Whereas an argumentative term paper chooses a position on a topic and attempts to convince the reader of that position's validity, the expository term paper seeks to inform the reader on a topic. Expository term papers provide students with the opportunity to write academically without feeling pressure to form and argue an opinion, and their primary purpose is to help students learn how to perform solid research and to synthesize various research sources into a unified term paper.
The student's first task is to choose a topic. As always, the topic should be narrow enough that the ten- to twenty-page term paper can discuss it adequately. Because one objective of the expository term paper is for the writer to learn something new, initially unfamiliar subjects often produce excellent papers.
The student should then begin to research the subject, using books, articles, reputable Internet sites, and research databases. The student may find it helpful to read a couple of sources that provide a brief overview of the subject before delving into more complex or detailed sources; encyclopedias and textbooks usually carry this type of survey material. Regardless, one's comprehension of the material will increase as the research process continues, which will in turn produce a fine expository term paper.
Third, the student should choose a method of organization that makes sense for discussing the topic. For example, one who is writing an expository term paper on a historical subject will probably organize the material chronologically, whereas one who is writing on human anatomy may choose to discuss the material in order from head to foot.
Fourth, the student should write the term paper section by section, citing all research sources that he or she uses. In expository term papers, originality lies heavily in the introduction and conclusion, transitions, and research choices; therefore, the student should not worry about having too many citations and not enough creative material.
A good expository term paper covers a certain subject in adequate detail and teaches the reader a new piece of information in an easily understandable way.
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