How Long Should a Term Paper Be: How Long Does It Take To Write a Term Paper

There are many paper types you will write in your school. Some are long and others short, while others will take different times to complete. One of these pieces is a term paper. And for many students, its length is a major concern.

So, how long should a term paper be? There are tons of different opinions on this topic, but we’ve dug and found some answers for you. We will examine what constitutes an acceptable term paper’s length, pages, and outline.

This is to help you become well-versed with term papers so you can handle them when asked to.

How Long Should a Term Paper Be

Averagely a term paper ranges between five and seven pages if single-spaced but between 10 and 14 pages if double-spaced. However, sometimes it can reach up to fifteen pages depending on the subject matter.

Generally, a term paper may take a report or research format, but students write it at the end of the term as part of a college class, thus its name. As a general rule, you should consult your professor on the accepted length since this will vary from one tutor to another, among other factors. 

Also see: How long is a short essay 

Regardless of the paper’s length, the structure is comprised of;

• Title page. This section contains the student’s name, course, date, instructor, and paper title
• Abstract. The section is optional and includes a summary of your paper
• Table of contents. It contains heading and page numbers and helps in easy navigation
• Introductions. This is the opening paragraph that tells readers what the article is about
• Main Section. Also known as the body and contains details about the paper
• Conclusion. Last part of the body that concludes and ties every point together
• References. A list of the cited sources used
• Appendices. The section contains graphs, tables, and figures that otherwise would distort the paper’s body.

How Long Does It Take To Write a Term Paper

A standard term paper takes up to months to finish, but some students may use even two weeks. If it is your first time writing, it will take more time, but if you are used, you will need less time. Further, researching takes more time than actual writing; thus, proper planning is vital if you have to finish your paper within the allocated timelines.

You should also note that the time you will spend writing a term paper depends on the topic and your level of expertise. If you are interested in the subject and have done some research, you can write a term paper in about two weeks. However, it may take up to two months if you are unfamiliar with the subject or have no idea about it.

On the other hand, if you are the type of student who can sit down and start writing your paper without having to do any research, you might be able to finish it in less time. Also, if you are doing research for your term paper will take longer than just sitting down and writing it all out. You will need time to search for sources and read through them carefully to use them accurately in your paper.

How Many Pages Should a Term Paper Be

An average term paper is usually between five and 20 pages long. The variance depends on the type of paper, the number of sources and length, and the amount of research you are expected to do.

Generally, a page has between 275 and 300 words. This means if your professor wants ten pages for an essay, they expect between 2750 and 300 0words in total. In addition, all sources should be appropriately cited with citations, footnotes, or endnotes, depending on how many references are in your work.

How Long Should a Term Paper Outline Be

The outline of a term paper should be short, bearing in mind such papers range from 5 pages and above.

And with an outline running from the cover page to the appendices, developing one is easy. The generally accepted rule is that an outline should not exceed four pages. This means if the paper is expected to be ten pages, your outline can run up to a page, although it is not a must.

If between 10 and 15 pages, your outline can be between two and three pages.