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Getting started can often be difficult. Even professional writers say that the hardest part of writing is the beginning. Writing an introduction to an essay can therefore seem a daunting task, though it need not be so difficult, as long as you understand the purpose and the structure of the introduction. An example essay has been given to help you understand both of these, and there is a checklist at the end which you can use for editing your introduction.
When writing an introduction to an academic essay, it is useful to remember the main purpose of the introduction. In general, the introduction will introduce the topic to the reader by stating what the topic is and giving some general background information. This will help the reader to understand what you are writing about, and show why the topic is important. The introduction should also give the overall plan of the essay.
In short, the main purpose of the introduction is to:
This last purpose is perhaps the most important, and is the reason why many writers choose to write the introduction last , after they have written the main body , because they need to know what the essay will contain before they can give a clear plan.
Although essays vary in length and content, most essays will have the same overall structure, including the introduction. The structure is related to the purpose mentioned above. The introduction to an essay should have the following two parts:
The general statements will introduce the topic of the essay and give background information. The background information for a short essay will generally just be one or two sentences. The general statements should become more and more specific thesis statement , which is the most specific sentence of the introduction--> as the introduction progresses, leading the reader into the essay (some writers talk about "attracting the readers' attention", though for an academic essay, this is less important). For longer essays, the general statements could include one or more definitions , or could classify the topic, and may cover more than one paragraph.
The following is an example of background statements for a short essay ( given below ):
Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car.
These sentences introduce the topic of the essay (cars) and give some background to this topic (situation in the past, the situation now). These sentences lead nicely into the thesis statement (see below).
The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It gives the reader clear information about the content of the essay, which will help them to understand the essay more easily. The thesis states the specific topic, and often lists the main (controlling) ideas that will be discussed in the main body. It may also indicate how the essay will be organised, e.g. in chronological order, order of importance, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect. It is usually at the end of the introduction, and is usually (but not always) one sentence long.
In short, the thesis statement:
Here is an example of a thesis statement with no subtopics mentioned:
While cars have undoubted advantages, they also have significant drawbacks.
This thesis statement tells us the specific topic of the essay (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages should come first, disadvantages second). It is, however, quite general, and may have been written before the writer had completed the essay.
In the following thesis statement, the subtopics are named:
While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems.
This thesis gives us more detail, telling us not just the topic (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages first, disadvantages second), but also tells us the main ideas in the essay (convenience, pollution, traffic problems). This essay will probably have three paragraphs in the main body.
Below is a discussion essay which looks at the advantages and disadvantages of car ownership. This essay is used throughout the essay writing section to help you understand different aspects of essay writing. Here it focuses on the thesis statement and general statements of the introduction (mentioned on this page), topic sentences , controlling ideas, and the summary and final comment of the conclusion. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.
Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car. While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems . The most striking advantage of the car is its convenience. When travelling long distance, there may be only one choice of bus or train per day, which may be at an unsuitable time. The car, however, allows people to travel at any time they wish, and to almost any destination they choose. Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages, the most important of which is the pollution they cause. Almost all cars run either on petrol or diesel fuel, both of which are fossil fuels. Burning these fuels causes the car to emit serious pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Not only are these gases harmful for health, causing respiratory disease and other illnesses, they also contribute to global warming, an increasing problem in the modern world. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2013), transportation in the US accounts for 30% of all carbon dioxide production in that country, with 60% of these emissions coming from cars and small trucks. In short, pollution is a major drawback of cars. A further disadvantage is the traffic problems that they cause in many cities and towns of the world. While car ownership is increasing in almost all countries of the world, especially in developing countries, the amount of available roadway in cities is not increasing at an equal pace. This can lead to traffic congestion, in particular during the morning and evening rush hour. In some cities, this congestion can be severe, and delays of several hours can be a common occurrence. Such congestion can also affect those people who travel out of cities at the weekend. Spending hours sitting in an idle car means that this form of transport can in fact be less convenient than trains or aeroplanes or other forms of public transport. In conclusion, while the car is advantageous for its convenience , it has some important disadvantages, in particular the pollution it causes and the rise of traffic jams . If countries can invest in the development of technology for green fuels, and if car owners can think of alternatives such as car sharing, then some of these problems can be lessened.
