The introduction of any type of research paper is the key as it can either get you a top grade or let you down. It is the very first part of a research paper and that is where you can engage your reader to dig deep into your research paper. The more convincingly you are able to write the introduction the better it will be for the reader. It should also inform the reader about what is coming ahead in the term paper. Follow the guidelines below to write an introduction more effectively for term papers.

Do the Research

The very first step for writing an introduction is to do thorough research about the topic you have chosen. You can use the internet, libraries, journals, magazines and the newspapers as a source. Sometimes instructors require specific sources, at times as many as five at the most. Wikipedia cannot be a very good source. Make sure the websites you visit consist of .org, .gov or .edu urls. Avoid visiting independent websites.

Write the Theme

This has to be one detailed sentence. It should consist of the summary of the key points that you would choose to use as arguments in the main body of the term paper. Try to use active voice and avoid using sentences in passive voice. Make sure you sum up you research in at the most 50 words. If you exceed that mark you may loose the reader’s attention. Pay more attention to the content though rather than just the word count.

Write the Outline

Now based on your theme, write an outline for your term paper. It does not have to be a detailed one. It should serve you as the guide or a roadmap when you are writing the term paper.

Remember that every term paper is unique in its own way. If you are writing a biology term paper than it is going to be different and if you are working on a literature academic paper than it will be different.