Because chemistry classes usually focus on a combination of textbook work and laboratory work, the instructor who assigns a chemistry term paper probably has a specific reason for doing so. Perhaps the instructor wants the students to explore an important event or person in scientific history, perhaps the instructor wants to hear the students' thoughts on a certain experiment they conducted, or perhaps the instructor simply wants the students to discuss a scientific topic in a term paper for the purpose of integrating one's scientific thinking with one's writing skills. Whatever the reason, the student should ascertain immediately what the instructor's purpose is in assigning chemistry term papers. . . .

One reads a term paper example in order to determine how to write a term paper or certain elements thereof. Students who have received a term paper assignment for the first time may find it particularly useful to look up term paper examples, because they can learn inductively how to create a term paper. . . .

At times students need extra assistance in grasping certain elements of term papers, such as topics, thesis statements, research citations, or format. Students in this type of situation may find it useful to view term paper samples, which can help them figure out solutions for their problem areas. Students may obtain term paper samples through asking the instructor, through inquiring at the help desk of the university library, or most easily through performing an Internet search. . . .

As one progresses through one's education, the required projects become more important and more engaging. Therefore, a master's thesis topic is more serious than a college term paper topic, which is more serious than a high school term paper topic. Fortunately, as the weight of each project increases, so do the possibilities and the available resources. . . .

One may write a term paper on leadership for a course in leadership studies or for a course that covers how to be a leader in a certain field. Because leadership is such a necessary and deliberate contribution to all aspects of society, students may legitimately write term papers on leadership for nearly all academic disciplines. . . .