How to Write a Terrorism Research Paper/Essay

Last Updated: 14 April 2021

How to write a terrorism research paper

Terrorism has become a menace and a reality that every nation around the world has to confront. As a global problem, terrorism is fought jointly to ensure that the counterterrorism measures bear fruit.

Terrorists keep devising creative and ingenious ways further from the suicide bombers to things like bio-weaponry and Cyberterrorism. Today, terrorism agenda is at the center-stage in the discussions within the public, scholarly, and political domains. Religions, countries, ideologists, nations, and continents have suffered conflicts over terrorism.

New organized criminal and terrorist groups emerge almost annually. The mushrooming of the terror groups make terrorism a key topic for research papers and essays. If you are studying security studies, criminology, criminal justice, homeland security, and international relations, the chances are that you will write either an essay or a term paper/ research paper on terrorism.

There are many trending terrorism topics to write about. In this article, we give you examples of topics to use in your dissertation, speech, thesis, essay, term papers, or research proposals. You will also get insights on the types of terrorism, and the steps to follow to write an excellent terrorism paper.

Typology of Terrorism to Feature in Your Research Paper

Types of terrorism to write about in essays and research papers

Have you ever wondered what types of terrorism are there or how terrorism is classified? Well, there are various types of terrorism, each defined independently.

Even though terrorism is a group phenomenon, attacks like those by Anders Behring Brevik in Norway and Mohamed Merah in France proved otherwise. Single-actor terrorism, which also goes by aliases such as lone-wolf terrorism, solo terrorism, and leaderless resistance, only involves one individual. You can find more examples of lone-wolf terrorism online.

Criminal terrorism entails all the terrorism activities whose perpetrators aim at achieving a criminal profit agenda. It often leads to violence, loss of property, or targets a specific group or business officials. By default, all terrorism activities fall under criminal terrorism.

Religious terrorist groups have a twisted ideological view based on religion. An extremist religious belief always motivates all the actions.

Dissent terrorism targets overthrowing governments or changing the state of political affairs. It entails using terror attacks to enforce a political ideology.

Yes, governments can initiate and fund terrorism, covertly, to ensure that they get hold of specific agendas. In most conflict-prone countries, state-sponsored terrorism is often an alternative.

Quasi-terrorists present themselves as real terrorists. They use the same methods and motivations as conventional terrorists. Mostly, they will hold people or businesses and services hostage, sabotage processes, and make threats to attain a specific goal.

Like state-sponsored terrorism, civic organizations or candidates to exert their agenda and impose their ideology on the people often fund political terrorism. It could also be against those with a dissenting opinion or belonging to the opposite political factions.

We will continue to update the list as we come across different or emerging terrorism trends. As you can conclude from the above definition, terrorism is a complex phenomenon, and so are the countermeasures against terrorism. When writing your terrorism essays or research paper, you ought to have an open mind.

When assigned any of the classifications of terrorism, there are a few tips you need to follow to get a full-grade.

How to Male your Terrorism Research Paper Great

In our research paper made an easy article, we covered some of the steps taken when writing a research paper. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write a research paper on terrorism. Even though we know that you can write a research paper on war on terrorism, counterterrorism, or cyber terrorism, we have to remind you some facts to make the writing process seamless.

  1. Do not choose any topic; choose a narrow one!

Even though your professor might give you a list of research paper topics, rest on a topic judiciously. Your topic of choice for the terrorism essay or research paper should be narrow enough to let you delve deeply into the essentials.

  1. Research deeply and keenly.

After reading the research paper prompt to get a rough picture of what to include, the next step is to research online or offline to get more insights on the topic. Instead of spending countless times in the library, you can now use the Internet to access nearly every scholarly material. From understanding the different types of terrorism to the motivation of terror groups, you can get information to shape your ideology or point of view.

  1. Choose scholarly and reliable sources.

A research paper cannot be excellent if it is based on unreliable sources. Therefore, you have to adhere to the rigorous standards of scholarly sources strictly. Go for journals, white papers, government publications, trustworthy news media, books, peer-reviewed papers, and any other source you deem fit. As you choose the sources, remember not to use Wikipedia and Encyclopedia as your references. However, they are a great place to begin your research, especially when building your point of view, which requires more information.

  1. Outline the paper.

Although obvious, writing an outline helps you create a blueprint for your paper. 99% of our writers create an outline on paper or Word Document before writing the research papers. They indicate that doing so helps structure the research paper, organize ideas and thoughts, and visualize how the reader will get informed.

  1. Write the introduction, including the thesis.

After drafting the outline, you need to write the introduction to your paper. Your introduction should have a hook, background, rationale for choosing the topic, and the thesis statement. Constructing the best thesis statement allows you to get the readers glued from the onset.

