How to do a Term Paper: A One Page Guide

WEST HILLS COLLEGE
ECONOMICS
THE PARTS OF A TERM PAPER
by Laura Ames
lauraames@westhillscollege.com

The Thesis Statment: “The central point or main idea of an essay” (Harbrace 794). A thesis statement defines the topic, contains points or facts that support the topic, and provides a suggestion of what the entire paper will cover. For example, if your topic is “Reaching the Moon as a Private Citizen,” your thesis statement may read as follows:

Thesis Statement, an example: Since the “space age” began in 1969 with Sputnik, and a trip to the moon by U.S. astronauts a few years later, many non astronauts have pondered the idea of taking the very same trip as private citizens, a sort of vacation away from earth; however, extensive training and money are required and may deter the average wage earner as confirmed recently by a U.S. industrialist who paid big bucks just to orbit the earth in a U.S. space shuttle.

Your outline may look like this:

I. The official space age – from beginning to present

A. Sputnik
B. Orbiting earth
C. Moon landing
D. Maintaining space station

II. Ongoing government costs of space exploration to qualified personnel

A. Technology needs
1. Advanced computer technology
2. Highly skilled manpower
B. Maintaining space centers
1. California – Edwards Air Force Base
2. Florida – Kennedy Space Center
3. Texas – Johnson (Houston) Space Center
C. Astronaut training

III. Possible costs incurred by non astronauts as passengers of space craft

A. Must be extensively trained – a costly affair
1. Physical and Emotional fitness a top priority
a. Physical - withstand gravitational force (G Force) on lift-off
b. Emotional - maintain sanity under extremes

B. Supplies/expenses not furnished by Space program
1. Space suit
2. Necessary technical equipment for communication

IV. Current space exploration limited in scope

A. Do not possess technology for extended trips
B. Do not know what is “really out there”

V. In spite of all the negatives - nonscientists lined up to go

A. First U.S. non-astronaut orbits earth in space shuttle
1. Millionaire pays the price and takes giant step
2. An unforgettable experience
B. Reminiscent of early land/earth explorers

It is important to use the internet and the library to find data that supports your statements in the outline. Once you have collected at least three sources (preferably five), make notes of facts and statistics. Remember, when using someone else’s research, you must give credit to that source. Your “Works Cited” page must list all sources, alphabetically, so that the reader (your instructor) can look up or check data that you have quoted. For correct format, use Hodges’ Harbrace Handbook. (Students who have completed or are taking English 51A or 1A may already have a copy of the Harbrace.) It provides exact detail on how to place your sources in your paper and how to complete your “Works Cited” page. There should also be a copy of the Harbrace in the library.

NOTE: Copying someone else’s work is plagiarism (which is against international copyright laws) if you do not give credit where credit is due. Your instructor will know what material is yours and what you have copied. Be careful and good luck!

West Hills College

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