Union of Concerned Scientists (2013). Car Emissions and Global Warming. www.ucsusa.org/clean vehicles/why-clean-cars/global-warming/ (Access date: 8 August, 2013)
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Below is a checklist for an essay introduction. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay begins with , which introduce the topic | ||
The introduction ends with a | ||
The shows the main ideas of the essay | ||
The shows how the essay will be organised (e.g. chronological, compare/contrast, advantages/disadvantages) |
Find out how to structure the main body of an essay in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about essay structure .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 26 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
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1. Determine what kind of paper you are writing:
If you are writing a text that does not fall under these three categories (e.g., a narrative), a thesis statement somewhere in the first paragraph could still be helpful to your reader.
2. Your thesis statement should be specific—it should cover only what you will discuss in your paper and should be supported with specific evidence.
3. The thesis statement usually appears at the end of the first paragraph of a paper.
4. Your topic may change as you write, so you may need to revise your thesis statement to reflect exactly what you have discussed in the paper.
Example of an analytical thesis statement:
The paper that follows should:
Example of an expository (explanatory) thesis statement:
Example of an argumentative thesis statement:
Published March 26, 2021. Updated May 5, 2022.
The introduction is the first interaction with the audience, which helps to engage the reader, provides background information to establish context, and states the main claim and organization of the paper.
A well-written introduction should engross the audience and make them want to keep reading. Introductions should also inform readers of what they are about to read and make the readers focus on the rest of the paper with the thesis statement. The three main parts of an introduction are the hook, background information, and a thesis statement. An introduction should not include “fluff” sentences: sentences that take up space without saying anything. Such vague introductions do not provide the reader with any meaningful context and are often seen as a way to meet a word count.
Worried about your writing? Submit your paper for a Chegg Writing essay check , or for an Expert Check proofreading . Both can help you find and fix potential writing issues.
There are three main parts of an introduction: the hook, background information, and a thesis statement.
The hook is an attention-grabbing first sentence or a short paragraph. The hook is the first thing your audience reads, and its purpose is to engage the reader. It also establishes the context for what you are writing. There are many ways to write a hook, but some common methods include using surprising statistics, interesting quotations, funny anecdotes, or thought-provoking questions.
If you were writing an argumentative paper on climate change and the developing world, you might want to start with a surprising statistic that highlights the challenges climate change presents.
Example hook: The World Health Organization predicts that climate change will contribute to about 250,000 deaths per year by the year 2030.
This sentence has a large yet simple-to-understand statistic that directly relates to the main topic and catches the eye of readers.
The second part of the introduction is the background information. This section varies quite a bit in content and length depending on the discipline, complexity, and type of paper. However, its purpose is always to provide a background that helps your reader understand the context in which you write. This information mentally prepares your reader to be ready to tackle the claim you make in the thesis statement and the evidence and analysis you write in your body paragraphs.
It is important to have some background information in the introduction. The information should not include extremely broad phrases such as “since the beginning of time” or “throughout the history of the world,” but it also cannot be so specific that readers who are unfamiliar with your topic lack context. Background information often makes the connection your readers need to relate your hook to your thesis statement.
If you added background information to the hook presented above regarding climate change in developing countries, you would want to include information that expands the readers’ understanding of the statistic on predicted casualties.
Example background information: These deaths, however, are preventable. They are not from hurricanes, tsunamis, or other natural disasters, but instead are by-products of poor environments for growing food and a lack of economic opportunity. Additionally, The United States Pentagon labels the devastating impact of climate change as “threat multipliers” because climate problems contribute substantially to global conflict and instability.
These sentences provide readers with context regarding the seriousness of climate change in the developing world. Since the sentences mention agriculture, economic opportunity, and global conflict, it is likely that the writer will reference those topics specifically at some point in the paper.
The final part of your introduction is the thesis statement. A thesis statement is a claim or argument you are making in your paper. The thesis statement also acts as a guide for your paper by telling readers the order in which you will write your main points. It is usually the last sentence of your introduction, and it is the last sentence your audience sees before they read your body paragraphs.
The following sentence is an example of a thesis statement that can be used to complement the hook and background information presented above.
Example thesis statement: Due to the devastating physical and economic impact climate change has on the developing world, industrialized nations need to increase their physical and monetary involvement in finding solutions to the crisis.
While you do have quite a bit of creative freedom in choosing how to engage your audience and provide context for the reader, there are a few things you should not include in the introduction.
