Choosing a topic is probably the easiest part on how to write a term paper primarily because the general topic idea will be chosen for you. The idea will fall within the parameters of the subject matter of the class.
For example if you are in a mathematics class you wouldn't necessarily write about human evolution. Similarly, if you are in a geology class you most likely would not be preparing a research paper on media consolidation. The point being that what the topic it will more than likely depend on what you are studying in a particular class.
Once the specific topic is determined for writing the term paper, their maybe some rules stipulated by your syllabus or directly from your instructor as to what subtopics need to be discussed within the paper.
These stipulations by no means determines in what way the writer will present the information in the term paper nor does it confine the writer to a specific point of view. These rules only guide the writer as to what issues should be discussed within the resear paper based upon the topics we have discussed in class. This is an opportunity for the student to also demonstrate his or her comprehension of the class subject matter.
