Write the term paper in the proper format. Some professors may want you to format it in Modern Language Association style, while others want you to use the Chicago Manual of Style. Ask your professor which style to use. Then visit the campus library or bookstore to get books on the style you're using.
Start with a good introduction. The purpose of the introduction is to tell readers what your main argument is in the paper and why this claim is valid. Before stating your main argument, you should give some background information on the topic for those who are not knowledgeable about it. For example, if you're arguing that traditional black Creole culture in New Orleans is slowly dying out, give a historical background on the culture and why it's important to New Orleans.
Stick to the facts, not personal opinion. The purpose of the paper is to prove your argument with factual evidence. Avoid using first-person tense in the paper. Be sure that the research you gathered is current, unless it's a history paper and you need to use some historic research materials.