You should not include “fluff” sentences: sentences that take up space without saying anything. These sentences often include phrases like “[topic] was a big problem in society,” or “there are many different parts of [topic].” These vague introductions do not provide the reader with any meaningful context and are often seen as a way to meet a word count.
Similarly, dictionary definitions take up space without providing valuable context. Often, writers try to provide dictionary definitions of abstract concepts or themes such as love, friendship, or conflict, but this is not the most engaging method to introduce a theme.
If you are writing a paper in response to a prompt, avoid simply restating the question. You will want to be sure to specifically address all aspects of the prompt, but you want to answer it, not restate it.
A final word of caution on plot summaries, particularly for literary analysis essays. While you may need to include a concise overview of what happens in a short story, novel, or play, do not summarize the entire text. Instead, focus on the section of the text that provides the necessary context for your reader.
Below is a complete sample introduction showing how each of the three parts of an introduction work together.
The World Health Organization predicts that climate change will contribute to about 250,000 deaths per year by 2030. These deaths, however, are preventable. They are not from hurricanes, tsunamis, or other natural disasters, but instead are by-products of poor environments for growing food and a lack of economic opportunity. Additionally, the United States Pentagon labels the devastating impact of climate change as “threat multipliers” because climate problems contribute substantially to global conflict and instability. Due to the devastating physical and economic impact climate change has on the developing world, industrialized nations need to increase their physical and monetary involvement in finding solutions to the crisis.
Remember that writing a strong introduction is a process. You will likely draft your introduction and revise it several times. Regardless of how engaging or interesting an introduction is, it is not effective if it does prepare the audience for what you write in the body of the paper.
Before you turn in that paper, don’t forget to cite your sources in APA format , MLA format , or a style of your choice.
Background information identifies and describes the history and nature of a well-defined research problem with reference to contextualizing existing literature. The background information should indicate the root of the problem being studied, appropriate context of the problem in relation to theory, research, and/or practice , its scope, and the extent to which previous studies have successfully investigated the problem, noting, in particular, where gaps exist that your study attempts to address. Background information does not replace the literature review section of a research paper; it is intended to place the research problem within a specific context and an established plan for its solution.
Fitterling, Lori. Researching and Writing an Effective Background Section of a Research Paper. Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences; Creating a Research Paper: How to Write the Background to a Study. DurousseauElectricalInstitute.com; Background Information: Definition of Background Information. Literary Devices Definition and Examples of Literary Terms.
Background information expands upon the key points stated in the beginning of your introduction but is not intended to be the main focus of the paper. It generally supports the question, what is the most important information the reader needs to understand before continuing to read the paper? Sufficient background information helps the reader determine if you have a basic understanding of the research problem being investigated and promotes confidence in the overall quality of your analysis and findings. This information provides the reader with the essential context needed to conceptualize the research problem and its significance before moving on to a more thorough analysis of prior research.
Forms of contextualization included in background information can include describing one or more of the following:
Background information can also include summaries of important research studies . This can be a particularly important element of providing background information if an innovative or groundbreaking study about the research problem laid a foundation for further research or there was a key study that is essential to understanding your arguments. The priority is to summarize for the reader what is known about the research problem before you conduct the analysis of prior research. This is accomplished with a general summary of the foundational research literature [with citations] that document findings that inform your study's overall aims and objectives.
NOTE: Research studies cited as part of the background information of your introduction should not include very specific, lengthy explanations. This should be discussed in greater detail in your literature review section. If you find a study requiring lengthy explanation, consider moving it to the literature review section.
ANOTHER NOTE: In some cases, your paper's introduction only needs to introduce the research problem, explain its significance, and then describe a road map for how you are going to address the problem; the background information basically forms the introduction part of your literature review. That said, while providing background information is not required, including it in the introduction is a way to highlight important contextual information that could otherwise be hidden or overlooked by the reader if placed in the literature review section.
YET ANOTHER NOTE: In some research studies, the background information is described in a separate section after the introduction and before the literature review. This is most often done if the topic is especially complex or requires a lot of context in order to fully grasp the significance of the research problem. Most college-level research papers do not require this unless required by your professor. However, if you find yourself needing to write more than a couple of pages [double-spaced lines] to provide the background information, it can be written as a separate section to ensure the introduction is not too lengthy.
