Term papers are a key element in testing the research skills of students, and the first thing to grab the reader’s attention is its introduction.
The introduction sets the tone for your term paper and encourages the reader to continue reading the paper. You can start your term paper introduction with an interesting question, a fact, a query, or a joke, relevant to your topic to make it more compelling. But there is more to the introduction than just an intriguing hook statement.
This article helps you understand how to write a term paper introduction that will leave a mark on the reader. Before that, let’s read what a term paper is.
What Is A Term Paper?
A term paper is mostly written at the end of the semester. It can be considered as a rite of passage for students pursuing higher studies. Term papers provide an opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge of a topic and investigate the main problem. Through this, students can present meaningful findings and recommendations.
A term paper includes a title, an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion in a proper structure with headings and subheadings. As a student, you have to gather information from sources, such as blogs, books, articles, and online websites to support your point of view.
How To Write A Term Paper Introduction
All sections of a term paper hold great value. However, an introduction is the most important as it makes or breaks the rest of the content. If your intro is boring and dull, your entire paper will be judged accordingly. If it is intriguing, the reader will be motivated to go through the entire paper.
Therefore, you have to make sure that your introduction is impeccable. Here is how you can improve it.
Step 1: Hook Statement
A compelling hook statement is a great way to start your term paper. This could be anything, from a question to quotes and facts. Make sure that they are related to your topic.
For example: If you are starting a paper on astronomy, you could write “Did you know that Space Smells Like Seared Steak?”
Step 2: Background Information
Once you have garnered your reader’s attention, provide some background information on the topic to help the readers understand the importance of addressing the problem. You have to relate that information with the problems that you are going to discuss in the paper.
Step 3: Problem Statement
A problem statement describes the issue that you are going to address. You have to ensure that you clearly define the problem statement so that you can easily structure your paper and information accordingly. Try to keep the issues as related to the topic as possible.
Step 4: Thesis Statement
A thesis statement provides a concise summary of your claim in the essay. It is the main argument that you have to work with throughout the essay. Here, you can highlight any key argument and offer a framework for the rest of the paper. Try to keep it concise and clear.
Step 5: Outline
In the outline, you have to present an overview of what you will cover in the subsequent sections. You can mention the main ideas of your paper. This will help the reader in getting an idea of what they can expect from the paper.
Step 6: Revise & Edit
Proofreading and editing give a spark to your essay. Proofreading is the process of checking your essay for grammatical and punctuation errors. Editing involves an in-depth analysis of the content with a focus on improving the overall structure and coherence.
When you are done writing the paper, make sure that you thoroughly proofread it and give ample amount of time to make the necessary edits. Moreover, always get feedback from other students and supervisors to ensure that your term paper is up to the standards of your university.
Conclusion
A well-written term paper is important to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained throughout the semester. It is mostly delivered at the end of the semester. For your term paper to be compelling, it is imperative that you start with an engaging introduction. An intro includes a hook statement, problem statement, background information, a thesis statement, and an outline of what your paper includes.
If you want to make sure that your term paper introduction will impress your professor, keep our easy and effective guide in mind.