When making a research paper, every section has a part to play. The Introduction is one such section that serves the important purpose of informing the reader about what they are going to soon read. But as an area that requires creativity to entice the reader, it can be hard to make your Intro. Many students may spend days just thinking about how to begin it.
If you need help with your Intro, keep reading to learn more.
- Explain the context
One of the primary purposes of this section is to introduce the reader to the context of your topic. They need to know what happened before and what is happening now. This gives the reader an idea of where the paper may be headed to.
- Entice your reader
An important part of explaining the context is to get your reader’s attention. This may be done by presenting very striking data or sharing an impactful anecdote about the issue. Another way is to include a memorable quote by someone of authority or somebody famous.
When done well, the reader will begin to understand the importance of what you are researching, enticing them to keep reading.
- Consider the length
Even though the context is supposed to be informative, be careful that you do not go overboard. Sometimes students become overenthusiastic and share too much information, making the paper very lengthy.
- Define important terms
Part of the Introduction is to clarify important terms the reader will encounter. The word “customer,” for example, can mean a wide range of things. But if your paper is investigating only those who inquire and purchase online, then your paper should define it as so.
- Provide the scope of the research
To help clarify the extent of your study, the Introduction also mentions your project’s scope. This informs the reader what will and what will not be covered. Not only does this help the reader, but it is also something future researchers will take note of in case they wish to replicate your study or look into the variables that your research did not include.
- Present the research question and thesis
Often towards the end of the Introduction, you will share the main research question and your thesis statement. Ensure that both are clearly stated with no ambiguous terminology.
- Try making it last
Even though the Introduction is at the beginning of the paper, many recommend that this section should be done AFTER the main research is done. This is because many things can still change as you make your research, which may require much revision to the Introduction if it is made first. Additionally, knowing the results of your research can also guide you towards a better way of informing your reader about your topic’s background.
Summary
As the section that acquaints your reader with the topic and the goal of your research, your Introduction must be done well. Take note of the hints above so that your Introduction can fulfill its purpose of informing and motivating others about your paper.