Background of the Problem Section: What do you Need to Consider? Anonymous. Harvard University; Hopkins, Will G. How to Write a Research Paper. SPORTSCIENCE, Perspectives/Research Resources. Department of Physiology and School of Physical Education, University of Otago, 1999; Green, L. H. How to Write the Background/Introduction Section. Physics 499 Powerpoint slides. University of Illinois; Pyrczak, Fred. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 8th edition. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2014; Stevens, Kathleen C. “Can We Improve Reading by Teaching Background Information?.” Journal of Reading 25 (January 1982): 326-329; Woodall, W. Gill. Writing the Background and Significance Section. Senior Research Scientist and Professor of Communication. Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse, and Addictions. University of New Mexico.
Providing background information in the introduction of a research paper serves as a bridge that links the reader to the research problem . Precisely how long and in-depth this bridge should be is largely dependent upon how much information you think the reader will need to know in order to fully understand the problem being discussed and to appreciate why the issues you are investigating are important.
From another perspective, the length and detail of background information also depends on the degree to which you need to demonstrate to your professor how much you understand the research problem. Keep this in mind because providing pertinent background information can be an effective way to demonstrate that you have a clear grasp of key issues, debates, and concepts related to your overall study.
The structure and writing style of your background information can vary depending upon the complexity of your research and/or the nature of the assignment. However, in most cases it should be limited to only one to two paragraphs in your introduction.
Given this, here are some questions to consider while writing this part of your introduction :
Almost all introductions to a research problem require some contextualizing, but the scope and breadth of background information varies depending on your assumption about the reader's level of prior knowledge . However, despite this assessment, background information should be brief and succinct and sets the stage for the elaboration of critical points or in-depth discussion of key issues in the literature review section of your paper.
Background Information vs. the Literature Review
Incorporating background information into the introduction is intended to provide the reader with critical information about the topic being studied, such as, highlighting and expanding upon foundational studies conducted in the past, describing important historical events that inform why and in what ways the research problem exists, defining key components of your study [concepts, people, places, phenomena] and/or placing the research problem within a particular context. Although introductory background information can often blend into the literature review portion of the paper, essential background information should not be considered a substitute for a comprehensive review and synthesis of relevant research literature.
Hart, Cris. Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination . Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1998; Pyrczak, Fred. Writing Empirical Research Reports: A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences . 8th edition. Glendale, CA: Pyrczak Publishing, 2014.
Just as we introduce ourselves when meeting new people for the first time, so must a writer introduce his/her topic. A writer must imagine that readers are at least somewhat unfamiliar with the topic. Furthermore, the writer should assume that readers are not necessarily interested in the topic. Therefore, it is a writer’s job to present the topic in a way that is intriguing and insightful. Failing to do so might mean that readers choose not to continue reading a text and/or that they read it without a proper understanding of what is being discussed.
Summarized Explanation
Detailed Explanation
A “hook” should be used to grab the audience’s attention as they begin reading the text. A hook might involve a relevant quotation, an interesting fact, an amusing anecdote, a hypothetical scenario, or possibly a thought-provoking question related to the topic. The type of hook and its length will depend on the writing situation, but the purpose of any hook is to reel in the readers so that they want to read more.
| After the hook, relevant background information should be presented. The background information helps the audience understand the significance of the topic. A writer must provide any pertinent contextual information about the topic that readers should know. And if the topic is debatable, then it is important to provide a brief synopsis of its controversial nature. The type of background information and its length will depend on the writing situation, but the purpose of background information is to ensure that readers have a proper understanding of the topic in general.
| After the background information, at the very end of the introductory paragraph, a thesis statement ought to appear. The thesis statement is the last yet most important element of an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement presents a writer’s overall position on the topic and forecasts the key ideas that will be addressed in the text. Please see the related writing guide about . |
Hypothetical Writing Prompt #1: Explain why introductory paragraphs should include a hook, background information, and thesis statement.
Color-coding key:
Meeting someone for the first time without a proper introduction can be awkward. Likewise, a text without an introductory paragraph leaves a lot to be desired. The introduction is the first thing that readers see in a text. It should grab their attention and provide necessary context for the topic that will be discussed. It might also provide relevant research to present an overview of the topic. Additionally, an introduction must present the author's claim about the topic and the specific reasons that will be analyzed in the text. Thus, it serves some very important functions by engaging, informing, and guiding readers. To accomplish these goals, writers should begin texts with an introductory paragraph that includes an effective hook, background information, and thesis statement.
