What Is an Introduction?



What questions will readers ask when reading an essay: 1. What topic am I going to learn about? 2. Why is that topic important? 3. Do I know the topic already? What do I know already? An introduction aims to answer these 3 questions.
Contents of an introduction

Example:
"Numerous studies on the utilization of plant proteins as a partial or complete replacement for fish meal in diets have been conducted using various freshwater and marines fishes (Lovell, 1987; Tacon et al., 1983; Murai et al., 1989a; Cowey et al., 1974).
Contents of an introduction
Q: What are the ways to establish a topic? A: Claiming centrality General to specific Previous research Describing of the background Definition of key words

Example:
"During the past 40 years, the United States has experienced the rapid integration of the computer into society and more recently into educational settings. Many schools have purchased large numbers of computers for use in classroom and computer labs in order to keep pace with the rapidly changing requirements of society. "
Impact of heavy metals
expense and shortcomings of methods of removing heavy metals (less general). expense and shortcomings of methods of removing heavy metals in developing countries alternative technologies to overcome expense and shortcomings biological materials as an example of alternative technologies
Contents of an introduction

E.g3:
The increasing interest in high-angle-of aerodynamics has heightened the need computational tools. The increasing interest in high-angle-of aerodynamics has heightened the need computational tools. –attack for –attack for
Claiming centrality
General to specific Establish a topic Previous research Describing of the background Definition of key words
Contents of an introduction



Claiming centrality
General to specific Establish a topic Previous research Describing of the background Definition of key words
Contents of an introduction
Contents of an introduction


Q: Don’t the research references mean that this is part of the literature review? No.
Contents of an introduction
Previous research part of the background to general research in this area. literature review comes later more likely to deal with individual studies and their methods or results. In a thesis the literature review is much longer and may be a separacific Most writing starts with general information and then moves to specific information. This is true of introductions too. Practice: read sample 2, and decide how the topic is established.
Claiming centrality
General to specific Establish a topic Previous research Describing of the background Definition of key words
Contents of an introduction


Previous research Often the Introduction will refer to work already done in the research area in order to provide background (and often also to help define the research problem). include the research references where necessary.



Claiming Centrality Claiming that the area of research is an important one, and therefore implying that the research done is also crucial. Sample 1:
The contents of a research article or thesis
Abstract Introduction methodology results Discussion/conclusion


Where to find the introduction section in a paper? (examples) 1st section of a paper
Claiming centrality
General to specific Establish a topic Previous research Describing of the background Definition of key words
Contents of an introduction

Contents of an introduction


summary – sentences stating the importance of the research “an important/essential part of…” “plays a major role” “Many studies have focused on…..”
What’s the Purpose of the Introduction?


comes at the start of a piece of writing. introduces the research by situating it (by giving background), presenting the research problem saying how and why this problem will be solved explains why the research is being done (rationale，基本原理)

Contents of an introduction
An introduction should include the following: 1. Establish the topic 2. Literature review 3.Investigation needs (Gap) 4. Purpose of the research 5.Value of the research (optional) 6.Outline of the research (optional)