Evaluate the title of the paper. The title should be clear and accurate, not misleading in any way, while being professional and academic. As with all the other elements of the paper, decide how much credit each component deserves. A title could be worth 2 to 3 percent of the paper; a poor title should not drop a paper a full letter grade.
Determine the quality of the introduction. Better papers establish the purpose of the term paper. Make sure the thesis is clearly stated in the introduction and matches the content of the paper. A good introduction should preview the rest of the paper, explaining its major thesis. It should also catch the reader's attention, making the topic seem interesting and worth reading.
Establish the criteria for evaluating the body of the term paper. Three components make up the body of a term paper: writing quality that maintains reader interest; good organization that is easy to follow; and well reasoned information. Check whether the writer's point is clear and well supported. Better papers go beyond superficial reasoning and provide depth of analysis while adding a new perspective. Competing viewpoints should also be presented with their weaknesses explained.
Examine the paper's conclusion. A good conclusion restates the major points of the paper. It should be brief and to the point. The primary thesis should be stated along with the evidence used to reach that conclusion.
Assess the quality of the sources used in the paper and if they are properly cited. Evaluate all sources listed in the reference section and make sure they are properly cited within the paper. Also, evaluate the quality of the sources, as only academic and authoritative sources that support the paper's thesis should be used.