*The rest of the text would include three well-developed body paragraphs that address each key idea from the thesis statement:
Hypothetical Writing Prompt #2: Explain whether the previous introductory paragraph is effective.
They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This adage is true, but not everything is relative. For example, in the world of writing, texts can take many forms, and writers have a lot of creative freedom. That said, there are some basic frameworks that should be employed for most writing forms—for instance, the tried-and-true template for an introductory paragraph. The classic template for an introduction typically begins by trying to increase the audience's interest in the topic. It then usually continues by offering relevant contextual information for the topic so that readers can have a foundation on which to build. And lastly, the introduction should ideally present the writer's main argument and key ideas that will be explored. Together, these three elements form a cohesive, comprehensive introduction. Considering this, the previous introductory paragraph is quite effective because it includes a strong hook, background information, and thesis statement.
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Published on September 7, 2022 by Tegan George and Shona McCombes. Revised on November 21, 2023.
The introduction is the first section of your thesis or dissertation , appearing right after the table of contents . Your introduction draws your reader in, setting the stage for your research with a clear focus, purpose, and direction on a relevant topic .
Your introduction should include:
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How to start your introduction, topic and context, focus and scope, relevance and importance, questions and objectives, overview of the structure, thesis introduction example, introduction checklist, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about introductions.
Although your introduction kicks off your dissertation, it doesn’t have to be the first thing you write — in fact, it’s often one of the very last parts to be completed (just before your abstract ).
It’s a good idea to write a rough draft of your introduction as you begin your research, to help guide you. If you wrote a research proposal , consider using this as a template, as it contains many of the same elements. However, be sure to revise your introduction throughout the writing process, making sure it matches the content of your ensuing sections.
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Begin by introducing your dissertation topic and giving any necessary background information. It’s important to contextualize your research and generate interest. Aim to show why your topic is timely or important. You may want to mention a relevant news item, academic debate, or practical problem.
After a brief introduction to your general area of interest, narrow your focus and define the scope of your research.
You can narrow this down in many ways, such as by:
It’s essential to share your motivation for doing this research, as well as how it relates to existing work on your topic. Further, you should also mention what new insights you expect it will contribute.
Start by giving a brief overview of the current state of research. You should definitely cite the most relevant literature, but remember that you will conduct a more in-depth survey of relevant sources in the literature review section, so there’s no need to go too in-depth in the introduction.
Depending on your field, the importance of your research might focus on its practical application (e.g., in policy or management) or on advancing scholarly understanding of the topic (e.g., by developing theories or adding new empirical data). In many cases, it will do both.
Ultimately, your introduction should explain how your thesis or dissertation:
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Perhaps the most important part of your introduction is your questions and objectives, as it sets up the expectations for the rest of your thesis or dissertation. How you formulate your research questions and research objectives will depend on your discipline, topic, and focus, but you should always clearly state the central aim of your research.
If your research aims to test hypotheses , you can formulate them here. Your introduction is also a good place for a conceptual framework that suggests relationships between variables .
To help guide your reader, end your introduction with an outline of the structure of the thesis or dissertation to follow. Share a brief summary of each chapter, clearly showing how each contributes to your central aims. However, be careful to keep this overview concise: 1-2 sentences should be enough.
I. Introduction
Human language consists of a set of vowels and consonants which are combined to form words. During the speech production process, thoughts are converted into spoken utterances to convey a message. The appropriate words and their meanings are selected in the mental lexicon (Dell & Burger, 1997). This pre-verbal message is then grammatically coded, during which a syntactic representation of the utterance is built.
Speech, language, and voice disorders affect the vocal cords, nerves, muscles, and brain structures, which result in a distorted language reception or speech production (Sataloff & Hawkshaw, 2014). The symptoms vary from adding superfluous words and taking pauses to hoarseness of the voice, depending on the type of disorder (Dodd, 2005). However, distortions of the speech may also occur as a result of a disease that seems unrelated to speech, such as multiple sclerosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This study aims to determine which acoustic parameters are suitable for the automatic detection of exacerbations in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by investigating which aspects of speech differ between COPD patients and healthy speakers and which aspects differ between COPD patients in exacerbation and stable COPD patients.
I have introduced my research topic in an engaging way.
I have provided necessary context to help the reader understand my topic.
