Phil 001Term Paper Guidelines

Week 1: Choose a topic, paper proposal

Week 2 - 5: Read and take notes

Week 6a: Develop a paper outline

Week 6b: Write paper

Recommended Time Frame

Spend 1 week to narrow down a topic

Develop a paper topic proposal

Step 1: Paper Topic Proposal

What to have on your proposal

◦ State your thesis

Your thesis is your argument

◦ Provide a working bibliography

List the journal articles and books that you intend on reading.

Step 1: Paper Topic Proposal

Spend 2 – 4 weeks reading all of your sources

Take notes

◦ Take notes while reading or after the completion of all readings

Step 2: Reading and Note taking

How to take notes

◦ Type up all your notes in outline form

◦ Rule of thumb

If you want to write an 8-page paper, you should have 8 pages of notes.

If you want to write a 10-page paper, you should have 10 pages of notes.

Step 2: Reading and Note taking

Before you start writing your paper, create a paper outline.

The outline should be 1 – 2 pages long

If you want to do well, show me the outline at least 1 week before the paper is due

Step 3: Create Paper Outline

Paper Outline Structure

◦ I. Introduction

◦ II. Body

◦ III. Conclusion

Step 3: Paper Outline, continued

◦ II. Body

A. Arguments in favor of the Thesis

1. Author 1 2. Author 2

B. Arguments in favor of the Anti-thesis

1. Author 1 2. Author 2

C. Your own opinion

Step 3: Paper Outline, continued

Refer to your typed notes while writing your paper

Type your paper using single-spacing, then double space at the end to make it appear less overwhelming

Use subheadings to organize your paper

Use MLA style footnotes to reference your sources

Show me a rough draft if you want to do well

Step 4: Writing the Paper

Two books and two journal articles required for term paper

Finding journal articles

Finding Journal Articles