4 Steps to a Spectacular Term Paper

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If you’re looking to make the grade as in scoring an “A” on your next term paper, you have your work cut out for you. It isn’t that an A grade is unattainable, rather there are so many nuances that can spell the difference between acing a paper or settling for a lower grade. A lower grade may not hurt you, but it can certainly disappoint you if you’ve put forth your very best effort.

You can go beyond the ordinary and write the extraordinary with your next term paper. Assuming that your research is solid and your spelling and grammar are flawless, there is one important point you must attain. That point is interviewing at least one of your sources first hand and using that unique summation to put you over the top.

Let’s take a look at you can conduct an interview for at least one source.

Step One – Make your arrangements. Rarely can you call someone up and expect to interview him on the spot. Instead, you need to determine that this source is worth mentioning and can add value to your term paper. Identify that the person being interviewed is right for your term paper. If not, find someone who is.

When calling your source, explain what you’re working on and how you envision using this person’s information in your term paper. Ask your source for a date and time for an interview and promise to take up no more than 15 minutes of his time.

Step Two – Get ready for the interview. Now that your source is lined up, you’ll want to prepare for the interview. This means researching the individual’s background, taking care to spell his name correctly and ascribing the right title.

If you are interviewing in person, bring a pad and pencils and if you plan to tape the conversation do not do so without permission from the interviewee. Take notes as recording devices have been known to fail at the most inopportune moment. Note taking is all the more essential if your request for a recorded conversation has been turned down.

Step Three – Conduct the interview. You have questions to ask and answers that you need to get. Time is of the essence here too, so don’t be afraid to move the interview on to the next question if answers are drawn out. Once you are satisfied with the answer, then move on to your next question. Clarify key points that you don’t understand or need an explanation.

Observe how your source answers his questions. Body language cues can tell you more about an answer besides words alone. Expect that there will be some follow up the interviewer may want to do, therefore provide a contact number where he can call you. For example, a professor may need to check his files for supporting documentation, something he can do after the interview has been finished.

Step Four – Put it together. It is doubtful that the entire interview will be part of your term paper, but significant points will be included. Reconstruct the interview and then highlight key points that pertain to your report.

Make sure that you cite the interview according to APA Style Guidelines. For example that reference will look something like this: (J. Doe, personal communication, July 15, 2012). Citing an interview that you read is handled differently, so take note of these differences.

If citing sources for MLA Style, your reference will look like this: Doe, John. Personal interview. 15 July 2012.

Putting It Together

Once your term paper is ready for its final draft, your interviewed source should flow naturally with your paper. An interview has another benefit too as it allows you to make contact beneficial to your future such as a career or academic resource.

Amanda Greene is Brand Manager at RHL, leading online supplier of dorm bedding.

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