I have clearly specified the focus of my research.
I have shown the relevance and importance of the dissertation topic .
I have clearly stated the problem or question that my research addresses.
I have outlined the specific objectives of the research .
I have provided an overview of the dissertation’s structure .
You've written a strong introduction for your thesis or dissertation. Use the other checklists to continue improving your dissertation.
If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
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The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:
and your problem statement
Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.
This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .
Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.
They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.
Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .
Scope of research is determined at the beginning of your research process , prior to the data collection stage. Sometimes called “scope of study,” your scope delineates what will and will not be covered in your project. It helps you focus your work and your time, ensuring that you’ll be able to achieve your goals and outcomes.
Defining a scope can be very useful in any research project, from a research proposal to a thesis or dissertation . A scope is needed for all types of research: quantitative , qualitative , and mixed methods .
To define your scope of research, consider the following:
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Table of Contents
Every research paper should include a section explaining why you approached this subject and what aspect of the topic you focus on. This section is the so-called background of your paper – a broader context within which you position your arguments and analysis.
Still, many inexperienced students face questions like, “What is the background information? How do I develop the background section competently and professionally?”
We’ve decided to help you out and provide guidance on all steps of the background writing process. In this article, we’ll provide you with:
Stay tuned and read on to develop an effective research paper that will surely impress your supervisor.
So, what is background information, and how to present it clearly and logically so that your audience grasps the subject well?
A study background is a part of your introduction in which you will explain what topic you’re examining, what place it takes within the broader area of research, what is known about it, and what is yet to be explained and researched.
To achieve the purpose of this section in a research paper, you need to discuss the historical information about your subject, mention what is known about its primary variables, processes, and relationships, and explain what scholars point out as interesting gaps today.
Let’s consider an example. Suppose you want to study how students’ exposure to child abuse affects their academic performance at school. In that case, you first need to present a socio-demographic profile of academic attainment, underline the problem of student underachievement at school, and outline the major factors contributing to under-achievement and dropouts, including child abuse.
After that, you should give relevant statistics on child abuse globally and in the country you’re researching, pointing out the adverse effects of abuse on the child’s later life. This background is enough to proceed to your topic, where you will explain that the link between abuse and underachievement is mostly under-researched and poorly explained.
What is background information, and where to place it in the research paper? In a nutshell, it should be the first section of your academic document preceding the formulation of your problem statement and the purpose of a research paper. Thus, when you compose the thesis of your background section, you should focus on the key subject of your inquiry. Continuing with the example we discussed above, we would suggest a thesis as follows:
“ Thousands of children are exposed to child abuse, which causes long-lasting physical and psychological effects on them, including low self-esteem and inability to study well. Because of the common neglect to the relationship between abuse and underachievement, a huge percentage of students lose essential educational opportunities and fail to build careers and stay economically independent in later lives. Thus, the present study attempts to expose the relationship between the discussed variables and develop workable recommendations to support abuse victims in their educational efforts .”
The background section is typically marked as such in longer papers. Yet, if the assignment is short, you should include the background section in the introductory paragraph. Here, you should talk about the subject of your assignment in general.
For example, you can identify some key statistics to outline the magnitude of the problem or talk about seminal research in the area to show what was and wasn’t researched. It’s also helpful to include main theories and concepts that you will explore or that explain and inform your subject. Keep in mind that this section should spark the reader’s interest and explain the basics of your topic.
To compose a viable background section, you should first answer the following questions:
Now that we’re familiar with the background section’s ins and outs, it’s time to examine what common mistakes students make in the process of writing this part. Besides, we uncover the pro tips for enhancing your section and improving its impact on the audience.
By avoiding these mistakes, you’re sure to arrive at a much better background section with logical information. This may be achieved if you follow the pro tips from our experts outlined below.
Now, to make sure that you understand the whole task and perform it ideally for any future assignment, we’ve prepared a handy example of a background of the study in a research paper for your guidance. Take it as a loose set of provisions that you can easily apply to various topics and assignment types.
