivity. If getting started is especially troublesome, set a time for 10 or 15 minutes. Commit yourself to doing something on the project until the timer rings. Then you can decide whether to stop or continue. Chances are you will gain momentum and continue after the timer stops. If not, try another 10 minutes later in the day.
5. Do the most important things first. Avoid the distractions of the trivial and routine tasks when a higher priority job is waiting in the wings. Examining each task in light of your goals will help you set priorities.
6. Reward yourself for completing parts of a major task. It may be something as a 10-minute walk, a Coke, or a call. Contract with yourself for a big reward for completion of important tasks. A pizza, sleeping extra late on a weekend, or shopping for something may help motivate you to complete the job. Be nice to yourself.
7. Avoid perfectionism. Excellence is a sufficient level of performance for most things in life, and for many tasks (a new hobby, cleaning your room) adequacy is all that is necessary. Give yourself permission to be less than perfect. A good garden may have some weeds. You might double the amount of time spent typing a paper, attempting to get the spelling perfect. Could that extra time be better spent in another activity which will better help your grades? Probably so.
8. Procrastination is a learned habit, and can supplanted with a more constructive habit, giving your greater control over your life. If procrastination has limited your achievements, do something about it now!

Jonathan Said:

Why do I fear writing college term papers so much?

We Answered:

Perhaps you are just a perfectionist, who would rather have a blank page in front you to a completed essay that you think is badly written.

I am the same- what I do is try and trick myself into thinking that the paper is due earlier than its actual due date so when I finally get round to it the night before the fake due date, I have another week or so to proofread/ improve it.

I recommend forcing yourself to start the day it is set (when your ideas from class are still fresh in your mind), and revisit it at scheduled points during the writing period.

Allan Said:

I want to start a web business writing term papers? What would be the pros and cons? How would I begin?

We Answered:

Pros:

- there is a market for it
- offer to do your service for free or at a reduced rate to generate business
- conduct a free seminar at your library on how to write a term paper.
- have samples available for others to look at

Cons:

- backlash if paper is graded poorly.
- developing clients

It's a business with a low-cost entry point - consider giving it a try and see where it goes.

http://www.custom-business-promotional-p…

Sharon Said:

I have ADD "inattentive type", anyone with any form of adhd, have trouble writing term papers?

We Answered:

I was the same way I couldn't write papers or essays to save my life. I would try to get an early start and write in short burst or use an idea map to help me organize my ideas.