  1. Develop your point of view in the body.

After reading in-depth, we expect that by now, you have developed or adopted a research-based point of view. You should never be afraid of your research paper bearing your personal opinion; there is a way you can write that indirectly, but make sure you neutralize it to fit the requirements of the rubric. Writing a terrorism research paper is easy in thoughts and tough on paper. Be very careful what you put where in the terrorism essay or research paper.

  1. Use strong arguments, supported by facts.

One thing that will earn you whole marks or get your research an A, whatever the topic, is having strong and backed arguments. Mainly, the arguments can be reflected in either your topic sentences or the supporting facts. When talking on the topic of terrorism, make your readers convinced by using examples, quotations from sources, and concluding sentences. Do not use any logical fallacies lest you lose your readers.

  1. Cite the paper as you write.

We maintain that you do the in-text citations as you write the terrorism paper. It helps you do less when editing and proofreading or polishing your research paper on terrorism. If it is in Chicago, MLA, Harvard, or APA, make sure the in-text citations and the end and footnotes are in place.

  1. Format your terrorism paper.

A terrorism research paper is not complete if it defies the academic writing style conventions. Therefore, it is paramount to have a proper formatting style. From the cover page or title page to the references section, make sure you align with APA, MLA, Harvard, or Chicago format. Your rubric or prompt will give you information on the type of formatting style to use in your research paper.

  1. Edit your terrorism research paper.

Finally, after writing your terrorism paper for class, make sure you take some breaks. After the break, you can now edit and proofread your essay. Alternatively, you can use online editing services such as GradeCrest to find an editor. We have writers who can check your essay for grammatical errors, syntax errors, and mechanical errors.

Now, that is how you ace your paper on terrorism. Make sure that you choose reliable sources and use them to support the arguments in your paper. If you are wondering how to write an essay on terrorism, the same tips apply as well. Finally, we have given you tips. Now, let us delve into the list of research paper topics for a terrorism paper.

Cyber Terrorism Research Paper Topics

Cyber-terrorism paper topics

  1. Role of Network Forensics in combating cyber terrorism
  2. The implication of increased use of cryptocurrencies by terrorist groups
  3. Why cyber terrorism is a top-tier risk at the national level globally
  4. Impacts of Ransomware on corporations
  5. Cybercrime as an organized international crime
  6. Response to cyber-attacks: Strategy and approach
  7. Criminological impacts of cybercrime
  8. Impacts of cybercrime on the global financial system
  9. Cybercrime and electronic banking systems
  10. War on terrorism research paper
  11. The national consortium for the study of terrorism and responses to terrorism
  12. How many terrorist attacks in 2016
  13. Is antivirus alone an effective countermeasure to cyber-attacks?
  14. Access controls as a strategy to prevent cyber-attacks
  15. Cybercrime and Big Data
  16. The use of blockchain to prevent cyber-attacks
  17. Role of cryptography in fighting cybercrime
  18. Cloud computing and Cyberterrorism
  19. A multi-pronged approach to address Cyberterrorism through training and professional development
  20. How Fintech are becoming targets of cyber terrorists
  21. The motivation behind Cyberterrorism
  22. Role of cyber forensics in fighting cyber terrorism
  23. Intelligence gathering and sharing as a countermeasure for cyber terrorism
  24. Impact of Cyber Security Risks on Businesses Cyber Security Policies
  25. Activism, activism, and Cyberterrorism
  26. Implications of different laws on prosecuting cyberterrorists
  27. Cyberspace as a medium that can be used by terrorists
  28. Global law enforcement on cyber-crime
  29. Agroterrorism, its consequences, and mitigation strategies
  30. The link between agroterrorism and bioterrorism 
  31. Blue Balls Theory and Domestic Terrorism
  32. The vulnerability of social engineering
  33. Dark web and Cyberterrorism
  34. Impacts of cryptocurrencies on Cyberterrorism
  35. Role of computer forensics in preventing Cyberterrorism
  36. How Cyberterrorism can impact the Internet of things
  37. The use of social networks to recruit cyber terrorists
  38. Five levels of cyber threat and vulnerability
  39. The role of data governance in preventing cyber-terrorist attacks
  40. Multiagency approach to preventing Cyberterrorism
  41. Use of digital footprints to thwart cyberterrorists
  42. Cyber hypnotism and cyber vigilantism in fighting cybercrime

International Terrorism Research Paper Topics

International Terrorism topics

Terrorism happens on a global scale. Given the connectedness of different parts of the globe, thanks to globalization, the impacts of terrorism in one state can spill over to others. Here are some thoughtful global terrorism topics:

  1. Impacts of terrorism and extremism on emerging markets
  2. The future of terrorism in a globalized society
  3. Role of governments in combating global terrorism
  4. The impacts of immigration in Europe on terrorism
  5. The sociology and psychology of terrorism
  6. Can strict immigration policies solve the threat of terrorism?
  7. Understanding the funding mechanisms of global terror cells
  8. Post-911 strategies to combat terrorism in America
  9. Role of homeland security in preventing terrorism
  10. The use of the vulnerable and children to do terrorist acts
  11. The representation of terrorism in the international media
  12. How terrorist recruit and radicalize the recruits
  13. The annex between terrorism and political instability in the Middle East
  14. Bioterrorism
  15. Treaties against bioterrorism
  16. Differences between Political and Non-political terrorism acts
  17. Role of the United States in fighting Global terror
  18. The role of the FBI and CIA in combating global terror
  19. The impacts of travel advisories on terrorism attacks
  20. Role of Interpol in counterterrorism
  21. Deconstructing the role of blackmailing on terrorism
  22. Nuclear terrorism and its threat to global peace
  23. Understanding terrorism cells
  24. The purpose of social media on terrorist recruitment
  25. A comparison of the link between global terror groups
  26. Evaluating the counterterrorism strategies and policies
  27. National terrorism prevention strategies in the USA
  28. Role of international organizations in preventing terrorism
  29. The connection between terrorism, drug trafficking, and human trafficking
  30. Terrorism and arms trafficking
  31. Jihadism and terrorism: Demystifying the Essentials
  32. Methods of countering radicalization of the youths
  33. Human rights violations during terrorist attacks
  34. Can terror suspects released from prison be reintegrated into the society
  35. Role of racism and discrimination on terrorism
  36. Community policing and terrorism
  37. Understanding domestic terrorism
  38. Homegrown Terrorism in the UK and USA
  39. Porous borders and terrorism
  40. Role of the UN Security Council in fighting terrorism
  41. The role of films and movies in promoting terrorism
  42. How the terrorist groups use the media
  43. Anthropological basis of terrorism
  44. How society should respond to terrorism
  45. Impacts of terrorism on air travel
  46. Impacts of terrorism on global trade
  47. Comparison of impacts of terrorism on France and USA
  48. The entry of Russia and the USA as a creator of today's terrorism
  49. Why has terrorism increase in the 21st century?
  50. Psychological impacts of terrorism
  51. Can institutions of global governance address terrorism?
  52. The use of chemical weapons by ISIS in Syria
  53. How the invasion of Libya by the USA led to the rise of terror groups
  54. The organizational structure of terrorism groups
  55. The most popular terrorist groups globally
  56. Strategies used by terrorists to radicalize youths
  57. Ethical issues in domestic terrorism
  58. Impacts of international terrorism on tourism
  59. Role of surveillance in combating terrorism
  60. Racial profiling in the war against terror
  61. The role of Osama in 9/11
  62. Methods used in interrogating terror suspects by the US soldiers post 9/11
  63. Role of ISIS and Al Qaeda on international terrorism
  64. How the rich Middle East nations support terrorist groups
  65. How terrorist groups benefit from the proceeds of Oil
  66. The social process of terrorism
  67. Models of terrorism
  68. The role of the Internet on the development of terror groups
  69. The new strategies used by terrorists
  70. The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996
  71. The role of Middle East governments in funding terrorism
  72. Can nations win the global war on terrorism?
  73. The use of torture to fight terrorism
  74. History of terrorism
  75. Trends of terrorism in the social media age
  76. How terrorism created a super-powerful Israel
  77. Impacts of international relations on terrorism
  78. Motivations of terrorist groups to attack the USA
  79. Impacts of terrorism on children and women
  80. Al Shabaab and Bokoharam as new terrorist groups
  81. The nexus of international organized crime and terrorism
  82. Domestic terrorism in the USA
  83. Homegrown Terrorism in the US
  84. Historical roots of domestic terrorism
  85. The role of intelligence sharing in combating terrorism
  86. Challenges in multiagency counterterrorism approaches
  87. Why terrorist groups like the MENA region
  88. Terrorism and political violence
  89. Is the Hiroshima Bombing an act of terror?

Terrorism and religion Research Paper Topics
Terrorism and religion topics

  1. The link between terrorism and religion
  2. Religious fundamentalism and terrorism
  3. Perceptions of Arab-Americans on being viewed as terrorists
  4. How Muslim Arabs and Muslim Americans are being branded as terrorists
  5. Role of religiosity on terrorist group affiliation
  6. Religious motivations of terrorist groups
  7. Media framing and terrorism
  8. How the international media frames Islam and terrorism
  9. The link between Terrorism, Islamophobia, and Anti-Semitism
  10. Deconstructing the Holly terror ideology.
  11. The Implications of Terrorism Motivated by a Religious Imperative
  12. How extremists use religion as a getaway for terrorism

Now, you can spend the whole day, a week, or a month brainstorming on a terrorism topic or war on terror topics for your research paper. If you have the energy to do so, well and good. However, if you need help with choosing a topic, writing a draft, and writing the sample terrorism paper, our research paper writing service is always the best. You can place an order and let us assign your research paper on terrorism to a professional writer. We are the best place to hire someone to write your research paper. All those that have bought research papers from us can attest to the success that preceded their bold move. Do not hesitate to talk to us if you need help.