“ Diabetes is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the USA, with over 34 million having this diagnosis and over 7 million more living with an undiagnosed condition. The disease is getting younger year by year, with children becoming the worst-exposed population group in terms of new diabetes diagnoses. The primary cause of such disproportionate effect of diabetes on children has been identified in the combination of genetic and environmental factors. Thus, children whose parents are obese and who consume sugar-rich and fatty products at schools and at home on a daily basis are at a 5 times higher risk of getting a diabetes diagnosis in secondary school. The problem has been identified on a national level, but there is still little effort to curb fast-food selling practices in the U.S. schools. Thus, this paper is dedicated to the analysis of existing nutritional policies in public schools and presentation of recommendations for dietary adaptations for high-risk schoolers .”
If you’re stuck with the research paper at its very beginning and still can’t figure out what is background information and where to take it, our experts are at your service 24/7. We have a star team of competent experts who can compose any research paper for you from scratch, keeping the content in line with the top academic standards of content quality.
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How to check for plagiarism.
Now that you've learned about your topic through background research and developed your topic into a research question, you can formulate a solid thesis statement . The thesis statement can be looked at as the answer to your research question. It guides the focus of your research and the direction of your arguments, and also prevents any unnecessary tangents within your project. A strong thesis statement will always make it easier to maintain a clear direction while conducting your information search.
Thesis statements are one sentence long and are focused, clear, declarative, and written in third person voice. Read the sections below for more information and view examples.
Focus on a single position or point of view in your thesis statement. You cannot effectively address multiple perspectives within a single paper, as you want to make coherent points to support your position.
Weak Thesis: Underfunded arts programs, underpaid teachers, and standardized testing are all factors in underachieving students in public schools.
Stronger Thesis: The emphasis on standardized testing is a critical factor in the underperformance of public school students.
Present your argument or position clearly and precisely. A clear thesis statement will avoid generalizations and make your position known.
Weak Thesis: The lack of funding in public schools is a major issue in the American education system.
Stronger Thesis: Underfunding arts programs in public schools does not adequately prepare students for college.
Present your position or point of view as a statement or declarative sentence. Your research question helped guide your initial searching so you could learn more about your topic. Now that you have completed that step, you can extract a thesis statement based on the research you have discovered.
Weak Thesis: Does car exhaust impact climate change?
Stronger Thesis: Car exhaust is a leading contributor to climate change.
Write your thesis statement in third person voice. Rather than addressing "I," "we," "you," "my," or "our" in your thesis, look at the larger issues that affect a greater number of participants. Think in terms like "citizens," "students," "artists," "teachers," "researchers," etc.
Weak Thesis: I think using your cell phone while driving is the leading cause of traffic deaths for people in my age group.
Stronger Thesis: Cell phone use is the leading cause of traffic deaths in teenagers.
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Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ordered retaliation after a humiliating security failure, as Iran once again balances showing strength against the risk of escalation.
By Farnaz Fassihi
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued an order for Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the killing in Tehran of Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, according to three Iranian officials briefed on the order.
Mr. Khamenei gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly after Iran announced that Mr. Haniyeh had been killed, said the three Iranian officials, including two members of the Revolutionary Guards. They asked that their names not be published because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the assassination; Israel, which is at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has neither acknowledged nor denied killing Mr. Haniyeh, who was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president. Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad, including Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders.
Through almost 10 months of war in Gaza, Iran has tried to strike a balance, putting pressure on Israel with sharply increased attacks by its allies and proxy forces in the region, while avoiding an all-out war between the two nations.
In April, Iran made its biggest and most overt attack on Israel in decades of hostility, launching hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its embassy compound that killed several Iranian military commanders in Damascus, Syria. But even that show of force was telegraphed well in advance, nearly all the weapons were shot down by Israel and its allies, and little damage was done.
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Step 2: Write your initial answer. After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process. The internet has had more of a positive than a negative effect on education.
Table of contents. Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
Keep your thesis statement flexible and revise it as needed. In the process of researching and writing, you may find new information or refine your understanding of the topic. ... Introduction: background and thesis statement. Body. I. First topic. A. Point A. 1. Supporting evidence 2. Supporting evidence. a. Detail. II. Second Topic. III ...
Background information: Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. Thesis statement: Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be ...
A thesis statement . . . Makes an argumentative assertion about a topic; it states the conclusions that you have reached about your topic. Makes a promise to the reader about the scope, purpose, and direction of your paper. Is focused and specific enough to be "proven" within the boundaries of your paper. Is generally located near the end ...
Table of contents. Step 1: Introduce your topic. Step 2: Describe the background. Step 3: Establish your research problem. Step 4: Specify your objective (s) Step 5: Map out your paper. Research paper introduction examples. Frequently asked questions about the research paper introduction.
Get down your hook and thesis statement, and background information if necessary, without worrying about how it sounds. You'll be able to fix the problems later. 6 Revise your introduction after you've written your whole paper. We recommend finishing the first draft of your entire paper before revising the introduction. You may make some ...
The background information that you provide should give your readers the information they need to understand the argument in your thesis. Be sure, though, that you don't *preview* the thesis. ... The thesis statement is well-written and clearly states all necessary information: The specific topic (the 'chicken bylaw' in Thunder Bay)
The background information. The thesis. Your hook will be what grabs your reader (and keeps you from the bottom of that pile we mentioned earlier). The background information will give context to your topic or argument in a broad but relevant way. Finally, your thesis will summarize your overall argument in a sentence or two. Hook Your Reader
The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It gives the reader clear information about the content of the essay, which will help them to understand the essay more easily. The thesis states the specific topic, and often lists the main (controlling) ideas that will be discussed in the main body.
An analytical paper breaks down an issue or an idea into its component parts, evaluates the issue or idea, and presents this breakdown and evaluation to the audience.; An expository (explanatory) paper explains something to the audience.; An argumentative paper makes a claim about a topic and justifies this claim with specific evidence. The claim could be an opinion, a policy proposal, an ...
Expository thesis statements are written to be unbiased and to present information in a straightforward way. The smallpox vaccine was the first vaccine; it was developed in 1798. Analysis Statement
The purpose of the introduction is to engage the reader, provide background information to establish context, and state the main claim and organization of your paper. An introduction should include a hook, background information on your topic, and a thesis statement. Avoid using filler sentences, restating the assignment prompt, providing ...
GENERAL FORMAT FOR SINGLE-PARAGRAPH INTRODUCTIONS. If you are unsure of how to organize your introductory paragraph, this is a good format to follow: Hook (be creative in capturing your audiencerrraDUCDDoHHHHIHaLHHL's attention) Background information (or statements that connect the hook to the thesis) Thesis.
These elements: the hook, background information and thesis, together create a good introduction paragraph. ... The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction paragraph. The ...
much information, as it will distract rather than clarify your purpose for writing. The thesis statement is a one or two-sentence summary of the main argument made in the paper. Your thesis should clearly state one specific, debatable idea. In other words, your thesis is the focused argument you plan to support and develop throughout your essay.
Background information can also include summaries of important research studies. This can be a particularly important element of providing background information if an innovative or groundbreaking study about the research problem laid a foundation for further research or there was a key study that is essential to understanding your arguments.
After the background information, at the very end of the introductory paragraph, a thesis statement ought to appear. The thesis statement is the last yet most important element of an introductory paragraph. The thesis statement presents a writer's overall position on the topic and forecasts the key ideas that will be addressed in the text.
some background information on your topic; The idea is to begin broadly and gradually bring the reader closer to the main idea of the paper. At the end of the introduction, you will state your thesis statement. ... Remember that the thesis statement is a kind of "mapping tool" that helps you organize your ideas, and it helps your reader follow ...
Overview of the structure. To help guide your reader, end your introduction with an outline of the structure of the thesis or dissertation to follow. Share a brief summary of each chapter, clearly showing how each contributes to your central aims. However, be careful to keep this overview concise: 1-2 sentences should be enough.
What is background information, and where to place it in the research paper? In a nutshell, it should be the first section of your academic document preceding the formulation of your problem statement and the purpose of a research paper. Thus, when you compose the thesis of your background section, you should focus on the key subject of your ...
These background information examples will help you do it perfectly every time. ... Background information does not directly support your thesis in an essay or paper, ... to the average man, of protons and neutrons doing their stuff, and there has been much reiteration of the useless statement that the bomb "ought to be put under ...
A strong thesis statement will always make it easier to maintain a clear direction while conducting your information search. Thesis statements are one sentence long and are focused, clear, declarative, and written in third person voice. Read the sections below for more information and view examples. 1. Focused.
Lauren Hitt, a spokeswoman for the Harris-Walz campaign, said in a statement on Saturday that Mr. Walz's remarks had been a misstatement and that he had not tried to mislead anyone about his ...
Statements from other Iranian officials, including the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the foreign ministry, the Guards and Iran's mission to the U.N., also said openly that Iran would ...